Are you passionate about biodiversity, sustainability, and showcasing the natural wonders of Saskatoon? We're looking for an enthusiastic individual to lead the charge in the City Nature Challenge 2025, focusing on the United Nations Sustainability Goals 15 Life on Land, 14 Life Below Water, and SDD 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities 

Event Details: 

Event Name: City Nature Challenge 2025 - Saskatoon (CNC YXE 2025) 

Dates: April 25 – April 28, 2025 (Observation Stage) & April 29 – May 4, 2025 (Identification Stage) Results Unveiling: Monday, May 5, 2025

 Location: The city nature challenge is open to Saskatoon, and Area, however the events hosted by Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Area event leader will take place in the 147.8 acre mixed woodlands of George Genereux Urban Regional Park, and the 326 acre Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, consisting of 18.5 acres of wetlands, 144 acres of forest and shrubland, and 167 acres of meadows and grasslands.

 Role of Event Leader: As an Event Leader, you will be the driving force behind engaging the community in this exciting biodiversity challenge. Your responsibilities include organizing and leading events between April 25 – April 28, 2025. Events can be scheduled outside of regular 9-5 work hours to accommodate the general public, while daytime hours are ideal for student participation.participants will use iNaturalist to capture images of plants, animals, insects, and mushrooms.

Key Objectives: Community Engagement: Help raise awareness of the importance of urban forests as habitats of biodiversity and engage community members in environmental stewardship. Biodiversity Tracking: Contribute valuable data via iNaturalist for researchers to monitor trends in local biodiversity and climate resilience. Environmental Advocacy: Encourage people to see themselves as guardians of these natural spaces and use their everyday activities to contribute to environmental science.

It is important to Note, the volunteer leader, and the volunteer citizen science participants do not need to be experts or botanists, or know what the names of any organisms of nature are. There just needs to be a natural curiosity, and a longing to connect with nature.

 Events should be scheduled to last 2-3 hours, there is flexibility about time and date. 

What the Challenge Involves: Snap pictures or take sound recordings of wild plants, animals, insects, and mushrooms from April 25 – April 28, 2025. Identify the discovered species from April 29 – May 4, 2025, using iNaturalist. Results will be unveiled on Monday, Monday, May 5, 2025. Curious About Biodiversity? 

The event leader will stimulate curiosity and awareness of the natural world around us by helping the public, youth groups, classrooms, adults  search for nature and signs of life creating a biodiversity data base on iNaturalist. Younger students without a smart phone can be motivated by the events leader and can get involved with a simple creative diversion to a scavenger hunt or bingo challenge enticing the younger participant to keep theirs eyes open for natural signs of life around them. 

Observations of signs of life are also welcome—these can include items that were once alive or symbolize living things. Examples include roadkill, scat, owl pellets, animal and bird tracks, snakeskins, bones, feathers, seashells, and skeletons. 

Check out our Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas YouTube "What is it?" tutorial on finding biodiversity with hints and tips for using iNaturalist—it's easy, enjoyable, and suitable for everyone, from seasoned naturalists to those who simply enjoy strolling outdoors. 

Engage a group of people to capture images or sound recordings with a smartphone and share observations through iNaturalist or your city's chosen platform. 

Join us in making Saskatoon a thriving hub of biodiversity! Together, let's shine a spotlight on the natural wonders of our afforestation areas in this beautiful city.

Benefits for Volunteer

Connect with Nature: Enjoy the outdoors and connect with Saskatoon's natural beauty. 

Community Impact: Contribute to Saskatoon's bid for the title of the most biodiverse city. Educational Experience: Engage with the public, including youth, in a bioblitz-style competition. 

Promote Sustainability: Support the United Nations Sustainability Goals related to Life on Land, Life Underwater, and Sustainable Cities. 

Personal Growth: Develop leadership and organizational skills by spearheading community events.

🌿✨ How to Get Involved: If you are available some time between April 25 – April 28, 2025. and excited about promoting biodiversity in Saskatoon for either one hosted event, or multiple events through this four day window, we want to hear from you! To express your interest, please contact us at friendsafforestation@gmail.com