What We Observed
Over 2,500 people took part in Team Frederick's first City Nature Challenge in 2025. Many participants documented wildlife in local neighborhoods and natural areas; while others joined to appreciate nature and meet others with common interests. Community partners organized guided outings, set up mothing nights on location, and led bioblitzes.
Together, we put Frederick County's biodiversity on the map and helped the Washington DC Metro Area achieve one of their long-held goals of being recognized internationally.
Here are some highlights.
Team Frederick 2025 Results:
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246 Registered Observers
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7,114 Observations
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1,332 Species
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2,500 Participants
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Top 5 Worldwide for Washington DC Metro Area - Participation
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Team Frederick planned over 20 events throughout Frederick County
Special Recognition:
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Most Observations made by individual: Kathy Barylski (777 Observations, 319 Species)
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Most Observations made by group: Bug Patrol led by Mike Turell (1,294 Observations, 562 Species)
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Most Identifications made: Cecelia Arnold (402 Identifications, 107 Species)
TOP SPECIES OBSERVED IN FREDERICK COUNTY
Half of the Top 10 Observations are invasive species, indicated by the "IN" in the top right hand corner.
URBAN GARDEN BIOBLITZ
What we were looking for:
Greater Frederick Maryland Wild Ones hosted a bioblitz in Stella's 2,000 square feet of native gardens in the heart of downtown Frederick. For three hours, 20 participants photographed the wildlife in this garden, with a particular focus on native bees.
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Carpenter Bee
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What we discovered:
While the diversity of species in Stella's garden was high, the number of bee species was lower than anticipated. Sam Droege, a native bee expert, visited Frederick to kickoff the Challenge and shared that we could expect 100 bee species in our gardens over the course of the year. In order to increase the number of bee species — we only observed 5 — more spring blooming plants and specialist plants for bees can be added. In addition, by leaving stems standing throughout the year, bees can complete their life cycle.
AMPHIBIAN SURVEY FREDERICK MUNICIPAL FOREST
What we were looking for:
J. Adam Frederick of Maryland Sea Grant led Frederick County Public School Teachers on an evening adventure through Frederick city's watershed searching for amphibians, bioindicators of forest health. Based on Adam's past experience here, he anticipated finding at least 4–5 varieties of salamanders and over 150 specimens within this several hour period on a cool evening.
Eastern Red-backed Salamander
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What we discovered:
We documented only 50% of the expected species and quantity of amphibians, a decline likely driven by climate change. This loss threatens a delicate balance: amphibians like salamanders protect the forest floor by eating the tiny organisms that break down leaf litter. Without them, the forest loses its ability to regulate moisture, causing the watershed to dry out even more. Because this area is the primary water source for Frederick City, monitoring biodiversity here is a matter of public health. The actual locations of observations here were obscured in iNaturalist.
FRIENDS MEETING SCHOOL
What we were looking for:
At this school's annual Stewardship Day, upper and lower school students partnered to explore and document their school grounds to learn about the wildlife their campus supports. Using field guides, handlenses and bug jars, they were able to take a closer look, aid in identification, and start cataloguing species.
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Giant Leopard Moth
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What we discovered:
While Mobilize Frederick supported the student bioblitz, other students installed a new pollinator garden with native plants, pulled invasive weeds, and cleaned a pond. These student and teacher initiatives, including engaging in community science with iNaturalist, will help the school achieve Green School certification in 2026.
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