Habitat Lab BioBlitz Challenge

A Habitat Learning Lab is an educational space that allows students to observe native plants and wildlife and provides a great opportunity to conduct a BioBlitz. Harvard University scientist E.O. Wilson described a BioBlitz as a “treasure hunt designed to find and identify the largest number of species possible in one place.”

Learn more about how to hold a Habitat Lab BioBlitz below:

What is a Habitat Lab BioBlitz? | Participants & Volunteers | Planning Resources & Checklists | Event Resources & Materials

What is a Habitat Lab BioBlitz?

A Habitat Lab BioBlitz provides fun, educational opportunities for your students to become citizen scientists:

Students work together to find, identify and record the flora and fauna species in your school’s Habitat Lab using iNaturalist (a free website and app where you can document and track your observations).
Students will learn about the classification and taxonomy of plant and wildlife species native to Alabama.
Students will become Citizen Scientists as they use technology and non-fiction field guides to record, identify, and report their data.
You will have a biological inventory of the flora and fauna found on your campus that you can update anytime in the future to monitor the biodiversity of your campus.

BioBlitz Participants & Volunteers

BioBlitz Participants

Students in 3^rd – 12^th grade should have the knowledge and understanding to participate in a Habitat Lab BioBlitz.

Depending on how big of an event you would like to hold, you can include:

Your Class(es)
A student club
A whole grade level
Your whole school

BioBlitz Volunteers

To have a successful event, we suggest that you recruit volunteers who can help guide the students as they collect their observations and data during your BioBlitz. For potential volunteers, you can contact:

Your local Alabama Wildlife Federation Habitat Lab Specialist
The local Alabama Cooperative Regional Extension Agent for your county (Speak to the Forestry, Wildlife & Natural Resources Agent; Home Grounds, Gardens & Home Pests Agent; and/or 4-H Agent)
Your local Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources Biologist
Your local Master Gardeners Association
The local Alabama Forestry Commission Forester for your county
The Wildlife, Forestry, or Environmental Science Department at your local college or university
Parents of the students participating in the BioBlitz

BioBlitz Planning Resources & Checklists

Utilize the free planning resources below to help you plan a successful BioBlitz at your school:

Review the free BioBlitz Checklists & Tips (PDF) – This checklist includes suggestions and tips to help with the organization of your school’s BioBlitz (so that you don’t have to “recreate the wheel”) and to help you have a fun, successful event.
Review the AWF’s BioBlitz Planning Materials (below).
Contact your local Alabama Wildlife Federation Habitat Lab Specialist for assistance on the day of the event.
Set a date for your school’s BioBlitz event.

Free BioBlitz Event Planning for
Active Habitat Lab Members:

Your local AWF Habitat Lab Specialist can provide organizational support to help you plan your BioBlitz! Contact us

Set up an iNaturalist account for your school in order to log the observations made during the event. Select “Sign up” on the iNaturalist website to complete this step.
Use the iNaturalist BioBlitz Guide to learn about conducting a BioBlitz and submitting your observations to your school’s iNaturalist project.

BioBlitz Planning Materials

BioBlitz Flier (Word Doc / PDF) – This is a great flier to share with your fellow teachers to help answer questions about what a BioBlitz is and what is involved in holding a BioBlitz at your school.
BioBlitz Supplies List (Word Doc / PDF) – A list of supplies that can help you and your students during the BioBlitz (but are not required).

BioBlitz Event Resources & Materials

Taxonomy & Classification Information

Taxonomy Presentation for Students (PDF) – This presentation can be used to teach your students the basics about classification and taxonomy.

Taxonomy Tips & Terminology Handout for Students (Word Doc / PDF) – This handout can be used to help students with terminology as they fill out their observation sheets

Example BioBlitz Data Sheets

Students can record their observations on these data sheets and then enter the data on iNaturalist.

Habitat Lab BioBlitz Observation Sheet #1 (Word Doc / PDF)
Habitat Lab BioBlitz Observation Sheet #2 (Word Doc / PDF)
Habitat Lab BioBlitz Observation Field Journal #1 (Word Doc / PDF)
Habitat Lab BioBlitz Observation Field Journal #2 (PDF)

Example BioBlitz Participation Certificates

BioBlitz Participation Certificate #1 (Word Doc / PDF)
BioBlitz Participation Certificate #2 (Word Doc / PDF)

Additional BioBlitz Resources

Example Insect Trap (Word Doc / PDF)

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