To celebrate Earth Day 2021, Alachua County and the City of Gainesville are joining 250 other cities and counties worldwide in participating in the iNaturalist City Nature Challenge from April 30 to May 3, 2021. Those interested in participating should visit the
iNaturalist website and download the free smartphone app. Participants are encouraged to take photos of all the plants and animals found in their yards, neighborhoods, City and County parks, and preserves. They can post the photos to iNaturalist through the website or app (They can also report animal and plant sightings without a photo).
“We want to embrace the healing power of nature and encourage people to get outside and enjoy nature, and we hope this friendly challenge to document as many plants, animals, and other organisms gives citizens that extra nudge to visit our great parks and preserves,” said Interim Director of the County’s Environmental Protection Department Stephen Hofstetter.
The Nature Challenge is organized by the Florida Museum of Natural History, the University of Florida IFAS, the California Academy of Sciences, and the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum in partnership with Alachua County, the City of Gainesville, and the University of Florida Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation.
For more information, contact the local iNaturalist City Nature Challenge organizer Dr. Mark Hostetler at 352-846-0568 or
hostetm@ufl.edu.