BioBlitz 2011 is on! Tune in this Friday and Saturday for the annual celebration of biodiversity in Saguaro National Park, Tuscon, Arizona! Go to the event virtually through the free electronic field trip (1pm and 4pm EST Friday, October 21). Also, check out the amazing interactive map of Saguaro National Park where you can follow along with the event by tagging species to the map! Below are some FAQ’s regarding the 2011 event and how you can get involved!

What is BioBlitz?:
BioBlitz is a 24-hour event in which teams of volunteer scientists, families, students, teachers, and other community members work together to find and identify as many species of plants, animals, microbes, fungi, and other organisms as possible. A BioBlitz gives adults, kids, and teens the opportunity to join biologists in the field and participate in bona fide research expeditions. It’s a fun and exciting way to learn about the biological diversity of local parks and to better understand how to protect them. National Geographic is helping conduct a BioBlitz in a different national park each year during the decade leading up to the U.S. National Park Service Centennial in 2016. —www.natgeoed.org

What are the goals of  BioBlitz?:

• Count, map, and learn about the park’s diverse organisms, ranging from microscopic bacteria to migrating birds, elusive mountain lions to 200-year-old cacti.
• Provide scientists, school kids, and the general public an opportunity to conduct fieldwork together.
• Add to the park’s official species list.
• Highlight the importance of protecting the biodiversity of this extraordinary place.

How can I still participate?:
Teachers, families and interested individuals can still be part of the
action by registering for the electronic field trip and watching live as
the BioBlitz team works away in Saguaro. Register for the Electronic
Field Trip through the National Park Foundation website!

Or, if you miss the event this weekend, plan your own bioblitz! A great
hands-on activity for students, a bioblitz can just as easily happen on
your playground, in your garden, or backyard. Check out all of our free
educational resources to gather ideas, play with interactive maps,
media, and more, brought to you by National Geographic Education.
 
Also, stay tuned to hear the latest events, news, and additional educational information through our blogs and Facebook pages:
Blog: http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/tag/bioblitz/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BioBlitz
http://www.facebook.com/natgeoeducation
Photo Credit: Sean O’ Connor
–Julia from My Wonderful World