What better way to dive into the 2026 City Nature Challenge than to get out of the city and jump into a bog? Figuratively speaking, of course. Join Museum naturalists as we explore North Bend Bog, one of several Museum nature preserves located in the sprawling Geneva Swamp complex in Ashtabula County. We’ll poke around vernal pools, looking for salamanders, insects, fairy shrimp, and more. The bog itself is a rare habitat that is home to unique plants, including native cranberries.   

As we explore, we’ll be taking part in the City Nature Challenge. We’ll show you how to use iNaturalist, a handy app for identifying and recording native plant and animal species. As you use iNaturalist, you'll gradually build a list of all the species you’ve found—some people have thousands of species on their lists!—all while contributing to a global citizen science project. Observations recorded on this hike will represent a contribution to our local Northern Ohio team.   

In order to protect its habitat and all the species that call it home, North Bend Bog is not usually open to the public. Join us as Museum naturalists open the preserve for this special event. We look forward to seeing you!