BioDiversity Hunt

NPS/Charles Convis (top), Bill Truesdell (middle), and Emile Fiesler (bottom)

Entomologist, desert iquana, onate checkered beetle, just a few of the species observed during the 2011 BioDiversity Hunt at the Oasis of Mara.

Biodiversity hunts or "BioBlitzes" take place over a very short period of time-generally 48 hours or less-when scientific experts, amateur naturalists, and park staff search for and try to identify all living things within a particular landscape. 

Joshua Tree National Park will hold its 2012 biodiversity hunt at Fortynine Palms Oasis on April 27 and 28. Scientific surveys, collections, and identifications will begin at 10 am on Friday and last through 4 pm on Saturday.

Please join us!
Sign up for a "Walk and Talk" with one of the biodiversity hunt scientists. The walk involves hiking the 49 Palms Oasis Trail almost to the oasis where you will be met by one of the bio-hunt scientists for a nature talk. The round-trip is three-miles long with a 300-foot elevation gain-twice.

Are you a taxonomic expert?
If you have expertise identifying or working with a particular taxon group, we need your help! Become one of our taxonomic experts and help us search for and identify every living thing at 49 Palms Oasis. You can help for a few hours or stay for the entire 30-hour period. We especially need expertise in understudied groups including invertebrates, fungi and microbial communities.

Are you interested in volunteering?
You can be part of the action too! If you are in good physical condition, we need volunteer "Sherpas" to pack scientific equipment and gear down to the oasis. (Note: it is a three-mile round-trip with a 300-foot elevation gain-twice!)

If you are looking for something less vigorous, join park staff at the trailhead as a host for the event.

Please contact Amelia Rodelo at 760-367-5578 or by email at [e-mail] to sign up for a walk & talk, as a taxonomic expert, or as a volunteer.