Capetonians, it’s that time again – time to defend and explore your beautiful city and all that it has to offer.
From next Friday, Cape Town residents are invited to gather their friends and family to explore Cape Town’s natural beauty between 29 April – 2nd May and participate in the City Nature Challenge.
The challenge is about finding all the wildlife in a city, from starlings on rooftops and along the road, to wild flowers growing in local parks. Cape Town residents are spoilt for choice with an array of nature reserves and conservation areas right on their doorstep.
The City’s deputy mayoral committee member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews, visited one of the City’s managed reserves, Tygerberg Nature Reserve, to explore the plant and animal life in this region.
He urged residents to use this upcoming City Nature Challenge as an opportunity to go out to one of the reserves, or even just to take a walk in their neighbourhood. “There is so much life to capture, plants and animals we would not have noticed otherwise, and the best part is, we get to make some memories while exploring new places,” he said.
He added that he went out to the Tygerberg Nature Reserve and was once again reminded of just how privileged the city is to be surrounded by natural beauty across the city. “Each region has its own nature reserves and conservation areas that are so beautifully looked after for us to enjoy,” he said.
Participants who make the most observations or capture the most species will win various prizes, which include accommodation from CapeNature and SANParks. Spot prizes will also be available for anyone who participates.
Residents can access a complete list of walks open to the public via the iNaturalist website here.
Educational institutions and social groups are encouraged to use this as an opportunity to facilitate, manage and support student outdoor learning and exploration in schoolyards, nearby parks or other green spaces.
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Picture: Pixabay