Join the search for City Critters and help urban wildlife research while having a blast outside with friends or family!
The Regina Urban Wildlife Project is an active research project that is investigating what animals live in the City of Regina and how they respond to human activity. Trail cameras and audio recorders have been set up in green spaces in and around the city to record mammals and birds. Equipment is put up once a season for 4 weeks to make sure we capture everything, even rare species. So far, over 40 species of animals have been found!
Researchers need your help! Since trail cameras and audio recorders can’t be put up everywhere in the city, a citizen science project has been launched where volunteers like you can help researchers by collecting data for this study.
Become a Backyard Biologist!
To become a Backyard Biologist, start by selecting one of the methods below:
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Come down to the Science Centre and grab one (or 10) City Critter Challenge brochures. They will contain all of the information you need to get started!
Choose your route. You can either venture out to one (or all of) the routes immediately surrounding the Science Centre, as noted in the brochure, or you can visit our Online Maps and choose a route closer to home!
Walk the route(s) and count the animals you see! You’ll need to check which animal you saw using the provided animal checklist and write down how many of each animal you spotted.
Make note of the time you finish walking your route.
Return your form to the front desk at the Saskatchewan Science Centre to receive an exclusive City Critter card!
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You don’t even need a City Critter Challenge brochure to be part of the fun! Anyone with a smartphone and a love of nature can become a Backyard Biologist.
Access the online City Critter form here.
Access the City Critter Challenge Google map here, or a PDF version here.
Make note of the time you started and finished walking your route.
Submit your completed form online.
To claim your City Critter card, bring your confirmation email to the Science Centre and show it to a staff member at the front desk. They’ll gladly provide you with your fancy new Critter Card!
Collect all the City Critter cards by getting outside, spotting as many local critters as you can, and submitting more of your data! Get a new City Critter card for each!
Teachers can also participate with their Classrooms!
The City Critter Challenge makes for a great classroom activity too! If you’re a teacher who’s coming to the Science Centre with your class, or you’re looking for an outdoor activity to do at school, the methods for taking part are the same. The only difference is when you come to collect your City Critter cards, you’ll be given one (1) card for each student in your class!
Available Critter Cards
For each City Critter form you complete and return to us (either online or in person), you will receive one (1) of the following City Critter cards:
Note: To receive your City Critter card after completing an online City Critter form, you must come to the Science Centre and show your confirmation email to a staff member at the front desk. City Critter cards cannot be mailed out to you.
Enter to win the City Critter Grand Prize
For each City Critter Challenge form you complete and submit (in person or online), you will also be entered into a draw to win a prize package of awesome swag! The Grand Prize Package will include:
Tickets to the brand new Kramer IMAX Theatre - once renovations are complete!
A super fun prize package from the Atom + Geek Science Shop
Grand Prize Rules
The draw to determine the Grand Prize Winner will occur on September 8, 2023. The Winner will be contacted via email, so make sure to keep an eye out in your inbox!
Entries for the Grand Prize draw can only be obtained by completing a City Critter form. These forms can be found either online or within a City Critter brochure (which are located at the Science Centre). Submitting a completed online form will automatically give you one (1) entry into the draw. For physical entries via a City Critter brochure, you must return the completed form(s) to the Science Centre prior to the draw date in order for your entries to be valid.
The Grand Prize must be accepted as-is. There is no cash alternative to the Grand Prize.