For most of us, September signals back to school, the kickoff of football season and all things pumpkin spice.
For The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), it’s also the start of Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz. The two groups are partnering to host the fourth annual BioBlitz starting September 1. This event celebrates pollinators and raises awareness and community involvement across the country in the pollinator crisis.
What’s a BioBlitz?
A BioBlitz is when people come together to record as many species as possible within a designated location and time period. It’s designed to raise awareness and community involvement in the pollinator crisis and create a snapshot of an area’s biodiversity. BioBlitzes help local park agencies better understand, manage and plan for the multitude of different pollinator species in their local parks.
BioBlitzes empower each of us to become a citizen scientist for the day and do our part to help pollinators. Plus, they’re fun and easy.
How to BioBlitz
Step 1: Grab your family or friends.
Step 2: Visit a local park.
Step 3: Download the iNaturalist app.
Step 4: Use the app to take photos of all the insects, plants, and animals you see.
Step 5: Follow the prompts to upload your images.
That’s it! The iNaturalist app will add your findings to its database with the location and suggested identification. You’ve just contributed to helping local park agencies better care for the pollinator species in your community.
And you’ve added a new tradition to kick off your fall season.
To learn more about Parks for Pollinators, or find a local event, visit www.nrpa.org/parks4pollinators.
