City Nature Challenge Kickoff

It’ll be a walk in the park!

Join us as we launch the 2024 City Nature Challenge weekend with a fun, interactive event outdoors at Macaulay Honors College.  Hear a welcome from Macaulay Dean Dara Byrne, PhD and Director of Science Forward, Kelly O’Donnell, PhD, followed by a brief, guided nature walk in nearby Central Park. Participants will receive a free CITY SCIENTIST KIT* containing tools to help make plant and animal observations.

The event is free, open to all, and will take place rain or shine.

Macaulay Honors College is the official organizer of the 2024 City Nature Challenge for the City of New York, taking place over the weekend of April 26-29, 2024. The college has partnered with dozens of public parks, preservation societies, gardens, and other organizations throughout the five boroughs. And we invite nature lovers of all ages to participate for free.

Along with volunteer student guides, faculty, and local scientists, we’ll use our smartphones to record as many examples of urban wildlife as we can. The information can then be used by scientists and researchers to help improve biodiversity and sustainablility in New York City—and beyond.

“City Nature Challenge is not a contest,” explains O’Donnell. “But we all win when we explore nature within our community, have fun, and contribute data that can be used to make New York City greener and healthier for everyone.”

A constantly-updating list of City Nature Challenge events is accessible by visiting the Macaulay Honors College website at https://www.inaturalist.org/posts/91498-cnc-nyc-2024-event-list.

Macaulay Honors College is the NYC organizer of the City Nature Challenge, with generous support from the New York City Council and the office of Council Member Gale Brewer.

* While supplies last.