Imagine, a crisp spring morning, stepping out into the wilderness, feeling the first sun. Birds chattering in the trees, the sweet smell of damp earth and the gentle hum of a bumblebee floating around like it owns the place. There is no better or more meaningful opportunity to envelop yourself in these wondrous moments than the City Nature Challenge.
If you're looking for an engaging way to enjoy the great sights of early spring, then look no further – the City Nature Challenge is back, and it’s the perfect excuse to head outdoors together, ditch the sofa and video games and see what excitement lies at just a stone's throw from your doorstep.
Locally hosted by Staffordshire Ecological Records and supported by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, the City Nature Challenge is part of a worldwide event encouraging people of all ages to record the wild plants, animals, birds, and insects living around them. And the best part? You don’t need to be an expert naturalist or own any fancy equipment – just a phone, a smidge of curiosity, and desire to learn a thing or two.
What’s it all about?
From 25 to 28 April, families across Staffordshire will have the chance to dive head-first into nature, to discover as much urban wildlife as possible. Whether you're spotting bees buzzing in your garden, frogs hopping around the pond, or mushrooms nestled in the park, every single sighting counts. It’s like a giant nature-themed scavenger hunt – and anyone can join in!
Last year, Staffordshire’s community of brilliant and dedicated naturalists made their mark, ranking an impressive 3rd in the UK and recording nearly 10,000 wildlife sightings, all the way from peregrine falcons to tiny woodlice. This year, could it be you that takes on the challenge to help Staffordshire come top of the leader boards?
Why give it a go?
Spending quality time together outdoors
Let’s face it – it’s not always easy finding the time to get together and once you do find it, you want to make sure you're doing something that everyone can enjoy. It's a great excuse to get together, grab those coats, pack some snacks, and head to your local park or even just explore your street.
Engage your brains, together
You don’t need to know your dandelions from your daisies. Part of the fun is learning as you go. The app and online community help identify what you’ve found, so it becomes a shared learning experience. Give your children the power of recognition and watch their confidence in the world around them grow, as they share their excitement about their knowledge with those around them.
Be a Wildlife Superhero
Every observation goes into a global database that scientists and conservationists use to monitor biodiversity and make decisions that protect wildlife. That means your family’s tiny discoveries could have a big impact. How cool is that?
Most importantly, How to join in:
Step 1: Download the iNaturalist app (it’s free!)
Step 2: Head outdoors anytime from April 25–28 and snap photos of any wild plants, animals, bugs, or fungi you find.
Step 3: Upload your photos to the app. Boom – you’ve just contributed to a worldwide science project!
After the weekend, you can even help identify what others have found during the identification phase (29 April – 5 May), or just check back in to see what species were spotted in your area.
In a world full of distractions and digital noise, the City Nature Challenge is a breath of fresh air – literally. It’s a chance to pause, notice, and appreciate the wild and wonderful life around us.
So come on – let’s show the world what Staffordshire has got. Pop on your wellies, charge up your phones, and get ready to discover nature right on your doorstep.
See you out there, explorers!
