Rockwoods Reservation joins worldwide City Nature Challenge April 27-30 as host site

WILDWOOD, Mo. — It’s not only a global economy, it’s a global ecology, too. The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Rockwoods Reservation joins with the rest of the St. Louis Metro area in the worldwide City Nature Challenge. St. Louis is one of 65 cities around the globe to take on the challenge. Rockwoods Reservation will be one of the host sites for the four-day event, which takes place Friday, April 27 -- Monday, April 30.

This innovative effort will enable people to become citizen scientists so they can observe and record as many species of plants, birds and animals as possible during the four-day period. The objective is to create a snapshot of the biodiversity that can be found around the metro area, including wild plants, insects, birds, and mammals to fish, frogs, fungi, and other forms of life.

There is no cost to take part in the City Nature Challenge, but MDC recommends taking the following steps:

1. Download the free iNaturalist app, available for iPhone or Android at iNaturalist.org
2. Join the 2018 St. Louis City Nature Challenge project at tinyurl.com/stlNatureChallenge18
3. Visit Rockwoods Reservation during the challenge period; take photos of as many diverse plants and animals as possible
4. Upload photos into the St. Louis City Nature Challenge project. All data participants collect will provide a better idea of the biodiversity living in the area.

Rockwoods Reservation will also host a special educational event on April 29 from 10 am-2 pm to celebrate the City Nature Challenge. Information tables will instruct visitors on how to make iNaturalist observations, and how to ethically and safely collect observations. Naturalists will be giving away free copies of the City Nature Challenge Field Guide and offering pointers on the best places in Rockwoods to look for observations.

In addition to visiting Rockwoods, participants can also take the challenge in backyards, local parks, conservation areas, or at any outdoor location across the bi-state area. Citizens can make a real difference by collecting valuable information, and contributing to a larger, world-wide effort.

Rockwoods Reservation is located at 2751 Glencoe Road, off Highway 109 in Wildwood.