Interested in running a BioBlitz near you?
To celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity in 2010, Bristol Natural History Consortium (BNHC) will be supporting a National BioBlitz Programme across the UK. As part of this initiative, thanks to support from vinspired students, the student volunteering programme run by the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement, we’ll be supporting volunteers across the UK to take part in these Bioblitzes.
In 2009, BNHC ran the Bristol BioBlitz, a 24 hour race against the clock to record as many species as possible within a geographic area. This brought an engaging natural science experience to over 200 local school children drawing on support from experts and naturalists in numerous scientific fields and facilitated by over 70 volunteers.
The National BioBlitz Programme will provide a platform of support to help bring more of these fantastic events to volunteers and the public throughout the UK. There are already 13 cities planning a BioBlitz, and BNHC is eager to encourage more, and help facilitate these events in any way possible.
Along with supporting BioBlitzes and student involvement across the UK, BNHC will be hosting a dedicated website for all UK BioBlitzes that have been in touch with them. This can be found on the BNHC website In addition, you can follow the National BioBlitz programme on Facebook: BioBlitzUK and Twitter: @BioBlitzUK for the latest news and information from a BioBlitz near you!
For further information on student volunteering at your event, or if you are interested in holding a BioBlitz in your area please contact Harriet Martin, the National BioBlitz Programme Manager at harriet@bnhc.org.uk
Come and join us for a FREE biodiversity event!
Bristol will be following on from the success of its first BioBlitz by holding a second 30-hour race against the clock to find as many species of wildlife as possible in a certain area, on May 21-22nd.
Scientists, naturalists, the public and over 200 school children will work in groups across Blaise Castle Estate to find and identify as many species as possible on Friday 21st May and Saturday 22nd May. Some specimens will be brought back for identification to a base camp ‘lab’ marquee – the hub of activity. There is a dedicated media team to keep a blog updated with photos, film clips and the latest tally count.
Bristol will be one of the first events this year as part of the larger National BioBlitz Programme hosted in over 13 different cities throughout the UK in celebration of the International Year of Biodiversity.
Following the success of last years event and alongside the International Year of Biodiversity, the Bristol Natural History Consortium (BNHC) is continuing in its quest to engage young people at the BioBlitz with the topic of biodiversity and to emphasise its importance to the functioning of the natural world.
The BNHC will be running the survey for 30 hours (9am Friday until 3pm Saturday) but the event will be open to the general public from 9am – 9pm on the Friday and 9am – 3pm on the Saturday. The event is free and open to adults and children of all ages.
Contacts
Do you consider yourself a naturalist or do you have species identifications skills? The help of expert volunteers is needed to help BNHC race against the clock and identify as many species as they can during this 30-hour BioBlitz. For more information or to volunteer please see the website or email Lauren Moore, BioBlitz Programme Manager at lauren@bnhc.org.uk.
Written by Harriet Norman – National BioBlitz Programme Manager