City Nature Challenge Curaçao 2025 and 2026

Curaçao joined the global City Nature Challenge for the first time in April 2025, running an observation period from April 25–28 followed by an identification period through May 4. In its debut year, 211 participants used iNaturalist to log 10,264 observations and 1,214 species across the island's land and marine environments, placing Curaçao 78th globally. The following year, I co-organized the 2026 edition again with Cindy Eman and Femi Meaux, running the event April 24–27 and building out the program significantly: eight lead-up masterclasses at Hòfi Cas Còrá covering plants, land animals, coral reefs, fish, and citizen science basics, plus bioblitzes at Hòfi Cas Còrá and for Kaya Kaya Earth Day. I also worked with filmmaker Katjana Cabenda on the "Curaçao Nature Pioneers" mini-doc series, profiling those connecting their community to nature. The 2026 challenge brought in 154 observers who logged over 9,300 observations and more than 1,000 species, with 83% reaching research grade despite a drought — placing Curaçao again in the top 11% of participating regions worldwide.