Get ready, nature buffs! The City Nature Challenge is making its return to the Lone Star State for the ninth straight year, and it's shaping up to be a wild ride. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, enthusiasts across 15 Texas metros will compete from April 26-29 to document the rich biodiversity just outside their doorsteps—or even within their own backyards.

The TPWD encourages folks to join forces or fly solo, as long, as their outdoor adventures are done safely and responsibly. You're invited to take part whether you're in a busy city center or a sleepy suburb. And if you're not in Texas, you can still get in on the fun. Just join the City Nature Challenge 2024 Global Project and upload your nature finds to the iNaturalist app. Last year, Texas represented hard with over 174,000 nature observations by more than 6,000 participants, proving that when it comes to nature, Texas goes big or goes home.

Can't tell a dandelion from a daffodil? No worries. After the observation phase wraps, from April 30 to May 5, nature nuts can still contribute by helping to identify plants and animals snapped during the challenge. It's not just about snapping pics of funky fungi or spotting rare bird species—this is a community effort to categorize what's creeping and crawling in our backyards.

Originating from a collaboration between the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, this event aims to promote scientific exploration and appreciation for the greener things in life. Texas Nature Trackers program specialists Craig Hensley and Wendy Anderson are your go-to's for more info, reachable at [email protected]. And for social media warriors, don't forget to tag your posts with #CityNatureChallenge to share your discoveries with the wider web of wildlife enthusiasts.