Ever spotted a sand gecko on your windowsill and wondered what it was? Or heard the flutter of tiny wings in a roadside bush and wished you knew what bird it came from? This month, you’ve got the perfect excuse to stop, snap and science it.
From April 25 to 28, Dubai is joining cities across the globe for the City Nature Challenge, a citizen science adventure that invites everyone – yes, even you in your pyjamas on the balcony – to take part in a massive, international nature count.
Hosted by Terra at Expo City Dubai, in collaboration with Emirates Nature–WWF, Dubai Holding Entertainment, and Nature Wave, this four-day event is about more than just taking pretty pictures of butterflies (although, honestly, who could say no to a salmon Arab in full flutter?). It’s part of a global effort to better understand and protect urban biodiversity, the hidden ecosystems right under our noses.
How does the City Nature Challenge work?
It’s simple…
- Download the iNaturalist app
- Snap photos of any wild plant, animal or fungus you see (no need to hike into the wilderness — your balcony, park, or street corner counts)
- Upload your sightings between April 25–28
From there, real scientists use the data to monitor species, track ecosystems, and figure out how to protect our wild neighbours better. You don’t need a nature degree (or even hiking boots) to take part. Whether you’re snapping a sunbird on your school run or spotting geckos outside your building, every observation helps scientists better understand the wildlife living right here in our cities. And with urban areas expanding fast, that kind of real-time data is more valuable than ever.
Plus, there’s a little friendly competition in the mix. Cities around the world are vying for the most sightings, species, and participants. Dubai’s hoping to show off its hidden biodiversity, and with a prize for the best wildlife photo shared on Instagram, there’s every reason to get involved. Tag @visitterra.ae to enter and you could win tickets to Terra and a feature in their upcoming exhibition.
Need help getting started? Join the free expert-led walk at Terra on Friday, April 25 from 9–10am for tips and tricks on spotting urban wildlife.
For more details, visit:
🌐 terra.expocitydubai.com/en/poi/city-nature-challenge
📲 Download iNaturalist to get started
So go on, get outside, get curious, and help put Dubai on the global biodiversity map.
