City Nature Challenge - Global

An SNHU Global Days of Service Official Project

Event details: Friday, April 25-Monday, April 28, 2025 | DIY

What went down: There is nature all around us, even in our cities! Knowing what species are in our city and where they are helps us study and protect them, but the ONLY way to do that is by all of us – scientists, land managers, and the community – working together to find and document the nature in your area.

Started in 2016, the City Nature Challenge is an international effort for people to find and document plants and wildlife in cities across the globe. It’s a bioblitz-style competition where cities are in a friendly contest with each other to see who can make the most observations of nature, who can find the most species, and who can engage with the most people.

SNHU community members were invited to make and share observations of nature in your neighborhood, anytime between April 25-28. By participating in the City Nature Challenge, not only do you learn more about your local nature, but you can also make your city a better place – for you and other species! 

Taking part was easy:

1. Find wildlife: It can be any WILD plant, animal, or any other evidence of life found in your city.
2. Take a picture or record a sound of what you find. Be sure to note the location of the critter or plant. 
3. Share your observations by uploading your findings through iNaturalist or your city's chosen platform. If it’s planted or taken care of by people it is not WILD. Mark it captive/cultivated!

Meet your project leader: SNHU staff member Jill Nugent is the volunteer project leader for this event. If you have general questions about SNHU Global Days of Service, please contact Alumni Engagement. Check out more ways to get engaged with the SNHU community!

Share your story: Remember to use #ServeWithSNHU to join the movement and share your experience on social media. Please report your hours served and provide us with more details on the Share My Story page.