Diario del proyecto City Nature Challenge 2020: Lower Rio Grande Valley

Hi everyone,

We're two days into the identification period, and I just wanted to thank you all for the amazing observations you've been adding. They are a joy to see - and more importantly, a wonderful celebration of our biodiversity. I also wanted to thank everyone who has been adding identifications - it's much appreciated and a key part in helping our observations mean more for science.

As we're continuing to upload and identify, I'd like to know which of YOUR observations you like the most! It could be a organism you're particularly fond of, a photo or audio recording you're proud of, or any other reason you especially like one of your observations. If you'd like to share, please add a few sentences describing why you chose that observation in the description or as comment, and then tag me (@bcfl14).

I'll try to include as many as I can in this year's write-up! Oh, and feel free to select a few observations; I know it's difficult to choose just one.

Hope you all are staying safe and well.

Warm regards,

John (bcfl14)

Welcome to the 3rd year of the City Nature Challenge: Lower Rio Grande Valley. We've increased our observation and species numbers each year - it'd be awesome to continue that streak! To do that, we'll need everybody we can to help explore our four counties and add observations from April 24 - 27 (but they can be uploaded and identified through May 3).

All observations are welcome! We do ask that if you make observations of captive or cultivated organisms, please mark them as such. However, documenting wild organisms is especially encouraged. Knowing when and where wild organisms occur is an important step in making urban ecology FOR cities; using ecological information to help inform decision-making for a more sustainable future.

I'm tagging some of our top observers for the region below. If I've forgotten someone you think would like to be included, please tag them as well.

This is the global website from the California Academy of Sciences and Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County: http://citynaturechallenge.org/

And here is the the Texas Parks and Wildlife site: https://tpwd.texas.gov/naturechallenge

I hope you’ll join in the adventure to whatever degree you want to or can – every effort is wonderful and appreciated. Feel free to share your thoughts/concerns/ideas in the comments. See you out there!