Greenways Land Trust is calling on nature lovers, curious minds, and community scientists to uncover Campbell River’s biodiversity during its first Campbell River Bioblitz.
From May 5 to 11, participants are invited to photograph and document as many species as possible, contributing real data to conservation efforts using the iNaturalist app. Whether you're an expert or a first-time explorer, this is a chance to see nature in a whole new way, notes a Greenways media release.
"Our main objectives are to engage the community first and foremost by providing an accessible and educational opportunity for people to engage with conservation science," said Jeff Groat, outreach and food security coordinator with the conservation organization.
Bioblitzes are known as an effective way to bring people and organizations together to foster communities of professionals and amateurs, which is essential for conserving and protecting biodiversity.
This Bioblitz is taking place at Erickson Pond, the Beaver Lodge Forest Lands, and the Campbell River Estuary. Groat called it an exciting way to engage with nature while contributing to real conservation efforts.
By snapping photos of different species and sharing them on iNaturalist, individuals contribute to a network of community scientists dedicated to monitoring biodiversity and changes within ecosystems, explains Greenways. People with all backgrounds, skill sets, and abilities are encouraged to get out into their local greenways and foster the sense of awe that these urban natural environments evoke.
The event is a way to connect with nature and community, while learning to see the natural world in a new way by identifying plants and wildlife you may have never noticed before, according to Greenways. It helps build scientific literacy by contributing to real scientific data collection and a better understanding of the ecosystems that surround us. Participants also take part in a healthy, family-friendly activity that encourages curiosity and exploration, while connecting with other participants, from casual hikers to expert ecologists.
For more details and updates, contact Greenways at info@greenwaystrust.ca, and visit the project site at: www.inaturalist.org/projects/campbell-river-bioblitz-2025
