Explore Wild Florida & the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve
Kick off Conservation Florida's Bioblitz series with us on March 13th at the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve! At this immersive exploration of the 413-acre parcel of undeveloped wetlands located on Florida's Nature Coast, families, experts, and everyone in between can discover the area's native plants and animals with field specialists and Conservation Florida team members.
Surround yourself with one-of-a-kind wild Florida and learn about the important role land conservation plays in its protection!
DATE CHANGE: We all know that Florida's weather can be unpredictable. We've changed this event's date to Sunday, March 13th, due to expected thunderstorms on Saturday. We hope you can still attend our first bioblitz of the 2022 series and explore the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve with us!
FAQ:
What’s a bioblitz?
A bioblitz is an immersive research event where participants find, identify, and record all of the plants, animals, microbes, fungi, and other organisms that live within a specified area. You can learn more by watching this short video.
A bioblitz can provide you with a “snapshot” of the biodiversity found in your area. Using bioblitzes to help us understand the biodiversity in an area helps us protect species at risk, manage resources and land used by living things, and monitor climate change and its effects on biodiversity.
Do I have to attend all three events?
No! With three different event dates and unique locations throughout the state we will the highlight Florida’s regional biodiversity. You are welcome to attend all three, but you are free to pick the one that works best for you.
Who should attend?
Come one, come all! We have activities throughout the day designed to be fun and informative for everyone! Families, community groups, and people of all ages and abilities are invited to join us. While a smartphone is required to participate in the species cataloging activities, it is not needed to enjoy learning about and experiencing naturally wild Florida.
How much does it cost?
These events are free to attend. We rely on generous gifts from friends and neighbors like you to successfully continue our efforts to save land. Please consider making a donation today!
How should I prepare?
On behalf of this year's sponsor, Duke Energy, we are sharing some tips on how to prepare for a safe, enjoyable bioblitz. Plan as you would for any daylong adventure in the great outdoors. Some of the activities are guided hikes that require a considerable amount of walking on trails that might be difficult to navigate. Be aware of your surroundings and look out for obstacles such as uneven surfaces, trip hazards or things you might bump into along your way. You may encounter a variety of wildlife, including: snakes, mosquitoes, ticks, spiders, tortoises, birds, and butterflies. You should wear comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes and bring sunscreen, bug spray, protective clothing, and water. You will also want to check the weather and download a map to your location ahead of time in case cell service is not available along your route.
Please bring your cameras, binoculars, and cell phones - you won't want to miss the opportunity to observe some of Florida's most amazing species!
How do I record what I see?
We will be using the iNaturalist app, available on your smartphone. This app allows you to record your observations directly to Conservation Florida's bioblitz project and share your findings with others. Please visit the iNaturalist tutorials for more information and join our iNaturalist project. Select the location where you plan to participate and record your findings on the day of the event! You can also share your experience on social media using #flbioblitz.
What if I have more questions?
We're here for you. Reach out to us at info@conserveflorida.org. We will email you periodically as the event date approaches.