nature tracking – Forests of Memory. Forests of Learning. Forests for Life.

The City Nature Challenge: Let’s Have Some Fun in Nature!

Alright, nature lovers, scientists, and backyard adventurers, here’s the deal: the 10th anniversary of the City Nature Challenge (CNC YXE 2025) is happening this year, and it’s going to be BIG! We’re talking April 25 – April 28, 2025, which is the perfect time for some outdoor fun. After all, Earth Month is turning 55, and we’ve got a whole weekend for you to get outside and join this global event, so why not take advantage of the Easter break from April 19 to April 27? While students are wrapping up their Easter Break (a glorious 9-day stretch of nature-filled fun from April 19 to April 27), the City Nature Challenge presents an incredible opportunity for all of us to connect with the great outdoors, discover wild organisms, and take part in citizen science.

But wait—are you asking, “What exactly is the City Nature Challenge, and why should I care?” Well, buckle up, because I’m about to tell you all about it!

The CNC is a worldwide collaborative event that encourages YOU (yes, YOU!) to get outside and document as many wild plants, animals, fungi, and other species as possible using the iNaturalist app. Whether you’re in the heart of the city, walking your sidewalk, sitting at a soccer game or out in the wilds of your local park, your goal is simple: observe, record, and share! Sounds like a blast, right?

And speaking of iNaturalist, let me tell you, some truly hilarious and heartwarming moments come from this app. It’s not just about tracking rare species (though that’s fun, too!). No, sometimes it’s about documenting the goofy, quirky things that happen when we interact with the natural world. There are iNaturalist projects that’ve popped up over the years—like the legendary “Show Us Your Blues” project, or the hilariously specific “Seeing Yellow: Celebrate the City Nature Challenge and Earth Month with a Splash of Sunshine” (yep, that was real!). One project even asked for purple organisms! But did we mention the joy of finding a purple flower or an American vetch? Seriously, nature has a way of surprising you, and sometimes it’s the most unexpected observations that bring the most laughs.

So, here’s your challenge: Download the free iNaturalist app to your smartphone if you haven’t already. It’s super easy—just grab the app from the Apple Store or Google Play and create an account. Once you’ve done that, you’re ready to be a citizen scientist in this fun and global event. Whether you’re spotting wildflowers, tracking birds, discovering an insect or documenting an unexpected sighting of a particularly friendly squirrel, your observations count!

Here’s a question for you: What is the wildest thing you’ve ever seen in nature? Was it a bird doing an awkward dance? A frog giving you the side-eye? Share those moments with the world! And trust me, the stories that come from observing nature are some of the most hilarious and heartwarming tales. Nature doesn’t follow a script—it’s full of surprises and, sometimes, a whole lot of silliness.

The City Nature Challenge kicks off with the Observation & Data Collection Phase from April 25 to April 28, 2025. That’s when you’ll head outside, snap photos, and upload your observations using iNaturalist. Then, from April 29 to May 4, it’s time for the Identification Phase. Help identify what others have observed! Don’t worry if you’re not an expert. You can always rely on the AI tool in the iNaturalist app for help—or just have fun making your best guess, after all, it’s easy to say, this is a plant, or an animal, it can be that easy, or to use the magic of the iNaturalist Computer Vision technology to make a suggestion! Wow!

So, what are YOU going to do during this fun-filled weekend? Will you be the first to spot a rare mushroom? The one to discover an elusive butterfly? Or maybe you’ll just get super excited about a particularly silly-looking bug. Whatever happens, be sure to share it! Everyone in the iNaturalist community is rooting for each other to document as much as we can.

It’s all about connecting people to nature, growing community, and collecting important biodiversity data that can help with conservation efforts. Plus, there’s a little friendly competition thrown in, too. (Can your city outshine the others in documenting the most species? Let’s find out!)

We want YOU to participate and make this City Nature Challenge the best one yet. And don’t forget—help identify species from April 29 to May 4 and watch the results roll in on May 5. This event isn’t just about the observations; it’s about fun, learning, and sharing the joy of nature with others.

So, have you downloaded iNaturalist yet? What are you waiting for? The great outdoors is calling, and there are so many wild and wonderful things to discover! And who knows, you might just have the most unexpected, laugh-out-loud moment of your life while watching an organism in nature.

Get outside, get observing, and most importantly—get ready to laugh at the silliness of nature!

Let’s go, and let’s make this Earth Month one to remember! 🌍🎉

Come to Nature, Come to Life! …and, Whoa! There are also free events! Free events in a forest. A forest in Saskatoon. NO way, it doesn’t get much better than this.

_{Photo by Matthias Cooper on Pexels.com}

For directions as to how to drive to “George Genereux” Urban Regional Park

For directions on how to drive to Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area

For more information:

Blairmore Sector Plan Report; planning for the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, George Genereux Urban Regional Park and West Swale and areas around them inside of Saskatoon city limits

NEW P4G District Official Community Plan

Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area is located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada north of Cedar Villa Road, within city limits, in the furthest south west area of the city. 52° 06′ 106° 45′

Addresses:

Part SE 23-36-6 – Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area – 241 Township Road 362-A

Part SE 23-36-6 – SW Off-Leash Recreation Area (Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area ) – 355 Township Road 362-A

S ½ 22-36-6 Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area (West of SW OLRA) – 467 Township Road 362-A

NE 21-36-6 “George Genereux” Afforestation Area – 133 Range Road 3063

Wikimapia Map: type in Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area

Google Maps South West Off Leash area location pin at parking lot

Web page: https://stbarbebaker.wordpress.com

Where is the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area? with map

Where is the George Genereux Urban Regional Park (Afforestation Area)?with map

Pinterest richardstbarbeb

Blogger: FriendsAfforestation

Tumblr friendsafforestation.tumblr.com Facebook Group Page: Users of the George Genereux Urban Regional Park

Facebook: StBarbeBaker Afforestation Area

Facebook for the non profit Charity Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. FriendsAreas

Facebook group page : Users of the St Barbe Baker Afforestation Area

Facebook: South West OLRA

Reddit: FriendsAfforestation

BlueSky Social

Mix: friendsareas

YouTube

Support via Zeffy

Please help protect / enhance your afforestation areas, please contact the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. (e-mail / e-transfers )

Donate your old vehicle, here’s how!

Support using Canada Helps

Support via a recycling bottle donation and Join the plastic-recycle challenge!

United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

Use the UN Decade’s Visual Identity
Make it your own
Spread the word about the UN Decade
Let’s Bring Back Forests
Let’s Green Our Cities

““Be like a tree in pursuit of your cause. Stand firm, grip hard, thrust upward. Bend to the winds of heaven..”

Richard St. Barbe Baker

Show Us Your Blues!

Ah, blue—the color of the sky, the ocean, and, surprisingly, the least common color in nature. So, have you ever stopped to wonder just how many organisms out there are actually blue? Well, here’s your chance to play detective! With Easter Break coinciding perfectly with the City Nature Challenge (April 25 – 28, 2025), why not head out into nature and celebrate both the 10th anniversary of the City Nature Challenge and the 55th birthday of Earth Month by hunting down some beautiful blue specimens?

What is the City Nature Challenge, anyway?
It’s a global event where people from cities around the world come together to record the biodiversity around them. Participants use the iNaturalist app to document as many wild organisms—plants, fungi, animals, and more—as they can, while contributing to valuable data that scientists can use for conservation and research. This is where the fun begins!

But here’s the twist—during the City Nature Challenge let us know what you find in nature with a focus on all things “blue”. It’s kind of like playing “I spy with my little eye, I see something blue” in nature…. And it doesn’t have to be a full-on blue creature or plant. As long as the primary color is blue, you’re good to go! Think about that gorgeous Blue-winged Teal, the rich blue of a dragonfly’s wings, or the striking blue feathers of a Blue Jay. Perhaps you’ll spot a butterfly from the blues subfamily, or even a stunning blue flower like the Easter Pasque flower. Can you picture it?

If you’re feeling excited, there’s also an iNaturalist project dedicated to all things blue! You can join the project here: Blue on iNaturalist, where you can track your findings and compare with what others have observed.

So, What Will You Find?
As you venture outdoors, consider how you can spot blue in your local landscape. Birds and arthropods are often the stars of the show when it comes to blue hues—perhaps a Northern Blue butterfly or the iridescent blue of a fly’s body. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a blue dragonfly skimming across a pond or a bluebird perched atop a tree.

But the challenge isn’t just about what you find, it’s about engaging with nature on a deeper level. Have you ever thought about how the rarity of blue might influence how we perceive the color in nature? Given its scarcity, every blue organism feels like a little treasure. And there’s something undeniably magical about spotting a creature in this rare hue. Whether it’s the splash of blue in a butterfly’s wings or the glint of blue feathers peeking through the trees, nature’s blues are worth celebrating.

How to Participate
Here’s the scoop:

Observe as many wild organisms as possible from April 25 to 28. Head outdoors, camera in hand (or iPhone with the iNaturalist app), and begin documenting your blue sightings. You’ll record everything from birds and insects to flowers and fungi—all with a dash of blue!
Upload your findings to iNaturalist and be part of a global database helping scientists track biodiversity.
Identification Phase: From April 29 to May 4, 2025, help identify the species others have observed. Don’t worry if you’re not a botanist or entomologist—iNaturalist’s helpful AI can suggest species, and you can always learn from others!

In addition to the online component, there are four free in-person nature walks where you can explore local blue wildlife and contribute to the project. You can even join the City Nature Challenge community to track progress in Saskatoon and beyond!

What’s Blue in Saskatchewan?
In Saskatchewan, blue is a bit of a rarity, but that makes it all the more exciting when you spot it! Keep your eyes peeled for bluebirds fluttering across the prairies or blue dragonflies darting around wetlands. The sparkling wings of a blue damselfly or the cobalt feathers of a Blue Jay could appear on your adventures. You might even find a bluebell flower or another blue flower blooming in your backyard!

Blue organisms may not be as common as their red or green counterparts, but they’re a reminder of how incredibly diverse—and beautiful—nature truly is. And by participating in the City Nature Challenge, you’re not just observing; you’re helping protect this fragile biodiversity and connecting with your community in a meaningful way.

Join the Fun
Are you ready to show us your blue? Don’t just sit there—grab your smartphone, create your iNaturalist account, and start looking for all the shades of blue in your backyard, at the park, or on a trail near you. Let’s see how many blue organisms we can find together this Easter break, all while celebrating the beauty of nature and the power of citizen science.

See you out there—let’s make this year’s City Nature Challenge the most colorful yet! 🌍💙 Come to Nature, Come to Life! …and there are free events!

Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias 42-52" (105-130 cm) four feet standing. — Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)

or directions as to how to drive to “George Genereux” Urban Regional Park

For directions on how to drive to Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area

For more information:

Blairmore Sector Plan Report; planning for the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, George Genereux Urban Regional Park and West Swale and areas around them inside of Saskatoon city limits

NEW P4G District Official Community Plan

Addresses:

Part SE 23-36-6 – Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area – 241 Township Road 362-A

Part SE 23-36-6 – SW Off-Leash Recreation Area (Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area ) – 355 Township Road 362-A

S ½ 22-36-6 Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area (West of SW OLRA) – 467 Township Road 362-A

NE 21-36-6 “George Genereux” Afforestation Area – 133 Range Road 3063

Wikimapia Map: type in Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area

Google Maps South West Off Leash area location pin at parking lot

Web page: https://stbarbebaker.wordpress.com

Where is the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area? with map

Where is the George Genereux Urban Regional Park (Afforestation Area)?with map

Pinterest richardstbarbeb

Blogger: FriendsAfforestation

Tumblr friendsafforestation.tumblr.com Facebook Group Page: Users of the George Genereux Urban Regional Park

Facebook: StBarbeBaker Afforestation Area

Facebook for the non profit Charity Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. FriendsAreas

Facebook group page : Users of the St Barbe Baker Afforestation Area

Facebook: South West OLRA

Reddit: FriendsAfforestation

Twitter: St Barbe Baker Charity Twitter:FriendsAreas

Mix: friendsareas

YouTube

Support via Zeffy

Please help protect / enhance your afforestation areas, please contact the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. (e-mail / e-transfers )

Donate your old vehicle, here’s how!

Support using Canada Helps

Support via a recycling bottle donation and Join the plastic-recycle challenge!

United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

Use the UN Decade’s Visual Identity
Make it your own
Spread the word about the UN Decade
Let’s Bring Back Forests
Let’s Green Our Cities

““Be like a tree in pursuit of your cause. Stand firm, grip hard, thrust upward. Bend to the winds of heaven..”

A Nature Hike Like No Other: Embrace the Quirky Side of Nature with iNaturalist

Nature. It’s a world filled with beauty, wonder, and, let’s face it, some downright hilarious moments. While you’re out exploring your local park or hiking along a winding trail, who knows what delightful, quirky, and downright silly observations you might make? With iNaturalist, nature walks have never been more fun. In fact, the app opens up a whole new world of hilarity and excitement, allowing nature enthusiasts like you to document the weirdest, wackiest, and most humorous discoveries you encounter.

As we gear up for Earth Month’s 55th birthday and celebrate the 10th anniversary of the City Nature Challenge (CNC) from April 25-28, 2025, there’s no better time to join the fun. Whether you’re out exploring during Easter break (April 19–27) or enjoying some weekend relaxation, iNaturalist gives you the chance to document and share the bizarre and delightful organisms that inhabit the world around us.

Hilarious, Cool, and Wacky Moments in Nature You Can’t Miss

Get ready to laugh out loud as you check out some of natures funniest, most unusual, and downright magical moments:

Mosses with Faces – Who knew that moss could have expressions? Start your hike by spotting these green, grumpy, or goofy plants that will make you smile.
Adventures in Urban Wildlife – City critters often have a quirky twist to them. Ever seen a pigeon with a ‘bad hair day’ or a squirrel giving you attitude?
Plants of the Silliest Names – Watch out for flora that’s got a sense of humor, from Peeing Cactus to Pussywillows. Nature’s funny names never disappoint.
Bugging Out: The Weirdest Bugs – Don’t just snap a picture of any old beetle (well yes please do)— (but then) find the ones with antennas that look like they belong in a sci-fi movie!
Silly Snails of the World – These slow-moving creatures might just surprise you with their stylish shells or hilarious faces.
Funny Fungi – Mushrooms from the store might be just for soups—yet the mushrooms of nature well, they’re comedians in the forest, waiting to be discovered in their oddest forms.
Bizarre Birds of the Backyard – Think your backyard is boring? Think again! Spot quirky birds with ridiculous hairstyles or unexpected antics.
Mystery Mushrooms – What makes these fungi so funny? Their mysteriously out-of-place appearances and shapes will have you scratching your head and giggling.
Insects that Look Like They’re in Costume – Some insects look so much like superheroes (or villains!) you won’t believe your eyes.
Selfie Plants – Ever caught a plant striking a pose? These flora might just be looking to steal your spotlight.
The Oddest Organisms – Some things in nature don’t quite make sense, but they sure are fun to spot! Expect the unexpected.
Naked Trees Club – Ever seen a tree that seems to be proudly showing off its bare branches? They’re part of an exclusive club.
The Most Ridiculous Reptiles – From bearded dragons with personalities to lizards that look like they belong on a medieval movie set, these reptiles steal the show.
Plants that Look Like Other Things – Take a close look around. You may spot a plant that resembles a person’s face or something even stranger.
Birds With Interesting Hairstyles – Think the peacock is the only bird with flair? Think again! Find birds with ‘do’s that will leave you chuckling.
The Pug Faces of the Animal Kingdom – From chipper rodents to confused reptiles, spot animals whose faces just scream “pug!”
Unusual Bugs in Unusual Places – Ever found a bug hanging out on a window or beneath your shoe? They’ll be in your pictures soon enough!
Animals with Great Fashion Sense – Some animals just know how to accessorize. Watch for critters dressed to the nines in the wild.
Epic Animal Encounters – You won’t believe what these animals do. From wrestling birds to acrobatic squirrels, it’s action-packed!
Wildlife Photobombs – Sometimes nature’s funniest moments come from that uninvited critter who just had to sneak into your shot.

And the list goes on! You’ll encounter countless unexpected moments on your nature hike. Who says nature is all serious business? With iNaturalist, it’s a playground for hilarious discoveries, quirky creatures, and fun facts.

Join the City Nature Challenge (CNC)

The City Nature Challenge (CNC YXE) is a global event that encourages people of all ages to get outside, observe wildlife, and contribute to citizen science. This year, from April 25-28, 2025, the world will unite to observe and document wild organisms, including animals, plants, fungi, and other species. Whether you’re in the heart of a bustling city, walking along the sidewalk, peeking in the grass sitting at a baseball game or deep in the wilderness of your pocket park or back yard, every observation counts toward understanding the biodiversity of our planet.

But it’s not just about data—it’s about fun, discovery, and connection. By downloading the iNaturalist app, you can contribute to the City Nature Challenge, participate in fun and quirky projects, and share your hilarious and heartwarming findings with others.

How to Participate:

Download the iNaturalist App – Get started by downloading the app for iOS or Android. It’s free, easy to use, and packed with exciting features, including AI-powered identification suggestions.
Make Observations – Head outside, look around, and document everything you find! You don’t need to be an expert—just snap a photo and let the iNaturalist community help with identification.
Share Your Discoveries – Whether it’s a moss with a mustache or a bird in a funky hat, share your observations with the iNaturalist community. Don’t forget to check out hilarious projects like Made Up Animal Games and Funny Scientific Names.
Get Involved in the Identification Phase – After the observation phase ends, help identify species others have observed. It’s a fun and rewarding way to engage with the global community of citizen scientists.

Let the Fun Begin!

What are you waiting for? Download the iNaturalist app today, and get ready to embark on your most entertaining, quirky, and downright funny nature hike yet. From goofy fungi to plants with personalities, there’s no end to the hilarious discoveries you’ll make. And who knows? You might just stumble upon a wild animal that looks like it’s auditioning for the next comedy special.

Let’s celebrate Earth Month, the City Nature Challenge, and the wacky side of nature. Download iNaturalist now and start sharing your funniest, most unexpected, and heartwarming encounters with the natural world!

See you out there – and remember, nature is not just a classroom, it’s a comedy stage!

Come to Nature, Come to Life! …and there are free events!

BioDivercity Challenge free iNaturalist App — City Nature Challenge free iNaturalist App

SmartPhone nature Photo using the free iNaturalist app — City Nature Challenge free iNaturalist App

For directions as to how to drive to “George Genereux” Urban Regional Park

For directions on how to drive to Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area

For more information:

Blairmore Sector Plan Report; planning for the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, George Genereux Urban Regional Park and West Swale and areas around them inside of Saskatoon city limits

NEW P4G District Official Community Plan

Addresses:

Part SE 23-36-6 – Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area – 241 Township Road 362-A

Part SE 23-36-6 – SW Off-Leash Recreation Area (Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area ) – 355 Township Road 362-A

S ½ 22-36-6 Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area (West of SW OLRA) – 467 Township Road 362-A

NE 21-36-6 “George Genereux” Afforestation Area – 133 Range Road 3063

Wikimapia Map: type in Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area

Google Maps South West Off Leash area location pin at parking lot

Web page: https://stbarbebaker.wordpress.com

Where is the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area? with map

Where is the George Genereux Urban Regional Park (Afforestation Area)?with map

Pinterest richardstbarbeb

Blogger: FriendsAfforestation

Tumblr friendsafforestation.tumblr.com Facebook Group Page: Users of the George Genereux Urban Regional Park

Facebook: StBarbeBaker Afforestation Area

Facebook for the non profit Charity Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. FriendsAreas

Facebook group page : Users of the St Barbe Baker Afforestation Area

Facebook: South West OLRA

Reddit: FriendsAfforestation

BlueSky Social

Mix: friendsareas

YouTube

Support via Zeffy

Please help protect / enhance your afforestation areas, please contact the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. (e-mail / e-transfers )

Donate your old vehicle, here’s how!

Support using Canada Helps

Support via a recycling bottle donation and Join the plastic-recycle challenge!

United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

Use the UN Decade’s Visual Identity
Make it your own
Spread the word about the UN Decade
Let’s Bring Back Forests
Let’s Green Our Cities

““Be like a tree in pursuit of your cause. Stand firm, grip hard, thrust upward. Bend to the winds of heaven..”

Richard St. Barbe Baker

Get Ready for the Laughs, Surprises, and Wonders of Nature with iNaturalist!

Picture this: You’re strolling through your neighborhood or hiking along your favorite nature trail, when suddenly—WHAMMO! You spot a plant that looks almost like a superhero wearing a cape, an insect that’s clearly been taking its morning coffee a little too seriously, or a bird trying desperately to blend in with a tree. What do you do? Whip out your phone, snap a pic, and upload it to the iNaturalist app, of course! Welcome to the quirky, comical, and totally unpredictable world of wildlife observation during the City Nature Challenge (CNC YXE)!

This year’s City Nature Challenge (April 25–April 28, 2025) is coming up, and trust us—this is your golden opportunity to connect with nature in the most fun and hilarious way possible. The CNC isn’t just about collecting data on wildlife—it’s about celebrating nature’s weird, wacky, and wonderful quirks. Whether you’re an experienced naturalist or just someone who loves a good laugh, iNaturalist will take you on a wild ride through some of the most hilarious and heartwarming nature moments you’ll ever encounter.

The Comedy Show that is the Natural World

Let’s be honest: Nature is weird. But that’s what makes it so awesome! Here are just a few of the wacky and hilarious observations you can find to take a photo of while using iNaturalist during your hike:

Camouflage Champions: These animals are so good at hiding that you’ll almost miss them—unless you’re really paying attention. A leaf bug? A stick insect? Or that one lizard who believes it’s a rock? These are the masters of disguise, and they always get the last laugh.
Nature’s Comedians: Ever seen a bird looking absolutely outraged as it attempts to scare off a squirrel that’s way too confident? It’s nature’s version of slapstick comedy, and it’s hilarious.
Flying Creatures with Attitude: We’re talking about the kind of insects that strut around like they own the place. You might come across a ladybug throwing shade at a butterfly, or a bee that’s just a bit too full of itself. Get ready for a face-to-face with nature’s diva insects!
The Case of the Quirky Mammals: Ever wondered if squirrels are secretly plotting world domination? Or if raccoons are trying to figure out how to open your trash cans just to mess with you? Let iNaturalist help you uncover these hilarious animal secrets!
Organisms That Shouldn’t Be Alive: Find something so bizarre, so oddly shaped, you’ll swear it’s from another planet. From mushrooms that look like they belong in a cartoon to plants that seem to be giving you the side-eye—nature is full of surprises.
Sticky-Fingered Critters: Ever see an animal with paws that seem to grab everything in sight? Watch out for critters that leave nothing untouched, like raccoons or squirrels. They’ll snatch your sandwich in a heartbeat—and leave you laughing in the process.
Funny Faces in the Fungi Kingdom: Fungus isn’t just for biology class. Some of them actually look like they’re making funny faces at you! Who knew mushrooms had so much personality?

Celebrate Earth Month with iNaturalist!

But wait—there’s more to the fun! Not only will you encounter the hilarious wonders of nature during your City Nature Challenge adventures, but you’ll also be part of something bigger. This year marks the 55th birthday of Earth Month AND the 10th Anniversary of the City Nature Challenge! That’s right—two amazing milestones for both celebrating and preserving the world’s biodiversity. What better way to get involved than by joining this epic event from April 25–April 28, 2025?

Not only will you have a blast capturing the goofy side of nature, but you’ll also be helping to collect valuable data that scientists can use to protect the environment. And guess what? Your observations, hilarious or not, help document species in your area and contribute to global biodiversity efforts. Bonus points if you manage to get a picture of a tree that looks like it’s trying to do a dance move.

Easter Break + Nature = Fun!

Got students on break? The Easter holiday (April 19–April 27, 2025) is the perfect time for them to get outdoors and explore nature through iNaturalist. It’s the kind of hands-on learning experience they’ll remember for years. From giggling at unexpected wildlife encounters to feeling the thrill of spotting something as wild as a beetle doing a victory dance, the City Nature Challenge offers fun and education.

A Nature Scavenger Hunt like No Other

Ready to get started? Here’s a fun list of wacky, cool, hilarious, and wonderful Nature hike scavenger ideas to watch for that are bound to tickle your funny bone and spark your curiosity during your nature hikes:

Camouflage Champions
Nature’s Comedians
Weird and Wacky Wildflowers
Superhero-like Insects
The Case of the Quirky Mammals
Best Sideburns in the Animal Kingdom
Unexpected Garden Guests
Green Monsters – the plants around us
Flying Creatures with Attitude
Organisms That Shouldn’t Be Alive
Most Mischievous Insects
Wildlife Who Don’t Know They’re Beautiful
The Almost Extinct Mammals of Your Neighborhood
Animals Who Think They’re Plants
Gigantic Fungus Sightings
Unlikely Pairs: Inter-species Friendships
Wildlife Photobombs and Laughs
Animals – Masters of Disguise
Epic Plant Fails
The Great Insect Races
Edible or Not – Fun Nature Food Finds
Tree-plant Relationships: A Love Story
Scavenger Hunt for the Weirdest Organisms
Kooky Creatures of the World
Odd Birds Doing Odd Things
Plants with Purposefully Picky Preferences
Uncommon Amphibians Doing Uncommon Things
Sticky-Fingered Critters
Backyard Jungle Adventures
Funny Faces in the Fungi Kingdom
Weirdest Worms Ever
Predators with Personalities
Mystery Animals of the Day
Bizarre Bugs – An Entomologist’s Dream
Extreme Animal Behavior
The Silly Side of Nature
Wonderful Weirdness in Plant Life
Funky Fruits and Vegetables
The Unseen World of Backyard Nature

Join the Fun with iNaturalist

So, what are you waiting for? Download the iNaturalist app today and start exploring the hilarious, quirky, and inspiring world around you. The City Nature Challenge is the perfect way to get involved, have fun, and make memories this Earth Month while celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the CNC. Who knows what wacky nature discoveries you’ll make—one thing’s for sure: you’ll have plenty of laughs along the way! Get ready to go wild! 🌿🐾🌍

Come to Nature, Come to Life! …and there are free events!