City Nature Challenge 2025: Connecting Communities Through Nature

The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), in collaboration with a network of partners across participating cities in Africa, is proud to announce the City Nature Challenge 2025, taking place from Friday, 25 until Monday, 28 April 2025.

This global event is more than just a biodiversity count – it’s a celebration of community spirit and connection through nature. It invites people of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of experience to explore their surroundings, record local biodiversity, and work together to build a global picture of life on Earth. Whether you’re in a busy city or a quiet suburb, you’re part of something bigger, a collective movement to protect and appreciate our natural heritage.

Originating in 2016 as a friendly competition between Los Angeles and San Francisco, the City Nature Challenge has since grown into a worldwide movement. In 2024, 37 African cities across 10 countries participated, including 25 cities from South Africa. Together, participants across Africa contributed an impressive 129,364 observations, made by 2,960 observers, documenting 9,551 species.

“This achievement speaks volumes about the enthusiasm and commitment of African citizens to documenting and celebrating our unique biodiversity,” says Suvarna Parbhoo Mohan, SANBI’s Citizen Science Programme Manager. “But more importantly, it shows how nature can unite us. The City Nature Challenge brings together neighbours, families, schools, nature clubs, and entire cities to reconnect with nature and with each other.”

Getting involved is easy and fun, all you need is a smartphone and the iNaturalist app:

1. Download the free iNaturalist app.
2. Explore your environment between Friday, 25 April until Monday, 28 April 2025 by taking photos of plants, animals, fungi, or any wild organism and lastly
3. Upload your observations to the app, where experts and fellow nature lovers will help identify your sightings.

Whether you’re spotting birds from your balcony, walking with your child in the park, or organising a group outing with friends or colleagues, every observation adds value. Your efforts help grow a global open-source biodiversity database used by scientists, conservationists, and environmental planners worldwide.

Throughout the weekend, SANBI and its partners will host nature walks, family events, and training sessions, giving people the tools to sharpen their observation skills and enjoy meaningful time in nature together.

“We’re calling on all South Africans to show the world the rich biodiversity of our cities and the strength of our communities,” adds Parbhoo Mohan. “Let’s make 2025 our most impactful year yet, one observation at a time. “

Mark your calendars, download the iNaturalist app, and get ready to explore, discover, and connect with nature like never before. The City Nature Challenge awaits, be part of the story.

For more information on the City Nature Challenge and how to get involved contact
crew@sanbi.org.za,
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iNatureZA
Twitter: @sanbi_za https://twitter.com/sanbi_za
Instagram @sanbi_za https://www.instagram.com/sanbi_za/

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Author: Kgotso Mathabatha from Twenty8Zero7 Communications on behalf of SANBI.