{"id":1099,"date":"2026-05-14T09:49:13","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T09:49:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/sustainabilityspace\/?p=1099"},"modified":"2026-05-14T09:49:15","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T09:49:15","slug":"city-nature-challenge-its-a-wrap-but-not-really","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/sustainabilityspace\/2026\/05\/14\/city-nature-challenge-its-a-wrap-but-not-really\/","title":{"rendered":"City Nature Challenge \u2013\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0a wrap (but not really)\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Our first City Nature Challenge for Exeter\u00a0is completed and the results are in!\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/strong> cities<\/strong> took part from 61 countries across 6 continents, over 76,000 species were recorded and over 100,000 people took part!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Lichens event at Mincinglake Valley Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We were proud to make 1533<\/strong> observations<\/strong> of 507<\/strong> species<\/strong>!\u00a0Importantly, 75% of our records are \u2018research grade\u2019 which means that they will find their way into international and national biodiversity recording\u00a0databases, and\u00a0can be used by researchers and conservationists to understand and protect wildlife.\u00a0Eighty-nine\u00a0species\u00a0which had not been recorded in Exeter before were found.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Left: <\/strong>Lichens on campus event, Right:<\/strong> Moth trapping<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0We ran 22 events, with 145 attendees, with help from our partners and supporters, as well as the amazing community of people out recording and\u00a0identifying\u00a0wildlife.\u00a0This will help us log and understand our amazing urban ecosystems.\u00a0Thanks to everyone who contributed!\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the weekend is over, the nature recording goes on! Using apps like iNaturalist is\u00a0a great way\u00a0to find out more about the wildlife you see, join a community of\u00a0nature observers and identifiers, while contributing to\u00a0research and conservation.\u00a0\u00a0If anyone is keen to get involved in future events, please get in touch.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Left: <\/strong>Moth tapping, Right: <\/strong>Bat walk on campus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The City Nature Challenge <\/strong>is organized globally by the California Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. The\u00a0Exeter\u00a0City Nature Challenge\u00a0was organised\u00a0by\u00a0the University of Exeter, with help and support from the National Trust, Devon Wildlife Trust,\u00a0Devon Bat Group,\u00a0Exeter City Council, Devon Wildlife Consultants, Ecological Training UK,\u00a0Friends of\u00a0Hoopern\u00a0Valley, South West Lichen Society and the Met Office.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The local organising\u00a0dream team\u00a0was\u00a0Helen Mylne, Caitlin Williams,\u00a0Yavanna Burnham,\u00a0Grahame\u00a0Madge\u00a0and Rosalind Shaw, most of whom did this as volunteers, in their \u2018spare\u2019 time. The\u00a0UoE\u00a0Grounds Team provided support\u00a0and contributed events; the\u00a0departments of Ecology and Conservation, Geography and Biosciences\u00a0let us borrow all sorts of equipment (special thanks to Matt Witt for letting us use his camera traps!), and\u00a0Comms teams from the University and our\u00a0project partners ably spread the word. It takes a village to raise a city event!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Event:<\/strong> Finding flower visiting insects on campus.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Our first City Nature Challenge for Exeter\u00a0is completed and the results are in!\u00a0 Over the weekend of the 24th-27th April 2026, we recorded wildlife in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2295,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nCity Nature Challenge \u2013\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0a wrap (but not really)\u00a0 - Sustainability Space<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/sustainabilityspace\/2026\/05\/14\/city-nature-challenge-its-a-wrap-but-not-really\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"City Nature Challenge \u2013\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0a wrap (but not really)\u00a0 - 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