Seattle App Challenge Turns Neighbors Into Scientists

Your daily walk could help scientists understand the health of the Pacific Northwest's wildlife starting April 24.

The City Nature Challenge is inviting Seattle and Tacoma residents to snap photos of any wild plants, animals, or fungi they spot in their neighborhoods between April 24 and 27. All it takes is a smartphone and a free app called iNaturalist.

Here's how it works: Download the app, join the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area project, and photograph any living thing you find outdoors. Upload your photos by May 10, and other community members will help identify what you spotted. Once two people agree on the identification, your observation becomes research-grade data that scientists can actually use.

The challenge spans communities from Everett to Tacoma, covering King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Woodland Park Zoo, and Seattle Parks and Recreation are coordinating the local effort.

"Every observation adds to a growing dataset that helps us track the health of our region's biodiversity," says Zachary Hawn, conservation coordinator for Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. "It's a simple way for anyone to make a meaningful impact."

The Ripple Effect

Last year's challenge proved just how powerful everyday observations can be. Community scientists across the three counties documented 2,123 different species through 19,547 individual observations. That data helps researchers spot trends in wildlife populations, track seasonal changes, and identify areas where biodiversity thrives or struggles.

The information becomes part of a global dataset that scientists worldwide use to understand how ecosystems are changing. Your photo of a mushroom in your backyard or a bird at your local park joins observations from cities across the planet, creating a snapshot of life on Earth.

New to nature photography? Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium naturalists are hosting a free, family-friendly walk at Swan Creek Park on April 25 at 1 p.m. They'll show you how the app works while exploring the park together.

Every neighborhood has more wildlife than most people realize, and now everyone gets to be the scientist who discovers it.