The annual City Nature Challenge encourages people around the world to make scientific discoveries in their own backyards. (photo courtesy of NHMLAC)

The 11th annual City Nature Challenge results have arrived. The yearly community science initiative saw 106,354 people across 754 cities in 61 countries on six continents document more than 3 million wildlife observations. More than 75,000 species were observed, with the Common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) once again the most observed species and plant around the world, while the Mallard (Ana platyrhynchos) is the most observed animal species. Curious community scientists can see their own area’s statistics from this year using the new tracking tool at citynaturestats.com.

This collaborative, global event called on current and aspiring community scientists, nature and science fans, and people of all ages and backgrounds to observe and submit pictures of wild plants, animals, and fungi within their communities around the world during the stretch of April 24-27. As the largest annual global biodiversity census in the world, participants submitted the photos using free mobile apps such as iNaturalist, and the initiative underscores the power of community science to track real-time changes in the planet’s biodiversity.

Since launching the City Nature Challenge in 2016 with just 1,000 observers across a pair of California cities, the challenge – hosted by the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County and San Francisco’s California Academy of Sciences – continues to break records year after year. Since its inception, City Nature Challenge has collected over 15 million urban biodiversity observations and engaged over 470,000 people. As one of the original homes of the challenge, Los Angeles County consistently puts up impressive statistics, with this year’s initiative being no different.

For information, visit citynaturestats.com.