Western Slope Hosts First City Nature Challenge, Documents Over 2,800 Observations

The Western Slope has long been known for its stunning natural beauty, and recently, it played host to a unique event that showcased the region's incredible biodiversity. The City Nature Challenge, a global community science initiative, made its debut on the Western Slope, with 181 participants documenting over 2,800 observations of 776 different species.

A Region in Bloom

At the heart of the challenge was the claret cup cactus, its brilliant-red blooms proving to be the most popular photographic subject among participants. "They're stunning right now," said Grand Junction ecologist Richard Alward, who organized the local event. The cactus's vibrant display was just one of many highlights from the challenge, which saw participants explore their neighborhoods, communities, and local public lands to document the region's diverse wildlife.

Rare and Endangered Species

The challenge also provided a unique opportunity for participants to spot rare and endangered species. The Dawson's hookless cactus, found only between Grand Junction and De Beque, was one such species, and its close relative, the Colorado hookless cactus, was also observed. Other notable sightings included the northern broad-winged hawk in Rio Blanco County and the cliff chipmunk in Moffat County. These observations not only highlight the region's rich biodiversity but also underscore the importance of conservation efforts.

A Global Bioblitz

The City Nature Challenge began in California in 2016 as a friendly competition between San Francisco and Los Angeles. This year, it had nearly 103,000 participants from 62 countries, making over 3.3 million observations of nearly 74,000 species. Alward, who first participated in the event while serving in the Peace Corps in Eswatini, southern Africa, was thrilled to bring the challenge to the Western Slope. "I'm really excited that we had over 170 participating," he said, adding that he plans to organize another local event next year and hopes to expand participation.

A Snapshot of the Region

The challenge provides a unique snapshot of the region's biodiversity at a specific time of year. Each recorded observation includes its location and the time it was taken, offering valuable insights into the local ecosystem. "This data is essential for the fight against biodiversity loss and to help us protect species," said Lila Higgins, co-founder of the City Nature Challenge. The challenge has already started to provide some potentially scientifically useful information for cities and regions where data has been collected for several years, allowing researchers to track changes over time.

Getting People Outside

One of the primary goals of the City Nature Challenge is to get people outside and engaged with their local environment. Alward was pleased to see a large number of participants making only a few observations each, as it indicates that people are becoming more aware of the wildlife around them. "There's an incredible amount of stuff really close by," he said, highlighting the importance of exploring and appreciating the natural world.

A Region of Discovery

The challenge also revealed some surprising discoveries, including the abundance of Jones bluestar plants in the region. Alward was personally surprised by the number of snakes, particularly gopher snakes, that participants encountered. These unexpected findings underscore the importance of continued exploration and documentation of the region's biodiversity.

Looking to the Future

As the Western Slope looks to the future, the City Nature Challenge provides a valuable model for community engagement and conservation. By working together to document and protect the region's unique biodiversity, residents can help ensure the long-term health of the local ecosystem. With plans already underway for next year's challenge, the Western Slope is poised to continue its journey of discovery and exploration, one observation at a time.