City Nature Challenge

From Friday 26 until Monday 29 April, people from around the world will compete to observe and record sounds and photos of wild plants and animals. Observations are uploaded to the iNaturalist app and contribute to scientific research. 

Over 500 cities around the world are collaborating to participate in the City Nature Challenge and we’re teaming up with more than 25 councils across metropolitan Melbourne to represent Greater Melbourne on the global stage in the Challenge.

To get involved, simply:

• Download and install the free iNaturalist app in your device and create an iNaturalist account
• Get out into parks, streets and backyards over the four days of the Challenge. Take photos or record sounds of wildlife, plants, insects and fungi anywhere in the City of Glen Eira.
• Share your observations via the iNaturalist app.

Watch this two-minute video on how to record nature observations with iNaturalist and see what others have spotted around Glen Eira.

Want to take a deeper dive into using iNaturalist?

• view this recording of an iNaturalist training webinar with Dr Luis Mata.
• Watch this Beginners guide to using iNaturalist, hosted by an expert from iNaturalist.
• Read this Short guide to using iNaturalist, prepared by Maroondah City Council.

Guided nature walk and talk at Elster Creek Trail and Caulfield Racecourse Reserve

Participants will have the opportunity to observe and record the sights and sounds of various flora and fauna, and upload them to the iNaturalist app to contribute to scientific research in Glen Eira.

Join award–winning naturalist and Glen Eira resident, Gio Fitzpatrick, to observe and learn more about local plants and animals in Glen Eira. Sustainability Champion Tania Splawa-Neyman will talk about the City Nature Challenge, and how photos and recordings taken during the walk and talk can be uploaded to the iNaturalist App to take part in City Nature Challenge 2024.

Don’t forget to wear walking shoes and sun protection, and please bring a water bottle!

These free guided nature walks will take place on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 April from 10.30am–12pm at Elster Creek Trail and Caulfield Racecourse Reserve.

Can’t attend the walks? No problem — you can explore nature in your own time over the four days and record and submit your observations.

Bookings

Saturday 27 April, 10.30am–12pm

Elster Creek Trail, Beech Street, Bentleigh

Sunday 28 April, 10.30am–12pm

Caulfield Racecourse Reserve, Kambrook Road, Caulfield East