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Staffordshire Gears Up for global 2025 City Nature Challenge

SWT CN Harding

Staffordshire is set to take part in the third City Nature Challenge and residents are invited to join this worldwide effort in documenting local wildlife.

This annual event encourages communities to observe and record the rich biodiversity in their area, fostering a deeper connection with nature. 

The City Nature Challenge is more than just a competition; it's an opportunity to connect with nature and contribute to meaningful scientific research. It’s for avid naturalists or those simply curious about the wildlife in their area, all participation is valuable.  

The challenge takes place from 25 to 28 April. It doesn’t require any special equipment, just a mobile phone with iNaturalist installed or a camera and computer to upload records.    

In 2024, Staffordshire showcased its commitment to nature by securing third place among UK participants. Over the four-day challenge, 155 residents made nearly 10,000 observations, identifying 1,212 different species. This remarkable achievement highlighted the county's rich biodiversity and the community's dedication to environmental conservation.  

Rory Middleton, Ecological Record Manager for Staffordshire Ecological Records, says, 

“It has been exciting to see an increase in records each year. We hope even more people will take part and spend time recording the nature around them this April. Each observation, no matter how common the species, is valuable information. It’s free to take part and you don’t need to be an expert as the app can help identify species, so it’s also a great way to learn something new.” 

It’s easy to take part. From 25 to 28 April residents are encouraged to explore their local areas—be it gardens, parks, or nature reserves—and record any wild plants, animals, or fungi they encounter. Using the free iNaturalist app, participants can easily upload their findings, contributing to both local and global biodiversity databases. During the week following the challenge, wildlife experts will check and verify all the records.  

For more information on how to participate and upcoming events related to the City Nature Challenge in Staffordshire, please visit Staffordshire Wildlife Trust's website:

www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk/city-nature-challenge-staffordshire 

pendulous sedge being photographed with a mobile phone

SWT CN Harding

*Pro tip* Plants are a great place to start. They're not as elusive as birds, bugs, and mammals, and there are plenty to photograph!

Robin and blue tit on bird feeder

Robin and blue tit © Nicholas Watts

*Pro tip* Even common species are worth reporting. This helps ecologists know species population distribution (where they live, and when they are in a given place).

A sample of fox scat in the grass.

Sue Crookes

*Pro tip* You can even record signs of animals. That includes animal tracks, and...poo (like this fox scat)! The app or website will help you identify what you're seeing, and the week following the competition, photos will be verified by experts. So you don't need an expert to part. 

Editor's Notes

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, a registered charity, is the leading nature conservation body in Staffordshire. We have protected the wildlife and wild places of Staffordshire since 1969. We carry out conservation projects all over the county to protect and restore our special landscapes and wildlife. Our vision is to create a Staffordshire where nature thrives and inspires. 

Working with partners and communities is a key part of our work to improve the wider landscape to make it a better place for wildlife. Bringing people and wildlife together in harmony is critical. We educate people on wildlife and create opportunities for people to get close to nature and feel inspired by their local wild places. Offering volunteering, educational and activities is a big part of our work. 

Staffordshire Ecological Records, is the county’s recording office for ecological records. Originally established as the Staffordshire Biological Records Centre in 1974 as a project within the City Museum and Art Gallery, it is now hosted by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust at their office in The Wolseley Centre, near Stafford. 
staffs-ecology.org.uk/ 
info@staffs-ecology.org.uk 

The City Nature Challenge, started in 2016 as a competition between Los Angeles and San Francisco, the City Nature Challenge (CNC) has grown into an international event, motivating people around the world to find and document wildlife in their own cities. Run by the Community Science teams at the California Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM), the CNC is an annual four-day global bioblitz at the end of April, where cities are in a collaboration-meets-friendly-competition to see what can be accomplished when we all work toward a common goal. 
www.citynaturechallenge.org/ 

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