The City Nature Challenge is less than three weeks away and the City of Cape Town is calling on all Capetonians to register on the iNaturalist app and to participate in the challenge over the long weekend between 30 April 2022 and 2 May 2022.
In the spirit of embracing the last of Cape Town’s good weather, residents are encouraged to gather their friends and family to explore Cape Town’s natural beauty while participating in the challenge.
The City Nature Challenge is about finding all the wildlife in a city. All that is required of residents when making an observation is to take a photo and upload it onto the iNaturalist app. Experts will then help to identify the fauna or flora.
Cape Town is competing with various international cities to record the most observations of local plant and animal species.
- ‘Capetonians contributed over 71 000 observations during the 2021 challenge, achieving the most observations internationally. Cape Town participants were able to record an impressive 4 779 species last year. The Mother City has been the winner of at least two categories for the past few years, a title we are extremely keen to defend,’ said Alderman Andrews.
Participants who make the most observations or capture the most species will win various prizes, which include accommodation from CapeNature and SANParks. Spot prizes will also be available for anyone who participates.
Residents in Cape Town are spoilt for choice with an array of nature reserves and conservation areas right on their doorstep. Guided tours at coastal and inland protected areas across the city have been arranged. Here participants will have the opportunity to capture an array of species ranging from reptiles to birds and Fynbos to marine life.
Alderman Eddie Andrews & Tshepo Mamabolo
Alderman Eddie Andrews, the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, recently visited the Tygerberg Nature Reserve, one of the City’s managed reserves, to explore the plant and animal life in this region of Cape Town.
‘I went out to our Tygerberg Nature Reserve recently and was once again reminded of just how privileged we are to be surrounded by natural beauty across our city. Each region has its own nature reserves and conservation areas that are so beautifully looked after for us to enjoy. I want residents to use this upcoming City Nature Challenge as an opportunity to get out to one of the reserves, or even just to take a walk in their neighbourhood. There is so much life to capture, plants and animals we would not have noticed otherwise, and the best part is, we get to make some memories while exploring new places,’ said Alderman Andrews.
Residents are to note the following information about conservation areas around Cape Town:
- • City of Cape Town reserves will be open to the public free of charge on the four days. For a list of all of the City’s reserves and details about their location, facilities and attractions, Visit:and visit Cape Town Green Map
- Cape Point will be open free of charge to registered participants of City Nature Challenge events only
Below is a list of planned walks that will take place during the challenge at various conservation areas across Cape Town
• Tokai Park Night Walk: 29 April
• Kenilworth Racecource Conservation Area Bioblitz: 29 and 30 April
• Penhill Conservation Area: 29 April
• Majik Forest conservation Area: 30 April
• Jack Muller Park: 30 April
• Die Oog Conservation Area: 1 May
• Meadowridge Conservation Area: 1 May
• Hout Bay River – Lower: 2 May
• Merpeople bioblitz: 30 April to 2 May
• The Beach Co-op New Moon Cleanup and Bioblitz: 30 April
• Smitswinkel Bay marine life: 1 May
• Smitswinkel Bay marine life: 2 May
• Table Mountain National Park guided walks: 29 April and 30 April
• Vesuvius Way Conservation Area: 29 April
• Macassar East Conservation Area: 29 April
• Wolfgat Nature Reserve: 29 April
• Tygerberg Nature Reserve City Nature Challege Night Walk: 29 April
• Bothasig Bioblitz: 30 April
• Van Schoorsdrif Night Walk: 1 May
• Arriesfontein Night walk: 2 May
• Table Bay Nature Reserve Public bioblitz: 30 April
• Blaauwberg Nature Reserve Public bioblitz: 30 April
• Bracken Nature Reserve Bioblitz: 30 April
• Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve: 30 April
Residents can access a complete list of walks open to the public at Planned Events for 2022 · iNaturalist and are advised to confirm event details closer to the time.
Schools, universities and social groups are encouraged to use this as an opportunity to facilitate, manage and support student outdoor learning and exploration in schoolyards, nearby parks or other green spaces.
WHAT: City Nature Challenge
INFO: Video available here | Eleanor Hutchings E Eleanor.Hutchings@capetown.gov.za | Tny Rebelo E t.rebelo@sanbi.org.za | Visit
PHOTO: Alderman Eddie Andrews accompanied by Tshepo Mamabolo, the Biodiversity Area Coordinator at the Tygerberg Nature Reserve, on a morning walk through the reserve.
See also Cape Town Green Map
