Calling all nature lovers, help Knox compete with cities from around the world to capture and upload photographs of local wild plants and animals in the 2024 City Nature Challenge from Friday 26 April to Monday 29 April. Let’s show the world how incredible the biodiversity of Melbourne is.
What is the City Nature Challenge?
The City Nature Challenge is an annual global event that celebrates local wildlife and flora through citizen science. The event is coordinated by the California Academy of Sciences and the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum and was first run in 2016.
During the 4-day challenge snap a photo or record the sound of any wild plant or animal and upload it to the iNaturalist app. Make sure to include the location details too. At the end of the challenge, the city with the most observations wins.
This challenge provides a fun and collaborative opportunity to participate in friendly competition and learn about local biodiversity.
Follow how Greater Melbourne is tracking against the rest of the world
Follow how Knox is contributing to the Greater Melbourne project
How to participate?
- Download the free iNaturalist app from Apple store or Google Play or access it using the website.
- Create a free iNaturalist account.
- Look out for wild plants and animals to photograph in your local bushland reserves and parks during the observation period
- Upload your photographs or sound recordings to the app. You can do this anytime of the year and don’t have to wait for the challenge to commence.
For more information on how to make an observation on your phone, check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xENz1xRu0wI
There are plenty of events running over the challenge weekend that you can participate in to help increase your chances of making some unique and interesting discoveries.
Moth lighting and discovery
When: Friday 26 April, 8 pm – 10 pm
Where: Old Joes Creek Retarding Basin, Boronia Victoria
Join experts from the Entomological Society of Victoria and learn about the moth light-trapping observation method, a safe and easy way to observe moths and insects up close. This event is delivered by Knox City Council in collaboration with the volunteer group Friends of Old Joes Creek.
Guided bird walk
When: Sunday 28 April, 9.30 am – 11.30 am
Where: Koolunga Native Reserve, Ferntree Gully
Over 50 bird species have been recorded at Koolunga Native Reserve. Join bird expert Chris Doughty to see if you can find them. This event is delivered by Knox City Council in collaboration with volunteer group Friends of Koolunga Native Reserve.
Fungi exploration
When: Sunday 28 April, 1 pm – 3 pm
Where: Bateman Street Bushland, Wantirna
Join mycologist Ema Corro MYCOmmunity to discover the fungi species in amongst the bushland at Bateman Street, Wantirna. This event is delivered by Knox City Council in collaboration with First Friends of Dandenong Creek.
