Would you like to be a citizen scientist and contribute to local biodiversity research?
From July 15th to August 15th,
the City of Charlottetown and Nature PEI will be hosting a month-long
BioBlitz to celebrate and document the biodiversity found right here in
Charlottetown. All are welcome to participate, including
families, nature novices, and experts.
Participating in our BioBlitz is simple. Use the free
iNaturalist app to take photos or audio recordings of wild plants, animals,
fungi, and insects that you find in Charlottetown between July 15th and
August 15th. Your observations will automatically be added to our
Bioblitz project on iNaturalist for researchers and local nature organizations
to use in their work. There is nature all around us – see what you can
find in public parks, on your daily commute, and even in your own
yard! Click here to download iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.ca/
Throughout the BioBlitz, there will be five in-person
opportunities to learn more about how you can use iNaturalist to help local
organizations monitor biodiversity in Charlottetown:
Event Schedule
Charlottetown Summer BioBlitz Kick-off
Join City staff on Thursday, July 16 from 6:30 to 8:00pm at
Malcolm J. Darrach Community Centre in East Royalty for the first event of the
Charlottetown Summer BioBlitz! Families and folks of all ages can
come learn how to become citizen scientists by using the free iNaturalist
app to upload photos of your nature observations. The event will include a
presentation and then a walk to explore nature and see how many species we can
find together! This event is hosted by the City of Charlottetown in partnership
with Nature PEI. Click here to
register!
Charlottetown
Summer BioBlitz East Royalty Nature Walk
Join us on Saturday, July 18 from 10:00 to 11:00am at the
East Royalty Parkman Complex for a biodiversity walk, part of the Charlottetown
Summer BioBlitz! Families and folks of all ages can come learn how to
become citizen scientists by using the free iNaturalist app to upload photos of
your nature observations. Participants will join a group forest walk to see how
many different species we can find together. This event is hosted by
the City of Charlottetown in partnership with Nature PEI. Click hereto
register!
Charlottetown Summer BioBlitz West Royalty Nature Walk
Join us on Tuesday, July 28 from 6:30 to 7:30pm at the West Royalty Community Centre for a biodiversity walk, part of the Charlottetown Summer BioBlitz! Families and folks of all ages can come learn how to become citizen scientists by using the free iNaturalist app to upload photos of your nature observations. Participants will join a group nature walk to see how many different species we can find together. This event is hosted by the City of Charlottetown in partnership with Nature PEI. Click here to register!
Charlottetown Summer BioBlitz Beach Grove Nature Walk
Join us on Wednesday, August 5 from 6:30 to 7:30pm at Beach Grove Nature Trails for a biodiversity walk, part of the Charlottetown Summer BioBlitz! Families and folks of all ages can come learn how to become citizen scientists by using the free iNaturalist app to upload photos of your nature observations. Participants will join a group nature walk to see how many different species we can find together. This event is hosted by the City of Charlottetown in partnership with Nature PEI and PEI Forests, Fish & Wildlife. Click here to register!
Charlottetown Summer BioBlitz Closing and Victoria Park Nature Walk
Join us on Saturday, August 15 from 10:00am to 12:00pm at
Victoria Park for the final event of the Charlottetown Summer
BioBlitz! Families and folks of all ages can come learn how
to become citizen scientists by using the free iNaturalist app to upload photos
of your nature observations. Participants will
join a group nature walk to see how
many different species we can find together. The event will
begin at the baseball clubhouse in Victoria Park, near the Forbes Kennedy
Way park entrance. This event is hosted by the City of
Charlottetown in partnership with Nature PEI, the PEI Invasive Species Council,
and the Charlottetown Area Watershed Association. Click here to
register!
Bioblitz FAQ
What is a bioblitz?
According to iNaturalist.ca, a BioBlitz is a “communal effort to record as many species within a designated location and time period as possible. Bioblitzes are great ways to engage the public to connect to their environment while generating useful data for science and conservation. They are also an excuse for naturalists, scientists, and curious members of the public to meet in person in the great outdoors, and they're a lot of fun!”
What is iNaturalist?
iNaturalist is a free citizen science app that helps individuals identify photos and recordings of plants, insects, animals and fungi. These observations are used by researchers all over the world to help protect biodiversity. iNaturalist Canada is operated by the Canadian Wildlife Federation, Parks Canada, and NatureServe Canada.
How do I use iNaturalist?
This app is easy to use once you know how to use it! iNaturalist has a great how to guide with written instructions that can help you get started. The guide will show you how to sign up for an iNaturalist account, how to make an observation, how to use the identify page, and how to search iNaturalist observations!
If you prefer video instructions, iNaturalist also has an excellent catalogue of video tutorials that will show you how to make an observation, take an identifiable photo, use the identify page, and more!