Urban biodiversity scavenger hunt
Take on our urban biodiversity scavenger hunt and see what you can find--and learn-- right in the neighborhood around your home.
A peregrine falcon perches in a red maple tree.
Get outside. What can you see? What can you hear?
People don’t often think of urban centres when they think about biodiversity. And yet, cities are where most of us interact with nature most often.
Have you ever seen a sparrow? Probably. But have you ever looked for one?
In this activity, we encourage our community to seek out the different species of plants, birds, and insects that can be found in Montreal at this time of year. Take your phone or camera out on your next walk to the corner store, grab your kids for a fun quest, or relax on a bench in the park and see what you can spot!
Participate until May 15.
#CUgrow @CUsustainabilityoffice
How does it work?
Step 1: Check out the list below. For each species, you'll find the common name, one or more photos, some information, and some tips on how to find them.
Step 2: Get your camera handy. Bookmark this page on your device.
Step 3: Snap photos! If you find a species on this list, post a photo and the species name on Instagram or Facebook and tag @CUsustainabilityoffice using #CUgrow. Or, email your photos to sustainability@concordia.ca.
Step 4: Keep going and get your friends to join! The last day of the scavenger hunt is May 15.
We will be sharing our community's photographs on Instagram and monitoring your participation! Prizes will be given out to those who find the most species, as well as for general participation through a draw!
Prizes
Person who submits the most species: Unlimited passport to the five espace pour la vie museums (Insecatrium, Planetarium, Biodome, Biosphere, Botanical Gardens)
Draw prize for participation: Gift card to the Hive Café Co-op
Urban biodiversity in Montreal: Why should we care?
On March 25 2021 the 4TH SPACE hosted a webinar entitled "Urban biodiversity in Montreal: Why should we care?", where professors Carly Ziter, Emma Desplands, and Rebecca Tittler outlined what we can find in Montreal-- and why we should look!
View the recording to learn more about some of the species on the scavenger hunt list!
Species index
13:51 YELLOW BIRCH
14:33 GINKGO BILOBA
15:21 SILVER MAPLE
21:04 HONEY BEE
24:09 CARPENTER ANTS
24:41 TURF GRASS ANT
26:20 MOURNING CLOAK BUTTERFLY
27:04 RED ADMIRAL BUTTERFLY
42:56 ROCK DOVES
44:11 HOUSE SPARROWS
44:44 PEREGRINE FALCONS
45:46 TURKEY VULTURE
46:53 NORTHERN CARDINAL
49:23 BLACK CAPPED CHICKADEE
50:56 AMERICAN CROW
Trees & Plants
Want an extra hint to find these trees? Check out QuéBio's map of public Montreal trees.
This activity is offered in collaboration with the Office of Sustainability, the Loyola College for Diversity and Sustainability and 4TH SPACE, as part of the WWF Living Planet @ Campus program at Concordia.
#CUgrow @CUsustainabilityoffice