The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department is encouraging all Texans to participate in the Texas City Nature Challenge, part of the City Nature Challenge 2026 Global Project, which began today (April 24) and continues through midnight April 27. See which city can document the most species of plant and animal life in this friendly competition. You can observe in your own backyard, and/or take part in Nature Challenge group events, such as the following hosted by Richardson’s Urban Naturalist program:
“BioBlitz” Event
Breckinridge Park Pavilion
Admission: Free
Saturday, April 25
2-5 p.m.
Help find and identify as many plants, animals and fungi species as possible across the park on this fun Saturday afternoon! Open to all ages.
To participate in the City Nature Challenge, sign up at www.iNaturalist.org and download the free iNaturalist app. Take a picture of any type of plant or animal, and the iNaturalist community will help with identification. Every observation contributes to biodiversity science, from a rare butterfly to a common backyard weed.
Note: Richardson and surrounding cities compete as part of the DFW Metroplex; last year DFW finished #5 globally in number of observations, out of 669 cities!
