Saskatoon and Area
City Nature Challenge 2026
CNC YXE 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City Nature Challenge 2026: 
Saskatoon Takes on the Global Biodiversity Stage
THE RESULTS ARE IN!

These are the statistics about how Saskatoon Fared

CNC YXE 2026 Infographic!

There were 12 endangered species observed!  
Threatened Species 12 species
CR green ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Killdeer Charadrius vociferus,  Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca  Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula, Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus,Osprey Pandion haliaetus,,American Tree Sparrow Spizelloides arborea,  Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura, Western Tiger Salamander Ambystoma mavortium,Goldenrod Gall Fly Eurosta solidaginis, Calligrapha verrucosa, Shiny Blue Bottle Fly Cynomya cadaverina

MOST OBSERVED SPECIES IN SASKATOON FOR THIS FOUR DAY STRETCH IN A SNOWSTORM
Most Observed Species
ROBIN!  Turdus migratorius  64
yellow-rumped warbler  Setophaga coronata     43
dark-eyed junco ( Junco hyemalis  40
American crow Corvus brachyrhynchos   28
black-capped chickadee Poecile atricapillus    25
Canada goose Branta canadensis    23

By the numbers in Saskatoon, SK there were:

925📷 Observations          221🌿 Species          
          49👥 Observers          135🔍 Identifiers

For observing biodiversity and signs of life in a rare freak snowstorm, that was impressive!  Way to go Saskatoon  

To compare to other Prairie Province cities:

Regina Saskatchewan
448📷 Observations          110🌿 Species  
          28👥 Observers          129🔍 Identifiers

Brandon Manitoba
653📷 Observations          147🌿 Species        
          18👥 Observers          92🔍 Identifiers

Winnipeg, Manitoba
1,796📷 Observations          375🌿 Species        
          95👥 Observers          241

Edmonton, Alberta
1,616📷 Observations          240🌿 Species  
          106👥 Observers          193🔍 Identifiers

Lethbridge, Alberta
1,296📷 Observations          301🌿 Species        
          40👥 Observers          199🔍 Identifiers

Red Deer Alberta results:
97📷 Observations          71🌿 Species      
10👥 Observers          28🔍 Identifiers

Calgary Alberta
4,986📷 Observations          474🌿 Species    
          152👥 Observers          335🔍 Identifiers

Visit citynaturestats.com to view the in-depth results and explore your city’s individual statistics.

World Wild Results:
City Nature Challenge 2026 Global Results!

• Total # of species documented: 76,422+
• Total # of observers: 106,354
• Total # of identifiers: 27,641+
• Total # of observations: 3,001,825
• Rare, Endangered, or Threatened species: 5688+
• Most Observed Plant: Common Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale
• Most Observed Animal: Mallard, Ana platyrhynchos
• Number of participating countries: 61
• Number of participating cities: 754
• Percentage of research grade observations: 40%

Saskatoon, SK – Get ready to explore the rich natural heritage of Saskatoon and join us in the City Nature Challenge 2026 (CNC YXE 2026)! From April 24 – April 27, 2026, 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 24 – April 27, 2026: 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 28 – May 10, 2026: Identification Phase
  After documenting, help identify the species that others have observed, contributing to the global database of biodiversity.
• Results will be announced on Wednesday May 13, 2026.
  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 2026 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 2026 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#CNCYXE2026 #ExploreNature #iNaturalist #Biodiversity #Saskatoon