City Nature Challenge 2023 Results
The international City Nature Challenge is officially over, and the results are in! Thank you to all the participants who used iNaturalist between April 28-May 1 to document the incredible biodiversity in our region.
Over the four-day period, 426 observers contributed 8,604 observations of 1,414 different species. Of the 40 participating Canadian cities, this project ranked 1st for number of species and 2nd for total observations! Congratulations nature lovers for helping to promote our region’s amazing species and ecosystems. You can see the region’s results here and the results from other Canadian cities here. To see the global CNC results, click here.
Our project showcased the wildflowers, birds, marine life, plants and animals in the capital region.
The top five plant species we found were:
- Giant white fawn lily (Erythronium oregonum)
- Pacific sanicle (Sanicula crassicaulis)
- Small camas (Camassia quamash)
- Miner’s lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata)
- Henderson’s shooting star (Primula hendersonii)
The top five bird species we found were:
- Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
- Red-winged Blackbird (Agelauius phoeniceus)
- American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
- Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
- Canada goose (Branta canadensis)
The top five invasive/introduced species we found were:
- Red deadnettle (Lamium purpureum)
- Common daisy (Bellis perennis)
- Common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis)
- Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius)
- Spanish bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica)
Thanks again to all the observers and identifiers of this year's City Nature Challenge!
Biodiversity at your doorstep
Your home’s yard, garden, or even balcony have the potential to provide essential habitat for plants and animals throughout the capital region. No matter what their size, natural spaces that you create near your home can increase biodiversity and support healthy ecosystems. Take time to sit quietly outside of your house, and observe the nature that you see. When you start looking for it, biodiversity is all around us. Here are some key places to look:
Dense, diverse vegetation: Areas of dense and diverse vegetation give wildlife plenty of shelter. Wildlife may use these areas to find food, hide from predators, raise young, or take refuge from the elements.
Pollinator-friendly plants: These plants attract pollinators like butterflies, bees and hummingbirds by providing energy-rich nectar and pollen. Showy cultivated plants are sometimes sterile and are of little use to pollinators. Native or heirloom plant varieties will attract the most pollinators.
Leaf, stick and rock piles: Messy areas of your yard may be the most biodiverse! Many creatures enjoy the shelter of unraked leaves, stick or rock piles, and groups of rocks.
Water sources: All living things need water for drinking and bathing. Birds also use water to bathe. Watch for wildlife and insects at birdbaths or even puddles after it rains.
Berries, nuts and sap: Food sources in your garden will attract wildlife. In particular, food found on native plants will provide the right nutrition for native wildlife.
Dried plants and seed heads: Dead trees and other dried or decaying plants can provide shelter for wildlife, as well as a food source. Seed heads left on plants can feed wildlife over the winter and add beauty to your garden off-season.
Find out more about how to boost biodiversity in your yard:
Photo © Bee on Lupine: Sandi Walmsley; Great Blue Heron in Eelgrass Bed: Julian Anderson