City Nature Challenge 2025
What is the City Nature Challenge?
A global event celebrating local wildlife! It’s all about recording observations of the plants and animals in our local area, whether it’s your favourite backyard bird, a beautiful flower or an insect. Compete with cities from around the world by taking photos or recordings of plants and animals and showcase Hobsons Bay’s incredible biodiversity.
When?
Occurs annually every Autumn. This year, it is across 4 days from Friday 25 to Monday 28 April 2025.
Organised activities to celebrate City Nature Challenge this April include a Bioblitz at the Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre and an iNaturalist Mothing night.
Where?
Anywhere within your municipality! You can record observations in your backyard, local reserves, even while you’re walking your dog... anytime you’re outdoors!
Who can participate?
Anyone with an iNaturalist account! The City Nature Challenge is a great solo or group activity and is fun and easy for kids, and community and school groups.
What can I observe?
- Animals; birds, reptiles, mammals, insects, bugs, marine life if you have an underwater camera, exotic species (non-native), but no pets.
- Plants including weeds and garden plants but note on iNaturalist if the observation is captive or cultivated. Be mindful that plants in many Hobsons Bay reserves have been revegetated.
- Fungi
- Dead organisms provide important data
By using iNaturalist, observations are automatically uploaded to the project.
Why is the City Nature Challenge important?
We can better understand and protect our unique biodiversity by learning about the species in our local environment and where they live. But to make a difference, all of us – scientists, land managers, and the community – need to join forces in documenting the incredible species around us! By joining the City Nature Challenge, you’ll not only get to explore the nature around you, but you’ll also help make your city a better place for people and local species to share.