City Nature Challenge 2025 Results

From the California Academy of Sciences:

10th Anniversary City Nature Challenge records 3.3 million wildlife observations from nearly 103,000 participants

Data from community scientists across the globe informs species conservation, enhances understanding of global biodiversity

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (May 5, 2025) — The 10th annual City Nature Challenge global bioblitz has concluded, yielding more than 3.3 million wildlife observations for another record-breaking year. Over the four-day event, held between April 25-28, nearly 103,000 people across six continents used the free mobile app iNaturalist to participate in a range of ways—including attending community wildlife surveys and observing species in their own homes—to document the wondrous diversity of wild plants, animals, and fungi that share our planet. From observations of critically endangered and elusive species to sightings outside of known species ranges, information collected during the City Nature Challenge underscores the value of community science to track real-time changes in our planet’s biodiversity, especially in urban areas.

Started in 2016 by the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County as a friendly competition, the City Nature Challenge has expanded to 669 cities around the world over the last decade. This year’s Challenge broke previous observation records, tallying 3,310,131 observations and recording 73,765 species worldwide—including 3,338 rare, endangered, or threatened species. The highest number of observations were tallied in La Paz, Bolivia, where 3,292 participants made 148,994 observations during the four-day weekend. Over the last 10 years of City Nature Challenge, community scientists have submitted nearly 13 million observations to iNaturalist.

“I never imagined that this lighthearted battle between San Francisco and Los Angeles would turn into the world’s largest annual biodiversity event,” says Rebecca Johnson, PhD, Director of Community Science at the California Academy of Sciences and City Nature Challenge Co-Founder. “To see over 100,000 people around the world come together to document more than 3.3 million observations—the largest annual census of biodiversity data—shows how powerful community science can be when we pay attention to nature in our own backyards. This record-breaking anniversary shows what’s possible when we work together, and it’s thanks to our local and global organizers that the City Nature Challenge continues to grow year after year.” Read the full press release

Baton Rouge Region Results

April 25-29, 2025

14,429
Observations Made

#53 in the world out of 669 cities
#18 in the USA out of 164 cities

2,578
Species Documented

#29 in the world out of 669 cities
#11 in the USA out of 164 cities

450
People Participated

#55 in the world out of 669 cities
#30 in the USA out of 164 cities

Photos from the 2025 Baton Rouge Region City Nature Challenge

Local Leaderboard

Thank you to our participants, volunteers, partners and identifiers!

Observation Hot Spots

Here are the 20 public spots that had the most observations logged:

1. BREC Frenchtown Conservation Area

2. LSU Hilltop Arboretum

3. Big Branch Marsh NWR Area

4. Port Hudson State Historic Site

5. LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens

6. BREC Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center

7. Tickfaw State Park

8. BREC Forest Community Park

9. Mary Ann Brown Preserve

10. Northlake Nature Center, Pelican Park, Fontainebleau SP, & Mandeville Trailhead

11. BREC Dawson Creek Trail & Perkins Road Park

12. Downtown BR & Capitol Lake

13. BREC Hooper Road Park

14. Manchac WMA

15. LSU Campus

16. BREC Highland Road Park & Observatory

17. BREC Bayou Manchac Park

18. BREC Blackwater Conservation Area

19. Blind River

20. Baton Rouge Audubon Amite River Wildlife Sanctuary

Observation Quality

Global City Nature Challenge Results

The overall winner is La Paz, Bolivia!

3,310,131
Observations Made

During the four day challenge

102,945
People Participated

From 62 countries

73,765+
Species Documented

Including 3,338 rare, threatened, or endangered species

2025 City Nature Challenge Infographic

View the rankings and iNaturalist observations made globally in the 2025 City Nature Challenge.

Thank you to our amazing partners!