how to run a bioblitz lucy carter, opal project officer [email protected]
TRANSCRIPT
Natural History Museum Darwin Centre and Wildlife Garden
Who we are, what we do
• Angela Marmont Centre for UK Biodiversity
• Supporting UK natural history
• Lead 4 cross-cutting OPAL projects
OPAL (Open Air Laboratories)
Who we are, what we do
• Introductions
• What is a BioBlitz?
• How to plan and run a BioBlitz
• Ideas for activities – group brainstorm
• Where to find ‘experts’?
• Group discussion – how to adapt the BioBlitz concept for your audience
Outline of workshop
What is a BioBlitz?
“A race against the clock to find and record as much wildlife as
possible, within a set area”
Four key elements:
• Time – usually 24 hours
• Place – within a defined area
• People – lots of them! BioBlitzes involve a mixture of the public,
amateur naturalists and scientists
• Focus – equal emphasis on scientific recording and public
engagement
History of BioBlitzes
• American biologist Sam Droege
• 1st BioBlitz in USA – 1996 in Washington DC
• 1st BioBlitz in UK – 2006 in Lincolnshire
• International Year of Biodiversity – many
BioBlitzes across the country
• BioBlitz conference in 2011
OPAL BioBlitzesOPAL BioBlitzes
OPAL BioBlitzes
• August 2009: Wembury (1,500 people)
• June 2010: Mothecombe (520 people)
• June 2010: Alexandra Palace, London (8,000+)
• 2011 BioBlitz Conference, Bristol
• OPAL Guide
• OPAL Top 10 tips
• Funding and support
OPAL BioBlitzes
Alexandra Palace BioBlitz
• 694 different organisms identified (666 to species-level)
– 38 types of lower plant– 248 types of higher plant – 57 types of lichen – 26 types of fungi – 59 types of vertebrate – 26 types of arachnid – 212 types of insect – 28 other invertebrates
Impacts and benefits
• Wildlife records
• Unexpected finds
• Site management plans
• Local Nature Reserve
• Knowledge sharing
• Community empowerment
OPAL BioBlitzes
Feedback
"For my part it was great to network with so many keen naturalists, and the joy of so many very young potential new future naturalists. It was wonderful to see the delight of someone finding their first ladybird or moth”
“The staff were all so friendly, knowledgeable & patient”
“My children were in their element, and there was something for everyone. Hope it becomes a regular event”
“From now on we’ll look at the park in a different way”
“The enthusiasm of the scientists/helpers was wonderful”
How to plan a BioBlitzwww.OPALexplorenature.org
How to plan a BioBlitz http://www.bnhc.org.uk/home/bioblitz/run-your-own.html
How to plan a BioBlitz - zones
Recording forms
Recording forms
Bugs Count Mobile AppFree from AppStore and Android Market
OPAL iSpot website
Ask your BioBlitz participants to add their observations to iSpot, making sure that in the section "Descriptive tags" they use the relevant bioblitz tag. These need to be in the form: "bioblitz-[location+date]”
For example:•bioblitz-bristol2010 •bioblitz-cambridge2012
Any tags that are in the above format will be listed on the iSpot bioblitz page, from where you will be able to click on the tag for your event and see all the observations that are linked to it.
www.ispot.org.uk
OPAL iSpot website
Activities
Group brainstorm
The aim is to find and identify wildlife.
What activities could you run, to facilitate this?
My favourite activity!
Worm Charmingwww.wormcharming.com
Activities
Group brainstorm
The aim is to find and identify wildlife.
What activities could you run, to facilitate this?
Activities – sweep netting(let the grass grow!!)
Who we are, what we doActivities - OPAL surveys
Who we are, what we doActivity ideas
Where to find ‘experts’?
• Wildlife Trusts
• Local Biological Records Centre
• Nature Societies Online / Nature Groups
Near You
• Local museums
• Universities / colleges
• BTCV
• Council ecologist or similar
• Friends of… or local community groups
• Remember – what’s in it for them?
Where to find ‘experts’?
Group discussion
How can the BioBlitz concept be adapted for different audiences?
Questions?