Dubai is calling all nature lovers, explorers, photographers, and families to join an extraordinary initiative — City Nature Challenge Dubai 2025!
From April 25 to April 28, Terra at Expo City Dubai proudly hosts Dubai’s participation in this prestigious global competition, connecting communities through citizen science and celebrating the rich biodiversity hidden in the heart of the city.
The City Nature Challenge is a global citizen science event, originally launched in 2015 by the California Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Today, it engages hundreds of cities worldwide to document local wildlife, promoting conservation and environmental awareness. This year, Dubai is once again ready to shine — and you can be part of it!
What is the City Nature Challenge?
The City Nature Challenge transforms everyday moments into powerful conservation efforts. Participants simply observe, photograph, and upload sightings of plants, animals, insects, and fungi to the iNaturalist app.
Every observation becomes valuable data for researchers and scientists, helping to map urban biodiversity and design better strategies for environmental protection.
Since its inception, the challenge has logged over 7 million wildlife observations from cities around the world, demonstrating how communities can contribute to science while connecting with the natural world around them.
Terra Expo City Dubai: A Hub for Sustainability and Innovation
Terra at Expo City Dubai is more than just an architectural wonder — it’s a symbol of hope for a sustainable future.
Terra is designed as an interactive platform where sustainability, innovation, and education come together to inspire real-world change.
Marjan Faraidooni, Chief of Education & Culture at Expo City Dubai, emphasized:
“Expo City Dubai was designed to be more than a place — it’s a blueprint for what a sustainable city of the future can and should be. Through initiatives like the City Nature Challenge, we are not only inviting people to reconnect with nature — we are empowering communities to become part of something bigger: a movement to protect the planet, starting right here at home.”
This commitment to sustainability makes Terra the perfect launchpad for the City Nature Challenge Dubai 2025.
Partners Making It Happen
This year’s Dubai edition is powered by a collaboration between:
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Emirates Nature-WWF
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Dubai Holding Entertainment
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Nature Wave
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Terra Expo City Dubai
Together, they aim to encourage citizens of all ages to explore and appreciate Dubai’s diverse wildlife, from its bustling parks to quiet backyard gardens.
Arabella Willing, Head of Conservation Outreach & Citizen Science at Emirates Nature-WWF, stated:
“Nature doesn’t start at the edge of a forest — it’s all around us. This initiative empowers people to become scientists in their own communities. The data collected has real-world impact.”
How You Can Participate in City Nature Challenge Dubai 2025
Getting involved is easy, fun, and rewarding:
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Download the iNaturalist App: Available on Android and iOS devices.
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Sign Up: Create a free account.
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Explore: Go outside anywhere in Dubai — parks, streets, balconies, beaches.
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Photograph Wildlife: Capture photos of any wild plants, animals, fungi, or insects.
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Upload Your Observations: Add them to the iNaturalist app between April 25 and 28.
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Help Identify Species: Between April 29 and May 4, help identify observations in the app.
Whether you’re sipping coffee on your balcony, walking through Safa Park, or lounging in your backyard, every observation counts. No special training is needed — just curiosity and a camera!
Species to Watch Out For in Dubai
Dubai’s natural world is bustling with hidden gems. Keep an eye out for:
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Purple Sunbird: Listen for their musical chirps.
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Salmon Arab Butterflies: Spot their colorful flutter among flowers.
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Sand Geckos: Watch their quick movements across sun-warmed surfaces.
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Miswak Bushes: Feel the desert breeze rustling through native shrubs.
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Arabian Red Dwarf Honeybee: A rare glimpse you might catch on the outskirts of the city.
You can download a complete guide of local species from Terra’s official website to help identify what you find!
Special Hands-on Workshop at Terra
Want some guidance before diving in?
Join Terra’s team of biodiversity experts on Friday, April 25 from 9 to 10 AM for a free hands-on introduction to the City Nature Challenge.
Learn how to use the iNaturalist app, where to find wildlife in urban settings, and tips on spotting hidden species.
Unleash Your Competitive Spirit
Dubai is aiming to climb the City Nature Challenge leaderboard, joining other global cities like Singapore, Cape Town, and Tokyo who have made impressive contributions in previous years.
The goals are simple:
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Record the most observations
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Log the most species
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Engage the most participants
Every photo you submit helps Dubai gain international recognition for its commitment to protecting urban biodiversity!
Wildlife Photography Contest
Capture the beauty of Dubai’s wildlife and win exciting prizes!
Terra is hosting a social media competition during the City Nature Challenge 2025. To enter:
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Upload your best wildlife photo captured during CNC to Instagram.
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Tag @visitterra.ae.
Winners will receive four free tickets to Terra and have the chance to feature their photograph in a future exhibition at Terra itself!
Important Dates to Remember
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Observation Window: April 25 – 28, 2025
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Uploading & Identifying Period: April 29 – May 4, 2025
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Results Announcement: May 5, 2025
Why Should You Join?
Participating in City Nature Challenge Dubai 2025 is about more than winning — it’s about:
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Discovering nature in unexpected places
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Connecting with the environment and your community
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Helping global scientists with real-world biodiversity data
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Making a difference with just a few photos
Whether you are eight or eighty, this is your chance to be part of a global movement for a greener future — one snapshot at a time.
Get Started Today
Sign up now at iNaturalist.
Download the step-by-step guide at Terra Expo City Dubai’s official website.
Let’s make Dubai’s wild side known to the world!
Final Word
City Nature Challenge Dubai 2025 invites every resident to rediscover the hidden wilderness thriving around us.
Through the simple act of observation, we can contribute to vital conservation efforts, inspire future generations, and showcase Dubai’s dedication to sustainability and biodiversity on a global platform.
Don’t miss out — join the adventure, explore the wild side, and help put Dubai on the global nature map!
