Calling all nature lovers, help Knox compete with cities from around the world to capture and upload photographs of local wild plants and animals in the 2025 City Nature Challenge from Friday 25th April to Monday 28th April. Let's show the world how incredible the biodiversity of Melbourne is.
What is the City Nature Challenge?
The City Nature Challenge is an annual global event that celebrates local wildlife and flora through citizen science. The event is coordinated by the California Academy of Sciences and the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum and was first run in 2016.
During the 4-day challenge snap a photo or record the sound of any wild plant or animal and upload it to the iNaturalist app. Make sure to include the location details too. At the end of the Challenge, the city with the most observations wins.
This challenge provides a fun and collaborative opportunity to participate in friendly competition and learn about local biodiversity.
Click here to follow how Greater Melbourne is tracking against the rest of the world:
City Nature Challenge 2025: Global Project · iNaturalist
Click here to follow how Knox is contributing to the Greater Melbourne project:
City Nature Challenge 2025: Greater Melbourne umbrella · iNaturalist
How to participate
- Download the free iNaturalist app from Apple store or Google Play or access it using the website.
- Create a free iNaturalist account.
- Look out for wild plants and animals to photograph in your local bushland reserves and parks during the observation period
- Upload your photographs or sound recordings to the app. You can do this anytime of the year and don't have to wait for the challenge to commence.
For more information on how to make an observation on your phone, check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xENz1xRu0wI
There are plenty of events running over the Challenge weekend that you can participate in to help increase your chances of making some unique and interesting discoveries:
Moth lighting and Spider discovery
When: Friday 25 April, 6.30 pm - 9 pm
Where: Blind Creek Billabong. On the bike path across from Jacobus Walk, Ferntree Gully VIC 3156
Details: Discover some of the most fascinating nocturnal inhabitants of Knox! Join experts from the Entomological Society of Victoria and learn about the moth light-trapping observation method, a safe and easy way to observe moths, insects and spiders up close. This event is delivered by Friends of Blind Creek Billabong the with support of Knox City Council.
Book now: https://www.stickytickets.com.au/17DSG
Nature Discovery Walk
When: Saturday 26 April 11am - 1 pm
Where: Bateman St Bushland, Wantirna
Details: Join Friends of Bateman St to discover the unrivalled beauty and diversity of Batemans St reserve. Help us record and monitor species to assist volunteers with ongoing monitoring of species movement. This event is delivered by Friends of Bateman St Bushland the with support of Knox City Council.
Book now: https://www.stickytickets.com.au/2GRME
Fungi exploration
When: Sunday 27 April, 11am - 1 pm
Where: Gilmour Park, Upper Ferntree Gully
Details: Join mycologist Ema Corro MYCOmmunity to explore the mysterious world of mushroom amongst the bushland along Ferny Creek in Upper Ferntree Gully. This event is by Friends of the Glenfern Green Wedge the with support of Knox City Council.
Book now: https://www.stickytickets.com.au/S6HA6
