Our first City Nature Challenge for Exeter is completed and the results are in!
Over the weekend of the 24th-27th April 2026, we recorded wildlife in our beautiful city, contributing to one of the biggest community science events in the world. A total of 754 cities took part from 61 countries across 6 continents, over 76,000 species were recorded and over 100,000 people took part!
We were proud to make 1533 observations of 507 species! Importantly, 75% of our records are ‘research grade’ which means that they will find their way into international and national biodiversity recording databases, and can be used by researchers and conservationists to understand and protect wildlife. Eighty-nine species which had not been recorded in Exeter before were found.
We ran 22 events, with 145 attendees, with help from our partners and supporters, as well as the amazing community of people out recording and identifying wildlife. This will help us log and understand our amazing urban ecosystems. Thanks to everyone who contributed!
One of the highlights was the shelled slug, a surprisingly yellow creature rarely seen, as it lives underground eating earthworms. Of the more charismatic species, linnets were recorded, a find that has not made it onto iNaturalist before.
Although the weekend is over, the nature recording goes on! Using apps like iNaturalist is a great way to find out more about the wildlife you see, join a community of nature observers and identifiers, while contributing to research and conservation. If anyone is keen to get involved in future events, please get in touch.
The City Nature Challenge is organized globally by the California Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. The Exeter City Nature Challenge was organised by the University of Exeter, with help and support from the National Trust, Devon Wildlife Trust, Devon Bat Group, Exeter City Council, Devon Wildlife Consultants, Ecological Training UK, Friends of Hoopern Valley, South West Lichen Society and the Met Office.
The local organising dream team was Helen Mylne, Caitlin Williams, Yavanna Burnham, Grahame Madge and Rosalind Shaw, most of whom did this as volunteers, in their ‘spare’ time. The UoE Grounds Team provided support and contributed events; the departments of Ecology and Conservation, Geography and Biosciences let us borrow all sorts of equipment (special thanks to Matt Witt for letting us use his camera traps!), and Comms teams from the University and our project partners ably spread the word. It takes a village to raise a city event!
