City encourages residents to help record local biodiversity during four-day citizen science event
The City of Cape Town is offering free entry to its nature reserves from Friday 24 to Monday 27 October as part of the Great Southern BioBlitz.
This annual citizen-science challenge sees cities across the Southern Hemisphere compete to record the greatest diversity of local wildlife.
The four-day event encourages residents to become citizen scientists by photographing and identifying plants and animals using the iNaturalist app, contributing to a comprehensive record of Cape Town’s biodiversity.
Biodiversity
“Each year, cities across the Southern Hemisphere go head-to-head to see who can capture the widest range of plant and animal species,” said Deputy Mayor and Mayco member for spatial planning and the environment, Eddie Andrews, “and Cape Town is always in the running to lead the way.
“Once again, we’re opening our nature reserves to residents free of charge, so everyone can join in the fun of discovering and recording our city’s incredible biodiversity. I have no doubt that Cape Town will shine, and I encourage residents to bring their smartphones or cameras and help showcase the unique wildlife that makes our city so extraordinary.”
Participation is simple; residents need only download the iNaturalist app or visit the website to upload their nature observations. All sightings recorded during the challenge period will automatically count towards Cape Town’s total.
Those interested in joining the challenge or tracking Cape Town’s progress can visit the Cape Town project page on the iNaturalist website.
The City noted that while entry to nature reserves will be free during the BioBlitz period, recreational activities and other permitted services will continue to be charged at standard rates.
The Great Southern BioBlitz represents an opportunity for Cape Town residents to contribute to scientific research while exploring the city’s remarkable natural heritage.
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