Yarra Ranges has finished third for the 2025 Biodiversity Blitz with 5653 recorded observations.
The LGA finished behind second-placed Frankston City Council (5886) and ladder leaders Mornington Peninsula Shire (6176).
Though the Yarra Ranges proved to be the most enthusiastic region, coming out on top with 457 registered observers taking part.
With over 37,000 contributions in total from all councils to iNaturalist the the community has displayed its love of all things nature.
The collaborative cross-council project aims to document species across urban and peri-urban areas.
In the Yarra Ranges, the most commonly observed species was the Australian mountain greenhood (76), a species of orchid endemic to south-eastern Australia.
The iconic laughing kookaburra was the most observed animal with 51 observations in the Yarra Ranges.
The Helmeted Honeyeater, a critically endangered species whose only wild population exists in the Yellingbo Nature Conservation Area, was observed three times.
The most commonly observed species overall was the false sarsaparilla at 295 observations, a flower endemic to Australia.
Meanwhile, the most commonly observed fauna was the Australian wood duck with 230 observations.
September was biodiversity month and other Melbourne based councils took part in the competition, which involved users uploading photos of flora and fauna to help scientists and researchers.
The Yarra Ranges council runs an ongoing iNaturalist project called the Yarra Ranges Nature Project.
It collates all observations contributed within the municipality at any time by nature enthusiasts.
People can check out the iNaturalist website and see what has been logged in their area at: inaturalist.ala.org.au/projects/biodiversity-blitz-2025-melbourne
