Nocturnal Biodiversity Crawl City Nature Challenge 2026

What is out after dark? Certified California Naturalist Erik Hanson of EH Outings takes us on a nighttime bioblitz along Lower Bald Mountain and Creekside Nature Trails in search of nocturnal biodiversity as part of City Nature Challenge weekend. Smartphones with the iNaturalist app will be our main tool, but those lacking phones are also welcome to participate. If you haven’t used iNaturalist, or haven’t made an observation for a while, this is your chance – just make sure to load the iNaturalist app on your phone before you arrive.

Meet behind the Visitor Center. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $5 for students, youth (13-17 year olds), Sugarloaf members, Sugarloaf or RFO volunteers, and free for children 7-12. Tickets day-of on site are $15 and might not be available. All children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. This outing is not for children under 7 years old. Tickets on site will be $15 and might not be available. Wear appropriate footwear for slippery/rocky trails, bring layers, at least a quart of water, a flashlight or headlamp with red light capability, and of course, a fully charged mobile phone or camera. Parking fees apply.

The 2026 City Nature Challenge runs from April 24 to 27. It’s a bioblitz-style friendly competition where “cities” are in a contest against each other to see who can make the most observations of nature, who can find the most species, and who can engage the most people.