2024 City Nature Challenge Observations & Results
2024 Observations
In 2024, nearly 2,000 observations and 600 species were recorded between April 26-29 in various NOVA Parks locations. This year, about 150 more species were recorded, and more than double the amount of observations were made, than in 2023! These results continue to help scientists understand what species share our environment, and collect valuable information on biodiversity. See the data and some of the highlighted observations below across many of the NOVA Parks locations.
Algonkian Regional Park
Fragile Forktail
Observer: paulpisano, April 26, 2024
Red Breasted Merganser
Observer: nature_a, April 27, 2024
Tesselated Darter
Observer: mattyfelp, April 29, 2024
White-eyed Vireo
Observer: loudonjim, April 29, 2024
Ball's Bluff Battlefield Regional Park
American Cancer-Root
Observer: margdenn, April 28, 2024
Eastern Red-backed Salamander
Observer: hthrd, April 27, 2024
Observer: loudonjim, April 28, 2024
Red-spotted Newt
Observer: trguenther8, April 29, 2024
Bull Run Regional Park
Flat Backed Millipede
Observer: ana_kaahanui, April 29, 2024
Green Frog
Observer: pgswamsley, April 29, 2024
Luna Moth
Observer: dbarber, April 29, 2024
Mustard Lichen
Observer: ana_kaahanui on April 29, 2024
Spring Fishfly
Observer: mattyfelp, April 29, 2024
Gilbert's Corner Regional Park
Eastern Towehee
Observer: mattyfelp, April 27, 2024
Juniper-apple Rust
Observer: mattyfelp, April 27, 2024
Prairie Warbler
Observer: mattyfelp, April 27, 2024
White-eyed Vireo
Observer: mattyfelp, April 27, 2024
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
Eastern Gartersnake
Observer: kpwest, April 29, 2024
Eastern Kingbird
Observer: pelican72, April 26, 2024
Orchard Oriole
Observer: mattyfelp, April 26, 2024
Red Shouldered Hawk
Observer: mattyfelp, April 26, 2024
Occoquan Regional Park
Azure Bluet
Observer: ing_squared, April 27, 2024
Common Pawpaw
Observer: ing_squared, April 27, 2024
Eastern Wild Turkey
Observer: ing_squared, April 27, 2024
Sassafras
Observer: ing_squared, April 27, 2024
Potomac Overlook Regional Park
American Chestnut
Observer: mattyfelp, April 29, 2024
American Giant Millipede
Observer: htbolton, April 27, 2024
Eastern Gray Ratsnake Complex
Observer: arlingtonann, April 26, 2024
Oyster Mushroom
Observer: mattyfelp, April 29, 2024
Upton Hill Regional Park
Cracked Cap Polypore
Observer: rjann, April 26, 2024
Devil's Walkingstick
Observer: jillbarker, April 26, 2024
Pinxter Flower
Observer: zhelicarol, April 26, 2024
White-throated sparrow
Observer: zhelicarol, April 26, 2024
Winkler Botanical Preserve
Common Snapping Turtle
Observer: soupiefick, April 29, 2024
Eastern Hemlock
Observer: soupiefick, April 29, 2024
Eastern Redbud
Observer: soupiefick, April 29, 2024
Golden Ragwort
Observer: soupiefick, April 29, 2024
W&OD Trail
Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth
Observer: steveyoung, April 27, 2024
Painted Turtle
Observer: drhowell, April 28, 2024
Redbreast Sunfish
Observer: swanlefitte, April 29, 2024
Violet Woodsorre
Observer: capitalnaturalist, April 29, 2024
2024 Results
Park Name |
# of Observations |
# of Species |
| Algonkian Regional Park | 149 | 103 |
| Balls Bluff Battlefield Regional Park (2nd Place) | 325 | 178 |
| Bull Run Regional Park | 227 | 101 |
| Cameron Run Regional Park | 11 | 11 |
| Carlyle House | 0 | 0 |
| Fountainhead Regional Park | 1 | 1 |
| Gilbert's Corner Regional Park (3rd Place) | 275 | 128 |
| Meadowlark Botanical Gardens (1st Place) | 542 | 204 |
| Occoquan Regional Park | 36 | 30 |
| Pohick Bay Regional Park | 0 | 0 |
| Potomac Overlook Regional Park | 111 | 70 |
| Rust Sanctuary | 0 | 0 |
| Upton Hill Regional Park | 195 | 106 |
| Winkler Botanical Preserve | 16 | 16 |
| W&OD Trail | 62 | 49 |
| NOVA Parks TOTAL | 1,953 | 587 |
