The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), in collaboration with the Botanical Society of South Africa (BotSoc) and a network of partners across participating cities, is proud to announce South Africa’s participation in City Nature Challenge 2024.
This is a global event that invites citizens from every corner of the world to immerse themselves in their local ecosystems, discover biodiversity wonders, and contribute to a collective citizen science initiative.
Scheduled to take place from April 26 to April 29, 2024 the City Nature Challenge is a celebration of urban biodiversity. Originating as a friendly competition between San Francisco and Los Angeles in 2016, it has blossomed into a worldwide phenomenon, with cities across the globe joining forces to observe and document the natural world in urban environments.
Last year more than 600 cities participated, engaging over 66 000 people who collectively made 1.9 million observations about nature. The aim this year is to surpass these remarkable numbers and make the 2024 City Nature Challenge the most impactful yet.
Suvarna Parbhoo, SANBI’s Citizen Science Programme Manager, says: “The City Nature Challenge is a platform for people to connect with their local nature, with each other, and with a global community of fellow nature enthusiasts. By participating, you become a vital contributor to citizen science, contributing valuable data to ongoing research and conservation efforts.”
Twenty five South African cities and regions are participating inCity Nature Challenge 2024: Tshwane, Joburg, eThekwini, Zululand, Waterberg, Umzimvubu, Thohoyandou, Potchefstroom, Overstrand, Nieuwoudtville, Nelson Mandela Bay, Mbombela, Mbabane (Hhohho), Manzini District, Mafikeng, Bloemfontein, Buffalo City, Capricorn District, City of Cape Town, Dolphin Coast, Garden Route, KZN Midlands, KZN South Coast, and Makana, Ndlambe & Ngqushwa – Albany CoE.
Participation is simple and anyone can join. People need only download the iNaturalist app, capture photos of wildlife and plants in their vicinity, and upload them to the app. Experts and fellow enthusiasts will collaborate in identifying these observations, which will then enrich a vast global database of biodiversity.
As part of the festivities, SANBI and partners will host a series of nature walks and events throughout the challenge period. These activities aim to deepen participants’ appreciation for the natural world while fostering a sense of connection to their local ecosystems and biodiversity.
The goals of the City Nature Challenge 2024 are multifaceted:
- Connect people to urban nature: Encourage exploration and appreciation of the biodiversity that thrives in urban and metropolitan areas.
- Foster community: Build connections among participants, both in-person and online, creating a global community united by a love for nature.
- Collect valuable data: Generate urban biodiversity data that can be utilized for scientific research, conservation, and urban planning.
- Promote volunteerism: Inspire individuals to become active participants in documenting and protecting biodiversity on a global scale.
- Celebrate collaboration: Engage in friendly competition while fostering collaboration between cities worldwide.
“We invite all South Africans to join us in this exhilarating challenge,” says Parbhoo. “Let’s showcase the rich diversity of South Africa’s nature and make a meaningful contribution to global science and conservation efforts. Together, we can make the City Nature Challenge 2024 a resounding success!”
