Cape Town is participating in the 2024 City Nature Challenge, inviting residents and tourists to showcase its rich biodiversity to a global audience. Participants can use the iNaturalist app to log various plant and animal species, contributing to citizen science. The challenge offers an educational opportunity for the younger generation and encourages community involvement in environmental stewardship.
The Worldwide Event to Showcase Local Biodiversity
Cape Town is participating in the 2024 City Nature Challenge, where nature enthusiasts and amateur scientists are urged to log the city’s various plant and animal species, becoming part of a global group contributing to citizen science. Participants use their smartphones equipped with the iNaturalist app to collect data. The challenge offers a distinctive educational prospect, especially for the younger generation.
Cape Town, South Africa, located between the sweeping Atlantic Ocean and the famed Table Mountain, is one of the world’s most biologically diverse cities. This year, it joins other cities across the globe as a participant in the 2024 City Nature Challenge, inviting all its residents and tourists to showcase its ecological abundance to an international audience.
The Worldwide Event to Showcase Local Biodiversity
The City Nature Challenge serves as a global stage for urban dwellers to portray their local biodiversity. This year, Cape Town will enter the global arena along with 2,000 other cities for an intense four-day observation event from April 26 to 29. During these dates, nature enthusiasts and amateur scientists are urged to log the city’s various plant and animal species, becoming part of a global group contributing to citizen science.
Collecting data is a simple process, requiring only a smartphone equipped with the iNaturalist app. A single photo can help build a global record of local biodiversity. Participants receive more than the fulfillment of contributing to global knowledge; exclusive prizes are up for grabs too.
Cape Town’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews, encourages participation stating, “This is your chance to be part of the mammoth undertakings of documenting our local biodiversity.”
Exploration Opportunities in Cape Town’s Natural Reserves
Cape Town’s diverse array of nature reserves and conservation areas provide unmatched exploration opportunities. The city is offering free pedestrian access to its nature reserves from April 26 to 29 for those participating in the challenge. With over fifty reserves spread across the city, an abundance of habitats and species are ripe for discovery.
The city’s previous participation in the challenge yielded significant results. Last year, Cape Town made a whopping 53,051 submissions, cataloging 3,592 species from 1,286 observers. This remarkable achievement ranked the city second globally in terms of the number of observations and fourth in the number of species recorded, illustrating Cape Town’s rich biodiversity.
Nevertheless, the challenge not only emphasizes quantity but also values community involvement. As Alderman Andrews noted, “Our goal moving forward is to increase the number of participants, and inspire more Capetonians to get even more engaged.”
An Educational Opportunity and Call to Environmental Stewardship
The challenge offers a distinctive educational prospect, especially for the younger generation. Schools, universities, and community groups are encouraged to leverage this platform to promote outdoor learning and exploration in schoolyards, local parks, or other green spaces. There’s no limit to the number of submissions one can make, thereby encouraging a sense of intrigue and interaction with the environment.
As we near the City Nature Challenge 2024, it’s time to reflect on our responsibilities as protectors of our environment. This event provides an opportunity to not only display Cape Town’s biodiversity to the world but to cultivate a deeper appreciation for our local ecology.
In preparation for the challenge, download the iNaturalist app and get ready to explore Cape Town’s reserves, suburbs, schools, and gardens. Be prepared to view the city with a fresh sense of awe, discovering the wild plants and animals that inhabit our urban spaces.
Discover the myriad of species that consider Cape Town home – from the iconic Fynbos and the numerous unique bird species to the elusive creatures that emerge after sundown. Each observation helps piece together our understanding of our dynamic urban ecosystem, with every participant becoming a citizen scientist contributing to global biodiversity knowledge.
Embark on a journey of discovery, learning, and contribution. Cape Town’s biodiversity is ready for you.
For more information about the City Nature Challenge, consult the provided links. Let the exploration begin!
What is the City Nature Challenge?
The City Nature Challenge is a global event that invites nature enthusiasts and amateur scientists to log various plant and animal species using the iNaturalist app. Participants become part of a global group contributing to citizen science, with the aim of showcasing local biodiversity to an international audience.
When is the City Nature Challenge taking place in Cape Town?
The City Nature Challenge in Cape Town will take place over four days, from April 26 to 29.
How can I participate in the City Nature Challenge?
To participate in the City Nature Challenge, download the iNaturalist app and use it to log various plant and animal species in Cape Town. You can visit the city’s nature reserves and conservation areas, as well as explore urban spaces such as schools and gardens.
What are the benefits of participating in the City Nature Challenge?
Participating in the City Nature Challenge provides a distinctive educational opportunity, especially for the younger generation. It also encourages community involvement in environmental stewardship and offers the fulfillment of contributing to global knowledge. Exclusive prizes are also up for grabs.
What is Cape Town’s biodiversity like?
Cape Town is one of the most biologically diverse cities in the world, with a rich array of nature reserves and conservation areas providing unmatched exploration opportunities. Last year, Cape Town made 53,051 submissions, cataloging 3,592 species from 1,286 observers, ranking second globally in terms of observations and fourth in the number of species recorded.
How can schools, universities, and community groups get involved in the City Nature Challenge?
Schools, universities, and community groups are encouraged to use the City Nature Challenge as a platform to promote outdoor learning and exploration in schoolyards, local parks, or other green spaces. There is no limit to the number of submissions that can be made, encouraging a sense of intrigue and interaction with the environment.
