Species diversity and community on display at BioBlitz 2025

Equipped with nets, bowls and viewing boxes, more than 50 citizen scientists descended on the Biogeoscience Institute’s (BGI) Barrier Lake Field Station on July 4 to participate in BioBlitz 2025, part of the Institute’s 75^th anniversary celebrations.  

Bioblitz events are a communal effort to record as many species as possible—trees, flowers, plants, bugs, and animals—within a designated location and time. 

“Over the course of four hours, the group made close to 800 observations and identified more than 170 species,” says Briana Van Den Bussche, BGI’s education coordinator. “BioBlitz 2025 was a great success, and we hope to make it an annual event.” 

Variety of flora and fauna found and tallied

Participants had the opportunity to explore the area around the station or venture further afield, and found a variety of flowers, bugs, and animals, which were tallied in the iNaturalist app.  

Alanna Bartolini, senior specialist with UCalgary’s Institutes for Transdisciplinary Scholarship, appreciated the collaborative and community atmosphere of the event.  

"BioBlitz showcases the best UCalgary has to offer as a leader in experiential learning and transdisciplinary practices: citizen science with participants of all ages and backgrounds connecting with exemplary researchers to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of science, conservation, and collaborative community action. Plus, it was so much fun!"