Last updated: January 16, 2025
Article
Planning and Conducting a Small-scale Bioblitz Event

NPS
What is a BioBlitz?
A BioBlitz is a short-term event where National Park Service staff, professional scientists, teachers, students, and citizen scientists work together to find and identify as many different species within a park as possible using scientific methods. These events inspire future stewards of national parks and help “bridge the gap” in park knowledge by providing additional biological information that can be used to maintain and restore park resources. Targeted surveys help parks know what species are present and where they are. They also help verify and update existing park information about species. In the words of conservation biologist Dr. David Bowles, “In conservation biology, you can’t protect something if you don’t know it’s there.”
- Duration:
- 2 minutes, 32 seconds
A BioBlitz focuses on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a specific area over a short period of time. See how scientists, families, students, teachers, and other community members work together to get an overall count of species that live in a park.
A Guide to Small-scale BioBlitzes
The National Park Service (NPS) has partnered with the National Geographic Society to conduct BioBlitz events near major population centers that involved extensive planning, major funding sources, multiple partners, and substantial park and public participation. For most NPS parks, events of this scale are simply not feasible because of staffing and financial constraints. Smaller BioBlitz events can help parks grow their natural resource knowledge and make science fun for a new generation of citizen scientists, creating next generation stewards. Conducting BioBlitz events helps park interpretive staff integrate information available from NPS science inventories and promote interdisciplinary collaboration with NPS inventory and monitoring network scientists and other professionals. To facilitate small-scale bioblitz events, the Heartland Inventory and Monitoring Network developed a guide to planning and conducting a BioBlitz for small and medium-sized parks.
These smaller BioBlitz events focus on a few understudied taxa groups or habitats and can accommodate up to 40 volunteers. They require minimal park staff involvement and funding. The step-by-step guide provides descriptions of all planning actions, from identifying team members, scientists, and potential groups of species and sites to developing research and collection guidance and finding funding. Also outlined are the steps and timeline for conducting the event, including recruiting citizen scientists, organizing the team, and identifying logistical requirements.
Read the Guide: Planning and Conducting a BioBlitz Event at a National Park Service Unit
A BioBlitz is a short-term event where National Park Service (NPS) staff, professional scientists, students, and citizen scientists work together to find and identify as many different species within a park as possible using scientific methods. These events provide opportunities for the discovery of understudied biota in national parks and sharing of these opportunities through scientific research, grants, and environmental education.
Historically, the large iconic NPS/National Geographic Society BioBlitz events held near major population centers have involved extensive planning, major funding sources, public involvement, multiple partners, and substantial park and volunteer participation. For most NPS units, events of this scale are simply not feasible given constraints on personnel and fiscal resources. Conducting multiple, smaller BioBlitz events allows parks to grow their natural resource knowledge base while making science fun for a new generation of citizen scientists, thereby helping to engender park stewards—important goals in the Director’s Call to Action, NPS 2016 Centennial, and the Revisiting Leopold report.
In addition, these events help “bridge the gap” between broad based biodiversity inventories and intensive vital signs monitoring. Planning and conducting BioBlitz events help park interpretive staff integrate information available from I&M inventories and promote interdisciplinary collaboration with professional and network scientists.
The objective of this plan is to provide a step-by-step guide for planning and conducting a BioBlitz event in a small- to medium-size NPS unit that: 1) focuses on a few, under-studied taxa groups or habitats; 2) accommodates 20–40 volunteers per event; and 3) requires minimal park staff involvement and funding per event.
I. Background and Objectives
Introduction and Objective
A BioBlitz is a short-term event (less than 48 hours) where National Park Service (NPS) staff, professional scientists, teachers, students, and citizen scientists work together to find and identify as many different species within a park as possible using scientific methods. These events provide opportunities for the discovery of biota in national parks and sharing of these opportunities through scientific research, grants, and environmental education for professional scientists, citizen scientists, and park staff. They also provide students with opportunities to meet and work with professional scientists and state or federal agencies that could potentially lead to new interests and/or careers in natural resources.
The National Geographic Society (NGS) has partnered with the NPS in the support and execution of iconic BioBlitz events in NPS units near major population centers such as Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and New Orleans ( National Parks BioBlitz - Biodiversity). These efforts involve extensive planning, major funding sources, public involvement, multiple partners, and substantial park and volunteer participation. For most NPS units, however, events of this scale are simply not feasible given constraints on personnel and fiscal resources. Therefore, a less complex and resource intensive model has been developed and is provided in this plan. Other parks, notably Great Smoky Mountains, have an ongoing All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI). Many NPS parks conduct various biodiversity events including large non-NGS BioBlitz events, annual butterfly and/or bird counts, and multi-park, system-wide ecological studies. Additional information on biological diversity studies can be found in the 2014 special issue of Park Science.
Our objective is to provide a step-by-step guide for planning and conducting a BioBlitz event in a small- to medium-size NPS unit. It outlines a simple approach that: 1) focuses on a few, under-studied taxa groups or habitats; 2) can accommodate 20–40 volunteers per event; and 3) requires minimal park staff involvement and funding per event. Conducting multiple, smaller BioBlitz events allows all parks to grow their natural resource knowledge base while making science fun for a new generation of citizen scientists, thereby helping to engender park stewards—two important goals in the Director’s Call to Action.
I.A. Relationship with NPS Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) efforts
To address the lack of scientific information about the status and trends of natural resources under NPS stewardship, the NPS established the Natural Resource Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) program in 2001. Inventory and Monitoring networks now provide over 270 national park units with site-specific scientific information. Baseline inventories conducted by I&M focused on vertebrate animal and vascular plant species. I&M further conducts long-term monitoring of important indicators of ecosystem health, or “vital signs.”
Park records exist of historical biological surveys and many are included in the NPS’s Integrated Resource Management Applications (IRMA) and NPSpecies databases. Despite these efforts, many species go undiscovered or have never been targeted for species-specific information (e.g., adult aquatic invertebrates, pollinators, land snails, and terrestrial and aquatic mites). In the words of Dr David Bowles, NPS HTLN Aquatics Program Leader, “In conservation biology, you can't protect something if you don't know it's there.”
BioBlitz events and citizen scientists help provide a relatively low-cost means to help “bridge the gap” between broad based biodiversity inventories and intensive vital signs monitoring. They also help verify and update existing park data residing in the NPS’s IRMA and NPSpecies databases.
I.B. Relationship with NPS policy and initiatives
A BioBlitz provides a variety of possibilities to engage the public in park inventories, particularly of lesser-known taxonomic groups, and addresses the NPS Call to Action item “Next Generation Stewards” (NPS 2013), which emphasizes citizen involvement in biodiversity discovery in national parks. As we near 2016, conducting BioBlitz events is a cost effective means of meeting the NPS Centennial goals to “connect with and create the next generation of park visitors, supporters, and advocates.”
As mentioned in the Revisiting Leopold report (National Park System 2012), the purpose of I&M science interpretation and education is to share credible scientific information that is engaging, thought provoking, and actionable in a way that fosters understanding of and care for NPS resources. Interpretation and education should also help “steward NPS resources for continuous change….in order to preserve ecological integrity… (and) provide visitors with transformative experiences…” (National Park System 2012).
I.C. Promoting interdisciplinary collaboration
Integrating information available from I&M inventories and conferring with network scientists are opportunities that promote interdisciplinary collaboration between network scientists and park staff. It has been noted that these events help promote communication between multiple divisions within the park including superintendent’s office, resource management, maintenance, law enforcement, and administration. Increased outside collaboration includes universities, local communities, schools, and non-profit organizations. Integral to a successful BioBlitz, this communication is vital to achieving the goal of providing authentic science based experiences that contribute to achieving stewardship among the volunteers.
II. BioBlitz Overview
A BioBlitz event is conducted within NPS park boundaries on a specific date where teams will collect, identify, and count as many focus species as possible using scientific methods. NOTE: The term “species” used throughout this document, represents taxa identified to its lowest taxonomic level.
BioBlitz teams should be limited to a designated team leader and no more than 10 volunteer team members, depending on the team leader’s preference. The team leader must be a professional scientist (36 CFR 2.5) in order to conduct research in the park. Team members may include teachers, students, and interested adults. Suggested minimum age is 12, as younger children may have difficulty completing necessary field activities. Team leaders should establish the schedule and methodologies to be used, lead the fieldwork, provide equipment and supplies, and identify lab facility needs.
An orientation meeting held prior to fieldwork welcomes participants, provides additional information (including safety information), and ensures collection of all necessary volunteer forms. Volunteers then break into teams where team leaders discuss schedule, methods, data recording, and equipment use. BioBlitz fieldwork begins as instructed by the team leader.
Lab facilities can be made available for processing collected specimens and for educational programs. A camera adapted microscope connected to a laptop and projector is suggested. This makes findings easily viewed by participants and visitors. Opportunities can be made available for BioBlitz related workshops and exhibits for other visitors. A meeting (open to the public) can be held for the team leaders and/or members to present findings, share experiences, and provide feedback for future BioBlitz events.
While awaiting receipt of team leader data, press releases can be developed and posted on park and social media websites reporting the number of participants (volunteers and NPS staff), a preliminary list or number of species, and any public interest highlights, with explanation that specimen identification will be ongoing and the number of species is likely to increase. Thank-you correspondence can also be sent to team leaders and members.
Final data results can be published in an NPS publication, making it a permanent record of the park, and then entered into the NPS’s IRMA and NPSpecies databases. In order to maximize public outreach and community involvement, press releases can be developed that provide the final results. These can be submitted to local and regional news media, the NPS natural resource newsletters and magazines, and posted on park and social media websites. A video can be produced from the BioBlitz and uploaded to the park and NPS YouTube websites. This example video about a BioBlitz event shows the fieldwork and educational program at a BioBlitz in George Washington Carver National Monument.
III. Planning and Conducting a BioBlitz
This section is divided into two parts. Part A activities are performed during the initial planning phase and provide the foundation for many BioBlitz events. Part B describes the activities involved in planning and conducting an individual BioBlitz event and is repeated for each BioBlitz.
III.A. Initial Phase of BioBlitz planning process
The initial phase of planning includes: 1) identifying an interdisciplinary team, 2) developing a master list of potential groups of focus species/sites for a park, 3) developing park specific guidance for scientific research and collections, 4) identifying a pool of professional scientists capable of serving as team leaders, and 5) identifying funding requirements and sources (Figure 1). Initial planning may need periodic re-assessment as new information is gained.

Figure 1. Overview of the steps involved in the initial planning phase for many BioBlitz events.
III.A.1. Identify interdisciplinary team
To begin, it is important to identify interdisciplinary team members who are knowledgeable of the park’s natural resources. This team conducts research and summarizes natural resource information about the park, and contributes their personal knowledge and expertise.
The interdisciplinary team should include at a minimum park staff from interpretation and natural resources, scientists from the I&M network, and local scientific experts. All NPS units with significant natural resources are included in one of 32 Inventory and Monitoring Networks. Network scientists visit parks regularly to collect natural resource scientific data and are familiar with park resources and management priorities. In our experience, interaction among team members promotes communication between park staff and the NPS I&M scientists that leads to greater knowledge and appreciation of both park and network resources. Oftentimes, this process initiates an enduring dialogue.
III.A.2. Identify potential groups of focus species/sites for park
Next, it is important to identify information gaps in a park’s biodiversity knowledge base. Information gaps may be from understudied taxa, or understudied areas within the park.
The NPS’s IRMA Data Store and NPSpecies databases document the state of knowledge regarding a park’s biodiversity in the form of documents, publications, data sets, and species lists. It is suggested the IRMA and NPSpecies databases, park publications, NPS staff, and other professional scientists be queried for all information known about a specific park. See Appendix A for detailed instructions on accessing IRMA Data Store and NPSpecies databases.
From the knowledge base gained above, the team then identifies specific groups (e.g. snails, fungi) and/or specific habitats (e.g. springs) for future BioBlitz events. This ‘master’ list is revised when new species groups/sites are identified, removed, or more information becomes known. Special attention should be given to any state or federally listed rare species or sensitive habitats requiring protection.
III.A.3. Develop park specific guidance for scientific research and collections
A clear and concise research and collection policy is necessary to avoid confusion regarding how, what, where, and when team leaders may collect specimens; and their intended use and preservation. Team leaders must be from a “reputable scientific or educational institution or a State or Federal agency” (36 CFR 2.5) in order to conduct scientific research in the park. In addition, an NPS Research Permit and Reporting System (RPRS) research permit is required in order to collect specimens within the park boundaries. The NPS Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) guidance should also be included if collections involve vertebrate animals to ensure Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulations are followed.
Early in the planning process, the park staff (NPS RPRS permit coordinator, natural resource manager, museum specialist, and superintendent) should review the following NPS policies for scientific research and collections, and develop park specific guidance for general collection guidelines. More specific guidance can be tailored to the selected focus species groups/sites if needed.
- NPS Management Policies 2006
- Code of Federal Regulations (36 CFR 2.5, 36 CFR 2.1, 43 CFR 24)
- NPS Research Permit and Reporting System
Pay special attention to specimen repository requirements for the park. This will help ensure scientists collecting in the park have clear guidance when applying for NPS RPRS permits, conducting scientific research and collections, and proper handling of collected specimens. This will also prevent potential delay in approving permits prior to a planned BioBlitz event. I&M Network staff and professional scientists can also be consulted for guidance development.
Update guidance when changes are made to RPRS or specimen collection/repository park guidance.
III.A.4. Identify scientists for selected focus species/sites
The team should begin developing a list of professional scientists (i.e. potential team leaders) who may be interested in conducting research on the identified focus species groups/sites. Members of the team that identified the knowledge gaps may also be willing to serve as team leaders, or will likely know local colleagues capable of serving as team leaders. Revise the list when new scientists are identified, removed, or more information becomes known about the scientists. Other sources for potential team leaders include:
- Colleges and universities—these may be local or international depending on focus species and available funding. Again, permitting requires a “reputable scientific or educational institution or a State or Federal agency.”
- Federal natural resource agencies such as the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and U. S. Forest Service.
- State natural resource agencies.
- Referrals from known professional scientists.
- Previous BioBlitz/Biodiversity events.
- Scientists who have conducted studies in similar habitats.
- Peer reviewed publication authors.
- Local, regional, and national conferences.
Poster presentations at local, regional, and national professional conferences, outlining the opportunities available at BioBlitz events, are great ways to recruit potential professional scientists and students. See Appendix A, Figure A-7 for an example poster.
Once potential scientists have been identified, contact them to determine their interest in participating in an event. When soliciting interest, be sure to include an explanation of their responsibilities and associated information surrounding the event (see Appendix A, Figure A-8 for an example letter). Responsibilities include:
- Obtaining an NPS RPRS permit and understanding what is involved in obtaining that permit.
- Leading teams in fieldwork.
- Handling of collected specimens.
- Reporting data to the park in a timely manner.
- Agreeing to be a park volunteer with limited or no funding available.
- Presenting findings in an educational forum (optional).
III.A.5. Identify funding requirements and sources for funding
BioBlitz funding may be necessary depending on the complexity of the event and distance traveled by the professional scientists. Funding needs might include housing, supplies, and travel reimbursement for scientists, food for volunteers, printing costs, promotional material, specimen curation costs, transportation, and additional staffing. Identification of funding sources and applications should occur early in the process, allowing time to meet grant source deadlines and staff budgeting.
The following are potential sources for funding a BioBlitz event:
- Park non-profit “Friends” organizations
- National Park Foundation offers many funding opportunities through their Open OutDoors for Kids program.
- Partnering with state and federal agencies
- Partnering with non-government organizations such as The Nature Conservancy or Audubon Society
- One time small grants from park funds
- National Geographic Society
- National Park Service Natural Resources Management special projects
- The Nature Fund for National Parks, Inc.
- National Science Foundation Systematics and Biodiversity Science (SBS) division
- North American Association for Environmental Education
- Project Wet
- Project Learning Tree
III.B. Planning and conducting an individual BioBlitz.
Figure 2a and b outline the steps in planning and conducting an upcoming BioBlitz event and are repeated for each event. Also, see Table B-1 in Appendix B for a planning checklist of the activities.

Figure 2a. Overview of the first steps involved in planning an individual BioBlitz event.

Figure 2b. Overview of the steps involved in planning and conducting an individual BioBlitz event in the month prior to and up through the event.
III.B.1. Identify scope, focus species group/sites of interest, tentative event dates, and potential team leaders
Six to 12 months prior to the BioBlitz event, determine the desired scope of the event (i.e. the desired number of teams and team members), focus species group/sites of interest, tentative dates, and potential team leaders.
Allowing up to 6 months prior to the event, identify one to four (1–4) focus species groups/sites of interest from the master list, taking into consideration optimum sampling season compatibility. Optimum sampling season is of great importance when selecting focus species, as not all species can be successfully collected at all times of the year.
Next, identify at least two tentative dates for the BioBlitz, taking into consideration the optimum sampling season, weather conditions, and other events that might be held in conjunction with the BioBlitz (e.g., National Public Lands Day, annual interpretive programs, YCC educational days, summer camps). Also, take into consideration the schedules of public/private schools and/or universities (e.g. breaks, holidays, and testing). For some parks, the event date may need to be planned 12 months in advance in order to set the special event calendar and budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
Make note of any special attention that should be given to rare and/or state and federally listed species or habitat that could potentially be found in the park to ensure protection of the species and its location(s).
Next, from the master list of experts, identify potential team leaders with the appropriate qualifications for selected focus species group/sites. We suggest providing the RPRS park coordinator a list of the potential team leaders for information purposes and request immediate notification if there are any problems associated with permit applications.
III.B.2. Contact potential team leaders
Contact team leaders by either phone, email, or mail to determine their interest, availability, and to confirm the focus species’ optimum sampling season. Effective team leaders are essential for a successful event. To be effective, team leaders need a clear understanding of their obligations that include:
- Leading volunteers in fieldwork and the collection of biological data using scientifically sound methods, clear communication, and working with varied ages and backgrounds.
- Inspiring curiosity, awareness, and appreciation of a park’s natural resources.
- Providing needed equipment, lab facilities, and supplies, or request assistance from the park.
- Establishing the schedule and methodologies to be used for fieldwork.
- Submitting detailed information on the study, site, and taxa collected by a park-determined number of days after the BioBlitz (we suggest a maximum of 90 days). Confirmed findings may be published in some form by the NPS and entered into the NPSpecies database when the park feels the majority of the specimens have been identified. Note: the NPS publication is a snapshot of the known taxa information obtained during the BioBlitz, but the park should not be the official keeper of the team leader’s data. If inquiries are made regarding the data, they should be referred to the team leader for more detail.
III.B.3. Select final focus species groups/sites
Once responses have been received from interested team leaders, select the final focus species groups, recognizing this is an iterative process. For example, travel costs may prohibit recruiting team leaders with the appropriate qualifications, resulting in a different choice of focus species group. Or, the focus species group may not be active / present on the BioBlitz date (e.g. hibernating animals). In some cases, selecting a focus species may not be reasonable. In these cases, pitfall traps may be used in different habitats throughout the park to collect a variety of taxa (e.g. small insects, animals, reptiles and amphibians) that would otherwise be hard to capture. If vertebrates are collected, IACUC guidelines must be followed.
III.B.4. Secure funds necessary to meet funding requirements
Confirm availability of and secure the necessary funds to meet funding requirements, especially in regards to park staffing and team leader’s travel expenses.
III.B.5. Send out official team leader letter
Email/mail an official letter (see Appendix B, Figure B-1) to the team leader informing them of their responsibilities, providing them with official forms/templates, and requesting a confirmation of their participation. Based on our experience, this is an important step in formalizing the agreement so both parties are committed to the event. Obtain a written acceptance (an email is acceptable) and biographical information from each team leader before proceeding with further planning. The team leader’s biographical information is to recruit team members.
At a minimum, the team leader letter and attachments should contain the following documents to ensure the team leader is informed and has a copy of the required forms. See Appendix B for a sample of each document referenced below:
- Team leader letter (Figure B-1, Appendix B)
- Team leader biographical information template/example (Figure B-2, Appendix B) that includes field gear requirements and potential safety hazards
- NPS Research Permit and Reporting System (RPRS) permit application information that includes park specific guidance for scientific research and collections. The permit application information can refer the team leader to the RPRS website.
- It is suggested that park and event specific guidance also be included. It is important to stress to the scientist that a park approved NPS RPRS permit must be obtained as soon as possible. It is also important to reiterate the park specific guidance on scientific research and collections as well as specimen repository and IACUC requirements.
- Park brochure
- VIP forms:
- Volunteer Job Description (Figure B-3, Appendix B) that includes potential safety hazards
- Volunteer Services Agreement for Natural Resources Agencies (optional form 301A, Figure B-4)
- NPS Photo Release form (Figure B-5, Appendix B)
- Study, Site, and Taxa datasheet template (Figures B-6 through B-8, Appendix B). The team leader should be informed that:
- Specific study and site data must be collected on the day of the event (e.g., GPS coordinates, site descriptions, weather). Note: locations of any state or federally listed rare species or sensitive habitats requiring protection should not be made public.
- Data must be submitted to the park within a park determined number of days after the conclusion of the BioBlitz (suggest a maximum of 90 days).
- Data may be published in an NPS report and entered into the NPSpecies database when the park feels the majority of the specimens have been identified.
- Definitions for Nativeness and Abundance can be found in Figures B-9 and B- 10 in Appendix B. The definitions are taken directly from the NPSpecies User Guide.
III.B.6. Identify key park personnel
Identify key park personnel including the event coordinator, responsible for planning and conducting the event, and safety coordinator, responsible for safety of participants. Additional staffing requirements can be identified at this time (e.g., Superintendent, maintenance, and administration).
The event coordinator will manage communications among support staff and be a primary point of contact for volunteers; ensure all VIP forms have been completed, signed, and received before activities begin; and ensure that team members between the ages of 12 through 16 have an accompanying adult who has signed a VIP form.
The safety coordinator should be engaged throughout the planning of the event. In the design phase, a safety coordinator will ensure all proposed field activities can be conducted safely and the VIP Job Description addresses all potential hazards. The day of the event, the safety coordinator should provide a safety briefing that identifies potential hazards, provides instructions on what to do in case of an emergency, and outlines the system to communicate with team leaders throughout the day.
Other key personnel may include:
- Speakers involved in the orientation meeting. Before each BioBlitz event, it is suggested there be a 30-minute meeting of all participants that includes a welcome by park staff, introductions of scientists and park staff coordinators, and a safety talk.
- Park staff to unlock and lock gates and facilities before and after all activities surrounding the event including nocturnal sampling.
- Person(s) to photograph and/or film the event. Note: park staff, volunteer, or a contactor may be used.
- Person(s) to set up, tear down, and clean up the day of the event. Note: park staff, volunteer, or a contactor may be used.
III.B.7. Identify logistical requirements
Identifying logistical needs for the event is important for a successful outcome. To the extent possible, this information should be provided to volunteers prior to the event. Logistical considerations may include:
- Parking areas, meeting location, lunch area, laboratory/educational program facility (may include water, sinks, electricity, microscopes, and hand lenses), tents, and portable toilets.
- Tables, chairs, audio visual needs (projectors, screens, and microphones), portable generators, electrical outlets, extension cords, coolers, water coolers, fans, heaters, lighting, all-terrain vehicles, and carts.
- Signage and maps to ensure volunteers can find event location and meeting places.
- Group transportation requirements (vans/buses) if sampling is not within walking distance of meeting location.
- Educational programs/workshops/exhibits to be provided the day of the event.
- Food and water for participants. If high heat is anticipated for the event, it is suggested water and/or electrolyte replenishing drinks be provided as a safety precaution. Snacks might also be made available.
III.B.8. Develop team member recruitment material
Our experience suggests limiting teams to 10 members. A suggested minimum age requirement is 12, as younger children may have difficulty completing necessary field activities. Given that scientific research is being conducted and the results may become part of the permanent record, it is important that team members focus on the fieldwork. The team leader can help identify the requirements for team members (e.g. able to carry gear, walk off trail, and get wet). Volunteers who are ages 12 through 16 are required to obtain parent/guardian written permission (see Volunteer Services Agreement form, Appendix B, Figure B-4) and be accompanied by an adult.
Six weeks prior to the BioBlitz event and prior to publicizing the event and recruiting team members, the following information should be organized:
- List of contacts (organizations, media, schools) for mailing of flyer and press releases
- Park website and social media content ready to be uploaded once recruitment begins
- Presentations on the BioBlitz event that can be given to classes and organizational/group meetings
- Directions or map to park
- Map of park with parking, meeting, lunch, and laboratory locations indicated
- Informational flyer and press release that includes the following information:
- Date and time of BioBlitz event
- Park name and location
- Brief explanation of BioBlitz and information on ecological importance of focus species (optional)
- Professional scientists name, title, affiliation, city, state, and focus species
- Event coordinator contact information (name, phone number, email address, and website, if available)
- Basic information needed that day such as what to wear (hat, shoes, outerwear, sunscreen, and insect spray) and items to bring (water and lunch), as not everyone will read the Job Description, schedule, or VIP forms before the day of the event
- Colorful photos representative of focus species
- Registration deadline (optional) may be required if large pools of volunteers are available to draw from and/or teams may fill up quickly
- Results from previous events if this is not the first (optional)
- Team member recruitment packages:
- All team members will be volunteers; therefore, NPS park procedures for volunteer participation should be followed.
- The following suggested materials, at a minimum, should be ready to send out either as part of pre-registration or upon request once the recruitment campaign begins:
- Team member letter (Figure B-11, Appendix B)
- Informational flyer (see above) that can be used by the team member to recruit others by posting or emailing
- Team leader(s) completed biographical information sheet(s) (Figure B-2, Appendix B)
- Park brochure
- BioBlitz schedule (Figure B-12, Appendix B)
- Volunteer Job Description (Figure B-3, Appendix B)
- VIP forms (Figures B-4 and B-5, Appendix B)
III.B.9. Confirm approved NPS RPRS permit for each team leader
At least 4 weeks prior to the BioBlitz event, the event coordinator should contact the park’s NPS RPRS permit coordinator and obtain a copy of each team leader’s approved NPS RPRS permit that has all signatures in place. Retain a copy for your files. If the team leader has not submitted the application, contact the team leader to ensure timely submission and commitment by the scientist. Note: Our experience suggests that team leaders may require encouragement and/or assistance in obtaining a permit.
III.B.10. Recruit volunteer team members
At least 4 weeks prior to the BioBlitz event, begin the initial recruitment campaign and re-submit information periodically up until day before the event. Publicity includes:
- Updates to the park website and social media sites with event information, including forms, and frequent posts on social media sites up until day before event.
- Press releases to local television stations, radio stations, and newspapers, allowing time for calendar of events deadlines and including an invitation for reporters to attend the event.
- Flyers or presentations to the following suggested contacts, taking into consideration school schedules and allowing time for calendar-of-event deadlines:
- Social media websites in area including city, state, and federal parks
- Surrounding universities, colleges, and public/private schools
- Home school groups
- Government agencies (state and federal)
- Volunteers.org
- Funding sources websites, if any used
- National Public Lands Day website, if event held in conjunction
- Professional scientific organizations (e.g. American Fisheries Society, Entomological Society of America, and The Wildlife Society) including college student chapters
- Organizations/clubs/programs open to the public such as Audubon Society, Master Naturalists Program, Native Plant Society, Sierra Club, watershed groups, and Boy/Girl Scouts.
III.B.11. Send out reminders, confirm staffing/emergency information, and print forms
One week prior to the BioBlitz event:
- Re-submit publicity information to above contacts, as applicable, and possibly re-invite media reporters.
- Prepare team sign-in sheet for day of event that includes a space for volunteer name, contact information, whether minors (ages 12 through 16), adult’s accompanying minors (ages 12 through 16), how volunteer found out about event, and whether VIP forms have been received (Figure B-13, Appendix B). Pre-fill with names of any pre-registered volunteers and indicate receipt of VIP forms. Note: make spaces large enough for volunteers to write contact information legibly.
- Remind team leaders and any pre-registered team members to:
- Re-read the schedule of the event and job description, paying special attention to the safety information.
- Complete, sign, and bring VIP and photo release forms the day of the event.
- Bring water and a lunch, if required.
- Remind team leaders to:
- Bring a signed copy of their NPS NRPS permit and to have it with them at all times when collecting.
- Coordinate place and time to meet the morning of the event.
- Request that the team leader provide any PowerPoint presentation files to the event coordinator ahead of time.
- Confirm what park staff will be working the day of the event, their responsibilities, and coordinate to ensure someone is available to:
- Unlock gates and facilities at least 1 hour prior to meeting to allow team leaders, staff, and exhibiters time to setup.
- Lock gates and facilities after the event.
- Welcome the volunteers, register team members, and present a safety briefing.
- Set up sound and audiovisual equipment and ensure that it is working properly.
- Ensure any water and food items have been purchased and set up.
- Obtain a list of emergency telephone numbers and ensure radios are working properly and are available for use the day of the event.
- Print a copy of the Job Description and blank copies of the VIP forms for volunteers that did not pre-register or bring their own copies.
III.B.12. Morning of BioBlitz event preparations
On the morning of the event, the event coordinator should:
- Arrive at the park at least one hour prior to the event in order to set up the event.
- Ensure the park gate and facilities have been unlocked.
- Ensure all volunteers sign the team sign-in sheet and provide legible name and contact information (Figure B-13, Appendix B).
- Ensure all volunteers have completed, signed, and turned in their VIP forms before fieldwork begins. Take note of any medical conditions indicated on page 2 of the Volunteer Services Agreement for Natural Resources Agencies (optional form 301A) and communicate this information to the team leader and safety coordinator.
- Indicate on the team sign-in sheet whether completed and signed VIP forms have been received (Figure B-13, Appendix B).
- Ensure adults are present for team members ages 12 through 16, that they are aware of their responsibilities, and that they have signed and submitted the above VIP forms.
- Direct the volunteers to the orientation meeting area.
- Conduct an orientation meeting that includes introductions of and welcome from park staff, a safety briefing, a review of the schedule of events and expectations. Also, be sure to collect all Volunteer agreement and photo release forms. After the orientation meeting, team leaders can instruct members regarding methodology, field equipment use, and other field operations.
III.B.13. BioBlitz fieldwork and educational program
Once the meeting is adjourned, the team members become the responsibility of the team leaders and fieldwork may begin. Park staff is available to continue with other BioBlitz responsibilities such as:
- Verifying all forms have been received.
- Setting up lunch area, lab facilities, and educational program activities.
- Photographing/filming BioBlitz fieldwork activities in the field and during educational program.
- Answering questions about the BioBlitz from visitors or participants. Note: it is suggested that a count be kept of the visitors that participate in the educational program or ask questions about fieldwork activities in the field, and that those numbers are included in event press releases and publications.
III.B.14. Post-BioBlitz Activities
While awaiting team leader data:
- Develop press releases using preliminary results of BioBlitz; including how many participated in the event (all volunteers, visitors, and NPS staff), a preliminary list or number of species, and any public interest highlights, with explanation that specimen identification will be ongoing and the number of species is likely to increase.
- Submit volunteer hours, names, and contact information to volunteer coordinator to ensure park receives Annual Volunteer Report credit and volunteer receives invitation to recognition event.
- Update park website/Facebook page with preliminary results and remove event announcement information.
- Send thank you letters to team leaders and members.
Once team leader data have been received:
- Write and publish NPS report.
- Update IRMA and NPSpecies databases with confirmed results.
- Include the event as a service-learning project on Centennial reporting websites.
- Develop press release with details and submit to the following suggested media:
- Local television stations, radio stations, and newspapers
- Funding sources
- Partners
- Include information in NPS newsletters and magazines such as Park Science, NPS Call to Action newsletter, and I&M national and network newsletters.
Literature Cited
36 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) 2.1, Preservation of natural, cultural, and archeological resources. 2011. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), Office of the Federal Register (OFR), Washington, D. C. Available at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2011-title36-vol1/pdf/CFR-2011-title36-vol1-sec2-1.pdf.
36 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) 2.5, Research specimens. 2011. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), Office of the Federal Register (OFR), Washington, D. C. Available at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2011-title36-vol1/pdf/CFR-2011-title36-vol1-sec2-5.pdf.
43 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) 24, Department of the Interior fish and wildlife policy: State-federal relationships. 2011. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Office of the Federal Register (OFR), Washington, D. C. Available at http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?rgn=div5&node=43:1.1.1.1.24.
National Park Service (NPS). 2013. A call to action: Preparing for a second century of stewardship and engagement. Available at https://www.nps.gov/calltoaction/index.html.
National Park System. 2012. Revisiting Leopold: Resource stewardship in the national parks. National Park System Advisory Board Science Committee Report. Available at: http://www.nps.gov/calltoaction/PDF/LeopoldReport_2012.pdf (accessed 30 January 2015).
Read the Full Guide and Appendices
Citation
Hinsey, J. A., and T. M. Johnson. 2015. Planning and conducting a BioBlitz event at a National Park Service unit. Natural Resource Report NPS/HTLN/NRR—2015/935. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado.

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Example BioBlitz Events
A BioBlitz was held at George Washington Carver National Monument in Diamond, Missouri, on September 27, 2014. The focus of this event was land snails, butterflies, moths, and grasshoppers and their relatives. Over an 8-hour period, 16 volunteers collected 44 unique taxa, 36 of which had not been previously reported at the park.
Buffalo National River held a BioBlitz event at Arkansas State University's Harp Research Field Station in the Toney Bend Environmental Education Center near Rush, Arkansas, on October 18, 2014. This event focused on water mites, and 13 volunteers collected 18 taxa, none of which had previously been identified at the park.
Read more about these BioBlitz events in this published report:
Hinsey, J. A., and T. M. Johnson. 2015. George Washington Carver National Monument and Buffalo National River BioBlitz events - 2014. Natural Resource Data Series. NPS/HTLN/NRDS—2015/778. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado.

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