Mapping India’s Biodiversity: Help Us Build the First Comprehensive Citizen Science Inventory
The landscape of Citizen Science (CS) in India is exploding. From massive national events like the City Nature Challenge to localized efforts like annual city bird atlases and tree surveys, the power of public participation is transforming how we document our natural world. Recent global data shows just how vital this work is: platforms like iNaturalist have documented nearly a quarter of all known species on Earth, with a staggering two-thirds of those observations occurring in 2024 alone. In fact, over 50% of biodiversity occurrence records globally now come from citizen scientists. The Challenge: Scattered Knowledge Despite this rapid growth, India’s biodiversity-focused CS ecosystem remains fragmented. Information...
TNS Leads the Charge: Launching the Youth-Led YBSAP and Bridging the Gap to the CBD COP
The International Youth Biodiversity Conference (IYBC) 2026 reached a historic high this week with the official launch of the Youth Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan (YBSAP). Amidst the energy of hundreds of young leaders, this youth-led policy framework received the most resounding applause of the entire conference - marking a new era where young people aren't just participants, but architects of biodiversity policy. The Naturalist School (TNS) is proud to have facilitated the drafting and unveiling of this landmark document. Aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), the YBSAP is a testament to what happens when youth take ownership of our planet's future. TNS: The...
Biodiversity Champion: Ram Dayal Vaishnav Wins the 2026 Dharmavana Youth Award
It is with immense pride and joy that The Naturalist School (TNS) announces a momentous achievement for our community. One of our own, Ram Dayal Vaishnav, has been honored with the prestigious Dharmavana International Youth Biodiversity Award 2026. This award is a celebration of tireless dedication, unwavering passion and a profound commitment to protecting the delicate balance of life on our planet. We are absolutely thrilled to see Ram’s incredible work recognized at such an elite level A Milestone for Conservation and Partnership The award was conferred upon Ram by the Minister of Environment & Forests of Telangana, Konda Surekha, the Founder & Mentor of the Dr....
The Power of the People: How Citizen Science Took Center Stage at UNEA-7
As the world gathered in Nairobi for the seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7), a powerful new force was felt in the halls of global governance. Representing The Naturalist School (TNS) and as part of a 33-strong delegation from the Citizen Science Global Partnership (CSGP), we arrived with a singular mission: to ensure that the data and lived experiences of ordinary citizens are no longer sidelined in environmental policy. TNS at the Heart of the Action The Naturalist School didn’t just observe the proceedings; we were instrumental in shaping the technical and community-driven outputs of the assembly. On the Ground: Our community was represented...
Call for Interns – City Nature Challenge 2026
Or, Apply Here Deadline Extended to 10th December 2025 The Naturalist School is excited to announce that applications are now open for interns to join the City Nature Challenge (CNC) 2026 India Team! What is the City Nature Challenge? The City Nature Challenge (CNC) is a massive, collaborative global bioblitz, organized by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the California Academy of Sciences, where people across the world come together to document as much urban wildlife as possible over four days. Participants photograph and record plants, animals, fungi, and everything else they observe in their surroundings. It’s a friendly international competition where cities compete to...
The UN’s Highest Body is Meeting: How We’re Planning to Champion the Citizen Science Charter
Article written by Ram Dayal Vaishnav, (Head - Citizen Science at The Naturalist School) originally at LinkedIn. The world is currently grappling with a triad of existential threats: the climate crisis, the rapid loss of nature and biodiversity and pervasive pollution and waste. The responsibility for forging a coordinated global response rests on the shoulders of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), the world’s highest-level decision-making body on the environment. From December 8 to 12, 2025, I will be in Nairobi, Kenya, for UNEA-7, under the theme “Advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet.” I am attending not just as an observer, but as a delegate...
Chirpy Tales: Register for Young Birders Month event in Kolkata
Chirpy Tales : Junior Bird Watch Calling All Little Explorers! Step into the world of feathers, songs, and stories on 16th November 2025! Join us for a fun-filled bird walk at Subhash Sarovar, Kolkata where young nature enthusiasts (ages 10–16) will explore the magic of birds right in the heart of the city. Organized by The Naturalist School in collaboration with Ataavi Bird Foundation to commemorate birth anniversary of the 'Birdman of India' , Dr. Sálim Ali as a part of Young Birders' Month (YBM) program with the bird guide and researcher Nibedita Chakraborty. Location: Subhas Sarobar, Kolkata Date & Time: 16th November, 2025 ; 07-09 AM Age Group: 10-16...
City Nature Challenge – Calling Organizers to Register Your City
At The Naturalist School (TNS), our mission is to connect people with the phenomenal biodiversity that surrounds them. That’s why we were proud to be one of the pioneers that initially brought the City Nature Challenge (CNC) to India in 2023. Since then, the response from the Indian community has been nothing short of spectacular! From over 20 cities participating in our inaugural year, India has rapidly grown into a powerhouse of citizen science. It now records hundreds of thousands of observations annually from more than 200 cities. Now, we are reaching out to the next generation of biodiversity heroes across India to lead the...
Celebrating Big Butterfly Month in Nagpur’s Urban Forests
Nagpur joined the nationwide celebration of Big Butterfly Month 2025 with a series of nature walks held across some of the city’s most beautiful green pockets aimed at raising awareness about butterfly species in Nagpur and the role of butterflies in the ecosystem. The walks were led by Certified Nature Guide Nayanika Bhatia, fondly known in the city as Naturenika. Nayanika has a vibrant experience of conducting over 85+ nature walks and talks across India. After completing her certification from The Naturalist School in 2022, Nayanika has been keeping the methodology of nature walks alive with her unmatched spirit & engaging manner. Walk 1: Gorewada...
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