City Nature Challenge
Learn how you can be part of this global challenge where cities around the world collaborate to discover and document nature!
Over 25 councils across metropolitan Melbourne are joining forces with community organisations to represent Greater Melbourne on a global stage, with the aim to gather the most observations of nature and engage as many people as possible.
Over the four-day challenge, you are invited to discover and document in the iNaturalist App the unique animals, plants and fungi that call Darebin home.
How to get involved
Participating is easy and it provides a great opportunity to discover and learn about the natural world that surrounds us even in a big city:
Get ready!
- Download the iNaturalist App in your phone.
- Learn how to use iNaturalist by watching this introduction to iNaturalist tutorial.
- Get tips and tricks from local experts to discover, appreciate and take quality images of the micro and macro world around you by watching these videos:
Leaves, Feathers and Scales: the Macro World
The Small and Mighty Micro World
Discover!
From Friday 28 April to Monday 1 May 2023, explore your local parks, reserves, waterways, and even your own garden!
Record your sightings of plants, animals and fungi in Darebin, and share them in iNaturalist: every observation you make will be contributing to a better understanding of biodiversity in urban spaces all over the world and how we can better protect it!
Join an event!
Community groups and organisations across Darebin are running events to help you make the most out the City Nature Challenge:
Friday 28 April 2023
Friends of Edwardes Lake
Nocturnal Walk and Frog Discovery
6.00 pm - 8.30 pm
Edwardes Lake: meet at the notice board next to the wooden footbridge
Saturday 29 April 2023
Friends of Edwardes Lake
Bird Watching
6.45 am - 9.00 am
Edwardes Lake: meet at the notice board next to the wooden footbridge
Darebin Creek Management Committee
Biodiversity Discovery Walk
10.00 am – 12.00 pm
Darebin Parklands: meet at the end of Separation Street
Sunday 30 April 2023
Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary
Breakfast with the Birds
6.45 am – 9.30 am
Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary: La Trobe Avenue Bundoora, VIC 3083
Register here: Breakfast with the Birds Tickets
Friends of Darebin Creek
Biodiversity Discovery Walk
10am – 12pm
Darebin creek: meet at the end of Clarendon Street
Monday 1 May 2023
The University of Melbourne
Urban biodiversity webinar: learn how the data you collect contributes to conservation research
1.30 pm – 3.00 pm
Online
Register here: Urban biodiversity webinar tickets
While out exploring, remember …
- When visiting parks and conservation sites, please be sure to follow the rules and to be respectful of nature and of others: stay on the paths and keep your dog on a lead when indicated, and always pick up your rubbish and put it in the bin.
- Don’t disturb animals or damage plants.
- If you are going to spend a few hours in nature, make sure to be prepared: wear comfortable clothes and closed shoes, and carry water, sunscreen, a hat, snacks, and anything else you might need to keep you going for the time you are exploring.
- Make sure your phone has enough battery to take photos of your observations.
- If possible, go accompanied, or inform others about your plans.
Follow the results
Explore Greater Melbourne's results
You can also have a look at the City Nature Challenge 2022 results, where 445 cities participated, Greater Melbourne came 33rd in the world, and Darebin was the local government area in Melbourne with the most observations and species recorded!
Exciting observations!
During last year’s City Nature Challenge, White’s skink (Liopholis whitii), a species that hadn’t been recorded in Darebin in 20 years, was spotted at one of our reserves. This observation led to a collaboration between researchers and local governments to ensure this species conservation.
Photo by Garry French
After the City Nature Challenge
Keep exploring Darebin’s parks, waterways and reserves and recording your nature observations in iNaturalist!
All observations will continue to contribute to a better understanding of our natural environment and how to better protect it.