City Nature Challenge

The City Nature Challenge is an annual event  when Coquitlam competes with communities around the world  promotes to gather observations about nature, find interesting species and engage people using iNaturalist, a project of National Geographic and the California Academy of Sciences.

2025 City Nature Challenge

Coquitlam is once again joining the Metro Vancouver Regional District in partnernship with 21 municipalities, one electoral area, and one treaty First Nation to observe and record the biodiversity of living things.

Coquitlam is hosting two special registered events where you are sure to observe a variety of species.  Download the INaturalist App before you go!

Tree Spree Tours: Creekside Curiosities

  • Date: Friday,  April 25
  • Time: 10 – 11:30 a.m.
  • Course ID:  00181258
  • Location: City Centre Aquatic Complex
  • Cost: Free

Creeks and rivers are teeming with life that support a rich and healthy forest. Join the Park Spark team to discover fun facts about the trees, flora and fauna found next to creeks and rivers in Coquitlam parks.

Tree Spree Tours: Forest Understory Walk

  • Date: Sunday, April 27
  • Time: 10 - 11:30 a.m
  • Registration ID: 00183240
  • Location: Mundy Park Field House off of Hillcrest St.
  • Cost: Free

Tucked under the treetops, the forest understory is teeming with life that support a rich and healthy forest. Join the Park Spark team and learn fun facts about the trees, flora and fauna found beneath the canopy of Coquitlam parks.

2024 City Nature Challenge

Coquitlam joined our neighbouring communities and and all participating municipalities across Metro Vancouver to combine all our efforts. 

In 2024, Metro Vancouver Regional District had the most observations of unique species in all of Canada. Way to go!

  • Total observations - 14,474
  • Total species - 1,587

Using the iNaturalist App

iNaturalist is an initiative of National Geographic and the California Academy of Sciences, iNaturalist is a network of citizens, naturalists and biologists who map and share observations about biodiversity around the globe. 

The app is free and open to everyone. Members can browse nearby posts, upload their own images and audio recordings, and receive feedback and information from the iNaturalist community. 

To have your observations counted for the Tri-Cities in this year’s City Nature Challenge:

  • Go to iNaturalist or download the free iNaturalist app from the App Store or Google Play and create an account. 
  • Observations may include descriptions, uploaded photos, or photo or audio recordings through the app. Photos should be clear and full-frame.

Visit the City Nature Challenge Frequently Asked Questions page for detailed instructions and tips for making eligible observations.

iNaturalist is a third-party app, and the City of Coquitlam makes no claims about the security or privacy of its use. View the iNaturalist Privacy Policy.