Diario del proyecto City Nature Challenge 2021: Washington DC Metro Area

During April 30-May 3, 2021, all observations made anywhere in the DC metropolitan area will count for the 2021 City Nature Challenge. This is an exciting time to encourage your friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues to find and document biodiversity in our region as part of a friendly, international competition.

Dozens of organizations across the metro area are involved in spreading the word to encourage people to get outside and record wild biodiversity for the City Nature Challenge. There's room for plenty more! This is a big tent of nature enthusiasts.

If you want to stay in the loop about planning in our region, please:

1. Join this project
2. Join the Google Group that we use for meetings and regular communication

We'll have a call for returning organizers on Friday, January 22 and another for new organizers on Friday, January 29. All planning calls this year will be on Fridays at 11 am. Join the Google Group to be sure you get those details.

You can take a look at the results from our region in 2020. We're especially interested to involve people and organizations that can help fill the gaps in the map, as well as experts who can help identify the abundance of observations that come in.

Some of the newest prolific contributors from the region who joined since last year's City Nature Challenge may be interested in getting involved this year. Hope you'll join us! If so, please join the Google Group! (If not, no problem, please ignore!)
@cmciv @chamelea @jeffdc @wimper @bugzilla @riset @bruzzone @dillyt @groutta @amytsnyder @caz1hiker @ben_springer @dawnaurore @katherinepontarelli @wescochran @bruce206 @mjingwi @stephencho @mthorn37 @thefloorisflava @rrussellbailey @witttl @craigtheautotroph @matthewdyer @kristin-marie @vanessaleli @coxfamilydc @droberts50 @connorth @jbuzzbee

Note: Please share this invitation with anyone you know who may be interested to find out more about the City Nature Challenge.

The City Nature Challenge is a friendly, annual, global event to record biodiversity. From April 30-May 3, 2021, participants will document wild plants, animals, and fungi using the iNaturalist mobile app and website. The Washington DC area is participating! Following the observation period, we'll all pitch in, with the help of experts, to identify what we’ve seen in our region-- and compete globally for most species observed. Global results will be announced on May 10. It's like a virtual bioblitz where you can participate from anywhere in the region.

Do you know an organization in the broader DC metro area that cares about biodiversity? Please join an introductory call on Friday, January 29, 11 am - 12 pm to learn more about the City Nature Challenge and/or join our Google Group to stay in the loop.

The Washington Metropolitan Area has participated annually since 2017. Dozens of environmental organizations, parks, libraries, nature centers, and other local groups help spread the word. There are many ways to be involved and collaborate with other organizations.

Examples of organizer participation include:

• Encouraging your audience via email or social media to get outside and make observations during April 30-May 3
• Incorporating the City Nature Challenge into existing programming or events
• Posting signage at notice boards or trailheads
• Helping organize a virtual event
• Recruiting and supporting expert naturalists to make and identify observations

We encourage everyone to think about ways to broaden participation for underrepresented groups. We have outreach materials in Spanish and encourage bilingual events.

We hope you’ll join this exciting event in 2021, and we look forward to connecting with new groups across the region!

Carrie Seltzer
Stella Tarnay
Deborah Barber
DC area CNC co-organizers