University campuses across Brighton are being transformed into biodiversity monitoring sites this month as part of a global effort to record wildlife and better understand urban ecosystems.
The City Nature Challenge, running from 24 to 27 April 2026, is an international event inviting people around the world to document wildlife in their local area over four days. The information gathered helps build a clearer picture of biodiversity and supports ongoing conservation and environmental research.
Brighton & the Eastern Downs has taken part for seven years, with the initiative introduced locally by Dr Rachel White, Principal Lecturer and Course Leader of Ecology and Conservation at the University of Brighton. The project is run in partnership with the South Downs National Park Authority and The Living Coast, a UNESCO-designated biosphere covering Brighton, Lewes and surrounding areas. Participation has steadily grown, with nearly 3,000 wildlife sightings recorded locally during last year’s challenge.
This year, the University of Brighton has created dedicated monitoring zones across its Falmer, Moulsecoomb and City campuses. The move allows sightings to be tracked at campus level, providing more detailed data while still contributing to the wider regional and global dataset.
Students, staff and visitors can take part using the free iNaturalist app, recording plants, animals and fungi found on campus. Historical data will also be included, helping to build a more complete picture of biodiversity and inform future research.
Workshops led by student Biodiversity Ambassadors will take place on 24 April, showing participants how to identify species and log their findings before exploring campus grounds.
Dr Rachel White said: “The City Nature Challenge is an exciting annual global event encouraging as many people as possible to get outdoors, connect with nature, and discover and record local wildlife. Everyone can and is encouraged to take part – it’s a great opportunity to get outdoors, socialise, explore and learn about your local environment, all while contributing useful data in the form of wildlife sightings recorded on the free and easy to use iNaturalist app.”
Across the university’s campuses, species including birds, pollinators, hedgehogs and other wildlife are supported by habitat improvements, rewilding projects and ongoing conservation work as part of its wider sustainability programme.
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