What is a BioBlitz?

 

‘Bio’ means ‘life’ and ‘Blitz’ means ‘to do something quickly and intensively’. Together they make ‘BioBlitz’, a collaborative race against the clock to discover as many species of plants, animals and fungi as possible, within a set location, over a defined time period

 

A BioBlitz usually comprises a group of scientists, students, naturalists and other members of the public working together - this mixture of wildlife experts and the wider public is key to the BioBlitz concept. It is an informal and fun way to create a snapshot of the variety of life that can be found in an area. It provides an opportunity for participants to learn together and share their expertise and enthusiasm for nature. This is a great way of breaking down barriers to engagement with science and raising awareness of the role of biological recording. It also gives the public an opportunity to contribute to a genuine scientific survey. A BioBlitz can be carried out anywhere there is wildlife, including urban and rural areas, inland or coastal locations, and upland and lowland settings.

 

First developed by Sam Droege in the USA in 1996, BioBlitzes are now held regularly in many countries and have been taking place in the UK since 2006.

 

It is an exciting and fun way to get people exploring natural spaces and discovering wildlife!