Dubai is urging residents to stop and see the wildlife. Between April 24 and 27, the city will be taking part in the Global City Nature Challenge, a global project that invites individuals to record the plants and animals residing in their environment. The Dubai leader in the event is Terra at Expo City Dubai, which is encouraging its inhabitants, of all ages, to capture images of the wildlife and share them using the iNaturalist app.
Dubai Welcomes Inhabitants To Observe Wildlife In Global City Nature Challenge
The idea is simple. Name a bird, a bug, a flower or a lizard. Take a photo. Upload it. The observation alone can assist scientists in having a clearer perspective of urban space biodiversity.
Dubai is the city of highways and skyscrapers, as most people would imagine. But wildlife silently inhabits the parks, beaches, deserts and even residential streets.
In the previous year, the participants made over 1,300 observations in a mere four days. Some of the sightings were purple sunbirds, sand geckos, damselflies, scorpions and salmon Arab butterflies.
According to Marjan Faraidooni, the Chief of Education and Culture in Expo City Dubai, cities are not made up of living ecosystems but buildings. The challenge makes people pay attention to the natural life that could be present in the everyday urban routine.
Free Nature Walks, Festival Activities
Terra will also offer free expert-led walks around the city to residents who want to get an informed tour of the city. These are early morning walks in Mushrif Park and night desert observation walks.
According to the press release, Terra will also host the Nature and Wonder: City Nature Challenge Festival. The event taking place on April 25 and 26, will include biodiversity walks and workshops, talks, film screenings, and an eco-market dedicated to nature and sustainability education.
They will sell tickets at AED 50, and children who are below three years old can enter for free.
Other programme partners, such as Fujifilm and Emirates Nature-WWF, are also contributing to the challenge this year by providing photography activities and guided tours.
Also Read: Expo City Dubai’s Terra Unveils 1-Year Nature Membership With Workshops, Expert Sessions & More
A Local Impact Global Movement
The City Nature Challenge, initially held in 2015, is currently linked with hundreds of cities around the globe. The project has produced millions of wildlife observations that help in scientific research and conservation efforts.
It brings something easier to the people of Dubai as well, something to get them to stop and take a closer look at the living world they are in.
Cover Image Courtesy: Supplied
FAQs
What is the City Nature Challenge?
It is a global event where people record local wildlife observations to support biodiversity research.