BU BioBlitz – record species on our campus using the iNaturalist app!

We're inviting all BU students and staff to connect with nature by helping us to identify as many species as possible across our campuses, starting on Monday 12 May. Learn about wildlife surveying techniques, species identification, and the importance of biodiversity from academic experts from the Faculty of Science & Technology.

The BioBlitz Briefing will take place on Monday 12 May in the Lawrence Lecture Theatre in Poole House from 10 - 11am. 

What is a BioBlitz?

To enhance our positive impact on nature, we must collect biodiversity data to set targets and monitor progress. A BioBlitz is a collaborative, community effort to document as many plant and animal species as possible, within a set location over a set time period. This method of data collection is referred to as citizen-science, and we're running a BioBlitz as part of our pledge to be a Nature Positive University.

We have pledged to be a Nature Positive University!

The Nature Positive University scheme is a network of over 500 educational institutions worldwide who are working together to halt and reverse nature loss. For BU, our Nature Positive journey means we have pledged to prevent harm, protect and restore species and ecosystems that are affected by the operations of BU and its activities, and enhance the university’s positive impacts on nature through our teaching, operations, and research. You can read more about how we manage nature at BU in our Biodiversity Policy which is part of our EcoCampus ISO14001 certification and our Climate and Ecological Crisis Action Plan (CECAP).

How will we document species?

We will use the iNaturalist app. iNaturalist is an effective species-monitoring tool that allows users to take photos, identify species, and document the time and location of the discovery. All species identified through iNaturalist will be automatically saved onto on our new Bournemouth University iNaturalist Project page. See below for instructions on how to access iNaturalist.

1. Download the iNaturalist App (it’s FREE)
2. Sign-up with your email (it doesn’t need to be your BU email address)
3. Search for the ‘Bournemouth University-Campus Biodiversity Network’ project and join it
4. Get outside and start logging your observations!

Students, staff and the wider community can use iNaturalist all year round to document species they find on campus, plus they can explore our project page to learn about the biodiversity we have on campus too!

How do I take part in the BioBlitz?

We've put together a schedule of exciting activities throughout the day, open to all BU staff and students (see below). You can attend the whole day, or drop in to individual activities depending on what you are interested in and your availability. Each activity/survey will commence from outside Christchurch House. We highly recommend that you attend the BioBlitz Briefing in the Lawrence Lecture Theatre from 10 - 11am to learn about what to expect from the day.

Monday 12 May

Tuesday 13 May

The BioBlitz event will be taking place on Talbot Campus, however you can also choose to take part from Chapel Gate or Lansdowne as identifications made through iNaturalist here will be recorded as part of the project. The BioBlitz project will also remain live between Monday 12 May to Friday 16 May, so keep logging species throughout the week!

The BU BioBlitz is a great opportunity for you to learn from experts, take a break from your desk, and contribute to a living map of our campus biodiversity that will support the BU Sustainability Team with our annual sustainability reporting. There is no need to book, just show up and bring your friends or colleagues!

If you have any questions about the upcoming BU BioBlitz or our Biodiversity Policy, please email [email protected]