Urban BioBlitz

  • Author(s)
    Karen Player
  • Category
    Education
  • Published
    02 November 2014
  • Read time
    2 minutes

A celebration of Citizen Science to find and identify as many plants, animals and other organisms as possible.

The IUCN World Parks Congress is only a few weeks away and there are many ways you can be involved. The IUCN World Parks Congress 2014 is a landmark global forum on protected areas. The Congress will share knowledge and innovation, setting the agenda for protected areas conservation for the decade to come. Building on the theme "Parks, people, planet: inspiring solutions", it will present, discuss and create original approaches for conservation and development, helping to address the gap in the conservation and sustainable development agenda.

A key community event on Sunday 16 November is PlanetFest, a day celebrating the environment and sustainability. There is something of all ages including:

  • Discovery Bush Rangers – come and meet the rangers from around the world who look after our National Parks.
  • BioBlitz – become a Citizen Scientist for the day, recording wildlife at Sydney’s largest Bio Blitz.
  • Taronga Zoo Mobile & Featherdale Wildlife Park – encounter some of Australia’s best loved wildlife
  • Beach Teach – education on waterways, including a marine touch tank
  • Adventure Bush Therapy – Bushcraft workshops
  • WilderQuest – become a WilderQuest Ranger and discover new places to explore
  • Reverse Garbage – turn your trash into treasure
  • Bike and Blend – make your own pedal powered smoothie
  • Rock climbing wall

The Australian Museum is participating in the BioBlitz at Basecamp and running surveys. The BioBlitz is a celebration of science working with the community to create a species audit of the Sydney Olympic Park site. This citizen science event will involve school children, congress participants, scientists, naturalists and community members to create a snapshot of urban biodiversity in the area.

Citizen scientists will work together to find and identify as many species of plants, animals and other organisms as possible. Participants will have the option of participating in expert-led surveys (such as bird or insect tours) or going solo and using a smartphone app to assist in collecting sightings. Although the survey will run throughout the day participants can choose to be involved for as little or as long as they like.

Participants joining this event will have the opportunity to:

  • Partake in guided plant, insect, aquatic bug and bird surveys throughout the day.
  • Listen to expert presentations
  • Engage in insect based workshops at the basecamp
  • Learn about the many fascinating birds, plants, insects, frogs and other organisms that call Sydney Olympic Park home.