Ranger Shaun will guide you on a hike to look for plants, birds, bugs, or whatever else we can find to point cameras at and see how many species we can tag! Learn how to document your findings on the citizen science app*, iNaturalist, and how to join app-based local and worldwide biodiversity projects. Slate Trail is a 3.2-mile, easy-rated, out-and-back trail. Pace will be somewhat slower than a normal hike as we will be focusing on photography for the iNaturalist app. Please wear closed toed shoes, bring plenty of water and dress appropriately for the weather. Bring a phone, camera or notebook to log your observations. Restrooms and water are available at Slate Trailhead. No pets please.

*If you would like to learn how to document via iNaturalist, please download the free app at home and register with a username prior to arrival. Once comfortable using the app, we invite everyone to return as a park citizen scientist on April 26-29 for the City Nature Challenge, an international effort that encourages all citizens to find and document plants and wildlife on iNaturalist in cities across the globe. This bioblitz-style competition challenges local communities to make the most observations in nature during this 4-day period, and then this data is available for science, management, and conservation. So this April 26-29, connect with your open spaces, your community, and other global naturalist using only your phone or camera to record nature wherever you go! For more info, check out www.citynaturechallenge.org.

MEETING LOCATION: Parking area near the Slate Trailhead

Limit 10 participants. To register, please call the Nature Center at (602) 506-2930 ext. 8 with your name, phone number and number of people attending. If you find you cannot attend a program after you have registered, please call the Nature Center ASAP so we may contact those on the waiting list. Registration for this program will close on 04/18/24.