Contact

2025 City Nature Challenge Observations & Results

2025 Observations

In 2025, nearly 2,000 observations and 600 species were recorded between April 25-28 in various NOVA Parks locations. 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

Tree with exposed roots by a calm lake.

American Elm

Observer: Byron Paul, April 25, 2022

Toad resting on grassy soil.

American Toad

Observer: csibyl, April 27, 2025

Bright orange bird perched on a leafy branch against a clear blue sky.

Baltimore Oriole

Observer: schmolly, April 28, 2025

A wasp with a long orange tail on a mossy tree bark.

Black Giant

Observer: ichneumonid, April 25, 2025

Ball's Bluff Battlefield Regional Park

Garter snake on a log surrounded by green leaves and small branches.

Eastern Garter Snake

Observer: margdenn, April 28, 2024

Brown salamander on rocky soil with a dry leaf nearby.

Eastern Red-backed Salamander

Observer: mattyfelp, April 27, 2025

Shiny green beetle on muddy ground with scattered leaves.

Six-Spotted Tiger Beetle

Observer: shauna1, April 26, 2025

Deer grazing near trees in a lush green forest.

White Tailed Deer

Observer: capitalnaturalist, April 27, 2025

Bull Run Regional Park

Black and yellow millipede on rocky, leaf-littered ground.

Black-and-Gold Flat Millipede

Observer: mattyfelp, April 28, 2025

Mushrooms and bright yellow lichen on a branch next to a fingertip.

Little Nest Polypore

Observer: ana_kaahanui, April 28, 2025

A black salamander with sand on its body resting in a person's hand.

Marbled Salamander

Observer: ttoklegi, April 28, 2025

Dark salamander on a piece of brown wood.

Spotted Salamander

Observer: mattyfelp, on April 28, 2025

Gilbert's Corner Regional Park

Cedar branch with a round, brown gall under a blue sky.

Cedar Apple Rust

Observer: deliabarr, April 26, 2025

Green plantain leaves with prominent veins and serrated edges.

Eastern Skunk Cabbage

Observer: deliabarr, April 26, 2025

Moss-covered rock in a shallow stream.

Feather Moss

Observer: deliabarr, April 26, 2025

Bright green plant with radiating leaves on a forest floor with dried leaves.

Mayapple

Observer: deliabarr, April 26, 2025

Fountainhead Regional Park

Twisted string on ground with dry leaves and small green plant.

Eastern Cottonwood

Observer: lucyevans1, April 25, 2025

White and pink flowers blooming on a forest branch.

Pinxter Flower

Observer: lucyevans1, April 25, 2025

Fallen tree with mushrooms in a forest setting.

Shelf Fungi

Observer: milkrollcake, April 25, 2025

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

Ants on a green peony bud surrounded by bright leaves.

Chestnut Carpenter Ant

Observer: mitskifan, April 27, 2025

White flower with four petals and green leaves in the background.

Flowering Dogwood

Observer: mattyfelp, April 25, 2025

Fish swimming in clear, shallow water over a sandy bottom.

Largemouth Bass

Observer: mattyfelp, April 25, 2025

Prickly pear cactus with small yellow buds and green leaves.

Prickly Pear Cactus

Observer: mrnelson-2025, April 26, 2025

Potomac Overlook Regional Park

Hand holding a worm and small rocks in a dimly lit setting.

American Giant Millipede

Observer: turtleboy92, April 26, 2025

Small yellow bird perched on a tree branch amid green leaves.

American Goldfinch

Observer: zhelicarol, April 28, 2025

Brown moth on a blue surface, wings spread wide.

Canadian Melanolophia Moth

Observer: mattyfelp, April 27, 2025

Brown and beige spider on a web against a gray backdrop.

Hammock Spider

Observer: mattyfelp, April 27, 2025

Reservoir Park

Vibrant green fern-like plant among dry leaves.

Common Yarrow

Observer: mattyfelp, April 26, 2025

Purple wildflowers with green leaves in a forest setting.

Eastern Shooting Star

Observer: pamlamb42, April 26, 2025

Green lichen growing on a rock surface.

Rock Greenshield

Observer: mattyfelp, April 26, 2025

Pink wildflowers and green leaves among dried leaves on forest floor.

Wild Pink

Observer: pamlamb42, April 26, 2025

Seneca Regional Park

Brown moth with slender wings on a green leaf.

Artichoke Plume Moth

Observer: djrurhfhfjzajzodk, April 25, 2025

Brown spider camouflaged on cracked tree bark.

Dark Fishing Spider

Observer: djrurhfhfjzajzodk, April 25, 2025

Large, orange-brown mushrooms growing on a tree trunk in a forest setting.

Dryad's Saddle

Observer: pthiringer, April 27, 2025

Bee on white flowers with green leaves in the background.

Spring Beauty Miner

Observer: djrurhfhfjzajzodk, April 25, 2025

Upton Hill Regional Park

Young green plant growing beside a log, hand reaching toward it.

American Pokeweed

Observer: kathleenmarie, April 27, 2025

White flowers with green leaves on a forest floor.

Common Dewberry

Observer: mattyfelp, April 25, 2025

Two centipedes on dark soil with scattered leaves.

Eastern Red Centipede

Observer: mattyfelp, April 25, 2025

Hand holding bright green fern on forest floor.

New York Fern

Observer: jillbarker, April 27, 2025

Webb Nature Sanctuary

Tall, brown ferns among lush green foliage in a forest setting.

Cinnamon Fern

Observer: mattyfelp, April 26, 2025

White lichen with red fungi on a forest floor.

Dixie Reindeer Lichen

Observer: mattyfelp, April 26, 2025

Purple flower held gently between fingers.

Eastern Geranium

Observer: mattyfelp, April 26, 2025

Caterpillar on a sticky, web-covered branch.

Eastern Tent Caterpillar

Observer: mattyfelp, April 26, 2025

Winkler Botanical Preserve

Purple wildflower with green leaves on a forest floor.

Dwarf Larkspur

Observer: soupiefick, April 25, 2025

Tall yellow wildflowers in a forest setting with green leaves.

Golden Ragwort

Observer: soupiefick, April 25, 2025

Pink flower among green leaves and fallen brown leaves on forest floor.

Virginia Bluebells

Observer: soupiefick, April 25, 2025

Green leaves held by a hand, with a forest path in the background.

Willow Oak

Observer: soupiefick, April 25, 2025

W&OD Trail

Frog partially submerged in murky water.

American Bullfrog

Observer: drhowell, April 25, 2025

Small red bird perched on a chain-link fence.

Purple Finch

Observer: swanlefitte, April 25, 2025

Birch tree trunk with peeling bark, surrounded by green leaves.

River Birch

Observer: brauhas, April 27, 2025

A green beetle with long antennae on a textured surface.

Wilcox's Spring Caterpillar

Observer: armandol, April 25, 2025

2025 Results

Park Name 
# of Observations 
# of Species
Algonkian Regional Park 165 108
Balls Bluff Battlefield Regional Park 213 136
Bull Run Marina 14 13
Bull Run Regional Park 214 95
Carlyle House Historic Park 202 0
Fountainhead Regional Park 3 3
Gilbert's Corner Regional Park 79 66
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens  253 163
Pohick Bay Regional Park  69 044
Potomac Overlook Regional Park  164 100
Reservoir Park 47 42
Seneca Regional Park 43 39
Upton Hill Regional Park 122 75
Webb Nature Sanctuary 70 59
Winkler Botanical Preserve 32 29
W&OD Trail  100 67
NOVA Parks TOTAL 1,576 58

Conquer challenges and build confidence.

Climb UPton—the largest ropes course in the Mid-Atlantic—is open during the fall season! With 90 different elements and three levels of difficulty, there’s adventure for everyone. Visit climbupton.com for fall hours.

End of Season Waterpark Pass Sale

Buy your 2026 Annual Waterpark Pass now and enjoy the rest of the 2025 season for FREE. Purchase a pass to receive unlimited admission to all 5 waterparks; discounts on food, beverage, retail, NOVA Parks attractions and events, and more!