This spring, Berks County again participated in the City Nature Challenge (CNC), an annual event in which communities across the world observe, document, and identify local biota.
Started in 2016 and coordinated by the community science teams at the California Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, the CNC is one of the world’s largest community science events. A key to this success is the CNC’s accessibility: naturalists of all experience levels can participate in the Challenge. From joining a community-organized bioblitz – a biodiversity survey that attempts to record all living species in a designated area – to recording observations of wildlife in their own backyard, all are welcome to take the Challenge!
This approach encourages individuals to both learn about nature and to find community with fellow naturalists in their neighborhoods and online.
Furthermore, observations made during the CNC help scientists detect patterns of biodiversity change, providing valuable insights to aid resource management and conservation decisions that can curb biodiversity loss.
Join the Challenge!
This year’s City Nature Challenge is over but keep your eyes and ears open for nature in your backyard and your local park. And if you are interested in helping with next year’s Challenge, contact
Bryan Wang at citynaturechallengeberks@gmail.com.
In Berks County, extra efforts were made before the launch of the CNC to prepare our residents for the Challenge ahead. Berks Nature hosted a photography workshop, an evening for Scouts, and an iNaturalist training session, all held at The Nature Place in Reading. The Mengel Natural History Society, Reading Public Library, PA Master Naturalists, and Wyomissing Park and Shade Tree Commission also led events throughout Berks County, from Dreibelbis Farm to Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center to Reading’s Schlegel Park.
This year, the CNC took place from April 24-27. During this time, local naturalists, bird watchers, and nature lovers used the iNaturalist app – a free, mobile application – to photograph wild animals, plants, and fungi. Afterwards, a worldwide community of naturalists sorted through the observations to help identify the full suite of species seen.
In 2026, over 100,000 people participated in CNC worldwide; in Berks County, 115 individuals contributed a total of 2,700 observations of over 640 unique species.
Though smaller than last year, this dedicated group of observers embodied the CNC’s hope that the 2026 Challenge would emphasize quality over quantity and collaboration over competition. For instance, this year, in an art-making workshop and community exhibition, participants created a collective “Vision of Nature” representing recent memorable moments in nature.
The community collaboration continued at the post-CNC celebration, hosted at The Nature Place. Attendees pored over the Challenge’s many observations including the Cedar-Apple Rust, one of 14 species featured by the City Nature Challenge’s global project report. Partygoers explained to one another how the rust, which requires both a juniper and a fruit tree as hosts, is often found in rural areas between forests and farmland. There were of course many observations of Garlic Mustard (Allaria petiolate) and American Robins (Turdis migratorius) – the two most highly observed species in Berks County. Then participants shared stories of their favorite observations: an elusive Pink Lady’s Slipper; a Furrow Orbweaver collected from under Reber’s bridge; the Dutchman’s Breeches, whose flowers look like a pair of pants.
Written by Bryan Wang, Teaching Professor of Biology at Penn State Berks and Berks Nature Ambassador
Photo gallery includes the following species:
Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)
Cedar-apple Rust (Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae)
Pink Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium acaule)
Furrow Orbweaver (Larinioides cornutus)
Dutchman’s Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)