Seeing Red: Colorfully Attired Organisms in the City Nature Challenge!

 Picture this: You’re standing in a field, playing the classic “I spy with my little eye” game, and there it is—something red. Maybe it’s a flash of fiery color in the sky. Or a little critter with a crimson touch.

 

 Red, it turns out, is everywhere in nature, and when you’re out in the wild, there’s a lot more to this color than just its appearance. Red is often linked to boldness and danger, but also to beauty, vibrancy, and sometimes a touch of mystery. When you think of red in nature, what comes to mind? Perhaps it’s a male woodpecker, rocking a bright red tuft atop its head. Or maybe it’s the lady beetle, decked out in its signature scarlet shell. How about the red and blue checkered beetle? It’s like a walking party on six legs. And we can’t forget the endless sea of red flowers—petals as rich as rubies, filling the air with a scent of spring and hope. 

 

But hold on, there’s something even more mind-blowing waiting for you—have you ever seen the slime molds of Saskatchewan? If you’re picturing an otherworldly, gooey creature, you’re absolutely right. These slime molds are living pieces of art, with fiery red hues that are impossible to miss! Now, here’s where it gets even cooler. As we gear up for the 2025 City Nature Challenge, you might just want to channel your inner explorer and keep an eye out for red organisms as you roam the wild. 

 

In fact, there’s a special project on iNaturalist that might just spark your interest: the Red List Project. What’s the Red List, you ask? Well, it’s a collection of species that are in conservation concern, species you’ll want to keep a special eye on as you walk through the natural world. By participating in this project, you’re not only admiring the vibrant reds that nature has to offer, but you’re also contributing to global efforts to protect these at-risk organisms (which may or may not be red). It’s a simple way to make a huge difference while enjoying the color-filled adventure that nature always provides! The City Nature Challenge (CNC) is more than just a chance to spy some red—it’s an event that motivates people to connect with nature and engage in citizen science. From April 25–28, 2025, you’ll be able to head outdoors, snap pics of any wild creatures, and upload them to iNaturalist (or Seek) to help catalog biodiversity across the city. This isn’t just about spotting creatures with red markings; it’s about gathering valuable data that can be used to help protect our planet’s biodiversity. 

 

So, how can you get involved? First, create an iNaturalist account and download the app. Whether you’re using iNaturalist or the Seek app, you’ll be able to easily log your observations and help identify species in your area. After all, the CNC isn’t just about observing; it’s also about identification, and everyone—yes, even you!—can contribute to the global database of biodiversity. While you’re out there, make sure to join in on the red fun by looking for those red-clad critters and plants. Whether it’s a brilliant red flower or a beetle with an eye-popping red shell, your observations are valuable. You’ll be amazed at how many red organisms are hiding right under your nose, waiting for you to discover them.

 

 The City Nature Challenge isn’t just about observing wildlife; it’s about connecting with others, building community, and learning together. It’s about making science accessible to everyone and having fun while doing it. Plus, you’ll get to track your progress and see how your city stacks up against others in this global event. Don’t worry, there’s no need to be overly competitive (unless you want to)—this is about having a blast with some friendly competition! As for the Red List Project, every organism you record helps build awareness and create a safety net for endangered species. It’s a fantastic way to contribute to conservation efforts while also diving deep into the beauty of nature. So, next time you’re outdoors, remember to keep an eye out for red. It’s everywhere! 

Whether you’re spotting a crimson beetle or a blooming red tulip, every red observation you make is a step toward understanding and protecting the world around us. Happy red seeking, fellow nature enthusiasts, and don’t forget to share your finds with the City Nature Challenge! Come to Nature, Come to Life! …and there are free events!

🔴 SEEING RED?! You’re not alone—nature is, too! 🔴

Get ready, Saskatoon! The City Nature Challenge 2025 is heating up, and we’re turning our eyes to the boldest, brightest, and most fiery color of them all—RED. From April 25–28, grab your phone, your camera, and your sense of adventure and join us as we track down the most vibrant red organisms nature has to offer!

❤️ Lady beetles.
💥 Red-headed woodpeckers.
🌺 Crimson wildflowers.
👀 And yes—even the bizarre and beautiful red slime molds of Saskatchewan!

Think you’ve seen it all? Think again. Red is more than a color—it’s a signal. It can mean “watch out,” “come closer,” or “look at me!” From beetles that party in technicolor to rare endangered species on the Red List, your sightings aren’t just fun—they matter. Every snap, every ID, every upload helps build a global snapshot of biodiversity through the iNaturalist app.

📱 Download iNaturalist or Seek
📸 Snap a pic of anything wild
🧠 Let the app help you ID it
🌍 Be part of the global CNC community

🔥 And don’t forget—there are FREE local events you can join! Visit friendsareas.ca for full details.

💡 Special shout-out and HUGE thanks to our amazing community partners who help make CNC YXE 2025 possible:
💚 Saskatoon Nature Society
⚡ SaskPower
🔥 SaskEnergy
📞 SaskTel
🌼 Wild About Saskatoon — we couldn’t do this without you!

So, what are you waiting for? Get outside, see red, and help protect the world we love—one wild sighting at a time. 🌿🔴 Let’s make this the boldest City Nature Challenge yet!

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