City of Knoxville, TN
04/06/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 04/06/2026 10:00
City Participates in Bio-Blitz April 24-27
The City of Knoxville is excited to join area partners and residents for the 11th Annual City Nature Challenge Friday, April 24, through Monday, April 27, 2026.
The City Nature Challenge is an annual global bio-blitz where residents observe wildlife and collect data for the world's largest wildlife census.
"This is a fun way to get people outside enjoying nature, while also helping gather information about local wildlife," said Office of Neighborhood Empowerment's Debbie Sharp. "For participating in this blitz, the City earns points toward its certification as a Wildlife Habitat through the National Wildlife Federation. Participation also counts toward the Mayor's Monarch Pledge."
Taking part is simple: observe and document as much wildlife - wild plants, animals, fungi, insects, etc. - as possible during the four-day period.
The City is partnering with the Tennessee Butterfly Monitoring Network, Zoo Knoxville, Discover Life in America, Harvey Broome Group of Sierra Club, Seven Islands State Birding Park, and Ijams Nature Center for the 2026 challenge.
No experience is necessary, just download the iNaturalist app at www.iNaturalist.org or upload photos directly to their website.
Images from the following counties will be accepted: Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Grainger, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier and Union.
City Nature Challenge is organized locally by Zoo Knoxville and globally by California Academy of Sciences and Natural History Museum of Los Angeles.
Visit the City Nature Challenge page at ZooKnoxville.org for activities planned April 24- 27, and how to participate.
The City Nature Challenge is an annual global bio-blitz where residents observe wildlife and collect data for the world's largest wildlife census.
"This is a fun way to get people outside enjoying nature, while also helping gather information about local wildlife," said Office of Neighborhood Empowerment's Debbie Sharp. "For participating in this blitz, the City earns points toward its certification as a Wildlife Habitat through the National Wildlife Federation. Participation also counts toward the Mayor's Monarch Pledge."
Taking part is simple: observe and document as much wildlife - wild plants, animals, fungi, insects, etc. - as possible during the four-day period.
The City is partnering with the Tennessee Butterfly Monitoring Network, Zoo Knoxville, Discover Life in America, Harvey Broome Group of Sierra Club, Seven Islands State Birding Park, and Ijams Nature Center for the 2026 challenge.
No experience is necessary, just download the iNaturalist app at www.iNaturalist.org or upload photos directly to their website.
Images from the following counties will be accepted: Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Grainger, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier and Union.
City Nature Challenge is organized locally by Zoo Knoxville and globally by California Academy of Sciences and Natural History Museum of Los Angeles.
Visit the City Nature Challenge page at ZooKnoxville.org for activities planned April 24- 27, and how to participate.
City of Knoxville, TN published this content on April 06, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 06, 2026 at 16:00 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]