This year ALFAwetlands will again join City Nature Challenge initiative as an important citizens engagement activity. This will support understanding of wetlands importance and biodiversity benefits by involving the public in data collection and awareness initiatives.
The City Nature Challenge (CNC) is an annual global community science event that encourages individuals worldwide to document urban biodiversity. Participants photograph plants, animals, and fungi in their local areas, contributing valuable data to scientists and conservationists aiming to understand and protect nature better. This initiative is primarily facilitated through the iNaturalist platform, a joint project of the California Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, which allows users to upload and identify observations of living organisms.
Please also read: ALFAwetlands joins iNaturalist
ALFAwetlands’ Participation in CNC
In 2024, the ALFAwetlands project joined the CNC through the iNaturalist platform, marking a significant step in integrating wetland conservation efforts with citizens engagement biodiversity initiatives. The ALFAwetlands project focuses on enhancing the understanding and management of wetland ecosystems across Europe. Our involvement in the CNC underscores the importance of wetlands for citizens and research.
The 2024 participation featured the Austrian-Hungarian Living Lab, one of ALFAwetlands’ research sites. The event garnered substantial public interest, resulting in numerous valuable observations that contributed to both local and global biodiversity records.
Most observed species are:
- Greylag Goose with 986 observations
- Common Reed with 554 observations
- Western Marsh Harrier with 550 observations
- Eurasian Kestrel with 544 observations
- Northern Lapwing with 537 observations.
Expansion of Additional Living Labs in 2025
Building on the success of 2024, ALFAwetlands plans to expand its participation in the 2025 CNC, scheduled from April 25 to April 28, 2025. This expansion includes two additional Living Labs´ sites:
These sites will join the Austrain-Hungarian Living Lab in hosting the CNC for the first time, reflecting ALFAwetlands’ commitment to engaging diverse communities in wetland conservation efforts and biodiveristy monitoring.
Significance of the City Nature Challenge
The CNC serves multiple purposes:
- Public Engagement: Encourages community involvement in scientific research, fostering a deeper connection to local environments.
- Data Collection: Generates extensive biodiversity data that scientists and policymakers can use to inform conservation strategies.
- Education: Raises awareness about urban biodiversity and the importance of preserving natural habitats within city landscapes.
By participating in the CNC, ALFAwetlands not only contributes to global biodiversity data but also emphasizes the critical role of wetlands as valuable ecosystems. This collaboration highlights the synergy between community science initiatives and specialized conservation projects and research, ultimately promoting a more comprehensive understanding of our natural world.
How to Get Involved
Individuals interested in participating can join the CNC by:
- Joining iNaturalist: Create an account on the iNaturalist platform.
- Making Observations: During the CNC dates, photograph and upload observations of wild plants, animals, or fungi in your area.
- Engaging with the Community: Assist in identifying species observed by others and learn from the community’s expertise.
For more information on ALFAwetlands’ participation and specific events please visit Austrain-Hungarian,Rampillon, and Tarragona Living Labs sites iNaturalist CNC-2025 events.
By joining the CNC, you contribute to a global effort to document and protect biodiversity, playing a vital role in conservation science.
This post was prepared by Vlado Vancura, European Wilderness Society expert.