Kent invites the public to join a Bioblitz at its Canterbury campus on Saturday 11 June (08.00-21.00).
A BioBlitz is an interactive event held to record as many living species as possible within a specific area, under a short amount of time. With its vast greenspaces and concentration of ecological specialists, the campus is an ideal location to collect varied biodiversity data.
The student-led event is hosted by the University’s School of Anthropology and Conservation and is free for all to attend, including those without previous biodiversity survey experience.
During the day, experts will be carrying out interactive biodiversity surveys and running family-friendly workshops. These include: newt, small mammal, butterfly and bumblebee surveys; bug trail and composting workshops; and bird walks.
Kent Wildlife Trust will be presenting its Wilder Blean conservation project at the event, alongside students who are involved in the research.
A range of Bioblitz-related stalls will also be outside the University’s Marlowe building (the BioBlitz central hub on the day), including an arts and crafts drawing competition, a raffle and more information on the species identifiable at the BioBlitz.
At the University’s first BioBlitz in 2021, 244 species were identified on campus, and the organisers are keen to see how this year’s specie count compares. The total number of species will be counted at the end of the day.
Faye Whiley, a PhD student studying Biodiversity management at the University and lead organiser of this year’s BioBlitz, said: ‘The BioBlitz is a great opportunity to gain survey skills, learn about British species, and spend time outdoors. I attended the University of Kent’s first BioBlitz last year and I had a fantastic time and spent the day joining experts on a survey learning about a variety of species, from plants to birds. It has been great to lead the arrangement of this year’s event.’
Those interested can find out more and sign up to specific BioBlitz surveys and activities via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bioblitz-2022-tickets-309680431507
Images from Kent’s 2021 BioBlitz