Biscayne 24-hour BioBlitz

Grab your gear and join the National Geographic Society and the National Park Service at the Biscayne BioBlitz, a two-day, round-the-clock event, April 30-May 1, when teams of scientists, naturalists, community leaders, students and the public will join forces to discover and inventory every living plant and creature in and out of the water.

Part scientific endeavor, part festival and part outdoor classroom, the BioBlitz's goals are to record as many living organisms in Biscayne National Park in 24 hours as possible, to increase awareness of the diverse species found in Miami's closest national park, and to better understand how to protect the natural environment in the future. Renowned oceanographer and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Sylvia Earle and Kenny Broad, a National Geographic Emerging Explorer and director of the University of Miami's Leonard and Jayne Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy, are among the hundreds of scientists who will be leading the public teams.

The "Celebrate Biodiversity Festival" will follow the species count on May 1, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Highlights of the festival include family activities, demonstrations, displays, presentations, and opportunities to talk with scientists and to see them in action. The "Endangered World" art exhibition, with Miami artist Xavier Cortada, will also be featured at the festival.

Explorers" of all ages are needed. "Base camp" for both the BioBlitz and the festival will be located at Biscayne National Park's Dante Fascell Visitor Center and grounds, 9 miles east of Homestead, Florida on Biscayne Bay. Advance registration is required to participate in the BioBlitz. Advance registration is not required for ongoing base camp activities and/or the Celebrate Biodiversity Festival.

Provided by University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science