CWF Calls on Canadians to Help Map Biodiversity Across the Country

OTTAWA, Ontario, Sept. 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is calling on Canadians across the country to join in documenting biodiversity during the third annual CWF Great Canadian Bioblitz, running Sept. 18 to 27. The 10-day initiative invites people of all ages and experience levels to use the free iNaturalist app to photograph and record wild plants, animals, fungi and other species in their communities.

All observations and sound recordings of wildlife will contribute to a growing record of the biodiversity found in Canada and can provide valuable information for scientists, conservation organizations and others working to understand and protect wildlife and habitat. Participants don’t need to be scientists or travel to a remote wilderness area to make impactful contributions. A walk through a city park, a backyard, a local wetland or neighbourhood can reveal an astonishing variety of life.

“Biodiversity is all around us, but we don’t always notice it and share our findings with others,” said James Pagé, CWF species at risk and biodiversity specialist. “The Great Canadian Bioblitz gives everyone an opportunity to become a wildlife detective and help us better understand the species sharing our communities. You never know what you might discover.” 

Every observation matters. iNaturalist data can help researchers and conservation organizations understand where species occur, document changes over time and identify species that may require conservation attention. Observations may also reveal rare, at risk or invasive species.

“With biodiversity loss recognized as a major conservation challenge, understanding what species are present — and where they are found — is an important first step toward protecting wildlife and natural habitat in Canada,” Pagé said.

Taking part is easy:

1. Sign up or Log in using the free iNaturalist app or at iNaturalist.ca
2. Join the CWF Great Canadian Bioblitz iNaturalist project for your observations to count
3. From Sept. 18 to 27, take a photo or sound recording of the wild species you encounter anywhere in Canada
4. Upload your observations to iNaturalist, and they will automatically be included in the project

Participants can also explore observations made by others, learn more about species they encounter and contribute to a growing national picture of biodiversity. Canadians are invited to take part on their own or to join on one of the many in-person bioblitzes across Canada.

For more information and to participate visit GreatCanadianBioblitz.ca.

Key Facts:

• In 2026, CWF is funding 10 organized bioblitzes across Canada.
• CWF will be on-site in collaboration with Mycosphaera at the Festival des champignons forestiers du Kamouraska in Quebec.
• In 2025, there were more than 97,000 observations recorded during the Great Canadian Bioblitz including the first Canadian observations of a fungus on Vancouver Island and a sea slug in Vancouver, B.C. An endangered moth was also found in Ontario.
  

About the Canadian Wildlife Federation:
The Canadian Wildlife Federation is a national, not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to conserving wildlife and habitats in Canada for the use and enjoyment of all. By spreading knowledge of human impacts on wildlife and the environment, carrying out actions to conserve and restore species and habitats, developing and delivering conservation education programs, advocating for changes to government policy and programs, and co-operating with like-minded partners, CWF encourages a future in which Canadians can live in harmony with nature. For more information, visit CanadianWildlifeFederation.ca.

Contact: media@cwf-fcf.org or                                                

David DeRocco                                                
Senior Manager, Marketing and Events
davidd@cwf-fcf.org                                                                           
(613) 599-9594 x 279                                        
(905) 975 4672 (cell)                

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/22bad35a-dda1-4108-b110-a80686c9ed74 

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b110097d-9ff4-412f-960c-568ebe620d21 

Join the Great Canadian Bioblitz using iNaturalist.ca.

The iNaturalist platform is the data collection tool for the Great Canadian Bioblitz. Join the project, use iNaturalist.ca and have your wildlife observations count in the national tally.

TRACKING BIODIVERSITY

An endangered Bogbean Buckmoth was discovered during the 2025 Great Canadian Bioblitz. There are only 20 observations of this insect in all of Canada on iNaturalist.ca. The species is restricted to a few wetlands just outside of Ottawa. Join the 2026 Great Canadian Bioblitz Sept. 18-27 and add your observations to the national database. Photo by Peter Soroye, iNaturalist Canada.