City Nature Challenge ABQ

09/17/2026

From September 18–28, iNaturalist.org is hosting iNat Together, a global effort to get people outside and looking at their local nature together.

You don't need to know anything about nature to participate! iNat Together is all about getting to know your nearby plants and animals a little better than you did before. And you don't have to go far — right where you are is great.

We have 2 events happening that you can join!
- Rio Grande Nature Center Fall Festival & H**p BioBlitz
Sunday, Sept. 20, 8:30am-2:30pm
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/rio-grande-nature-center-2026-bioblitz
https://www.rgnc.org/
Join CNC ABQ co-coordinator Fiana and partner/expert tracker Michael for a Wildlife Track & Sign tour from 11-12:30. Talks about turtles, frogs, snakes, and more throughout the day.

Aldo Leopold Neighborhood Habitat Walk
Wed., Sept. 23, 5-7pm
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/aldo-leopold-neighborhood-habitat-walk
Get to know your wild neighbors! Join us on September 23 from 5-7pm for a walk starting at Aldo Leopold’s historical home. We'll explore the neighborhood habitat and talk about ways to share space with our wild neighbors. We'll also make observations with the iNaturalist app to add to our urban biodiversity map!

A 3rd event, Moths & the Moon, is also happening and hosted by the Sandia Mountain Natural History Center but is full.

09/12/2026

08/30/2026

Do you like podcasts? Listen to this one on the Nature's Archive podcast- "How Your Photos Save Species: Scott Loarie on iNaturalist.org and Community Science"

https://naturesarchive.com/2026/04/22/inaturalist/

iNaturalist is more than just a nature identification app; it fundamentally transforms our relationship with the natural world. Through its platform, users not only identify flora and fauna but als…

08/27/2026

iNaturalist.org Executive Director Scott Loarie and... Martha Stewart?! are showing people how great of a tool the app is on CBS News.

https://www.cbsnews.com/video/the-inaturalist-app-mixing-science-with-fun/?intcid=CNM-00-10abd1h

The iNaturalist cellphone app not only helps users identify plant, animal and insect species; it also provides invaluable data to scientists studying biodiversity, species decline, and habitat loss. It also provides opportunities for fun: David Pogue joins iNaturalist fan Martha Stewart in a "biobli...

08/13/2026

Rounding out our Top 10 Species Finders during City Nature Challenge ABQ 2026 is our own local Co-Coordinator since the start of our city's involvement, Laurel Ladwig, who found 149 species this year.

Laurel describes herself as a "certifiable bird nerd and more-than-human-geographer" who is passionate about community science and urban habitat restoration".

Laurel is the New Mexico Backyard Refuge Program Director for Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, Friends of Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge and Ciudad Soil and Water Conservation District. She is also the associate director of the R.H. Mallory Center for Community Geography at the University of New Mexico and affiliate faculty in the Geography and Environmental Studies department and Sustainability Studies Program.

Learn more about the ABQ Backyard Refuge Program (now for the whole state), how you can help your space be more wildlife and pollinator-friendly, and how to certify it at: friendsofvalledeoro.org/abq-backyard-refuge

All photos taken by Laurel Ladwig (ladwings) during CNC ABQ 2026.

08/10/2026

Have you considered paying more attention to the birds around you? Science is finding various mental health and cognitive benefits to doing so.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/birding-influences-brain-mental-health/

"It turns out that birds and birding are emerging as a powerful, nature-based prescription for people’s mental well-being, capable of restoring a sense of purpose and inspiring a sense of connection. A new study suggests that building skills in birding may also yield structural benefits in a person’s brain."

A writer’s recent experiences with watching owls helped her recover from a traumatic brain injury—and she’s not alone. New studies are showing how birding can affect brain structure and foster a sense of well-being.

08/07/2026

In 9th place for number of species found during City Nature Challenge ABQ 2026 is Fernando Machado-Stredel (fmachados) with 152 species recorded, only 3 behind 7th place and 2 behind 8th.

Fernando is doing a Postdoc at The University of New Mexico - UNM studying Bird ecology and evolution, Niche Modeling, and Biodiversity Informatics. Thank you Fernando for contributing to our understanding of wildlife in so many ways.

All photos taken by Fernando Machado-Stredel during CNC ABQ 2026.

08/03/2026

Sign up for iNaturalist.org's monthly newsletter The Nature Notice to learn about new science that uses our observations, community highlights, and ways to stay connected every month.

https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/newsletter

Photo by awampler during City Nature Challenge ABQ 2026.

07/31/2026

Christopher Rustay, an expert birder- particularly by ear, came in 8th place for finding 154 species (just 1 species short of 7th) during City Nature Challenge ABQ this year. He also focuses on butterflies, and is learning plants and grasshoppers. His career was in bird habitat conservation.

Not only that, but Christopher spent a lot of time identifying as many of all of your observations as he could, attending our identification meetup and painstakingly diving into detailed ID guides to figure out what things were and adding identifications for 432 observations!

All photos were taken by Christopher Rustay during CNC ABQ 2026.

07/27/2026

ABQ Backyard Refuge Program and Coordinator Laurel Ladwig wrote an article for American Birding Association Birding Magazine's Birder’s Guide to Gardening issue.

Check it out here:
https://www.aba.org/birding-online-april-2026/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTMb6NleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe3qoVnynCYxlvhdg6VnT_g8yD8baSXfakCkU1QwxcMW13X0-5crTveoDOq8g_aem_o-WEbJNikQKIIxZNBCeRUA