Guest blogger Filipa McGuinness from TVERC invites us to participate in the City Nature Challenge 2025 in Oxfordshire from Friday 25th-Monday 28th April 2025. TVERC is an incredible WISH Partnership member working to help connect people to nature in Oxfordshire.
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This April marks the exciting City Nature Challenge, a worldwide initiative that invites everyone to step into the role of a citizen scientist by exploring and documenting local wildlife.

If you have a keen eye for spotting animals, a desire to learn more about the flora and fauna in around you, or a strong commitment to nature conservation, we have some thrilling news for you! We, the Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre (TVERC) are hosting the City Nature Challenge 2025 from Friday 25th to Monday 28th in Oxfordshire. This event encourages people of all ages to observe and record wildlife in their local areas, and we need your help to make it a success!

So, what exactly is the City Nature Challenge? 

The City Nature Challenge began in 2016 as a friendly competition between Los Angeles and San Francisco, to see which city could gather the most wildlife observations in just four days. Since then, it has blossomed into an international event, organised on a global scale by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the California Academy of Sciences, with over 700 cities worldwide expected to join in 2025. Oxfordshire is thrilled to be among over 24 locations in the UK participating in this initiative. 

The Challenge encourages communities to document biodiversity through the iNaturalist app, where participants can log their observations of plants, animals, fungi, and more. This effort provides invaluable data for scientists and conservationists working to protect and understand local ecosystems. It not only generates critical information for research but also deepens our appreciation and understanding of the natural world around us.

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Why Get Involved?

Engaging in nature-related activities offers amazing benefits! Not only do you enjoy the physical perks of being active outdoors, but there’s also substantial evidence that spending time in nature enhances mental health and overall wellbeing. By taking part in the City Nature Challenge, you’ll have a wonderful chance to connect with the environment, discover local wildlife, and contribute to vital scientific research. Your observations will generate essential species data, aiding this global initiative and supporting TVERC in collecting information on Oxfordshire’s biodiversity. This data can play a crucial role in guiding conservation efforts and shaping environmental policies. Plus, it’s a delightful and educational experience for individuals, families, and groups alike!

How to Participate

Getting involved is easy! From 25th to 29th April, simply venture outdoors and capture photos of the stunning flowers, interesting plants, or captivating animals you encounter. Upload your pictures and their locations to the iNaturalist app (which is free on both iOS and Android), and just like that, you become a citizen scientist! 

One of the most exciting aspects of the Challenge is that, in addition to documenting familiar wildlife like pigeons, the app assists you in identifying new species and connects you with a community of nature enthusiasts ready to help. How often have you come across something and wondered, “What is that?” or “Check out that cool insect!”? Don’t let your curiosity stop you—embrace it! Your contributions are not only enjoyable but also meaningful and impactful. So, get out there and explore!

Tallying the Results

From 29th April to 4th May, the excitement builds as experts and fellow enthusiasts sift through the amazing data you’ve contributed. This is a wonderful opportunity to delve deeper into the findings you’ve made and to discover more about the fascinating species you’ve encountered. If you’re eager to find out how many observations have been logged, be sure to check out the City Nature Challenge 2025: Oxfordshire project page. The global results will be unveiled on Monday, 5th May.

Last Year’s Results

Reflecting on last year’s achievements, the 2024 City Nature Challenge saw participants globally make an astounding 2,436,844 observations across 65,682 species, with 83,528 individuals taking part. Oxfordshire alone contributed 3,306 observations, with TVERC’s former micro-intern, Joss Carr, earning recognition as the UK’s second top observer by recording an impressive 1,882 observations of 363 species! Joss’s achievements have set a high bar, but they also show what’s possible with passion and commitment. We hope you will make us surpass last year’s results and position Oxfordshire as a top contender in the City Nature Challenge.

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Tips for New Participants 

As we prepare for this year’s City Nature Challenge, whether you’re an experienced naturalist or just starting out, here are some helpful suggestions:

  •  Start by exploring familiar places like your garden or a nearby park to ease into the process. You can even look out for any house guests like spiders in your ceiling or bath!
  • Patience is key, as wildlife can be hard to spot; take your time and observe quietly, and you may be amazed by what you discover! 
  • Make use of the app’s features, as iNaturalist includes a handy identification tool to assist you in recognising different species. Don’t fret if you’re not an expert; the community is here to support you. 
  • Ensure your photos are clear and well-focused and remember that capturing images from various angles can aid in accurate identification. Don’t overlook the beauty of plants, as they are just as significant as animals and often make for easier photography since they tend to stay still! 
  • Lastly, prioritise your safety by being aware of your surroundings, steering clear of hazardous areas, and respecting wildlife habitats. If you can, join in with friends or family for a more enjoyable experience, as you can learn from one another along the way.

Exploring Local Wildlife Hotspots in Oxfordshire

While you can make wildlife observations anywhere outdoors, why not take this chance to discover a new location? Oxfordshire boasts some incredible spots where you can witness a variety of wildlife. Wytham Woods is renowned for its rich biodiversity, making it an excellent destination for spotting different bird species, mammals, and plants. Chimney Meadows, a BBOWT nature reserve, is teeming with wetland species, including various birds, amphibians, and insects. Lye Valley, known for its calcareous fen, hosts many unique plants, such as orchids and marsh helleborine. Lastly, the Otmoor RSPB Reserve provides diverse habitats, making it a fantastic place for birdwatching throughout the year.

You can also join us and Enstone Eco, Saturday 26th April, 2-4pm at St Kenelm’s Church in Enstone. We’ll show you how to use iNaturalist and then take you around the churchyard to try it out yourself.

Understanding the Importance of Correct License Settings 

When you upload your observations to iNaturalist, it’s essential to choose the right license settings for your photos and data. This step is vital for ensuring that your contributions can be effectively utilised in scientific research and conservation initiatives. Proper license settings facilitate data sharing, allowing researchers, conservationists, and organisations like TVERC and National Recording Schemes to access accurate information for informed decision-making. Additionally, using a Creative Commons license makes your observations publicly accessible, promoting a collaborative atmosphere where shared knowledge benefits everyone. Observations with the correct license settings are also more likely to achieve “Research Grade” status, enhancing their value for scientific studies and biodiversity databases. Watch the Bristol Natural History Consortium 1 min video on how to change your licencing settings.

Stay Connected

No matter how you decide to get involved, you’ll surely enjoy the benefits of spending time in nature. You might even stumble upon something fascinating during your adventure! Here’s a fun challenge for you: Aim to spot at least five new species on your next outing. Whether it’s a striking flower, an intriguing insect, or a rare bird, snap a picture and share it on the iNaturalist app. Let’s make this year’s City Nature Challenge the best one yet for Oxfordshire.

For further details and updates, check out our City Nature Challenge project page and visit www.citynaturechallenge.org.uk. We’ll be providing tips, resources, and information about upcoming events to ensure you get the most out of the challenge.

Oxfordshire City Nature Challenge is supported by the National Lottery Community Fund’s WISH Partnership.