22 April 2026
Earth Day 2026: How to Join the City Nature Challenge in Davis County
When you think of “nature” in Utah, your mind might jump to the red rocks of Southern Utah or the backcountry of the High Uinta Mountains. But you might be surprised to find diverse ecosystems right here in our own backyard!
The Great Salt Lake serves as a massive hub for thousands of migratory shorebirds every year, while our foothills and canyons offer a quiet sanctuary for native wildflowers. You don’t even have to leave town to find nature; our local creeks and rivers provide lush habitats just steps from our front doors.
This Earth Day, we are calling on YOU to help us document it all for the City Nature Challenge, April 24–27, 2026!
What is the City Nature Challenge?
The City Nature Challenge started in 2016 as a friendly competition between Los Angeles and San Francisco. It has since blossomed into a massive international celebration where people around the world find and document wildlife in their own cities.
This is a community science initiative that helps scientists learn about global biodiversity. Think of it like a yearly census for wildlife, and Davis County needs to be counted!
How to Participate (The 30-Second Guide)
Participation is as easy as taking a selfie:
- Download iNaturalist: It’s a free app that acts like a digital field guide.
- Snap a Photo: Between April 24 and April 27, take a picture of any wild plant, animal, or fungi you see in Davis County.
- Upload: Post it to the app. That’s it!
Why It Matters
Every photo you upload makes a real impact on our understanding of biodiversity. Your observations help researchers track local wildlife health and migration patterns.
More importantly, your entries count toward the Utah’s Wasatch regional total. We’re grouped in with our neighbors (Box Elder, Cache, Carbon, Davis, Salt Lake, Summit, Utah, Wasatch, and Weber Counties), and we are in a friendly competition with cities across the globe. Let’s make sure Davis County is well-represented on the map!
No Event? No Problem.
You might notice there aren’t any “official” gatherings scheduled in Davis County this year. But here’s the secret: You don’t need an event to participate. The beauty of this challenge is its simplicity. You don’t have to drive to a specific trailhead or attend a meeting. All it takes is your phone! You can participate while you’re:
- Walking the dog at Kays Creek Parkway.
- Watching the sunset at Jensen Nature Park.
- Checking the flower beds in your own backyard.
- Hiking the Lagoon Trail or exploring the Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve.
Bioblitz at Layton Commons Park
Join Heritage Museum of Layton on April 27 from 3:00 – 5:00 pm for a bioblitz! Get outside, explore nature, and participate in the City Nature Challenge!
Quick Dates to Remember:
- April 24–27: Taking and uploading photos.
- April 28–May 10: Identifying what we found (the app helps you with this!).
- May 13: Global results are announced.
