Massive global BioBlitz begins today

Massive global BioBlitz begins today

A massive global snapshot of the world’s biodiversity is underway for National Geographic’s Great Nature Project, and New Zealanders will be contributing through our very own citizen science website NatureWatch NZ.

From May 15 to 25, people all over the world are documenting biodiversity for the Great Nature Project. The goal is to record as much as possible of the amazing variety of life that we share our planet with, and depend on.

Landcare Research ecologist Colin Meurk says NatureWatch NZ has already created the most useful treasure trove of fascinating, bizarre and surprising truths about our country that he’s seen. This is another opportunity to connect people to the natural world and contribute to citizen science at the same time.

“For the next week, all the observations New Zealanders add to NatureWatch NZ will automatically contribute to this year’s global Great Nature Project. All people need to do is grab their camera or smart phone, take photos of plants, animals and fungi around them, and upload them to www.naturewatch.org.nz”.

Lincoln University ecologist Jon Sullivan is another of the team behind NatureWatch NZ. “We’re really excited to be participating in the Great Nature Project this year. There’s a lot of doom and gloom about biodiversity in the news these days. It’s easy to lose sight of what an amazing planet we live on. The Great Nature Project is about getting everyone outside to celebrate all the amazing wild creatures that share this world with us.”

Says Sullivan, “There’s been such a fantastic buzz about this project building amongst NZ naturalists and ecologists. We hope it can bust out into the wider NZ public. Everyone’s invited to this global party. How many wild species can you find in your backyard or at your local park or reserve? If you don’t know what that bug, plant or mushroom is, just upload a photo to NatureWatch NZ and very soon you’ll have someone else from the other end of NZ, or the other end of the world, telling you all about it.”

The observations collected by the Great Nature Project will be used to answer important questions about life on earth. In future years, repeating the snapshot will provide valuable data to inform decision-makers and environmental managers about trends in biodiversity and how to sustain it.

ENDS

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