National Biodiversity Month (September) is around the corner!
Which means… drum roll… that the National Citizen Science B&B BioBlitz is approaching!
September is a perfect time for students in every State and Territory to get out and about in their school grounds to take images of nature for teachers to upload to iNaturalist – which feeds into the Atlas of Living Australia hosted by the CSIRO.
PlantingSeeds has been running this informative citizen science activity for five years and has witnessed a growing awareness among the public of the importance of everyday people contributing to biodiversity knowledge.
The State of the Environment Report urges the public to engage with citizen science as it is so cost-effective and easy as an environmental initiative. And, as our biodiversity crisis becomes even more concerning, we need to do what we can to help.
PlantingSeeds has been working in schools for many years and has developed citizen science activities that support STEM learnings and have curriculum links.
Our National Citizen Science B&B BioBlitz extends and reinforces these learnings.
National Biodiversity Month is a month for celebrating Australia's unique ecosystems and diverse flora and fauna, while highlighting the importance of conserving, protecting, and nurturing the natural environment and its native wildlife.
Blitzes abound!
The B&B BioBlitz exists within a wider network of Bioblitz events which occur at different times all throughout the world. Many BioBlitzes are held in urban parks and bushland within and near major urban centres.
Here are some forthcoming BioBlitz events that may spark your interest. Some are Australia-based and others are global but with an Australian presence.
Takayna BioBlitz
When: 5th-8th November 2026
What: Scientists, experts and volunteers record wilderness species in Takayna, a large rainforest in Northwest Tasmania. (Takayna, also know as the Tarkine, holds the largest temperate rainforest in Australia. It faces ongoing threats from logging and mining.)
Great Southern BioBlitz
When: 27th-30th of November 2026
What: Countries in the Southern Hemisphere capture images of their environment during the Spring season for a biodiversity census
Sydney Coast Marine BioBlitz
When: 1st-31st March 2027
What: Citizens capture photos of local marine life around the Sydney coast and upload onto iNaturalist
City Nature Challenge
When: 30th April-3rd May 2027
What: Major urban cities across the world (includes Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth) compete with other cities to record the most data on their natural environment
These are some of the most notable BioBlitz events held in Australia and globally. However, there are many BioBlitz events conducted on a smaller scale – either by local councils, environmental organizations, or grassroots communities across the world. Other BioBlitzes may not be annual, so keep your eyes peeled. Look up your local area with the keyword 'BioBlitz', and see if you can find one near you!
Article by Lydia Koulaouzos
Image by KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA on Pexels