City Nature Challenge Tallies Over 2.4 Million Wildlife Observations
Over 83,000 community scientists from 690 cities around the world document more than 3,940 rare, endangered, or threatened species in a four-day community science effort
Los Angeles, CA (May 7, 2024) — The City Nature Challenge (CNC) results have arrived! More than 83,000 people across 690 cities in 51 countries on all 7 continents documented more than 2.4 million wildlife observations for the 9th annual community science initiative. More than 65,682 species were observed, with the Mallard Duck coming in once again as the most popular around the world and the Western Fence lizard retained its title as the most common in Los Angeles County.
The global event called on current and aspiring community scientists, nature and science fans, and people of all ages and backgrounds to observe and submit pictures of wild plants, animals, and fungi from April 26 – 29. Participants submitted pictures of wild plants and animals using the free mobile app, iNaturalist. The competition underscores the power of community science to track real-time changes in our planet’s biodiversity.
“For almost 10 years, we’ve known the observations contributed by the global community have made wide-reaching impacts in local conservation, restoration, land management, research and education,” said Sam Tayag, Community Science Program Manager for the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. “This year in Los Angeles, the NHM City Nature Challenge team was honored to see 2024’s observations contribute to Indigenous science, Land stewardship and Land Back right in the middle of urban Los Angeles at Chief Ya’anna Village thanks to our partners Academia Anawakalmekak and the Gabrielino-Shoshone Nation.”
After co-founding and organizing the first-ever City Nature Challenge in 2016 as a competition between the Los Angeles and San Francisco metro areas, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) and the California Academy of Sciences expanded the initiative to 690 cities this year — one of the biggest jumps in CNC history. This significant uptick is the result of a network of organizers in India who brought 205 projects to the global effort. This year’s 2.4 million observations included sightings of more than 3,940 rare, endangered, or threatened species. The Challenge engaged more than 83,000 observers around the world, including 1,983 in Los Angeles County alone.
Los Angeles County by the Numbers
Observations: 21,825
Species: 2,770 (including 70 rare/endangered/threatened species)
Observers: 1,983
Average number of observations per person: 11
594 people created their iNaturalist account since the beginning of April and collectively made 4,094 observations and recorded 260 species
Los Angeles County Highlights
Putting the “City” in City Nature Challenge
- A peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) perched on a window ledge in Downtown Los Angeles, with lanes of traffic below – observed by new iNaturalist user max-kai-cheetahmom
Rare, Endangered, Threatened, or Endemic
- Bocaccio (Sebastes paucispinis) fish, critically endangered globally – observed by panthalassaunited off Catalina island
- California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) photos of a tagged, endangered California condor being harassed by a crow or raven. – observed by christrent near Castaic
- Blair’s Munzothamnus (Munzothamnus blairii) plant endemic and threatened in California – observed by kylephyte on San Clemente island
- Sonoran Bumble Bee (Bombus sonorus) imperiled in California – observed by keithhaney on the Palos Verdes Peninsula
- San Gabriel Chestnut (Glyptostoma gabrielense) snail imperiled and endemic to the northern part of Los Angeles county – observed by cpmaceface, a representative of our partner, County of Los Angeles, Department of Parks & Recreation
Species Interactions
- Insect larvae on a wasp, which may be an example of a parasitoid species or an opportunistic instance of an insect laying its egg on the wasp – observed by both boazsolorio and ectothermist at an event hosted by our partner, USDA Forest Service, in the San Bernardino Experimental Forest.
- Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis) the second western fence lizard caught by a great egret in a 15-minute time frame at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden – observed by sorrykb
- San Diego Alligator Lizard (Elgaria multicarinata ssp. webbii) eating a pillbug – observed by tmills
Animals on the Move
- American Black Bear (Ursus americanus) strolling along a trail in the San Gabriel mountains- observed by new iNaturalist user kellypfs
- Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) watercolor-like image of a peacock in flight – observed by new iNaturalist user andysae at the L.A. Arboretum
- Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) walking along the top of a fence in Long Beach – observed by new iNaturalist user thecapelutos
- Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) possibly a young opossum out for a walk in Elysian Heights – observed by new iNaturalist user max-kai-cheetahmom
Over and Under the Sea
- By-the-wind Sailor (Velella velella) in front of a sparkling blue ocean on Catalina Island- observed by panthalassaunited
- California Aglaja (Navanax inermis) multicolored sea slug off Catalina Island – observed by panthalassaunited
Cute Factor
- Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) four juveniles sitting in a tree along the L.A. River, while the parents were nearby looking for food – observed by kimssight
- Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) adult and juvenile – observed by csj9999999 in Lakewood
- Adult and young grebes, the fifth photo showing a juvenile sitting on the back of an adult – observed by trailblazr at Castaic Lagoon
World by the numbers
- Observations: 2,436,844
- Species: 65,682+ (including more than 3,940+ rare/endangered/threatened species)
- Observers: 83,528
- Most-observed species globally: Mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos)
- Cities: 690
- Countries: 51
World highlights
- Australian Giant Cuttlefish (Ascarosepion apama), Australia, near threatened – observed by biniek-io
- Serowe Lashes (Blepharis petalidioides), Botswana, endemic in Botswana – observed by botswanabugs
- Verrucosa undecimvariolata, Brazil, second occurrence of this species on iNaturalist in the entire brazilian state of Santa Catarina and only 66 records worldwide on GBIF – observed by taizaa
- Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens), Canada, sound recording of a frog that is of special concern in Canada – observed by arikat
- Common Picture Wing (Rhyothemis variegata), India, freeze-frame photo of a dragonfly showing opposition of wings in motion – observed by surabhi_srivastava_gaur
- Lizard Goby (Rhinogobius flumineus), Japan, endemic in Japan – observed by daichi2023
- Leptinella rotundata, New Zealand, endangered in New Zealand – observed by naturewatchwidow
- Elkhorn Coral (Acropora palmata), Panama, critically endangered coral, many of these corals died last year as a result of our high water temperatures, its nice to see one of this size – observed by caribbeannaturalist
- Western Leopard Toad (Sclerophrys pantherina), South Africa, endemic and endangered in South Africa – observed by hhodgson
- Little Bustard (Tetrax tetrax) – Spain, critically endangered in Spain – observed by gomezllanos
- Arrhenia discorosea, Ukraine, second record of vulnerable mushroom species from Ukraine – observed by dmitry_trutsko
- Small Coastal Plain Spreading Pogonia (Cleistesiopsis oricamporum), USA, Unusual double-flower observation of a vulnerable species – observed by terrapinjoe
The current landscape of urban biodiversity is poorly understood. As global human populations grow increasingly concentrated in cities, documenting urban biodiversity—and our impact on it—is a crucial part of understanding our shared future. Large pools of data, including those built by iNaturalist and natural history museums, aid in scientific research and help land managers make informed conservation decisions for humans to sustainably coexist with regional plant and animal life.
“The City Nature Challenge is a wonderful opportunity for communities around the world to come together, explore, and appreciate the biodiversity that surrounds us,” said CNC Organizer Ruth Nasieku of Nairobi, Kenya. ”It’s inspiring to see so many people engaging with nature in their cities and contributing to valuable community science efforts.”
“It is important to participate in the City Nature Challenge because it gives us the opportunity to connect with the nature around us, learn more about biodiversity and contribute to the collection of scientific data important for wildlife conservation,” added CNC Organizer Anabela Plos of Buenos Aires, Argentina. “Additionally, by participating, we can promote environmental awareness and the importance of protecting our natural environment for future generations.”
In 2023, the Challenge tallied more than 1.87 million observations, including over 2,570 rare, endangered, or threatened species; engaged more than 66,000 observers; and recorded 57,227 species worldwide. Next year’s City Nature Challenge — which celebrates its 10th anniversary — will take place April 25 – 28, 2025.
