Do I need to install iNaturalist before class?

Yes — installing the app and creating an account beforehand speeds the process; instructors can help with setup but time is limited.

Is this program wheelchair accessible?

Most areas used during the workshop are wheelchair- and stroller-accessible, as noted in the program description, but check with staff if you have specific mobility needs.

What is the minimum age?

The listed minimum age is 8; younger children are welcome with a supervising adult but should be able to follow instructions.

What happens if it rains?

Workshops may proceed in light rain with adjustments; heavy weather could prompt rescheduling — check the booking link or contact organizers for current policies.

Can I bring a DSLR camera instead of a phone?

Yes — quality photos from any camera are useful, but you’ll need to transfer images to your device or upload later if you want observations attached during the class.

What is the refund policy?

Cancellations made 48 hours prior receive a full refund minus processing fees; cancellations inside 48 hours are evaluated case-by-case per the program notes.

City Nature Challenge 101: Join Ogden’s Bioblitz and Log Wildlife on iNaturalist | Photography Tour | Wildlife

City Nature Challenge 101 is a focused, two-hour community-science workshop in Ogden, Utah, that teaches participants how to find, photograph, and upload local plants and animals to the iNaturalist app. Held at the local nature center (ONC), this session turns a short walk into a scientific contribution to the global City Nature Challenge, where cities compete to document the most biodiversity. The format balances clear instruction with field practice: a brief introduction to the challenge, a step-by-step iNaturalist walkthrough, then a guided bioblitz across accessible trails and wetlands.

Expect a place defined by ponds, mixed meadow and riparian edge, and an active urban wildlife corridor. Key features include shallow marshy ponds that attract wading birds and amphibians, cottonwood and willow belts along streamside edges, and open meadow patches that host pollinators and songbirds. The terrain is mostly level and wheelchair- and stroller-accessible, making it a great entry-level outdoor science experience for families and new naturalists.

What makes this workshop noteworthy is its direct link to a larger scientific event. You aren’t just learning camera technique and app navigation — you are adding verifiable observations to a global dataset used by researchers and land managers. The leaders teach how to compose identification-ready photos, record accurate locations, and attach habitat notes that improve data quality. That practical training is paired with the thrill of field identification: spotting dragonflies over the pond, finding obscure native forbs in the meadow, or hearing a warbler in the willows.

Bring a charged smartphone or tablet with the iNaturalist app installed, because hands-on uploads are central to the experience. The program also accommodates younger observers; the listed minimum age is eight. The pace is relaxed but purposeful: expect short instructional segments interleaved with guided observation time so every participant leaves with both skills and contributions recorded.

For visitors staying in Ogden, this is an excellent half-day activity that pairs well with longer hikes in the nearby foothills or a day exploring downtown trails. Beyond the immediate experience, the class is a practical way to deepen local outdoor literacy and support conservation by creating usable data. Whether you’re a photographer, parent, student, or curious neighbor, City Nature Challenge 101 offers a low-barrier, high-impact way to connect with local nature and help Utah compete in an international bioblitz.

Registration is straightforward through the booking link; classes repeat around the City Nature Challenge each spring and pop up at other times depending on staffing. Expect friendly instructors who will review submission etiquette, common identification pitfalls, and can follow up with resources for learning plants and birds. Come prepared to learn, record, and leave with tangible contributions to science plus a sharper eye for the small lives that share urban space.