Seattle-Tacoma City Nature Challenge - Orientation for Educators & Other Group Leaders The City Nature Challenge is a global biological survey, where community naturalists across the world collaborate to see which cities and regions are home to the most biodiversity. The 2026 City Nature Challenge will take place in two parts 1. April 24 - April 27 for taking photos of wild plants, animals, fungi, and other organisms 2. April 28 - May 10 for identifying what was found. Community members in King, Pierce, Snohomish Counties and beyond are encouraged to get outside and log their nature observations via the iNaturalist app. When: Tuesday, February 10, 2026. 4:00-5:00 PM PST Advance registration is required, register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/zS0Zk9eGTnOkt6i0QJsr6g After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Who: Educators (classroom, informal, nature, outdoor, etc.) and other group and community leaders who want to help get people engaged in City Nature Challenge. What: We invite educators, group leaders, land managers and any other movers and shakers in the community to join us in engaging our audiences in City Nature Challenge. Join your Seattle-Tacoma CNC planning team for this fun and informative virtual session and learn how you and your network can help lead participation in this amazing local and global event. Let's get people outdoors and engaged with nearby nature! We'll cover the goals of City Nature Challenge and how to use the iNaturalist app to upload and help identify observations. We will discuss creative ideas for how best to motivate and lead others to successfully participate. We'll include tips on maintaining respectful relationships with nature and how to support people in making high-quality observations! Information on the Seattle-Tacoma City Nature Challenge: Woodland Park Zoo: https://www.zoo.org/conservation/naturechallenge Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium: https://www.pdza.org/event/city-nature-challenge/ Information on the global City Nature Challenge: https://www.citynaturechallenge.org/ Hosted by: Your Seattle-Tacoma CNC Planning Team - Woodland Park Zoo, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Seattle Parks and Recreation, Green Tukwila / City of Tukwila, Washington State Department of Agriculture Pest Program, University of Washington - Tacoma, Olympic Fly Fishers of Edmonds, Snohomish County's Healthy Forest project in Southwest County Parks, and a graduate student with the Advanced Inquiry Program of Miami University of Ohio/Woodland Park Zoo. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at community.science@pdza.org<mailto:community.science@pdza.org> Sam Hain, (He/Him) Conservation Engagement Specialist Zoological & Environmental Education Department Office (253) 404-3800 ext: 3765 5400 N. Pearl St. Tacoma, WA 98407 [cid:image002.jpg@01DA5047.61E35740] Metro Parks Tacoma acknowledges that we operate on the traditional homelands of Coast Salish tribes, who have lived on and stewarded these lands since time immemorial and continue to do so today.