Love getting up close to nature? Then we want you.
Help us discover and document the unique animals, plants and fungi that call Melbourne home.
We’re documenting our city’s plants and wildlife as part of the City Nature Challenge, an annual global citizen science bioblitz event.
What to look out for
- Charismatic superb fairy-wrens bopping in and around Royal Park.
- Weird and wonderful fungi hidden in our parks and gardens. It’s the perfect time in autumn especially after all the rain.
- Spontaneous plants popping out from cracks in our city walls and pavements.
- Pollinator bees and butterflies hovering amongst your flowers.
- Curious birds and other wildlife poking out from tree hollows.
- Small critters hiding in leaf litter and mulch.
- Don’t forget to look out for feathers, fur, nests, scats, or listen to animal sounds to help you work out what’s hiding in your area.
How to take part
Join expert researchers, community groups, families and students to unearth our creature secrets from Friday 28 April to Monday 1 May.
We’re joining more than 20 other councils across metropolitan Melbourne along with community organisations to represent Greater Melbourne on a global stage.
Participating cities compete to see who can make the most observations, find the most species, and engage the most observers in discovering the nature that lives in and around their city.
This is the seventh citizen science bioblitz event undertaken within the City of Melbourne since 2014, and the first year we’re participating in the City Nature Challenge.
The bioblitz will provide us with a snapshot of the biodiversity in our neighbourhoods, and provide the community opportunities to help survey city biodiversity and increase connection to nature.
Get involved by recording your nature observations using iNaturalist, or joining one of our free bioblitz events led by our expert researchers, park rangers and community groups. From guided nature walks, biodiversity surveys and family-friendly activities, there is something for everyone.
To take part, sign up via Participate Melbourne.
