London Participates in the City Nature Challenge
Earlier this spring, from April 24 to 27, London participated in its fourth annual City Nature Challenge run by Bioblitz London and the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA).
The City Nature Challenge (CNC) is a global event designed to get people outside, engaging with nature, and helping to make iNaturalist observations. It is a bioblitz-style event that encourages people to find and document plants, animals, and fungi in their cities using iNaturalist.
In London, the CNC kicked off with a webinar hosted by Lorraine Johnson, renowned writer, editor, and community advocate who spoke about how local efforts can make a positive difference to biodiversity. Local organizations then led 15 nature walks, hikes, and bioblitzes across the City of London. These events were led by local naturalists and community organizations and were focused on a variety of topics, including early spring wildlife, local biodiversity, forest ecology, bugs and migratory birds, spring migratory songbirds, nocturnal insects, and more! The UTRCA led its third annual creek exploration bioblitz at Fanshawe Conservation Area where over 30 community members learned all about local aquatic species, plants, and insects.
The CNC 2026 was our biggest and most exciting year yet! Together, our community placed 8th in Canada and recorded:
- 4,297 observations,
- 750 different species, and
- 155 participating observers.
Missed the City Nature Challenge in 2026? Don't worry, we'll be hosting similar events this fall through the Great Canadian Bioblitz and will be back with the CNC next spring! In the meantime, download the iNaturalist app to your phone and become an expert! Your observations help contribute to local conservation efforts.
A huge thank you to the local organizations that donated prizes to the CNC, allowing a lucky few who attended our events to win! Thanks to Downtown London, London Children's Museum, London Bicycle Café, Urban Roots, Heeman's, Wild Birds Unlimited, and Junction Climbing Centre.
Thank you to TD Friends of the Environment Foundation for supporting this project!
If you have any questions about the City Nature Challenge, please reach out to April Scholz, Community Partnership Specialist.