Friends of the Forest Preserves Host BioBlitz for City Nature Challenge 2026 (Chicago, IL) – Cook County residents are invited to explore local biodiversity and contribute to a global science initiative as part of the City Nature Challenge 2026.
Friends of the Forest Preserves (FOTFP) will host a BioBlitz event on April 24 at Eggers Grove on Chicago’s Southeast Side, encouraging participants to document plants, animals and other organisms using the iNaturalist app.
The event, scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon, will take place at the comfort station located at 11251–11249 S. Ave. B. Participation is free, though registration is encouraged.
A BioBlitz is a short, focused effort to identify as many species as possible within a specific area. During the event, attendees will explore Eggers Grove’s natural habitats while learning how to record and upload their observations. All findings logged in Cook County during the challenge will automatically count toward the Chicagoland Region’s contributions.
The City Nature Challenge is an annual, four-day global event that mobilizes community members as citizen scientists to help researchers better understand urban biodiversity.
Organizers say the event is open to participants of all experience levels and offers an opportunity to engage with nature while contributing valuable environmental data.
Friends of the Forest Preserves, a nonprofit with more than 2,500 members, works to protect and promote the forest preserves across Cook County, supporting conservation efforts to ensure the region’s land, water and wildlife continue to thrive.
For additional information or to register, participants can visit the organization’s website or contact event organizers directly.
Friends of the Forest Preserves Host BioBlitz for City Nature Challenge 2026
