Victoria, BC– Capital region residents are invited to participate in the 2024 City Nature Challenge this weekend, a family-friendly biodiversity celebration running from April 26-29.

The Capital Regional District (CRD) is competing alongside more than 400 urban areas across the world to see how many wild species can be recorded on iNaturalist, a free and simple-to-use app, over a four-day period.

Local families are encouraged to get outside, snap photos and upload observations about the plants, animals and fungi found in their backyards or local watersheds to the Greater Victoria City Nature Challenge iNaturalist project. Participants from the capital region have a chance to win one of five amazing prizes, including a smartphone macro camera lens.

In collaboration with community partners, the CRD’s support for the global City Nature Challenge includes a number of outdoor events to encourage people to explore and appreciate the diversity of species and ecosystems that can be found across the capital region:

April 27

• CRD Regional Parks Birding Basics: Stop by Island View Regional Parks between 10am - 1pm for a self-guided walk all about birding! Learn what to look and listen for when identifying birds in the area.
• District of Saanich Pulling Together Park Tours: Stop by Cedar Hill Park between 9am - 12pm for guided tours of the park to see what amazing wild plants, animals and fungi can be observed.
• Stop by Camrose Park or Peacock Hill Park between 10:30am – 11:30 am for guided tours of the park to see what amazing wild plants, animals and fungi can be observed.
• Gorge Waterway Nature House: Drop by Nature House (1070 Tillicum Rd) between 10am-3pm to learn about the biodiversity of the Gorge Waterway and how to protect it.

April 28

• Rocky Point Bird Observatory: participate in a bird walk at Outerbridge Park at 9 am.
• CRD Regional Parks Glory of the Understory:  Stop by Thetis Lake Regional Park between 10 am - 1pm to learn how each layer of the forest offers food and shelter for a variety of wildlife. Learn more here.
• Gorge Waterway Nature House: Drop by Nature House (1070 Tillicum Rd) between 10am-3pm to learn about the biodiversity of the Gorge Waterway and how to protect it.
  

Observing and learning about the natural world around us is a key step in conserving nature for future generations and creates opportunities for both stewardship activities and positive environmental impacts. The iNaturalist app connects nature lovers to each other and provides a platform to document species observations, seek help identifying species and contribute to data that supports local and global community science projects. Everyone can be a community scientist and help create a record of the amazing biodiversity in the region.

Biodiversity is essential to the health and function of ecosystems. The more biodiversity, the more resilient ecosystems will be to changing conditions like climate change.  Maintaining a diverse natural environment also helps provide clean air and water, food security, recreational and cultural opportunities, and is key to the health and wellness of our community.

For more information about biodiversity in the region and the 2024 City Nature Challenge, including details about prizes and resources to get started, please visit www.crd.bc.ca/biodiversity.

The CRD delivers regional, sub-regional and local services to 13 municipalities and three electoral areas on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Governed by a 24-member Board of Directors, the CRD works collaboratively with First Nations and all levels of government to enable sustainable growth, foster community well-being, and develop cost-effective infrastructure while continuing to provide core services to residents throughout the region. Visit us online at www.crd.bc.ca.

-30-

For media inquiries, please contact:
Tracy Urquhart, Communications Supervisor
Environmental Services
Tel: 250.360.3287
Cell: 250.516.4089