2026 Texas City Nature Challenge
Congratulations to all the 2026 City Nature Challenge participating cities and metro areas for another success year of citizen science contribution! More than 8,780 citizen scientists recorded 323,000 observations of 9,549 species (as of July 1, 2026) from El Paso to Houston, Amarillo and Wichita Falls to the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Among those more than 9,500 species were 2,631 observations of 176 Species of Greatest Conservation Need. Below are the results for each metropolitan area as well as a link to each project on iNaturalist.
Interested in participating next year either individually or to help organize an event in your community? First, put the dates of Friday, April 30-Monday, May 3, 2027 for next year's event. Next, you can register on the City Nature Challenge website. Organizer meetings will begin December 2026. Please contact TNT staff at Tracker@tpwd.Texas.gov for information about our efforts across Texas and for help getting your city involved in 2027. We hope to see you and your city as a participant in 2027.
With the iNaturalist App, you just take a picture of a plant or animal and the community will help identify what species it is.
Any observation made during the four days of the event in the greater metropolitan area of each city will count towards the challenge.
You can participate by exploring the life in your backyard, in your local park or on a field trip with your local naturalist group.
If you're new to iNaturalist, learn more with the iNaturalist Getting Started Guide.
Join the City Nature Challenge Facebook Event.
For answers to your questions or for more information, contact our Texas Nature Tracker biologists at tracker@tpwd.texas.gov.
Texas City Nature Challenge 2026 Participating Metro Areas
Amarillo 2026 City Nature Challenge
Globally, 747 cities from 62 countries participated in the 2026 City Nature Challenge. Amarillo ranked 311 for observations, 346 for Species, and 378 for Observers globally, placing it in the top 42% of projects.
By the numbers:
- 5 counties
- More than 1500 observations
- 464 species recorded
- 49 observers
- More than 260 identifiers
- 100% of observations were verifiable
During the 4 days of the event, the project saw:
- 11 Species of Greatest Conservation Need at Research Grade (see list)
- 26 new species records in iNaturalist
- 2% increase in iNaturalist observations for the project metro counties
Austin 2026 City Nature Challenge
Globally, 747 cities from 62 countries participated in the 2026 City Nature Challenge. Austin ranked #14 for observations, #11 for Species, and #6 for Observers globally, placing it in the top 2% of projects.
By the numbers:
- 7 counties
- More than 37,700 observations
- 3,472 species recorded
- Over 1,790 observers
- More than 1,198 identifiers
- 100% of observations were verifiable
During the 4 days of the event, the project saw:
- 37 Species of Greatest Conservation Need at Research Grade (see list)
- 86 new species records in iNaturalist
- 2% increase in iNaturalist observations for the project metro counties
Brazos Valley 2026 City Nature Challenge
Globally, 747 cities from 62 countries participated in the 2026 City Nature Challenge. Brazos Valley ranked #60 for observations, #42 for Species, and #61 for Observers globally, placing it in the top 8% of projects.
By the numbers:
- 6 counties
- More than 11500 observations
- 2010 species recorded
- Over 410 observers
- More than 690 identifiers
- 100% of observations were verifiable
During the 4 days of the event, the project saw:
- 28 Species of Greatest Conservation Need at Research Grade (see list)
- 147 new species records in iNaturalist
- 5% increase in iNaturalist observations for the project metro counties
Dallas-Fort Worth 2026 City Nature Challenge
Globally, 747 cities from 62 countries participated in the 2026 City Nature Challenge. Dallas-Fort Worth ranked #3 for observations, #4 for Species, and #4 for Observers globally, placing it in the top 0.4% of projects.
By the numbers:
- 10 counties
- More than 85,000 observations
- 4621 species recorded
- Over 1900 observers
- More than 1770 identifiers
- 100% of observations were verifiable
During the 4 days of the event, the project saw:
- 41 Species of Greatest Conservation Need at Research Grade (see list)
- 159 new species records in iNaturalist
- 3% increase in iNaturalist observations for the project metro counties
El Paso 2026 City Nature Challenge
Globally, 747 cities from 62 countries participated in the 2026 City Nature Challenge. El Paso ranked #174 for observations, #248 for Species, and #224 for Observers globally, placing it in the top 23% of projects.
By the numbers:
- 1 county
- More than 3,600 observations
- 686 species recorded
- 118 observers
- More than 277 identifiers
- 100% of observations were verifiable
During the 4 days of the event, the project saw:
- 16 Species of Greatest Conservation Need at Research Grade (see list)
- 37 new species records in iNaturalist
- 3% increase in iNaturalist observations for the project metro counties
Heart of Texas 2026 City Nature Challenge
Globally, 747 cities from 62 countries participated in the 2026 City Nature Challenge. Heart of Texas ranked #72 for observations, #34 for Species, and #85 for Observers globally, placing it in the top 10% of projects.
By the numbers:
- 9 counties
- More than 9,980 observations
- 2,136 species recorded
- Over 330 observers
- More than 530 identifiers
- 100% of observations were verifiable
During the 4 days of the event, the project saw:
- 24 Species of Greatest Conservation Need at Research Grade (see list)
- 65 new species records in iNaturalist
- 2% increase in iNaturalist observations for the project metro counties
Houston-Galveston 2026 City Nature Challenge
Globally, 747 cities from 62 countries participated in the 2026 City Nature Challenge. Houston-Galveston ranked #10 for observations, #6 for Species, and #10 for Observers globally, placing it in the top 1% of projects.
By the numbers:
- 9 counties
- More than 44,200 observations
- 4,072 species recorded
- Over 1,320 observers
- More than 1,410 identifiers
- 100% of observations were verifiable
During the 4 days of the event, the project saw:
- 51 Species of Greatest Conservation Need at Research Grade (see list)
- 107 new species records in iNaturalist
- 2% increase in iNaturalist observations for the project metro counties
Lower Rio Grande Valley 2026 City Nature Challenge
Globally, 747 cities from 62 countries participated in the 2026 City Nature Challenge. Lower Rio Grande Valley ranked #61 for observations, #39 for Species, and #110 for Observers globally, placing it in the top 8% of projects.
By the numbers:
- 4 counties
- More than 11,440 observations
- 2,028 species recorded
- Over 262 observers
- More than 630 identifiers
- 100% of observations were verifiable
During the 4 days of the event, the project saw:
- 57 Species of Greatest Conservation Need at Research Grade (see list)
- 73 new species records in iNaturalist
- 2% increase in iNaturalist observations for the project metro counties
Mustang Island 2026 City Nature Challenge
Globally, 747 cities from 62 countries participated in the 2026 City Nature Challenge. Mustang Island ranked #331 for observations, #328 for Species, and #331 for Observers globally, placing it in the top 44% of projects.
By the numbers:
- 1 counties
- More than 1400 observations
- 500 species recorded
- Over 70 observers
- More than 250 identifiers
- 100% of observations were verifiable
During the 4 days of the event, the project saw:
- 24 Species of Greatest Conservation Need at Research Grade (see list)
- 32 new species records in iNaturalist
- 1% increase in iNaturalist observations for the project metro counties
Paris/Lamar County 2026 City Nature Challenge
Globally, 747 cities from 62 countries participated in the 2026 City Nature Challenge. Paris/Lamar County ranked #425 for observations, #426 for Species, and #474 for Observers globally, placing it in the top 57% of projects.
By the numbers:
- 1 county
- More than 800 observations
- 324 species recorded
- 24 observers
- More than 100 identifiers
- 100% of observations were verifiable
During the 4 days of the event, the project saw:
- 0 Species of Greatest Conservation Need at Research Grade
- 26 new species records in iNaturalist
- 4% increase in iNaturalist observations for the project metro counties
San Antonio Metro Area 2026 City Nature Challenge
Globally, 747 cities from 62 countries participated in the 2026 City Nature Challenge. San Antonio Metro Area ranked #2 for observations, #2 for Species, and #5 for Observers globally, placing it in the top 0% of projects.
By the numbers:
- 12 counties
- More than 102,000 observations
- 4816 species recorded
- Over 1800 observers
- More than 1700 identifiers
- 100% of observations were verifiable
During the 4 days of the event, the project saw:
- 79 Species of Greatest Conservation Need at Research Grade (see list)
- 296 new species records in iNaturalist
- 6% increase in iNaturalist observations for the project metro counties
San Marcos 2026 City Nature Challenge
Globally, 747 cities from 62 countries participated in the 2026 City Nature Challenge. San Marcos ranked #287 for observations, #295 for Species, and #145 for Observers globally, placing it in the top 38% of projects.
By the numbers:
- 1 County
- More than 1,800 observations
- 579 species recorded
- Over 208 observers
- More than 260 identifiers
- 100% of observations were verifiable
During the 4 days of the event, the project saw:
- 6 Species of Greatest Conservation Need at Research Grade (see list)
- 22 new species records in iNaturalist
- 2% increase in iNaturalist observations for the project metro counties
Tyler/East Texas 2026 City Nature Challenge
Globally, 747 cities from 62 countries participated in the 2026 City Nature Challenge. Tyler/East Texas ranked #136 for observations, #88 for Species, and #120 for Observers globally, placing it in the top 18% of projects.
By the numbers:
- 10 counties
- More than 5000 observations
- 1405 species recorded
- Over 240 observers
- More than 460 identifiers
- 100% of observations were verifiable
During the 4 days of the event, the project saw:
- 11 Species of Greatest Conservation Need at Research Grade (see list)
- 70 new species records in iNaturalist
- 2% increase in iNaturalist observations for the project metro counties
Walker Trinity County 2026 City Nature Challenge
Globally, 747 cities from 62 countries participated in the 2026 City Nature Challenge. Walker Trinity County ranked #654 for observations, #633 for Species, and #473 for Observers globally, placing it in the top 88% of projects.
By the numbers:
- 2 counties
- More than 75 observations
- 68 species recorded
- 25 observers
- More than 29 identifiers
- 100% of observations were verifiable
During the 4 days of the event, the project saw:
- 1 Species of Greatest Conservation Need at Research Grade (see list)
- 2 new species records in iNaturalist
- 0% increase in iNaturalist observations for the project metro counties
Wichita Falls Metro Area 2026 CNC
Globally, 747 cities from 62 countries participated in the 2026 City Nature Challenge. Wichita Falls Metro Area ranked #179 for observations, #177 for Species, and #316 for Observers globally, placing it in the top 24% of projects.
By the numbers:
- 10 counties
- More than 3600 observations
- 893 species recorded
- Over 70 observers
- More than 328 identifiers
- 100% of observations were verifiable
During the 4 days of the event, the project saw:
- 17 Species of Greatest Conservation Need at Research Grade (see list)
- 38 new species records in iNaturalist
- 3% increase in iNaturalist observations for the project metro counties
The City Nature Challenge is organized by the California Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.
