The City Nature Challenge (CNC) 2026; Kandy marked Sri Lanka’s historic, inaugural participation in the globally recognised annual biodiversity observation competition initiated by the California Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Held from April 24th to 27th, 2026, this international citizen-science initiative transformed the hill capital into a global stage for community conservation. The project was spearheaded by the Youth Wing of the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) in close collaboration with the Rotaract Club of Kandy and a network of youth-led environmental and volunteer organisations. By mobilising students, nature enthusiasts, and photographers, the initiative aimed to document urban and semi-urban ecosystems, map local biodiversity, and contribute critical scientific data to global databases via the iNaturalist mobile application. The initiative was shaped by clear objectives: Short-Term Objectives To promote awareness regarding biodiversity conservation and environmental sustainability. To encourage public participation in documenting flora and fauna through the iNaturalist platform. To educate participants regarding ethical wildlife observation and species identification. To increase awareness regarding urban biodiversity and ecosystem protection. To encourage teamwork and collaboration among volunteers and environmental organisations. Long-Term Objectives To contribute biodiversity observations and scientific records to global databases. To inspire long-term environmental stewardship among youth and local communities. To strengthen partnerships among conservation organisations and youth movements. To encourage sustainable environmental habits and appreciation for Sri Lanka’s biodiversity. To establish future citizen-science and conservation initiatives in Sri Lanka. Quality Education 4.7 Education for sustainable development and global citizenship. Climate Action 13.3 Build knowledge and capacity to meet climate change. Citizen-Science Mobilisation: Successfully mobilised the local community, students, and nature enthusiasts to participate as citizen scientists in real-time environmental documentation actively.
