City Nature Challenge 2026
Next date: Friday, 24 April 2026 | 12:00 AM
to Monday, 27 April 2026 | 11:59 PM
Join us for another exciting year of the City Nature Challenge, where Darebin teams up with more than 25 metropolitan Melbourne councils and a network of environmental partners to share Greater Melbourne’s biodiversity with the world.
Over four days, from 24–27 April, we’re inviting everyone in Darebin to head outside, slow down, and make observations of the incredible plants, animals, fungi, and insects that share our cities.
Why join the challenge
By taking part, you’ll be contributing to the largest citizen science biodiversity census in the world, helping scientists, councils, and community organisations better understand, protect, and celebrate nature around us.
Participating in the City Nature Challenge is one small way to deepen our connection to Country, the land that the Wurundjeri Woi‑wurrung people have cared for thousands of years.
How to get involved
- Download the free iNaturalist App on your phone.
- Join Darebin's iNaturalist project.
- Get outdoors between 24–27 April and take photos of nature.
- Upload all your observations by 10 May so they count toward the final tally.
- Help identify other people’s observations to improve data quality.
- Follow Greater Melbourne’s nature discoveries and see how we compare with cities around the world.
- Stay tuned for the results!
New to Citizen Science?
Visit our Citizen Science page to learn how to get started and explore in‑person events happening in Darebin as part of the City Nature Challenge.
Our incredible partners
The Field Naturalists Club of Victoria, the Entomological Society of Victoria, Melbourne Water, the University of Melbourne, Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary, the Victorian Environmental Friends Network, and the Port Phillip Eco-Centre.
When
-
Friday, 24 April 2026 | 12:00 AM
- Monday, 27 April 2026 | 11:59 PM
Location
All of Darebin!
Head to the Darebin Creek, Merri Creek, Edgars Creek, Edwardes Lake, your local park or reserve, or simply step into your own backyard, balcony, or nature strip… nature is everywhere.