General Questions

Q1: What is the City Nature Challenge (CNC)? 

The CNC is a global bioblitz where cities across the world compete to observe the most biodiversity. Participants use apps like iNaturalist to photograph wild plants, animals, and fungi in their surroundings. 

Q2: When can I make observations? 

All observations must be made between April 25 (12:01 am) and April 28 (11:59 pm) local time. You can upload them until May 4.

Q3: Can I upload older photos?  

No. Only observations made during April 25–28 count for CNC

Using iNaturalist 

Q1: Do I need to join a project or add my observations manually?

No. If your city is part of CNC and you’re within its boundary, your observations will be automatically included.

Q2: How do I check if my observation was included?

Visit your city's CNC project page on iNaturalist → click "Observers" → check if your name appears.

Q3: Do I have to use the app? 

No. You can also use a digital camera and upload photos later via the iNaturalist website

Q4: Can I use Seek by iNaturalist?

Yes! Login to Seek with your iNaturalist account to participate

Making Observations 

Q1: What can I observe?

Anything wild! That includes animals, plants, fungi, insects, and even tracks, feathers, or droppings. No pets, garden plants, or humans.

Q2: What if I see something cultivated? 

Mark it as “Captive/Cultivated” in the app. These still count, but CNC values wild biodiversity most.

Q3: What if I don’t know what I photographed? 

That’s okay! Upload the best photos you can. The iNaturalist community or AI will help identify them.

Q4: Can I submit sound recordings?

Yes! Birdsong, frog calls, and insect sounds can be uploaded as evidence.

Q5: Can I still submit an observation if I didn’t capture a photo or sound? 

Only do this sparingly—and only if you're confident of the ID.

Identification & Results

Q1: Do my observations need to be "Research Grade"?

No. All observations count for CNC, but Research Grade data helps science more directly.

Q2: Can I help identify other people’s observations? 

Yes! Anyone can help. Go to the “Identify” tab in your city’s CNC project and start reviewing unknowns.

Q3: Should I agree with someone else's ID? 

Only if you're confident in the ID. Don’t agree just to be polite—it could skew the data.

Q4: Why do species counts differ between projects? 

City projects count all taxonomic levels (like family/genus/species), while umbrella projects count only species.

How to Share?

Use the hashtag #CityNatureChallenge and tag @citnatchallenge on your local CNC social handles on Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, or X.

Using iNaturalist AI Wisely 

• The app suggests IDs based on photos and location — choose only when it says "pretty sure".

• Prioritise suggestions that are visually similar and expected nearby.

• Tap on species names to explore images and range maps before confirming.

 Better Photos, Better IDs 

• Use multiple photos per observation (different angles, close-ups).

• Avoid blurry shots — retake when needed.

• Use macro lenses for tiny creatures like ants or aphids. 

 Species Count Clarification  

• Local city projects count unique taxa (genus/family/species), not just species.

• The umbrella CNC project shows confirmed species only — results use local project numbers.

Helping with IDs  

• Use the Identify tab in your city's CNC project to review and ID others' observations

• New to IDing? Start with "Unknowns" — tag broad groups like “plants” or “insects” to help experts find them faster. 

Helpful WhatsApp Groups You Can Join

For iNaturalist App Support

• • iNaturalist Help (CNC)

  • iNaturalist India Tech Help

For Getting Your Observations Identified

• • CNC ID Request

  • iNaturalist India ID

For Helping Identify Observations

• • CNC ID Team

These groups are super helpful during CNC – join the ones that match your interest

Action Items for CNC Participants

Get Started on iNaturalist

• Download the iNaturalist app: Android | iPhone | Website

  • Create your account and start uploading observations!

  • Learn via our CNC India 2025 YouTube playlist or join upcoming webinars (details on WhatsApp)

• Join CNC India WhatsApp Channel

  • Stay updated and get city/state-specific support.

  • Contact your zonal coordinator (see poster) to join your local group and connect with your city organizer.

  • Participate & Support

    • Join nature walks, bioblitz events, online practice meets, and more.

    • Help spread the word in your city and invite more participants!

• CNC 2025 Timeline

  • April 25–28 – Upload your nature sightings to iNaturalist

  • April 29–May 4 – Join the ID team to help identify observations

  • You can keep uploading photos taken between April 25–28 till May 4

  • May 5 – Results & Celebration!

Roles for City Organizers

Stay Connected

• Join the City Organizers WhatsApp Group (for organizers only)

• Join the Citizen Science India WhatsApp Community and your State Group

• Ask your city’s participants to join their state group for updates & webinar alerts

Use Resources & Branding Tools

• Explore the CNC Global Resource Folder for promotion materials

• Create your city/state logo using the Canva Template

• Refer to the Event Graphic Design Template Document for posters, banners, etc.

• Set Clear Goals

  • Target number of participants (Aim for at least 0.01% of your city’s population)

  • Target number of observations per person (e.g. 100 per participant)

  • Recruit identifiers and add them to the CNC India ID Team group

• Create a Registration Form

  • Include a WhatsApp group link in the form so people join directly

  • Use it for tracking progress, issuing certificates, etc.

  • Note: CNC India community groups may fill soon – use your city/state groups for coordination

• Spread the Word

  • Reach out to media, colleges, NGOs, government bodies, etc.

  • Share the form widely and place QR codes in parks, libraries, etc.

  • Find active iNaturalist users in your city and invite them

• Engage Your WhatsApp Group

  • Share goals and live progress updates

  • Ask for help reaching targets

  • Run fun updates and announcements

• Educate & Build Community

  • Host online calls on iNaturalist usage and local biodiversity

  • Organize nature walks, bioblitz events, and meetups

  • Offer goodies/prizes for top contributors or IDers

• Use Social Media

  • Share CNC stories, milestones, and highlights

  • Promote citizen science through Instagram, Facebook, Twitter

• During CNC

  • April 25–28: Track live observations, share city’s rank (global/national/state)

  • April 29–May 4: Focus on IDing observations; keep uploading photos taken during CNC

  • Tip: Many cities jumped ranks during these days last year!

  • May 5: Celebrate & share results 

• After CNC

  • Celebrate with your team – first CNC is special!

  • Distribute certificates, share top sightings with CNC Global

  • Plan follow-ups to keep your community engaged

Important Links for CNC 2025 (India)

1. Indian Cities Dashboard – See the list of registered cities in India

2. Asian Cities Dashboard – View all registered cities across Asia.

3. CNC 2025 Logo Template Canva

From CNC Global Team

1. CNC Organizer One Stop Shop - For internal organizers

2. Organizers Info Page - All public info for organizers

3. CNC Discord Server - Connect & collaborate 

→ Use #india-cnc and #asia-cnc channels

4. Organizers Resources Drive – For organizers

Whom to Contact for Help ?

If you need assistance, reach out to our dedicated team of State/Zonal Coordinators (check the attached poster for your region).

For general or urgent queries, you can contact our National Coordinators:

1. Venus Joshi: +91-97277-52817

2. Devanshi: +91-95869-99854

3. Ram: +91-81869-62916