Citizen Scientists celebrate the biodiversity of Luxembourg's Orchards...
On the 30th April people from all walks of life were warmly welcomed by the project's Luxembourg Farmer Cluster to spot biodiversity using the user-friendly app, iNaturalist, as part of the City Nature Challenge 2023.
The project partner, LIST, along with dedicated volunteers from the NGO Bee Together, organised stands along a guided orchard hike trail. These offered participants guidance on using the iNaturalist app, enabling them to identify various organisms and learn about their vital contributions to the local ecosystem. To ensure inclusivity, information was presented in multiple languages, including English, French, German, and Luxembourgish.
Adding to the enjoyment, project stakeholder, Ramborn Cider provided a welcoming base camp, arranging for catering and guided tours. Collaborating with the Nature and Geopark Mëllerdall, the farmers of the cluster thoughtfully concentrated their cattle in selected orchards, ensuring safe access to all the remaining orchards for visitors of all ages.
The goals of this event were to engage people with insights into the ecosystem services behind the production of fruits used for making cider and juices, and, most importantly, involve citizens in the essential task of monitoring biodiversity within the Farmer Cluster.
This year marked the second edition of the City Nature Challenge organised in Born and the response from the local community and visitors was excellent . Throughout the weekend, an impressive 330 species observations were recorded along the enchanting orchard trail.
This data collection provided a fascinating glimpse into the rich biodiversity present in the area. It demonstrated how communities can contribute to scientific knowledge on agroecological health while getting to know their region better.
As we look ahead, anticipation is already build for the third edition of the City Nature Challenge at Born, scheduled for 2024. By bringing together citizens, stakeholders, and scientists, events like the City Nature Challenge strengthen our collective understanding of farmland biodiversity - with every observation, every identification, and every moment spent in nature valuable in multiple ways.
Together, we can make a difference in preserving the natural systems that enrich our lives and sustain our planet. See you in 2024 for the third edition of the City Nature Challenge at Born!
Head here to read more about last year's event.
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