City Nature Challenge is an annual event which aims to get people out and into their local open and green spaces.
Taking place from 26 – 29 April, the challenge is a friendly competition between 100s of cities, regions and countries to see who can get the most people making recordings and observations of species.
Coventry is taking part in the challenge for the fourth year with the hopes of encouraging more residents to take part, get active and record species across the city.
The more people who participate, the more records will be gathered which will create a map of different plant and animal species across Coventry.
The challenge will allow organisations including Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and Canal & Rivers Trust to better understand the biodiversity in our city and region.
The City Nature Challenge is not only about getting out into local green spaces – it’s also good for physical and mental wellbeing and it encourages people to take notice of the wildlife on their doorstep.
Cllr David Welsh, Cabinet Member for Housing and communities, said: “I’m delighted we are taking part in the City Nature Challenge. This is a brilliant initiative that anyone in Coventry can take part in and enjoy for free.
“There are no limits to where residents can carry out their searches or expeditions to find existing and endangered species. And every person who takes part is supporting biodiversity recording in Coventry.
“We’re hosting a mixture of free online training and park events related to the challenge to enable as many people as possible to get involved. It’s really easy to take part. All you need to do is download the iNaturalist app and get uploading your finds.
“Last year we came tenth out of all UK cities so I really look forward to seeing where we place this year.”
As a result of the challenge globally, many endangered species have been located and supported. A new species ‘Lathys Humilis’ has been recorded for the first time in Ukraine. Another species, the ‘Alder Leaf Beetle’, was extinct in the UK until 2003 but is making a comeback after being reintroduced and spotted during the City Nature Challenge.
Councillor Gavin Lloyd, deputy cabinet member city services said, “We know how valuable our green spaces are for health and well-being, how valued they are by local people and also of course for the habitats they provide for wildlife.
“I hope lots of people and families will get out about next month, support the nature challenge and find out a bit more about nature right here in Coventry.”
The first Challenge event is taking place on 27 April. Stay up to date on Coventry City Council’s social media channels where more free in person and online activities will be published soon. Events will be helped in a range of parks and open spaces including Lake View Park, Charterhouse, Egdwick Park, Wyken Slough and Coundon Wedge.
Check out where people found species across Coventry in 2023 online.