Hello! Excited to report that the 2023 City Nature Challenge begins next week! If you haven't done so, I encourage you to join the 2023 Fairfield and Westchester County City Nature Challenge Project:
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/2023-city-nature-challenge-fairfield-and-westchester-county
Thanks everyone, hope you'll join us again in this fun global event!
~Bridget
Hi All,
I just wanted to let you know the project page for 2023 is up! If you enjoyed being part of the challenge last year and are interested in joining again, I encourage you to join the new project to stay up to date on the event!
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/2023-city-nature-challenge-fairfield-and-westchester-county
Best,
Bridget
Amazing work everyone! While the window for making observations is closed, this thing isn't over yet. Here are a few things you can still do:
-Did you take photos over the weekend but didn't get the chance to upload them yet? You still have time! We have until 5/8 to get those up in iNat.
-Help us identify! Have a favorite taxa, you can just help with that one! It is an important step and will help us increase our total species observed but most importantly get more of our observations to research grade. Here is a video to learn more about how to help with this step: https://youtu.be/XlXjqfk2QGI
-Have nature photography friends that you know may have taken photos in our area this weekend but they aren't iNaturalist users? Help them upload their photos! Let's try to capture all the wildlife spotted this weekend!
Thanks again for your continued effort! I will be sure to follow up when final results are shared next week!
-Bridget
So I was just reflecting on last year and we made 2,761 observations, and I think we can beat that! So my new final goal for the 2022 CNC is 2,800 observations! I know it's gloomy but I think we can work together to get that done!
Nice work everyone, I am truly impressed with these numbers!!
Bridget
I can't believe it is already the last day of the City Nature Challenge! We exceeded our goal yesterday so hoping we can do the same today.
I know it's a rainy Monday so this may be tricky, but we are at 2210 observations right now, and I think we can get to 2600. Let's see if we can end this with a bang! A few reminders:
We still have a week to upload and ID things, so even if you just go out today and take pictures, you don't need to upload them instantly.
Be sure you paid attention to the things you may walk by every day! The moss on the tree, the weed in the sidewalk, the house sparrow in the parking garage, it all counts!
Keep having fun, exploring nature, and contributing to the 2022 City Nature Challenge!
Keep it wild,
Bridget
Good morning and welcome to day 3 of the challenge! The weather is beautiful and there is no better way to spend it then getting outside. I think today we can break the 2000 observation mark. Please keep up the great work, get friends and family involved, and let's have the last two days of the challenge be the best yet!
Keep it wild,
Bridget
Good morning all and welcome to day 2 of the City Nature Challenge! Well, we blew our goal out of the water yesterday so I am going to ambitious today. As I write this we have made our 81 observers have made 559 observations of 217 different species! Let's see if we can get up to 1500 observations today!
I hope you are enjoying the time to get outside and appreciate the wildlife around you as much as I have thus far.
Again, please e-mail me if you have photos you'd like to share!
Keep it wild,
Bridget
You are exceeding expectations!! We are only 23 observations are away from our goal so let's up it! I think we can do 450 observations by the end of the day.
Also, I am so impressed with the beautiful photos. If you have any favorites you'd like to be potentially included on aquarium social media and marketing, please share them with me: bcervero@maritimeaquarium.org
Keep it wild,
Bridget
Good morning and happy first day of the City Nature Challenge! I hope you are all excited to get outside, make observations, and enjoy the beautiful springtime weather! A few reminders as we kick off the event:
Respect the wildlife
-Have fun!
I will set a lofty goal for day 1- I think we can make 300 observations by the end of the day!
Thanks everyone!
Keep it wild,
Bridget
We are excited to be offering a Marine Life Encounter Cruises for the City Nature Challenge on 4/30 and 5/1 from 1:15-3:45. This is an opportunity to add seaweeds, plankton, crabs, and whatever else we pull up to our species list! For more information and to purchase tickets:
https://www.maritimeaquarium.org/cruise-schedule
Best,
Bridget
