For the eighth consecutive year, Indianapolis will join a global effort to document urban biodiversity, as residents take part in the City Nature Challenge (CNC) from April 25-28, 2025.
The annual event encourages community scientists to explore and photograph local plants and animals, contributing valuable data to support conservation efforts.
People of all ages and backgrounds can participate sharing photos of plants, animals, fungi and other forms of life using the free iNaturalist app.
Since 2018, Indianapolis has embraced the CNC, with over 1,500 community scientists making nearly 30,000 observations. By taking part, residents help build a database of local plant and animal life to inform future conservation efforts. The data helps identify rare species, track invasive species and highlight the health of local ecosystems.
For city park managers like Brittany Davis Swinford, regional manager for Indy Parks, the challenge is essential in guiding how the city manages its green spaces.
“Participating in the City Nature Challenge gives us a quick four-day snapshot of the plants and animals that can be found in a certain area,” Swinford said. “It’s a great chance to learn more about the species who live in Indy’s 217 parks, especially in smaller neighborhood parks that don’t have a dedicated naturalist. The info we collect during the City Nature Challenge can help us shape our management strategies for these areas, whether it’s protecting rare species or tackling invasives.”
The City Nature Challenge is part of a larger global effort to document urban biodiversity. As human populations become increasingly concentrated in cities, understanding the variety of plant and animal life in urban areas is more critical. The data helps scientists and conservationists make decisions that balance the needs of urban communities with the preservation of natural habitats.
Participants are encouraged to explore their backyards, local parks and nearby green spaces to observe plants and wildlife. Numerous partner events are planned across the city, including at Indianapolis Public Library locations and state and city parks, to help those who may be new to community science.
Organizations across Indiana are joining forces to promote the City Nature Challenge and engage residents in this exciting event. Partners include Earth Charter Indiana, Hoosier Environmental Council, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and several local agencies such as Indy Parks and Recreation and the Indianapolis Office of Sustainability.
“I am really excited,” said Jackson Butler, a local nature enthusiast who has participated in the CNC every year. “Anything I can do to help the scientists, the ones who are making a difference, I’m there.”
This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis African-American Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights. https://iaaqli.org/
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
