Overstrand competed with cities around the world in the City Nature Challenge, to gather the most observations about nature in an effort to help document biodiversity.
The global results of the City Nature Challenge 2023 show that over the four-day competition, the Overstrand collected a grand total of 14 190 observations. Of those observations, a total of 2 002 species have been identified, 397 of which were red-listed plants and animals in the Overstrand. This year, Overstrand boasted 397 identifiers and 191 observers.
“We placed third in Southern Africa, with eThekwini second (15 152 observations) and Cape Town first with a whopping 52 720 observations – placing them third in the world! Overall, the Overstrand is placed 31st in the world,” Sandy Immelman, one of the Overstrand Bioblitzing Facilitators, said.
Globally 1 870 763 observations were recorded by 66 394 participants with La Paz, Bolivia winning globally with 126 983 observations.
Once again Adele Scheepers Lamprecht from Betty’s Bay topped the charts in the Overstrand with The Most Observations (1 110) as well as The Most Species (395).
Immelman added that although the CNC is over, the scientists and conservationists still need the data that participants photographed – “so please continue to upload your findings on the iNaturalist app and assist with IDing where you can,” she requested.
She praised fellow Overstrand BioBlitzing facilitators Di Marais of Hermanus Botanical Society & Fernkloof Indigenous Nursery and CREW, Jenny Parsons of Pringle Bay Rewilding and CREW as well as Magriet Brink of Kleinmond Fynbos and CREW for this CNC2023 success.
In addition, Mayco Member of Investment and Infrastructure, Councillor Clinton Lerm, thanked every person who in any way had a hand in this outcome – ‘without each one of you, we would never be able to achieve the outstanding results we do.
Please encourage more people to join and explore our region in order for us to document our biodiversity and help with understanding co-existing with nature.’
He also congratulated eThekwini and Cape Town with their results. “It was indeed an exciting, adventurous four-days”.
