Join the Global Wave: Saskatoon’s City Nature Challenge 2026
Join the Global Wave: Saskatoon’s City Nature Challenge 2026
Dust off your hiking boots and charge your smartphones—the City Nature Challenge (CNC) is back! This global "BioBlitz" is a friendly competition that encourages people to find and document wildlife in their cities. Using the iNaturalist app, every photo of a wildflower, beetle, or bird you take contributes to a massive database used by real scientists to track biodiversity.
Whether you're a seasoned naturalist or a curious beginner, Saskatoon has a lineup of immersive events to help you get involved. The City Nature Challenge invites you to participate anywhere in Saskatoon and Area. You can also attend these group events. Here is how you can participate in the local "urban safari" this April.
Featured BioBlitz Events
Location: Richard St. Barbe Afforestation Area
Time: Friday, April 24 | 6:30 PM
The Experience: Experience the transition from day to dusk. This walk focuses on the hardy trees and nocturnal residents of one of Saskatoon’s most vital "lungs." It’s the perfect time to catch sightings of owls or deer as they begin their evening routines. THIS PARTICULAR EVENT IS POSTPONED DUE TO THE SNOWSTORM Please document organisms in Saskatoon and area on this date to help out
Location: Memorial Healing Forest Site
Time: Sunday, April 26 | 2:00 PM
The Experience: A mindful approach to citizen science. This event emphasizes the connection between nature and healing. Participants will practice "slow noticing," documenting the resilient flora and fauna that call this sacred space home. THIS PARTICULAR EVENT IS POSTPONED DUE TO THE SNOWSTORM. Please document organisms in Saskatoon and area on this date to help out
3. Urban Wild: Discovering Nature at George Genereux Park April 26 at 2:00 pm
Location: George Genereux Urban Regional Park
Time: Sunday, April 26 | 2:00 PM
The Experience: Explore the rugged beauty of the west side. This walk is designed for those who love to "discover"—looking under logs and peering into thickets to find the hidden biodiversity that thrives in our urban wild spaces.
4.
Life Beneath the Surface: Wetlands & Pond Dipping Adventure Apr 27 · 6:30 PM CST
Location: Local Wetland (Meet-up details via iNaturalist/Eventbrite)
Time: Monday, April 27 | 6:30 PM
The Experience: Get ready to get your hands a little wet! This adventure dives into the fascinating world of aquatic invertebrates and wetland plants. We’ll use nets and viewers to identify the tiny creatures that form the foundation of our ecosystem.
How to Participate
Getting started is as simple as Capture, Upload, and Identify:
Download: Install the free iNaturalist app on your mobile device.
Observe: Head out to any of the events above (or even your own backyard).
Snap: Take clear photos of any wild organism—plants, animals, fungi, or even tracks and nests.
Share: Upload your observations to the app. The iNaturalist community will help confirm your identification.
Note: Remember to dress for the weather and wear sturdy footwear. These events are a fantastic way to meet fellow nature lovers while helping Saskatoon show the world how wild our city truly is!
