BC's Big Nature Challenge

Every observation counts.

1 MILLION
OBSERVATIONS

1,394,730

OBSERVATIONS SO FAR.

Join thousands of other proud British Columbians in B.C.’s Big Nature Challenge, presented by the BC Parks Foundation. Your 2020 challenge was: help crowd-source one million observations of wildlife in our beautiful province, while also getting the health benefits of spending time in nature.

We made it to 1 million. What's next?

In 2021, BC Nature Challengers will attempt to reach 2 million observations while also reaching 15,000 species and advancing our knowledge on the many rare and threatened species we share this province with.

Plus, we're going for 500,000 observations in BC's provincial parks!

B.C.’s natural wealth includes some of the richest diversity of life on earth. From spirit bears to soaring eagles, to lichen and bumblebees, thousands of species call our supernatural province home.

Every observation supports management, conservation, science and research across B.C. Every observation will teach you more about life in this incredible province.
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What will you find in B.C.’s backyard?

Please click here for COVID-19 guidance

Join B.C.'s Nature Challenge with the BC Parks Foundation

Simply find wildlife (or signs of wildlife)
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It can be any plant, animal or evidence of life.

Take a Photo using a phone or digital camera

Snap a pic of what you find! Be sure to determine your location if your phone or camera does not have GPS.

Share your photo on a partner app
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Upload your photo(s) and observation details through any of our partner platforms.

On August 22-23, join us for the Discover Parks Bioblitz!

Join our Discover Park Ambassadors for the Discover Parks Bioblitz, a family-friendly activity for your day in the park!

Using the iNaturalist app, give back to your parks by helping us learn more about the incredible diversity of creatures that live in them.

For a list of participating parks, please visit the iNaturalist project.

Bring your phone or a camera, take photos of as many species as you can, and upload to the iNaturalist project– it’s that easy!

The Bioblitz will take place on August 22nd and 23rd at participating parks. Find your local Discover Parks Ambassador for more information, or go to Join the Challenge for step-by-step instructions on how to use iNaturalist and eBird.

How many observations can you collect in one weekend?

BC's Big Nature Challenge makes the news

November 3, 2020

Rare species of dragonfly spotted for the first time in 40 years in B.C.

Vancouver is Awesome

October 15, 2020

The BC Nature Challenge - empowering park users to become citizen scientists

The Local

October 5, 2020

The BC Parks Foundation's "Big Nature Challenge" passes the 1 million observations mark

On the Coast with Gloria Macarenko

October 4, 2020

Photo challenge nears goal of 1 million entries for B.C. Parks Foundation database

CBC British Columbia

October 1, 2020

Get out into nature for the BC Parks Foundation

Mornings with Simi

September 30, 2020

BC Parks Foundation has collected 950,000 wildlife pics, thanks to outdoor enthusiasts

Black Press Media

Vancouver is Awesome

We hit one million observations!

Mornings with Simi

Listen to our CEO, Andrew Day, and the Nature Challenge project lead, Emma Griggs, discuss the Challenge and some of the important ways citizen science can be used.