Become a Community Scientist This April with the City Nature Challenge

As the weather warms up in April, it's the perfect time to get outside and observe changes happening in the world around us. Toward the end of the month, you have a unique opportunity to become a part of something big – the City Nature Challenge! In Park City, this event is a collaboration between Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter and Basin Recreation, and it's all about observing and documenting nature in your own backyard.

What is Community Science? 
Community science is when ordinary people like you and me help scientists by collecting data and making observations about the natural world. It's a way for anyone to be a scientist, no matter how old you are or what you know about science. The idea is simple: by working together, we can learn more about our environment and help protect it.

The City Nature Challenge 
The City Nature Challenge is a global event where cities compete to see who can document the most species of plants and animals. It's not about winning, though – it's about learning, exploring, and having fun while helping scientists understand our planet better. This year, from April 25 to April 28, you can join tens of thousands of people around the world to take part in this quest.

Get Involved Locally  
Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter and Basin Recreation are hosting special events and activities to help you participate in the City Nature Challenge. Both are great resources for learning about local wildlife, plants, and open space in Park City. Learn more about the local events happening April 25 - 28!

To join the City Nature Challenge, you'll need to use an app called iNaturalist. Here's how you can get started:

1. Download the iNaturalist App: Go to the App Store or Google Play and download the iNaturalist app. It's free and easy to use!
2. Create an Account: Sign up with your email address and choose a username and password.
3. Find Wildlife: Explore your backyard, neighborhood, or local parks to find wild plants, animals, or fungi. Take a photo of what you find.
4. Share Your Observations: Open the iNaturalist app and click on the camera icon to upload your photos. Add the location and date, and if you know what it is, you can suggest an identification. Don't worry if you're not sure – the iNaturalist community will help you figure it out!
5. Join the Challenge: Make sure your observations are part of the City Nature Challenge by selecting the project for your area.

You Can Be a Scientist Too! 
The best part about community science is that anyone can do it. You don't need to be a scientist or have special equipment – just a curious mind and a willingness to explore. You can use iNaturalist year-round to learn and record your own observations. So, grab your phone, head outside, and start observing! You never know what cool things you might discover. 

Other Naturalist News

Loss of Beaver Population Next to Swaner EcoCenter

Between March 23 and April 2, five dead beavers were discovered near the Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter by Swaner staff. All five beavers shared one lodge outside the EcoCenter, and samples collected from one of the beavers tested positive for tularemia.

Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter Welcomes New Executive Director

We are thrilled to announce our new executive director, Lewis Kogan. Learn more about his impressive career and excitement to join the organization.

What To Do If You Find a Baby Bird

It’s spring, which means baby animals of all kinds are starting to appear! Learn what to do if you find a baby bird during this time of year.

Amazing Butterflies

If you enjoy summer days hiking in the local mountains or sitting among the flowers in a nearby garden, you have undoubtedly observed butterflies flitting from flower to flower or gliding on updrafts overhead. These small fragile creatures have withstood

American Wetlands Month

Did you know that May is American Wetlands Month? It's the perfect time to celebrate the amazing wetlands right here in the Wasatch Back! Wetlands are one of the most important—and rare—ecosystems in Utah. In fact, less than 1% of our entire state is cons

Clever Creatures: How Local Wildlife Prepares for Winter

All around us, wildlife here on the Wasatch Back are making remarkable adjustments to survive the cold months ahead. Some tuck themselves away in a kind of suspended animation, while others stay active, transforming their behavior to endure freezing tempe

Become a Community Scientist

Towards the end of April, you have a unique opportunity to become a part of something big – the City Nature Challenge! In Park City, this event is a collaboration between Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter and Basin Recreation, and it's all about observing and d

How Stars and Nature Guide Us Through Change

Places like the Swaner Preserve have become increasingly rare. Behind a shopping plaza with diverse restaurants, boutiques, and condos, there lies a 1,200-acre piece of permanently protected open space. It starkly contrasts the life around its border—a sl

DIY Snow Gauge

Although winter can be cold and dark, it is also a great season to explore and engage with nature in new ways! A fun and easy way to do this is by building your own snow gauge! With a paint stirrer and a few materials, you can measure snowfall and connect

Wanted: Invasive Weeds

It's weed season, Park City! Help our native ecosystem by tackling invasive weeds in your area, or joining in one of Swaner's upcoming volunteer events!

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