Saskatoon and Area
City Nature Challenge 2024
CNC YXE 2024

Unite for Nature: Find it, Snap it, Share it!
April 26 to April 29, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City Nature Challenge 2025:
Saskatoon Takes on the Global Biodiversity Stage
Saskatoon, SK – Get ready to explore the rich natural heritage of Saskatoon and join us in the City Nature Challenge 2025 (CNC YXE 2025)! From April 25 – April 28, 2025, we invite residents to take part in this exciting international competition, where cities around the world race to document their biodiversity through the power of citizen science.
Unleashing the Power of Citizen Science
The City Nature Challenge empowers everyone—from casual nature enthusiasts to seasoned naturalists—to contribute valuable observations of Saskatoon's wildlife. Whether you’re taking a walk through your neighborhood, enjoying a day at the park, or simply exploring your own backyard, we encourage you to photograph plants, animals, insects, fungi, and other forms of life using the iNaturalist app. These observations help map the biodiversity of our city, contributing to a global effort to better understand and protect our environment.
The City Nature Challenge Phases
  • April 25 – April 28, 2025: Observation & Data Collection Phase
    Head outdoors and capture the incredible wildlife in your neighborhood. Record your findings using iNaturalist or a local platform to help catalog species across the city.
  • April 29 – May 4, 2025: Identification Phase
    After documenting, help identify the species that others have observed, contributing to the global database of biodiversity.
  • Results Announcement: Monday, May 5, 2025
    Find out which cities recorded the most observations, discovered the highest diversity, and engaged the largest number of participants.
The Heartbeat of Saskatoon's Biodiversity
Saskatoon’s entry in the City Nature Challenge 2025 is organized by the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas and supported by local environmental groups, including the Saskatoon Nature Society. With an exciting array of events and activities planned, we hope to inspire participants to explore, connect, and protect Saskatoon’s natural beauty.
What Can You Discover?
From the buzzing of bees to the flutter of butterflies, wildlife is waiting to be found all around you. Record your observations of any wild plant, animal, insect, or fungi, and even signs of life like tracks, feathers, scat, or nests. The iNaturalist app makes it easy to document and share your discoveries while providing AI-powered suggestions to help identify species.
Saskatoon’s Call to Action
Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or just beginning to explore the outdoors, City Nature Challenge 2025 is for everyone. As Jerin, a 16-year-old Saskatoon high school student, puts it, "I’d love to contribute any photos I take on my walks and bike rides around the city!" Jerin’s enthusiasm highlights the power of individuals to collectively make a huge difference in documenting our city's wildlife.
Engage with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
This challenge is a fun and impactful way to contribute to UN Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land and Goal 14: Life Under Water by documenting species, identifying those at risk, and helping scientists track global biodiversity trends.
Join Us in the Nature Revolution
To make the most of your experience, check out the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas YouTube channel for tutorials on how to get started with iNaturalist, and how to participate in the identification phase of the challenge.
Get Involved Today! 
Saskatoon is ready to showcase its incredible biodiversity. Take part in the City Nature Challenge 2025 to help us make our mark on the global stage. Stay tuned for updates and event details as the challenge dates approach. Together, we can highlight Saskatoon as a leader in biodiversity conservation.
For more information, please contact:  Julia AdamsonChair, Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas  friendsafforestation@gmail.com
For detailed guidelines, event information, and updates, visit the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas website and the iNaturalist platform.
Support & Collaborate.   The City Nature Challenge 2025 is brought to you by Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas, a local environmental charity. We appreciate the support of community organizations like the Saskatoon Nature Society, and we welcome further collaboration. If you're interested in supporting the event or contributing in any way, please contact us. Donations are gratefully accepted via PayPal, Canada Helps, and more.
Let's make a difference, one observation at a time!
Follow the City Nature Challenge 2025#CNCYXE2025 #ExploreNature #iNaturalist #Biodiversity #Saskatoon

Hints and Tips iNaturalist How To

Helpful iNaturalist Canada YouTube videos, How-To sheets here, and how to get involved with iNaturalist City Nature Challenge

Pamphlets and poster

YouTube, TikTok. Brochures, pamphlets, and a poster for you to download for the City Nature Challenge 2024 -

2022 CNCYXE results

How did Saskatoon and Area do the very first time they took part in the City Nature Challenge in 2022? Find out here.

SIGNS OF LIFE accepted

This includes encounters with signs of organisms like tracks, nests, sound recordings or things that just died, etc. - LEARN MORE

Collaborate

We encourage your business, classroom, community association, youth group to take part in the CNC YXE! Your logo on the Saskatoon CNC YXE 2024 banner!

Support

How can you or your business support with in-kind or philanthropic generosity?

CNC YXE 2024 host: Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas

An introduction to the non profit environmental charity Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc.

CNC YXE Results 2024

🌳 Let's celebrate the power of citizen science and our city's dedication to preserving nature! Join us in reliving the magic and get ready to be inspired for next year's challenge. πŸŒŽπŸ’š

 Sharing on Social Media

Sharing threads, hash tags, for the CNC YXE 2024 on Social Media! An easy method for you to share content!

Educator and Parent Guide

Engaging Youth with Nature. Hints and Tips, curriculum ideas.

Exploring Nature in and Around Your Home

How to find nature in the city

Educational Resouces for Teachers and Naturalists

Teaching materials about Fungi appropriate for Grades K-3, Grades 4-12 and adult education use in a classroom or lab setting

Nature Lovers AND Environment Naturalist Coordinators

Postings for Environment Naturalist Coordinators AND Nature Lover Observation Recorders

Enchanted Forest Exploration: Discovering Wildlife and Wonders

Tales from the Trail: An Interactive Journey Through Nature

Going on a Nature Walk

Join us on an exciting journey through the wonders of nature with our new song, inspired by the rhythm of "Going on a Lion Hunt." 🌿🎢 Follow along as we explore the beauty and biodiversity of the natural world, from tall grasses to serene wetlands, and everything in between!

Γ€ propos imageΓ€ propos imageΓ€ propos image
Le Défi nature urbaine est une initiative internationale invitant les gens à trouver et à consigner plantes et animaux sauvages dans des villes de partout dans le monde.1

Il s’agit d’une compétition entre les villes Cette année, l’accent sera plutôt mis sur l’importance de la nature dans nos vies et l’aspect collaboratif du partage d’observations en ligne. 2

1. citynaturechallenge.org/participate/
2 https://ccn-ncc.gc.ca/evenements/defi-nature-urbaine


  • Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
  • George Genereux Urban Regional Park NE 21-36-6 W3 - George Genereux Afforestation Area -133 Range Road 3063 - GPS 52.1089473,-106.7925807 Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area Part SE 23-36-6 W3- South East Parking (Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area ) - 241A Township Road 362-A - GPS 52.100826, -106.742013
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