If you haven’t participated in the City Nature Challenge before, now is the time, if only to defend Cape Town’s title.
The challenge – which will run over the long weekend between Saturday 30 April and Monday 2 May – is about finding all the wildlife in a city. Cape Town is competing with various international cities to record the most observations of local plant and animal species.
During last year’s challenge, Capetonians contributed over 71 000 observations, achieving the most observations internationally.
Eddie Andrews, the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayco member for spatial planning and environment, says Cape Town participants were able to record 4 779 species last year.
“The Mother City has been the winner of at least two categories for the past few years; a title we are extremely keen to defend,” says Andrews.
To participate, download and register on the iNaturalist app. When making an observation, take a photo and upload it onto the app. Experts will then help to identify the fauna or flora.
City reserves will be open to the public free of charge on the four days. Cape Point will be open free of charge to registered participants of the challenge event only.
Andrews encourages residents to use this opportunity to get out to one of the reserves, or just to take a walk in their neighbourhood.
“There is so much life to capture, plants and animals we would not have noticed otherwise, and the best part is, we get to make some memories while exploring new places,” he says.
Planned walks that will take place during the challenge at various conservation areas in the southern suburbs include:
- Tokai Park Night Walk: Friday 29 April.
- Kenilworth Racecource Conservation Area Bioblitz: Friday 29 and Saturday 30 April.
- Meadowridge Conservation Area: Sunday 1 May.
- Hout Bay River – Lower: Monday 2 May.
- Table Mountain National Park guided walks: Friday 29 April and Saturday 30 April.
- For a list of all of the City’s reserves and details about their location, facilities and attractions, visit: https://www.capetown.gov.za/Explore%20and%20enjoy/See-all-City-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Nature%20reserves
