NATURE lovers in Coventry and Warwickshire are being invited to help record local wildlife this weekend.
The global City Nature Challenge, which runs from Friday (April 24) to Monday (April 27), invites people across the region to use smartphones to record the wild plants, animals, and fungi living on their doorsteps.
All records will be added to the Warwickshire Biological Record Centre to support the understanding and management of local natural heritage and biodiversity.
Mark Ryder, Warwickshire County Council’s Executive Director for Communities, said: “To protect and enhance this environment, we need to understand exactly what wildlife is thriving on our doorsteps.
“Whether you are exploring one of our country parks, walking along a local waterway, or simply stepping into your own garden, every single observation helps build a vital snapshot of our local ecosystem.”
The following programme of free, guided public events is taking place over the weekend:
- Wyken Croft Nature Park, Coventry (Friday April 24, 10am-12pm): Public BioBlitz – https://tinyurl.com/2cn5c3k8
- Charterhouse, Coventry (Friday April 24, 3pm–5pm): Family-friendly biological recording session – https://tinyurl.com/zfhh76a2
- Charterhouse, Coventry (Friday April 24, 8-9:30pm): Guided bat walk – https://tinyurl.com/463t952b
- Longford Park, Coventry (Saturday April 25, 10am–2pm): Drop-in BioBlitz – https://tinyurl.com/38v9x368
- Ryton Pools Country Park (Saturday April 25, 10am–3pm): Public BioBlitz – https://bit.ly/RytonPoolsBioblitz
- Kenilworth Abbey Fields (Sunday April 26, 10am-3pm): Public Bioblitz and nature walks – https://tinyurl.com/yc8p6499
- Coundon Wedge and Whitley (Weekend Events): Expert-led guided flora and fauna walks exploring local green spaces – https://tinyurl.com/zfhh76a2
- Warwickshire Churchyards (Various Dates/Locations): Community nature surveys across historical churchyards, including Old Milverton (https://tinyurl.com/4ce9mdjp) and Salford Priors (https://tinyurl.com/3bw2xefu)
To participate, download the free iNaturalist app via www.inaturalist.org and explore outside between April 24–27, photographing any wild plants, animals, or fungi. Visit www.citynaturechallenge.org for more information.
