City Nature Challenge 2024: Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD)'s Journal

Well done everyone, the Canadian Wildlife Federation published the results of the Canadian cities in the City Nature Challenge 2024 today. Here is a summary of the results based on the iNaturalist database sent from the USA iNaturalist team.

First: Metro Vancouver Regional District
Observations 14066
Species 1563
Observers 450

Second: Montreal
Observations 14046
Species 1319
Observers 879

Third: Calgary
Observations 13451
Species 788
Observers 280

It was a very close challenge between Vancouver and Montreal but we both did very well.
For a broader summary of the highlights to to:
https://www.inaturalist.org/blog/93798-inaturalist-april-news-highlights

Thanks to Everyone for a great CNC and see you next year.

With only a few hours left, our friends in Montreal have squeaked in a small lead of 26 observations. We still hold a commanding lead of about 200 in terms of species, but we need that final push on the observation front.
Please add any you have not submitted and canvas existing ones for opportunities to create new versions where more than one taxa is visible.
The Montreal team is not stopping and neither should we. Think 100 more observations or even more.

Thanks to everyone for terrific level of contribution irrespective of the final result.

Everyone: the last full day to submit city nature challenge 2024 observations is tomorrow.
I just checked the live stats and we are virtually in a dead heat with the city of Montreal. We have a lead of only 9 observations out of a total over 13,500

If there was ever a time to get those observations in, it is now.

For those who have submitted their entries I am going to ask one last favour. Please see if there are any additional entries you can post from the initial observation. What I mean is that check to see if you can duplicate any entries if there are more than one visible taxa in the image. You may be amazed how often this can pop up. For me on my first pass I would do things like observe a bird but I realized that the bird was perched on something, a tree, shrub etc so I went back and was able to increase my count with the existing base. I believe this is completely fair.
That and we need every observation we can get.

Please circulate.
Thanks to everyone

We are almost at the finish line and what a challenge it has turned out to be. As of May 02, 2024 the top three Canadian cities are: Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary. The Vancouver MVRD is ranked 40th globally with 13,170 observations. A close second is Montreal ranked 41st globally with 13,144 observations. That is only a difference of 26 observations (or a difference of 0.1%).
The third Canadian city is Calgary but is just under 2,000 observations behind so it looks like a race for the top spot in Canada for 2024 is between Vancouver and Montreal.
If Vancouver does end up in top spot, it will be for the first time in the 9-year history of the City Nature Challenge. With our observation count being what it is, this will be a new Canadian record so well done everyone.
In summary the CNC is not over yet and we need to continue to focus on getting every observation in we can. The lead between Vancouver and Montreal can change very quickly. If all of yours are in, talk to your friends and relatives. Every observation through out the Vancouver MVRD from April 26 through to April 29th will count.

It seems we are in a great position to take top spot this year, however we have another city nipping at our heels.
Apparently the Vancouver MVRD and the city of Montreal have a very small difference in observation count with Vancouver being in the lead, but it is very tight.

We need that last minute push to get all and any observations into iNat over the next few days.

Lets go Vancouver MVRD team and show the rest of the country we are a force to be reckoned with.

Thanks to everyone!

The numbers are still coming in but we have surpassed 5,000 observations and over 1,000 species for the first two days! I think this is going to be a great set of results...... keep em coming!

The Canadian Wildlife Federation (who manage iNaturalist across Canada) has created the following three webinars to help you make effective observations in three different settings. Note: their guidance can really be used in any area but give specific details here in the three they have chosen.

Webinar #1: Observing with iNaturalist in urban spaces: webinar one in the City Nature Challenge series.
https://cwf-fcf.org/en/resources/downloads/webinars/public/city-nature-challenge-2024.html

Webinar # 2: Observing with iNaturalist around wetland habitat: webinar two in the City Nature Challenge series.
https://cwf-fcf.org/en/resources/downloads/webinars/public/city-nature-challenge-2024-1.html

Webinar #3: Observing with iNaturalist in forest settings: webinar three in the City Nature Challenge series.
https://cwf-fcf.org/en/resources/downloads/webinars/public/city-nature-challenge-2024-2.html

Hello folks,

I am eager to get a good turnout for a False Creek-specific challenge, and would appreciate your help in identifying people who might enjoy focusing their efforts on our micro-region! If you are interested in participating, or have a way to promote this part of the Van Metro CNC, can you please contact me at zaida@falsecreekfriends.org.

We'll be starting on April 26 at 10 am at Leg-in-Boot Square.

Many thanks!

Zaida Schneider
False Creek Friends
falsecreekfriends.org

Burke Mountain Naturalists (BMN) is involved in two events in Port Moody on April 27th. They are posted on our website:

https://www.burkemountainnaturalists.ca/event/port-moody-city-nature-challenge-shorebirds-songbirds-of-the-shoreline-trail/?instance_id=1473

and

https://www.burkemountainnaturalists.ca/event/port-moody-city-nature-challenge-heron-walk/?instance_id=1484

There are two other events in Port Moody:

https://www.burkemountainnaturalists.ca/event/port-moody-city-nature-challenge-fish-friends-of-noons-creek/?instance_id=1497

and

https://www.burkemountainnaturalists.ca/event/port-moody-city-nature-challenge-fish-friends-of-mossom-creek/?instance_id=1500

Surrey is just about a month away from our 5th annual City nature Challenge.
Are you getting ready to get your community science groove into overdrive!

Our CNC webpage is up along with dedicated CNC special event listings:
https://www.surrey.ca/citynaturechallenge

BioBlitz at Latimer Park | April 27, 10am-2pm
Have fun with us as we discover bugs, flowers and animals and learn to use iNaturalist to record what you find. Bring your mobile phone to record with, and dress for the weather. Drop-in. Ages 6+.
Location: Latimer Park (19258 28 Avenue)
Hosted by Friends of Semiahmoo Bay Society, Little Campbell Watershed Society, Langley Environmental Partners Society and NatureKids BC.
LEARN MORE > https://inaturalist.ca/projects/latimer-park-bioblitz

BioBlitz at Serpentine Fen | April 29, 5:30-7pm
Celebrate the return of the birds with a City Nature Challenge BioBlitz and scenic walk on the Serpentine Fen Nature Trail in Surrey. Learn how to use eBird or iNaturalist, and how to identify a variety of marsh species! Dress for the weather. All ages.
Location: Serpentine Fen Parking Lot (44th Avenue and King George Boulevard)
Hosted by Birds Canada.
Pre-register by email > krisc@birdscanada.org