What: We're hosting a wetland walk to help visitors participate in the City Nature Challenge. Download the FREE iNaturalist app

Where: Participants meet at the trailhead (855 East Cotter Ave., Port Aransas, Texas 78373). Walk around the construction fence on the road to see the trailhead.

When: Friday, April 29 @4pm

Details: City dwellers have many opportunities to explore their natural surroundings with the annual City Nature Challenge (CNC). The Challenge is a competition to see who can submit the most observations about nature. Local groups are offering several programs on land and sea on Mustang Island to participate in the Challenge. Mustang Island CNC includes observations made on Mustang Island and nearby waters.

This year there are four special programs to help submit nature observations:

• Friday, April 29th at 4 p.m. - Wetland Walk at The University of Texas Marine Science Institute (855 East Cotter Ave., Port Aransas TX 78373). No registration is required.
• Saturday, April 30th at 8 a.m. - Nature Walk at the Port Aransas Community Park (700 Clark Parkway, Port Aransas TX 78373). Registration is available at PORTA.RECDESK.COM
• Saturday, April 30th at 9 a.m. - Paddle the Gulf at Mustang Island State Park (Wilson’s Cut; across from the Sea Gull Condominiums). Registration is available by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. More information is available at https://tpwd.texas.gov/calendar/mustang-island/city-nature-challenge-inaturalist-kayak-tour
• Saturday, April 30th at 8 p.m. - Moth Lighting Program at Charlie’s Pasture (End of Port Street, Port Aransas TX 78373). Registration is available at PORTA.RECDESK.COM

This is the sixth annual City Nature Challenge, and last year 244 cities across six continents made over 1.2 million observations, and over 45,000 species were found. Kicking off April 29 at 12:01 am in each time zone, the Challenge runs through May 2, 11:59 pm. The global event calls on current and aspiring citizen scientists, nature and science fans, and people of all ages and educational backgrounds to observe and submit pictures of wild plants, animals, and fungi using the free mobile app iNaturalist.