How to participate in a BioBlitz on a conserved property

A BioBlitz is a timed, team-based survey that records as many plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms as possible within a defined place. Unlike a guided nature walk, it creates a snapshot of biodiversity that can reveal what lives there, what appears seasonal and where habitat gaps may exist.

On a conserved property, the same snapshot can show how voluntary conservation easements support wildlife habitat, riparian corridors and connected forests. The Clark Fork-Pend Oreille Conservancy works across Sanders County, Montana, and Bonner County, Idaho, and explains its land-protection approach through the conservancy’s website. Its completed work includes protecting 57 acres in the Bull River Valley.

For Australians, the format is familiar from Landcare and Wildcare “squiz” events around Albany in Western Australia, the Blue Mountains west of Sydney and the Otways in Victoria. These community surveys often rely on council grants, catchment-group volunteers and public-liability cover rather than commercial tour fees. A “BYO morning tea” contribution is also common.

Participation does not require a science degree. Useful roles include counting, photography, sound recording, mapping and checking observations with a local guide. The essential commitment is to follow the event plan, protect the site and leave reliable records for future stewardship.

What a BioBlitz measures

Teams work a defined area for a limited time and build a species list supported by evidence. Counts, tracks, calls, flowers and fresh signs may all be recorded; seeing every organism directly is not essential. The survey should also record the effort made so results remain comparable with future visits.

Novices can pair with experienced participants, photograph specimens for later identification and record species without assigning a name. Every confirmed, probable or uncertain observation has value, especially when an unusual distribution or seasonal record is documented.

Why conservation status matters

Conserved land can connect forests, wetlands, waterways and native grassland that are separated elsewhere. A BioBlitz may therefore record species using a property as a feeding area, travelling corridor or refuge. Survey results can help landholders and managers understand which habitats need attention.

Dead timber is habitat rather than clutter, particularly for birds and insects. Snag retention and woodpeckers explains why standing snags matter, while reinforcing the need to observe fallen and standing wood without disturbing it.

Preparing for Australian field conditions

Australian summers can bring extreme heat, intense sunlight, bushfire risk and wildlife encounters, although conditions vary greatly across the country. Participants travelling to the northern hemisphere should also remember that seasons are reversed, and that Montana and Idaho commonly describe land in acres and distances in miles.

Before setting out, check the weather, fire restrictions, access arrangements and emergency contact plan. Wear clothing suited to the terrain rather than assuming every event follows urban park conditions.

• A broad-brimmed hat, sunscreen and plenty of water
• Long trousers, sturdy boots, insect repellent and a first-aid kit
• A charged phone, portable battery, notebook, pencil and camera
• A regional field guide, hand lens and binoculars if available

Choosing and pacing the survey

Follow the route and timing agreed with the event coordinator. On conserved properties, routes may pass through riparian zones, mature forest and open habitat, but access may also involve farm tracks, livestock gates and uneven ground. Do not improvise a shortcut across private land.

Work at a steady pace and search different layers, from the soil surface to the tree canopy. Small areas examined consistently often produce better records than rapid movement across the whole property. Keep the agreed survey boundary and finish each section before moving to the next.

Recording useful observations

Field notes should contain enough detail for someone else to understand and verify each record. Take a photograph when safe, but include a written description because an image may show only part of a plant or animal. Record exact locations only as directed by the coordinator.

Identification does not need to be perfect. Marking a record as uncertain allows a specialist to confirm it later without introducing an incorrect species into the dataset.

• Common name and scientific name, if known
• Number observed, life stage and notable behaviour
• Date, time, habitat and survey location
• Observer name and level of identification confidence

Respecting landholders and local knowledge

Most conserved properties remain in private ownership, and access for a BioBlitz depends on permission. Participants should close gates, avoid livestock, follow biosecurity directions and keep discussion of precise locations and sensitive species within the agreed group.

Landholders often know which plants bloom early, where birds nest or when an area floods. Ask respectfully for local knowledge, but do not handle animals, move rocks or logs, or collect plants unless the coordinator explicitly approves a sampling method. Leave the site as found.

Turning observations into stewardship

A completed species list becomes a baseline for monitoring rather than a final answer. Coordinators can compare it with previous surveys, identify unusual records and flag changes in habitat condition. Results may also support decisions about invasive species, forest management, wildlife connectivity and long-term land protection.

At the close of the event, make sure your notes and photographs meet the coordinator’s submission requirements and that unresolved identifications are clearly marked. The final practical step is to send the coordinator your name, field experience and available date before the roster and equipment list are completed.