Thanksgiving Nature Challenge 2026

Newport News — are you ready to get out of the house over the Thanksgiving holiday with your family and friends, explore the outdoors, discover local wildlife, and contribute to real scientific research? Join fellow nature lovers and citizen scientists of all ages from November 23-29 for the Thanksgiving Nature Challenge from anywhere in Newport News! What is the Thanksgiving Nature Challenge? It is a fun, local event where communities document local wildlife over the Thanksgiving holiday week. Every photo you take helps scientists better understand urban biodiversity!

How to Participate:

Download the iNaturalist app and create an account (or create an account from your web browser: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/thanksgiving-nature-challenge-2026-newport-news-va)

Join the Thanksgiving Nature Challenge 2026: Newport News (under the projects tab)

Take photos of wild plants and animals anytime between November 23-29, 2026

Upload your observations

Participate anytime, anywhere — your backyard, local parks, or neighborhood streets! Special Event: BioBlitzes at Newport News Park Discovery Center Tuesday, November 24; 11:00am-12:00pm and 2:00pm-3:00pm Challenge yourself to document as many species as possible in one hour! Who Can Join? Everyone! Individuals, families, school groups, and community organizations are all welcome. Become a citizen scientist in your own neighborhood and help showcase the incredible biodiversity of Newport News!