Dubai residents are being invited to have their mobile phones at the ready to join an international effort to document urban wildlife and deepen understanding of biodiversity.
The annual City Nature Challenge got under way on Friday, with nature-lovers from hundreds of cities invited to photograph and record wild plants, animals and fungi using the iNaturalist app.
Dubai's debut in the major conservation campaign, which runs until April 28, was announced at Expo City Dubai and is being led by the Terra Pavilion in collaboration with Emirates Nature-WWF. The data will feed into an international database used by scientists and conservationists to track species.
"The City Nature Challenge is present in over 650 cities, and it's the very first time that Dubai is participating," said Sheena Khan, head of environment programmes for education and culture at Expo City Dubai. Cities such as Singapore, Cape Town and Tokyo have secured their spots on the leaderboard in previous years. The aim is to log the highest number of observations, species and participants – turning a simple walk into a step towards global recognition.
"We are expecting globally to have over three million observations or data points collected and over 100,000 citizen scientists – so people like you and I – participating to engage and notice nature." The target for Dubai is 5,000 new research-grade observations on iNaturalist.
No experience needed – just a phone and curiosity
At heart, the challenges are about making conservation accessible. Citizen science, Ms Khan says, is a simple but powerful way for members of the public, regardless of age or occupation, to contribute to conservation by cataloguing and collecting their observations. "It can be flora, fauna or fungi," she explained.
"You don't need to know what it is," Ms Khan told The National. "The technology behind the application can help identify what it is, and then on the back end, there's a bunch of scientists that are verifying that data." Participants can join from anywhere – be it a park, balcony or backyard – and simply start snapping.
"One of the best techniques, I find, is to sit on a bench and let the nature come to you. So sit back and spend time just peacefully in nature," said Phillip Dunn, senior manager for sustainability, education and culture at Expo City Dubai. "Take pictures of it, upload it. And that's part of the science."
Urban nature in focus
Dubai's urban environment may seem unlikely terrain for wildlife, but Mr Dunn explained that arid cities are their own kind of ecosystem. "Arid cities are a different animal, right? A different creature altogether … because in many ways, they are creating some nature that wasn't there before."
On Friday morning, Terra kicked off the four-day event with a guided "bioblitz" around the Expo site, encouraging residents to begin documenting native flora and fauna. Among the finds: butterflies, pollinators, the purple sunbird, paper wasps and Arabian red dwarf honeybees.
“Nature doesn’t start at the edge of a forest – it’s all around us,” added Arabella Willing, head of conservation outreach and citizen science from Emirates Nature-WWF. “This initiative empowers people to become scientists in their own communities. The data collected has real-world impact.”
Data that shapes cities and global science
The biodiversity data collected is open-source and contributes to global conservation efforts, including the IUCN Red List of threatened species.
"When a scientist sits down to do an IUCN assessment, they use all of the data that's accessible through literature, and that data includes a search of iNaturalist for citizen science data," Ms Khan said. "Scientists can't do it alone, so they need the help of us, citizens and residents."
Mr Dunn said that the data also informs local urban design. "If we know what's here, we can use cities to be catalysts." Mr Dunn and Ms Khan explained that such data can help urban planners know how best to design cities to help support global biodiversity.
Participants are encouraged to enter a social media competition by tagging @visitterra.ae for a chance to win tickets to Terra and be featured in an exhibition.
Mr Dunn hopes the initiative will spark long-term behavioural shifts. "For the longest time, people thought a beautiful garden was a sculpted hedge – but maybe the new aesthetic is a little wild patch," he said. "A little wild area can attract a lot of wildlife."
How to take part
- Download the free iNaturalist app
- Join the City Nature Challenges 2025: Dubai
- Photograph and upload any wild species between April 25 and April 28
Final global results will be announced on May 5. In the meantime, Ms Khan hopes people across the UAE will step outside and help show the world what nature looks like in Dubai.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
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- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The low down on MPS
What is myofascial pain syndrome?
Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).
What are trigger points?
Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and sustained posture are the main culprits in developing trigger points.
What is myofascial or trigger-point release?
Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.
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No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
