BioBlitz

BioBlitz 2025: March 28-29 at Bayou Manchac Park

 

 

About BioBlitz 

What is a BioBlitz?

A BioBlitz is an intense period of biological surveying in an attempt to record all of the living species within a designated area. Groups of scientists, naturalists and volunteers conduct an intensive field study over 24 hours. BREC Conservation uses the BioBlitz data to focus future field surveys and gather information for our natural resource management plans. It allows us to understand better what is in our parks so we can appropriately manage and protect the land.

The goal of BioBlitz is...

  • To foster public appreciation for East Baton Rouge’s biodiversity through hands-on exploration and citizen science
  • To provide valuable baseline data to BREC’s Conservation Program on the distribution of species on BREC land
  • To bring attention to BREC’s conservation areas and to protect these resources for the education and enjoyment of EBR’s citizens
What is a Citizen Scientist?

A citizen scientist is someone from the general public who collects and analyzes data relating to the natural world, typically as part of a collaborative project with professional scientists. You do not have to have prior knowledge of species or survey methods. You and your family will be the citizen scientists during this event using the app described below to help us document species.

What if I don’t know how to identify anything?

NO PROBLEM! We still need YOUR help to survey. You can help by hiking with a phone loaded with iNaturalist, a free app that is designed to record the location where you found an organism and document what you found by taking a picture. If you don’t know the name of the plant or animal just leave the ID blank and scientists will review it and identify it based on the pictures you took. OR you can join us on a guided survey hike led by an expert/scientist during the event. 

Do I need to register?

Yes, we ask that you register for all expert-led hikes and activities in advance. Spaces on the day of the event are not guaranteed and will be first-come, first-served. You are allowed to hike and survey independently for the event, but we ask all participants to sign in at the check-in station to confirm you are participating with the BioBlitz.

BioBlitz Activities

We have something for the whole family! You can visit our Nature Explorers Field Station to try your hand at fun sampling-related crafts or visit our Biodiversity Fair to check out live wildlife specimens and learn about biodiversity with hands-on activities from local organizations. Have a family member looking for a more in-depth look at specimens? Register for one of our guided hikes led by local scientists and experts. All ages are welcome and it is free and open to the public.

Plan Your Day

Friday Evening Paddle

Join us for a guided sunset paddle on Bayou Manchac. Boats and life jackets are provided. Registration is required.

Night Hike

This is a guided hike through the forest at night looking for tracks and learning about various nocturnal species, especially mammals, bats and owls.

Black Lighting

Black lighting is when lights of various types are shined at sheets to attract invertebrates such as moths and beetles for close observation. You can help to collect specimens that land on the sheets and ID them with scientists.

Guided Survey Hikes

There will be multiple short educational hikes offered throughout the day on Saturday to provide you with an opportunity to meet scientists and learn about various groups of species. During these hikes, you are encouraged to document what you find with the iNaturalist app. See the list of specific hike topics below and be sure to register in advance using the link above.

  • Birds
  • Plants
  • Aquatics Sampling
  • Insect Netting
  • Reptiles and Amphibians

Nature Explorers Safari

A hands-on experience geared towards your smallest explorers. BREC staff will take kids on an adventure to sample the natural world while learning how to be scientists. 

Saturday Afternoon Speaker

 Join us at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 28 for a talk exploring the natural and cultural history of Bayou Manchac!

Biodiversity Fair

Take a break from hikes and surveys to meet local organizations and vendors who want to share a world of biodiversity with you. Tables will include hands-on exhibits with live animals and much to learn.

Biodiversity Fair Exhibitors + Expert Leads

Interested in tabling at our Biodiversity Fair or leading a guided hike? Please reach out to conservation@brec.org to register as an exhibitor or expert lead! 

iNaturalist

iNaturalist is an important part of the BioBlitz. iNaturalist is an app, website, database and online social network that allows you to document species and share observations with BREC and the broader naturalist community. You take pictures, collect location information and upload them to the online database where the information can be viewed and discussed by a variety of experts. Even if you do not know a species name, if you document it using the app it can be identified at a later date by a team of scientists that monitor the app. BREC uses iNaturalist to help document species within the park system. If you would like to contribute data to our BioBlitz, download the app, create an account and begin exploring the website at iNaturalist.org or visit the iNaturalist Youtube Channel. iNaturalist is compatible with Apple and Android phones and tablets.

 

 

Bioblitz Results

Click each year to view the results from previous Bioblitz events!

2024 Bioblitz Results

2023 Bioblitz Results

2022 Bioblitz Results

2021 Bioblitz Results

2020 Bioblitz Results

This year’s BREC’s Bioblitz went Virtual
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and CDC safety concerns, this year BREC decided to make the Bioblitz virtual. By spreading the survey out to between 4 parks and over two months, the citizen scientists of East Baton Rouge Parish were still able to get outside and collect data but do so safely. This resulted in our highest species count to date and we are so proud and thankful for all the hard work of those of you who quarantined out in nature! We had 56 people surveying and in the 4 parks you observed 547 total species which were identified through 1,786 observations over the two month period. Because iNaturalist is a community based forum we had the assistance of 285 identifiers from around the world helping to confirm the species of your observations. We can’t wait to see you in person next year!

Click here to view the full results

2019 Bioblitz Results

2018 Bioblitz Results


Click to expand

415 species were documented 

2017 Bioblitz Results