A group of volunteers began collecting data that could be used by scientists all over the world.

It all part of a program called the City Nature Challenge, hikers collected data about the different species they observed at Presque Isle State Park. 

They gathered the data in an app, which compiles it and makes it available to scientists around the world. 

The City Nature Challenge was launched in Los Angeles eight years ago, and has since spread across the country. 

This is Erie's third year participating, and the local turnout keeps growing.

The challenge continues through Monday.  You can participate on your own in the I-Naturalist app, or you can take part group hikes scheduled for Saturday, Sunday and Monday.