Master Naturalist Michelle Melancon photographs a moth for the City Nature Challenge.
the city nature challenge: BAton Rouge Region
April 24-27, 2026
The City Nature Challenge is a four-day friendly nature competition that goes on across the globe April 24 to April 27, 2026.
We are competing against 800+ other cities all over the world!
The goal is to see which city can show the most wildlife in their area, including wild plants, animals, insects, mushrooms, fish, turtles — everything! Let’s show off Baton Rouge’s amazing wildlife diversity and unique ecosystems.
Taking part is easy!
Find wildlife. It could be a bird, insect, plant or any other sign of life.
Take a picture. Snap a photo of what you find with your smart phone or digital camera.
Share! Upload your observation to iNaturalist.org or with the iNaturalist mobile app and it will be automatically added to the contest project.
Any observations made in these parishes during the official event period will automatically count toward the challenge: Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberia, Iberville, Lafayette, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Washington, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana. For special research projects of interest to the Master Naturalists, Wild Azalea Trail, Grand Isle, and Rainey Wildlife Sanctuary are included as well.
Many Thanks to our Partners:
The global City Nature Challenge 2025 sizzle reel!
2026 Updates
This is the 11th year for the City Nature Challenge, and the Baton Rouge Region’s 6th year participating!
We are getting ready already! Contact us to be a partner organization! citynaturechallenge@lmngbr.org
Watch this space for more updates through the year. Sign up for our e-newsletter in the form below to receive updates as we get closer to the big CNC weekend.
Download the iNaturalist app here, or, use the iNaturalist.org website which has more features than the app.
John Hartgerink captured this beautiful Bobcat on a trail camera at BREC Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center during the 2024 City Nature Challenge.
“All you need to participate is a smartphone and a sense of curiosity!”
Host of Science Friday
Nature and people photos on this website courtesy of Amber M. King (c) 2025.