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Our 2026 schedule is in progress! Check back to see newly added events between now and the challenge!
Our 2026 schedule is in progress! Check back to see newly added events between now and the challenge!
Tuesday, April 14th
Tuesday, April 14th
Time: 6:30 pm
Directions
Registration Link
Watch The Extraordinary Caterpillar at the Nick!
To help spread the word about Cola's City Nature Challenge, the Nickelodeon Theater is screening a new film, The Extraordinary Caterpillar.
Watch The Extraordinary Caterpillar at the Nick!
To help spread the word about Cola's City Nature Challenge, the Nickelodeon Theater is screening a new film, The Extraordinary Caterpillar.
Following the movie, there will be a caterpillar show-and-tell, as well as an opportunity for discussion with USC biology professors Drs. Carol Boggs and Eric Lopresti, as well as several City Nature Challenge organizers.
This is a FREE event, though we request that attendees reserve tickets in advance to help the Nick keep track of seating availability. If you’re interested in attending, be sure to reserve your tickets sooner rather than later.
Hope to see you there!
Tuesday, April 21st
Tuesday, April 21st
Ride and Moth with us at Street Meat!
As we gear up for our main City Nature Challenge event, we’ll also be naturalizing by bike. Join us for a cruise around town on two wheels and a stop or two to check out moths attracted to light sheets.
Ride and Moth with us at Street Meat!
As we gear up for our main City Nature Challenge event, we’ll also be naturalizing by bike. Join us for a cruise around town on two wheels and a stop or two to check out moths attracted to light sheets.
Meet at Cola Town Bike Collective (711 Elmwood Avenue) at 6:45 pm; ride starts at 7 pm. Distance: 8-15 miles.
All genders welcome. No-drop city/neighborhood ride. Lights and helmets required.
All genders welcome. No-drop city/neighborhood ride. Lights and helmets required.
For more info about this and other Street Meat rides, check out the Instragram: https://www.instagram.com/streetmeatcola/
Time: 7:00 pm
Directions
Friday, April 24th
Friday, April 24th
Time: 8am
Directions
USC Campus Birdwalk!
Kick off the City Nature Challenge right by participating in a guided birdwalk around USC's campus! After meeting at the Maxy Gregg monument, we'll walk around some of USC's greenspace, hopefully spotting some exciting migratory warblers alongside some of our more familiar backyard birds. Binoculars are provided; just bring yourself and a willingness to look upwards!
This event involves walking along handicapped accessible paths. Note that USC does enforce parking permitting at this time, so parking in a metered space is your best bet. Meet at Maxcy Monument (the large obelisk!)
USC Campus Birdwalk!
Kick off the City Nature Challenge right by participating in a guided birdwalk around USC's campus! After meeting at the Maxy Gregg monument, we'll walk around some of USC's greenspace, hopefully spotting some exciting migratory warblers alongside some of our more familiar backyard birds. Binoculars are provided; just bring yourself and a willingness to look upwards!
This event involves walking along handicapped accessible paths. Note that USC does enforce parking permitting at this time, so parking in a metered space is your best bet. Meet at Maxcy Monument (the large obelisk!)
Guided SCDNR Walk at Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve!
Come kick off the City Nature Challenge weekend with a guided walk at Peachtree Rock. SCDNR State Naturalist Will Mundhenke will be leading a guided hike, teaching participants about the history of this unique site and pointing out some of its most eye-catching geologic features, plants, animals, and more! Peachtree Rock is a gem of our state’s heritage preserve system, offering a unique look at a Carolina Sandhills habitat and even includes the only natural waterfall in the Midlands!
Guided SCDNR Walk at Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve!
Come kick off the City Nature Challenge weekend with a guided walk at Peachtree Rock. SCDNR State Naturalist Will Mundhenke will be leading a guided hike, teaching participants about the history of this unique site and pointing out some of its most eye-catching geologic features, plants, animals, and more! Peachtree Rock is a gem of our state’s heritage preserve system, offering a unique look at a Carolina Sandhills habitat and even includes the only natural waterfall in the Midlands!
This event is free to the public, but requires pre-registration to attend. See the link to register!
This event is free to the public, but requires pre-registration to attend. See the link to register!
Time: 10am-12pm
Directions
Registration Link
Time: 8am, 2pm
Directions
Columbia Parks Series: Saluda Riverwalk
Columbia Parks Series: Saluda Riverwalk
Come take a guided nature walk through the forest bordering the Saluda river and investigate the flora and fauna that call this park their home! After a quick intro on making your own iNaturalist observations, ranger Jay will guide us through an exploration of the boardwalk and trails. This park provides an awesome opportunity to observe riparian plants and animals that live in and alongside the river. We're likely to see different plants and animals on each walk, so feel free to tag along on both!
Come take a guided nature walk through the forest bordering the Saluda river and investigate the flora and fauna that call this park their home! After a quick intro on making your own iNaturalist observations, ranger Jay will guide us through an exploration of the boardwalk and trails. This park provides an awesome opportunity to observe riparian plants and animals that live in and alongside the river. We're likely to see different plants and animals on each walk, so feel free to tag along on both!
This event is free to the public and involves extended walking on the park’s paved, handicapped accessible trails
This event is free to the public and involves extended walking on the park’s paved, handicapped accessible trails
Jackson Creek Fish Sampling with USC Ichthyology
Jackson Creek Fish Sampling with USC Ichthyology
Take a glimpse under the water and see what species of fish call Jackson Creek their home! This event will be running alongside a USC ichthyology course, led by Dr. Joe Quattro. USC students will be sampling aquatic habitats through seine-netting, as well as “electro-fishing,” a commonly used technique used to temporarily stun small fish using electric currents.
Take a glimpse under the water and see what species of fish call Jackson Creek their home! This event will be running alongside a USC ichthyology course, led by Dr. Joe Quattro. USC students will be sampling aquatic habitats through seine-netting, as well as “electro-fishing,” a commonly used technique used to temporarily stun small fish using electric currents.
Participants will get a chance to see some of the ways fisheries biologists sample these underwater habitats, as well as get an up close look at some of our local fish species. Space for this event is limited; please sign up using the registration link. The group will be meeting at the Sesqui State Park boathouse parking lot (see direction link); look for the large group with nets!
Participants will get a chance to see some of the ways fisheries biologists sample these underwater habitats, as well as get an up close look at some of our local fish species. Space for this event is limited; please sign up using the registration link. The group will be meeting at the Sesqui State Park boathouse parking lot (see direction link); look for the large group with nets!
*Note: While this event itself is free to participate in, Sesqui State park charges a per-person admission. See their website for details.
*Note: While this event itself is free to participate in, Sesqui State park charges a per-person admission. See their website for details.
Time: 2pm
Directions
Registration Link
Time: 5-7pm
Directions
Watershed Walk with Gills Creek Watershed Association!
Watershed Walk with Gills Creek Watershed Association!
Join Gills Creek Watershed Association for a guided nature walk and macroinvertebrate dip netting along Gills Creek! We will start in a small neighborhood that still bears the scars of the flood of 2015 and document the birds and plants that we find while making our way to a dip netting site on Gills Creek.
Join Gills Creek Watershed Association for a guided nature walk and macroinvertebrate dip netting along Gills Creek! We will start in a small neighborhood that still bears the scars of the flood of 2015 and document the birds and plants that we find while making our way to a dip netting site on Gills Creek.
From bugs to birds, and urban to wild, this walk is sure to be fun and interesting! Total distance walking will be just under a mile. Most of the walk will be on a paved road, with a small portion through grass and shrubs.
From bugs to birds, and urban to wild, this walk is sure to be fun and interesting! Total distance walking will be just under a mile. Most of the walk will be on a paved road, with a small portion through grass and shrubs.
Herpetological Survey at the W. Gordon Belser Arboretum
Herpetological Survey at the W. Gordon Belser Arboretum
Come look for herps at the 10-acre nature preserve nestled inside Columbia! On April 24th, join us in taking part in an ongoing herpetological survey of the W. Gordon Belser Arboretum led by Dr. Mickey Parker of USC. He will be leading us in flipping boards and visually surveying to further catalogue the species diversity of the Arboretum.
Come look for herps at the 10-acre nature preserve nestled inside Columbia! On April 24th, join us in taking part in an ongoing herpetological survey of the W. Gordon Belser Arboretum led by Dr. Mickey Parker of USC. He will be leading us in flipping boards and visually surveying to further catalogue the species diversity of the Arboretum.
This event is free and open to the public. Most walking will be done along the arboretum trail with occasional short treks off-trail
This event is free and open to the public. Most walking will be done along the arboretum trail with occasional short treks off-trail
Time: 5-7pm
Directions
Time: 9am-11am
Directions
Registration Link
Saturday, April 25th
Saturday, April 25th
Citizen Science Adventure at Sesqui State Park!
After a quick overview of how you can use the iNaturalist app to record biodiversity data from your smartphone, we’ll embark on a ranger-guided exploration of the Jackson Creek Nature trail. Our rangers will give you an overview of the natural history and unique species of the area, as well as help you keep an eye out for organisms you can record through iNaturalist!
Citizen Science Adventure at Sesqui State Park!
After a quick overview of how you can use the iNaturalist app to record biodiversity data from your smartphone, we’ll embark on a ranger-guided exploration of the Jackson Creek Nature trail. Our rangers will give you an overview of the natural history and unique species of the area, as well as help you keep an eye out for organisms you can record through iNaturalist!
This fun and educational event includes up to 1.5 miles of walking on easy, relatively flat trails. Pre-registration is required and space is limited (see link).
*Note: While this event itself is free to participate in, Sesqui State park charges a per-person admission. See their website for details.
This fun and educational event includes up to 1.5 miles of walking on easy, relatively flat trails. Pre-registration is required and space is limited (see link).
*Note: While this event itself is free to participate in, Sesqui State park charges a per-person admission. See their website for details.
Columbia Parks Series: Finlay Park
Columbia Parks Series: Finlay Park
Come check out Finlay park, the largest and most newly renovated of Columbia's city parks. After a quick intro on making your own iNaturalist observations, rangers Mitchell and Karla will guide us through an exploration of the birds and insects that call this park home!
Come check out Finlay park, the largest and most newly renovated of Columbia's city parks. After a quick intro on making your own iNaturalist observations, rangers Mitchell and Karla will guide us through an exploration of the birds and insects that call this park home!
This event is free to the public and involves extended walking on the park’s paved, handicapped accessible trails.
This event is free to the public and involves extended walking on the park’s paved, handicapped accessible trails.
Time: 9am
Directions
Time: 10am
Sandstone Barrens Botany Hike
Sandstone Barrens Botany Hike
Join us for a guided hike along the Palmetto passage of the Palmetto Trail as we explore one of the Midlands’ most unique plant communities: the Hematitic Sandstone Barrens. Led by biologist Michelle Wilcox, we’ll venture from the trailhead parking area toward these iron-cemented sandstone outcrops, a distinctive fall-line sandhill feature that supports a fascinating mix of longleaf pine woodland species.
This rare habitat is home to plants specially adapted to dry, sandy, and rocky conditions. Along the way, we may encounter longleaf and Virginia pines, sand myrtle, sandhill St. Johnswort, small-headed blazing star, and other species that thrive in these open, fire-influenced landscapes. Bring your curiosity and a smartphone to document what we find for City Nature Challenge.
This event is free and open to the public. Expect a moderate hike on natural surface trails with uneven terrain. Be sure to bring water, sturdy shoes, and sun protection.
Family Nature Walk at Camp Discovery!
Join us on Saturday, April 25th, from 10 AM to noon for a guided, family-friendly nature walk at Camp Discovery in Blythewood, SC, co-hosted by Camp Discovery and Congaree Land Trust! Come along with trip leaders on an exploration of Camp Discovery's 116 acres of conserved forests, meadows, creeks, and wetlands, protected under Congaree Land Trust, and use the iNaturalist app to record the plants, animals and more you encounter!
In addition to the walk, a nature-focused educational activity for children will also be available; bring the whole family! Registration is required for this event (see link), and space is limited. Participants must be able to walk on uneven terrain. This walk is not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs.
Family Nature Walk at Camp Discovery!
Join us on Saturday, April 25th, from 10 AM to noon for a guided, family-friendly nature walk at Camp Discovery in Blythewood, SC, co-hosted by Camp Discovery and Congaree Land Trust! Come along with trip leaders on an exploration of Camp Discovery's 116 acres of conserved forests, meadows, creeks, and wetlands, protected under Congaree Land Trust, and use the iNaturalist app to record the plants, animals and more you encounter!
In addition to the walk, a nature-focused educational activity for children will also be available; bring the whole family! Registration is required for this event (see link), and space is limited. Participants must be able to walk on uneven terrain. This walk is not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs.
Time: 10am-12pm
Directions
Registration Link
Time: 12pm
Caterpillar Crawl at the West Columbia Riverwalk
Caterpillar Crawl at the West Columbia Riverwalk
Help us find the caterpillars and other tiny critters that call the West Columbia Riverwalk Park home! Senior undergraduate researcher of the LoPresti Plant-Insect Ecology Lab and pro caterpillar hunter Joe Hill will show you how to tap branches, knocking insects onto collection sheets—an easy and very fun way to reveal the incredible diversity living in the vegetation alongside the trail. Our group will meet up beside the parking lot uphill from the stone amphitheater, and then make our way downstream!
Help us find the caterpillars and other tiny critters that call the West Columbia Riverwalk Park home! Senior undergraduate researcher of the LoPresti Plant-Insect Ecology Lab and pro caterpillar hunter Joe Hill will show you how to tap branches, knocking insects onto collection sheets—an easy and very fun way to reveal the incredible diversity living in the vegetation alongside the trail. Our group will meet up beside the parking lot uphill from the stone amphitheater, and then make our way downstream!
This event is free to the public and involves walking along the riverwalk’s paved trail, which is wheelchair and stroller accessible. Come ready to look closely, learn a cool field technique, and see what falls out of the bushes! 🐛
This event is free to the public and involves walking along the riverwalk’s paved trail, which is wheelchair and stroller accessible. Come ready to look closely, learn a cool field technique, and see what falls out of the bushes! 🐛
Columbia Parks Series: Riverfront Park
Columbia Parks Series: Riverfront Park
Come check out the flora and fauna that calls Columbia's Canal and Riverfront Park their home! After a quick intro on making your own iNaturalist observations, ranger Duke will guide us through an exploration of the paved trails and pumphouse area. This park boasts beautiful views lower Congaree confluence, perfect for spying herons or otters!
Come check out the flora and fauna that calls Columbia's Canal and Riverfront Park their home! After a quick intro on making your own iNaturalist observations, ranger Duke will guide us through an exploration of the paved trails and pumphouse area. This park boasts beautiful views lower Congaree confluence, perfect for spying herons or otters!
This event is free to the public and involves extended walking on the park’s paved, handicapped accessible trails.
This event is free to the public and involves extended walking on the park’s paved, handicapped accessible trails.
Time: 3pm
Directions
Time: 5pm
Directions
Botanizing at the Wateree River Heritage Preserve
Botanizing at the Wateree River Heritage Preserve
Join us as we explore the Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area! Guided by the Botanical Society of America student chapter at University of South Carolina, we’ll get to know the plants that thrive across this diverse landscape—from floodplains to longleaf pine forests and hardwood stands.
Join us as we explore the Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area! Guided by the Botanical Society of America student chapter at University of South Carolina, we’ll get to know the plants that thrive across this diverse landscape—from floodplains to longleaf pine forests and hardwood stands.
From pawpaws to cacti, and even South Carolina’s state flower, the yellow jessamine, we’re sure to encounter plenty of fascinating (and sometimes tasty!) plants. Along the way, we’ll likely spot a variety of fungi and wildlife as well.
From pawpaws to cacti, and even South Carolina’s state flower, the yellow jessamine, we’re sure to encounter plenty of fascinating (and sometimes tasty!) plants. Along the way, we’ll likely spot a variety of fungi and wildlife as well.
Moth Lightsheeting at the USC Arboretum!
Spend your Saturday night with moths! On April 26 at 8 PM, head to the USC Arboretum for an up-close look at the nocturnal insects that share our Columbia community. Dr. Eric LoPresti, from the LoPresti Plant-Insect Ecology Lab, will guide us in discovering the awesome diversity of moths attracted to black lights.
Moth Lightsheeting at the USC Arboretum!
Spend your Saturday night with moths! On April 26 at 8 PM, head to the USC Arboretum for an up-close look at the nocturnal insects that share our Columbia community. Dr. Eric LoPresti, from the LoPresti Plant-Insect Ecology Lab, will guide us in discovering the awesome diversity of moths attracted to black lights.
Come see what the night reveals!
Come see what the night reveals!
Time: 8pm-11pm
Directions
Sunday, April 26th
Sunday, April 26th
Time: 9:30am
Directions
Register by Email
Fork Swamp Botany Walk with Friends of Congaree Swamp!
As part of the Challenge, Friends of Congaree Swamp will be holding a botany hike on the Fork Swamp trail, located on the Eastern edge of Congaree National Park. SC DNR Botanist Keith Bradley, an affiliate faculty member of the University of South Carolina, will share his knowledge of spring flora on this short hike.
Led by SC DNR Botanist Keith Bradley, this hike will depart from the Fork Swamp trailhead at 9:30am. This trail can be wet in places, but regular hiking boots should be sufficient for the wetlands we will visit. We may also cross US 601 to study species in the powerline cut along Sampson Island trail.
Fork Swamp Botany Walk with Friends of Congaree Swamp!
As part of the Challenge, Friends of Congaree Swamp will be holding a botany hike on the Fork Swamp trail, located on the Eastern edge of Congaree National Park. SC DNR Botanist Keith Bradley, an affiliate faculty member of the University of South Carolina, will share his knowledge of spring flora on this short hike.
Led by SC DNR Botanist Keith Bradley, this hike will depart from the Fork Swamp trailhead at 9:30am. This trail can be wet in places, but regular hiking boots should be sufficient for the wetlands we will visit. We may also cross US 601 to study species in the powerline cut along Sampson Island trail.
*Space for this outing will be limited and registration is required. Contact John Grego at friendsofcongaeeswamp@gmail.com or 803-331-3366 to register.
*Space for this outing will be limited and registration is required. Contact John Grego at friendsofcongaeeswamp@gmail.com or 803-331-3366 to register.
Wateree Butterfly walk with Carolina Butterfly Society!
Come join the Carolina Butterfly Society on an exploration of Wateree heritage preserve in search of interesting butterflies, skippers, and moths. We’ll meet at the kiosk close to the preserve’s entrance at 10am (see linked location), and then will drive first to Mileormore Road to kick off the exploration. We’ll likely then move to other areas, but folks are welcome to come and go at times that work best for them. If you know you’ll be arriving late, make sure to email carolinabfly.soc@gmail.com coordinate where we’ll be when. This should be a wonderful opportunity to see some of our native lepidopteran species.
Wateree Butterfly walk with Carolina Butterfly Society!
Come join the Carolina Butterfly Society on an exploration of Wateree heritage preserve in search of interesting butterflies, skippers, and moths. We’ll meet at the kiosk close to the preserve’s entrance at 10am (see linked location), and then will drive first to Mileormore Road to kick off the exploration. We’ll likely then move to other areas, but folks are welcome to come and go at times that work best for them. If you know you’ll be arriving late, make sure to email carolinabfly.soc@gmail.com coordinate where we’ll be when. This should be a wonderful opportunity to see some of our native lepidopteran species.
Time: 10am
Directions
Time: 3pm-6pm
Directions
Beers and Biodiversity at Bierkeller Brewing Company
Beers and Biodiversity at Bierkeller Brewing Company
Come grab a brew and learn about the smallest animals that call Columbia's waterways their home! Led by the Stone lab from USC, participants can take a microscopic look at the plankton, insects, and more found in water samples from the Columbia Canal! Grab a snack or drink from our hosts Bierkeller Brewing, and see the Congaree in a new way!
Come grab a brew and learn about the smallest animals that call Columbia's waterways their home! Led by the Stone lab from USC, participants can take a microscopic look at the plankton, insects, and more found in water samples from the Columbia Canal! Grab a snack or drink from our hosts Bierkeller Brewing, and see the Congaree in a new way!
Columbia Parks Series: Granby Park
Columbia Parks Series: Granby Park
Join us on a guided nature walk at Granby park, a beautiful riverside parked tucked in behind the Gamecock’s baseball stadium. Observe riparian plants, animals, and more with a trips guided by Ranger Karen along the park's paved, handicapped accessible trail system.
Join us on a guided nature walk at Granby park, a beautiful riverside parked tucked in behind the Gamecock’s baseball stadium. Observe riparian plants, animals, and more with a trips guided by Ranger Karen along the park's paved, handicapped accessible trail system.
Time: 6pm
Directions
Monday, April 27th
Monday, April 27th
Columbia Parks Series: Finlay Park
Columbia Parks Series: Finlay Park
Come check out Finlay park, the largest and most newly renovated of Columbia's city parks. After a quick intro on making your own iNaturalist observations, rangers Mitchell and Karla will guide us through an exploration of the birds and insects that call this park home!
Come check out Finlay park, the largest and most newly renovated of Columbia's city parks. After a quick intro on making your own iNaturalist observations, rangers Mitchell and Karla will guide us through an exploration of the birds and insects that call this park home!
This event is free to the public and involves extended walking on the park’s paved, handicapped accessible trails.
This event is free to the public and involves extended walking on the park’s paved, handicapped accessible trails.
Time: 6pm
Directions
Time: 6pm
Directions
Columbia Parks Series: Southeast Park
Columbia Parks Series: Southeast Park
Use the last bit of daylight in the City Nature Challenge to come check out Southeast park, a beautiful green space adjacent to Garner's Ferry Road. After a quick intro on making your own iNaturalist observations, ranger Aliyah will guide us on a nature walk through the park's trail system surrounding its central lake!
Use the last bit of daylight in the City Nature Challenge to come check out Southeast park, a beautiful green space adjacent to Garner's Ferry Road. After a quick intro on making your own iNaturalist observations, ranger Aliyah will guide us on a nature walk through the park's trail system surrounding its central lake!
This event is free to the public and involves extended walking on the park’s unpaved trails.
This event is free to the public and involves extended walking on the park’s unpaved trails.
Moth Lightsheeting at the Historic USC Horseshoe!
Finish off the CNC weekend with an evening of 'mothing' outside the McKissick Museum on USC’s Historic Horseshoe on Monday, April 28, at 9 PM! Led by PhD student Bridget Harter of the LoPresti Plant-Insect Ecology Lab, this event offers a closer look at the incredible nocturnal insects that call campus home.
Moth Lightsheeting at the Historic USC Horseshoe!
Finish off the CNC weekend with an evening of 'mothing' outside the McKissick Museum on USC’s Historic Horseshoe on Monday, April 28, at 9 PM! Led by PhD student Bridget Harter of the LoPresti Plant-Insect Ecology Lab, this event offers a closer look at the incredible nocturnal insects that call campus home.
We’ll gather around black lights to observe and identify the diverse moth species drawn in by the glow. Whether you’re a seasoned naturalist or just curious about the hidden world of nighttime bugs, here is your chance to see these fascinating and diverse creatures up close. Don’t miss out on this illuminating experience!
We’ll gather around black lights to observe and identify the diverse moth species drawn in by the glow. Whether you’re a seasoned naturalist or just curious about the hidden world of nighttime bugs, here is your chance to see these fascinating and diverse creatures up close. Don’t miss out on this illuminating experience!
Time: 9pm
Directions
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