GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - You can help record and expand the record of the biodiversity in the Garden Route by participating in the global City Nature Challenge 2020 (CNC2020 GR) in April. Your photo may just be the one to put the Garden Route in first place! 

The Garden Route District municipal area will participate in this annual competition and invites all residents to participate and help record any biodiversity within the region.

Last year, Cape Town beat 158 cities across the world with the most observations and species. Cape Town has already set their targets for this year: Obervations: 555 000, Species: 4 000, Observers: 2 500.

The application to include the Garden Route District Municipality in the competition was made by Colin Ralston, under the banner of the Garden Route Botanical Garden in George. The core committee from the Garden Route includes, among others, representatives from Wessa, the Botanical Society of South Africa, Outramps Crew, and Knysna Basin Project.

iNaturalist
The information gathered has to be uploaded via the iNaturalist phone app or desktop version, which is the vehicle used in South Africa for the competition. iNaturalist is a social network where anyone can record the biodiversity of their area, access identification and expertise, and interact with like-minded individuals. 

iNaturalist is a joint initiative of the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society.

"The public is invited to become involved in this fun event. Wessa will make more details available at a later stage, but interested persons can register now. Lots of volunteers are needed. Please come forward to help make a success of this event. Volunteer your expertise and time," says Christine Ridge-Schnaufer, Wessa Garden Route honorary secretary.

Call her on 044 873 4203 or send an e-mail to wessageorge@isat.co.za.

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