The City Nature Challenge: New York City takes place in Lenapehoking, the ancestral, unceded lands of the Lenape people. Lenapehoking includes parts of what are now known as New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. We want to acknowledge and pay respect to Lenape elders, past and present. This land has great significance to the Lenape people who were forced to leave it by European colonists, and we must recognize this fact as we explore the nature of what is now called New York City. The Lenape were the original stewards of this land and its many different habitats. There are only a few spaces left that resemble what this area was like before colonization and we encourage you to be respectful in these spaces and all places in the city. We ask that you be thoughtful when you are out on this land and realize that settler colonialism has deeply changed this landscape from what it once was. We hope that your nature observations in Lenapehoking inspire you to seek out more information about the Lenape people and culture, both past and present. Here are some places to start:

The Lenape Center website features a list of works highlighting Lenape culture.

"Home in Lenapehoking" - An interview of Joe Baker and Hadrien Coumans, co-founders of The Lenape Center, in Urban Omnibus.

Earlier this month, we lost a great New York City naturalist, César Castillo, who passed away on March 1. He was a lover of NYC nature, especially the birds, and a dedicated and generous educator. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with his wife, children, and all of his family and friends at this time.

César (@cesarcastillo) contributed a great many observations during the City Nature Challenge in New York City. He was our top species finder in 2022. Beyond CNC, he has the third highest overall species count (1897) and 11th highest observation count (10,025) for all of New York City. We appreciate all César did for promoting the love of nature in NYC.

We thought it would be a nice tribute to César to dedicate one or more of your favorite bird observations during CNC to his memory. Use "In memory of César Castillo" in the Notes field of your observation(s).

NYC EcoFlora project has a post honoring César here.

There is a GoFundMe page that you can contribute to support his family if you are able.

The CNC is a month away and we have some great events lined up before it starts so you can be ready for the challenge!

UPDATED 4/13 - Added events for Earth Day on 4/22

April 1, 2023 - GreenThumb GrowTogether Conference - iNaturalist Workshop
Time: 2:45p-4:15p (iNaturalist workshop), 8a-4:30p (whole conference)
Location: CUNY Graduate Center (365 5th Avenue, NY, NY)
Description: Chris Kreussling (NY Pollinator Working Group) and Tohmi Barrett (NYC EcoFlora Project) are presenting a workshop entitled "Using iNaturalist to Empower Collective Stewardship, “Re-spect” Weeds, and Build Better Gardens." They "will discuss the importance of local, non-cultivated plants, how to identify them, how they can be incorporated into our gardens, and why we must re-spect (look again at) weeds as potentially important, remnant species worthy of protection and nurturement."
Register via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/39th-annual-greenthumb-growtogether-conference-tickets-479383487917

April 19, 2023 - City Nature Challenge: NYC Virtual iNaturalist Training
Time: 6p-7p
Location: Zoom
Description: Join us to learn the ins and outs of using iNaturalist and making observations that others can identify.
Register via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mcf7s-wWRsmb0S5_VwlKvQ

April 22, 2023 - Celebrate Earth Day in the Greenbelt
Time: 10a-3p
Location: Willowbrook Park, 1 Eton Place, Staten Island, NY
Description: Join NYC Parks and the Greenbelt Conservancy, in a day dedicated to celebrating our planet through ecological education and sustainability! This free, family-friendly outdoor event will include a variety of fun public programs which will include guided hikes, stewardship projects, Environmental Education workshops, information and activities from local organizations, and more!
Registration: coming soon!

April 22, 2023 - Earth Day at the Audubon Center
Time: 11a-1p (whole event runs from 10a-1p)
Location: Audubon Center in Prospect Park (Boat House)
Description: Learn how to become a community scientist by using the iNaturalist app. Flatbush Gardener, Chris Kreussling, will help participants download the free app and explain how this tool can help you get ready for the 2023 City Nature Challenge.
Registration: Not needed. More info here: https://www.prospectpark.org/news-events/events/earth-day-at-the-audubon-center/