All in-person CNC events in the Brighton & Lewes Downs Biosphere have been cancelled but the project is going ahead - read on... 

City Nature Challenge

The Brighton & Lewes Downs Biosphere (The Living Coast) is taking part in a worldwide effort to find and record local wildlife between the 24th and 27th April 2020. Help us to showcase the amazing nature we have within The Living Coast, right on your doorstep.

How are we adapting the City Nature Challenge (CNC) in light of COVID-19? 

Worldwide, to ensure the safety and health of all participants, this year’s CNC is no longer a competition. Instead, we want to embrace the collaborative aspect of sharing observations online with a digital community, and celebrating the health and wellbeing benefits of connecting with nature as people document their local biodiversity to the best of their ability. https://citynaturechallenge.org/covid19/ 

All in-person CNC events in the Brighton & Lewes Downs Biosphere have been cancelled. Alternatives to in-person events:

  • At home / personal green space (e.g. garden, allotment, yard, balcony)

    • What wildlife can people find at home? 

    • Encourage people to put up moth lights or put down cover boards at their houses to help bring nature to them!

    • What are the wild plants growing in your garden?

    • What birds can you see? 

    • Set up a camera trap if you have one. 

    • What insects or other creatures are using the plants in your space as habitat or a food source?

  • Indoors 

    • What can you see through your windows? 

    • Focus on identifications! Can you go through ALL the iNaturalist observations (not just CNC!) that have already been made within The Living Coast but aren’t research grade yet?

    • During April 28 - May 3, hold virtual ID parties!

About the City Nature Challenge

April 2020 is the 5th anniversary of the City Nature Challenge and the 50th anniversary of Earth Day! Join us as we celebrate the nature in and around urban areas by documenting the species we can find! Which city on Earth has the most nature and the most engaged residents? See the full list of cities here. Your observations count towards local, national and international efforts to learn about and protect our regions' amazing wildlife. The Challenge is expanding year upon year. Last year, worldwide, more than 35,000 people participated and over 960,000 observations were made, comprising 31,000 different species. The City Nature Challenge is organised and coordinated by the citizen science teams at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the California Academy of Sciences.

The City Nature Challenge (Brighton & Lewes Downs Biosphere) is being led by the University of Brighton and University of Sussex in partnership with The Living Coast, and as part of the wider celebration of the Biosphere – Nature 2020.

Get involved

When is the 2020 City Nature Challenge happening?

  • Fri April 24th - Mon April 27th = observation period

  • Fri April 24th - Sun May 3rd = identification period

  • Mon May 4th = results announced (where we will discover which locations achieved the most observations, most species identified, and/or most people involved. 

Who can take part?

Anyone who lives within the Biosphere can participate in the City Nature Challenge – experienced naturalist or curious beginner. 

How to take part

  • Sign-up for an iNaturalist account and download the iNaturalist App for free, here 

  • Take photos of any wildlife you discover at home, whether that's in an urban area, the countryside or the coast. It can be any wild plant, animal, fungi, slime mould, or any other evidence of life (scat, fur, tracks, shells, carcasses!). Here is a reminder of .

  • Share your observations on your iNaturalist account. Don't worry if you are not sure of the name of what you've found, experts online will be able to give their opinion!

  • You could record observations from your back garden, yard, balcony or through your window. 

CITY NATURE CHALLENGE

Resources

 SOCIAL MEDIA: @citnatchallenge (use #CityNatureChallenge as the hashtag) @LivingCoastUK  @2020Nature 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:  

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