April 2018
2018 City Nature Challenge
4/27/2018 -
Join The Nature Institute with others in the St. Louis Region by participating in the STL City Nature Challenge 2018. This exciting effort will involve 65 cities around the world -- each striving to observe as many species of plants, birds and animals as possible during the City Nature Challenge period, April 27-30, 2018.

Participate on your own, or join some of the TNI's scheduled activities or other host sites around the St. Louis region.

Learn more at the St. Louis Region's iNaturalist site: http://www.tinyurl.com/stlNatureChallenge18

Friday, April 27 | Science at School Local students and teachers will make observations at and near their local school grounds and campuses.

Saturday, April 28 | Neighborhood Naturalists Make observations of nature and wildlife found in local residential areas—backyards, parks, and nearby paths.This day is all about TNI's Olin Nature Preserve. Head out to TNI and trek the trails on your own or listen in on a few Citizen Science project discussions lead by local environmentalists. Speakers include: Natalie Marioni on RiverWatch at 10:30 a.m., Dr. Patrick Dailey on Monarch Watch/Milkweed Insects at 1 p.m., and Brent Schindewolf on eBird at 3 p.m.

Sunday, April 29 | National Park Rx Day Celebrate by tracking plant and animal species in your favorite local park. TNI will be on site at Heartland Prairie, located at Gordon Moore Park, to discuss prairies and pollinators. Learn how you can help our eco-system by planting native prairie plants. Green Thumb Nursery will be onsite selling some of these plants from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Monday, April 30 | Wildlife at Work Check for biological species outside of places of work and in business areas of the City and region.

The Nature Institute is excited to be a host site for this challenge with the City of St. Louis, MO Botanical Garden, STL Zoo and more to represent the Madison County region for this challenge. Be sure to drop by and record what is on TNI trails or download a kit for your school or work place!