What is a BioBlitz?
BioBlitz is a collaborative race against the clock to identify and record as many species of plants, animals and fungi as possible, within a set location, over a defined time period (usually 24 hours). These events have become an increasingly popular format for engaging the public in conducting local, intensive biological surveys.
The records made during the BioBlitz are passed on to Local Records Centres. The records can be used to help scientific research and government policy, as well as informing conservation practice, local planning and land management.
Staff and volunteers will be needed to plan, publicise and run the event. It is important to have local naturalists/scientists to help on the day, as well as making it as accessible and inclusive as possible for a range of participants. Often BioBlitz organisers will co-run an event with other local organisers; this helps to spread cost and share resources.
On our resources page you will find free, downloadable resources that you need in order to run your own BioBlitz. If you are planning a BioBlitz, let us know; we can help with publicising your event online through the National BioBlitz Network.
THE NATIONAL BIOBLITZ NETWORK
Since 2009, The Natural History Consortium (NHC) has been involved in developing the BioBlitz format alongside local event deliverers and partners such as the Natural History Museum. The NHC has coordinated the National BioBlitz Network since 2010 and has been co-chairing the European Working Group on BioBlitz since 2017. As a collective, we continue to build a strong community of practice around BioBlitz and its derivative formats, providing advocacy, conducting research into the outcomes and developing new resources for the sector.
If you’d like to get in touch about BioBlitz and related formats for engaging people with biological recording feel free to give us a call on 0117 925 3931 or drop an email to bioblitz@bnhc.org.uk