Berks County made an inspiring debut in the 2025 City Nature Challenge (CNC), joining 668 other communities worldwide in a friendly competition to observe and document biodiversity. From April 25 to 28, 2025, 235 local participants used the iNaturalist app to record more than 4,500 observations of more than 800 species, including chipping sparrows, green frogs and Eastern box turtles.

Coordinated locally by Bryan Wang, a Penn State Berks teaching professor and Berks Nature Ambassador, the event featured community “bioblitzes”, training sessions and a celebratory wrap-up at The Nature Place at Berks Nature. Berks ranked third in Pennsylvania and seventh nationwide among similarly sized communities.

Participants of all ages found joy and connection in the effort. “It gave us so much more to do as a family outdoors,” shared one participant.

Beyond its competitive spirit, CNC fosters awareness and contributes to global conservation efforts—reminding us that community science can be both meaningful and fun.

For more information, visit iNaturalist.org and BerksNature.org.