Our theme: "𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀, 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆”

This year the City Nature Challenge will focus more on getting people into nature than on the actual City Nature Challenge itself.

We want people to rediscover nature. To discover the city's open spaces and nature reserves. To get outdoors and - as far as Covid19 will allow - explore nature with our families and friends.
Go for a walk
Take a picnic
Go out and enjoy the sunshine and rain and water
With your friends and family.

To this end, the following places will automatically be tallying our adventures and excursions:

• Nature Reserves: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/nature-reserves-parks-of-cape-town
• Tidal Pools: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/cape-town-tidal-pools
• Wetlands: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/wetlands-of-cape-town

So which are the areas nearest you? Why not visit a few of them and see what they are like. What plants and animals and mushrooms occur in them?

There is an adventure on your doorstep: take a friend and go explore!

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At home, why not try some of these projects:

• Ants: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/ant-atlas-of-cape-town (pests and friends: record them all - you should have at least 3 species in your home and garden: who has the most?)
• Chameleons: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/chameleons-of-cape-town-atlas (there is at least one in your garden!)
• Rain Frogs: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/rainfrogs-of-cape-town (explore observations with sounds!)
• Alien Invasives devastating our trees: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/polyphagous-shothole-borer-beetle-pshb-atlas-s-afr (help us control this scourge: remember to record healthy trees as well)

And if you belong to any school or society, please join the projects and add them to your observations:

• Schools https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/cape-town-school-nature-challenge (yes - you are allowed to have fun in the holidays!)
• Scouts https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/scouts-south-africa (not a Scout? Why not join soon?)

And if you are looking for things to do at home: then may of the lockdown activities will be fun.
Like attracting birds and butterflies and bees, picnics, moth blankets, nighttime safaris, and other options:

• https://www.inaturalist.org/posts/32290-bioblitzing-your-home-and-garden

So introduce your friends to our nature reserves. Entry for the City Nature Challenge is free, so make use of the opportunity and get out there.

Posted on April 28, 2021 08:33 AM by tonyrebelo