Community scientists celebrate nature by scouring the region and documenting local species and ecosystems in the 2024 City Nature Challenge from April 26 to 29.
The annual community science event encourages residents to get outside and observe wild plants, animals and fungi, competition with more than 400 cities across the world, to photograph and document local biodiversity using the free iNaturalist website or app.
No experience is necessary and Capital Regional District (CRD) communities host a handful of in-person events during the challenge.
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The Esquimalt Lagoon BioThon, hosted by the Esquimalt Lagoon Stewardship Initiative runs 4 to 6 p.m. on April 26. Meet by the washrooms near Lagoon Road. On Saturday (April 27), CRD Regional Parks hosts a birding basics session at Island View between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Saanich hosts several events on Saturday: park tours at Cedar Hill Park between 9 a.m. and noon as well as Camrose Park or Peacock Hill Park between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m.; drop by the Gorge Waterway Nature House (1070 Tillicum Rd.) between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to learn about the biodiversity of the Gorge and how to protect it; or visit Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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In Oak Bay, the Friends of Uplands Park Society runs an event 1 to 3 p.m. in the grassy field off Beach Drive at the entrance to Cattle Point.
Sunday on the West Shore includes a bird walk at Outerbridge park at 9 a.m., led by Rocky Point Bird Observatory.
Stop by Thetis Lake Regional Park between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to learn how each layer of the forest offers food and shelter for a variety of wildlife. Gorge Waterway Action Society is back in action at the nature house (1070 Tillicum Rd.) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Participants from the Capital Region who register for the event have a chance to win one of five prizes, including a smartphone macro camera lens.
Visit crd.bc.ca/education/protection-stewardship/biodiversity for more information including details about prizes, resources and events.