The City of Cape Town has encouraged all Capetonians to get out and about by participating in the City Nature Challenge that is taking place from 26 to 29 April.

Cape Town is competing with various international cities to record the most observations of local plant and animal species. The Mother City stands a good chance of occupying the top spot on the international biodiversity map, with the help of its residents of course.

Residents are asked to explore the City’s nature reserves and natural open spaces and to record all of the local plant and animal species that they spot over the days of the competition.

One way of recording Cape Town’s natural beauty is to take photos of the living fauna and flora that are found in our reserves, be it a flower, an insect or an animal and to share this on the iNaturalist.com app.

To participate in the challenge, participants need to please download the iNaturalist.com APP – register on the app and then share their observations by uploading all of their findings on the app.

The City manages 20 nature reserves and various nature areas and has coordinated activities for this challenge across the metro.

The Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Marian Nieuwoudt says Cape Town is incredibly blessed with vast nature reserves and many natural open areas.

“We have plant and animal life in abundance and right on our doorsteps. When participants go out and look for plant and animal life this weekend I am sure that many residents will be amazed by all of the beautiful natural spaces which are located in and around their city. The City Nature Challenge provides us with another opportunity to showcase this diverse natural environment. So let’s get out, capture and share all of our moments spent with nature this weekend.”

Participants may record any plant, animal, fungi, slime mould or any other evidence of life (scat, fur, tracks, shells, carcasses) found in Cape Town and should not forget to record the location of their findings.

Schools, universities and social groups are encouraged to use this as an opportunity to facilitate, manage and support student outdoor learning and exploration in schoolyards, nearby parks or other green spaces.

For more information, please contact Eleanor Hutchings at Eleanor.Hutchings@capetown.gov.za or Tony Rebelo at t.rebelo@sanbi.org.za.