Friday 28th April to Monday 1st May 2023
In 2023, 27 councils across metropolitan Melbourne are collaborating to represent Greater Melbourne and compete with cities from around the world in the 2023 City Nature Challenge.
The City Nature Challenge is an annual global citizen science event coordinated by the California Academy of Sciences and the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum, which was first run in 2016.
How to get involved
You can contribute by using iNaturalist to log photos or sound recordings of wild plants and animals you find anywhere in metropolitan Melbourne between Friday 28th of April to Monday 1st of May 2023. Start getting familiar with iNaturalist now and be ready to show the world the incredible biodiversity of Melbourne.
To learn more about how to use iNaturalist watch one of the many online webinar recordings, such as:
- A beginners guide for using iNaturalist by Thomas Mesaglio (thebeachcomber), a curator and forum moderator on iNaturalist, for GSB
- Advance tips for using iNaturalist by Thomas Mesaglio (thebeachcomber), a curator and forum moderator on iNaturalist, for GSB
- iNaturalist training webinar by ecologist Dr Luis Mata (on behalf of the 2021 City Nature Challenge collaboration).
- City Nature Challenge 2023 iNaturalist Training Webinar by Hume City Council
Citizen scientist events 2023
Councils across metropolitan Melbourne are running activities during the four days of the Challenge to help you get involved and learn more about the nature around you:
- Banyule City Council
- Boroondara City Council
- Cardinia City Council
- City of Greater Dandenong
- Darebin City Council
- Frankston City Council
- Glen Eira City Council
- Hobsons Bay City Council
- Hume City Council
- Knox City Council
- Manningham City Council
- Maroondah City Council
- Melbourne City Council
- Merri-bek City Council
- Mitchell Shire Council
- Monash City Council
- Nillumbik City Council
- Stonnington City Council
- Whitehorse City Council
- Yarra City Council
- Yarra Ranges Council
In 2023 the Greater Melbourne collaboration involves 27 councils, along with; • The Entomological Society of Victoria • Australian Citizen Science Association (Victoria chapter) • Field Naturalists Club of Victoria • Gardens for Wildlife Victoria • Hobson’s Bay Wetlands Centre • Latrobe University • Melbourne Water • University of Melbourne • Victorian Environmental Friends Network • Victorian National Parks Association • Yarra Riverkeeper Association