BioBlitz at Project GREEN Gardens
What is a BioBlitz?
A BioBlitz is a limited-time event to find and record as many of the species in a given area as possible. A BioBlitz usually involves both expert recorders and members of the public participating in biodiversity citizen science. It is a fun and informal way for members of the public to learn how to record biodiversity, alongside experts.
Discover what lives in Project GREEN Gardens!
Join our local BioBlitz to find, photograph, and identify as many plant, animal, and insect species as possible within 2 hours. Help scientists map local biodiversity!
BioBlitz at Project GREEN Gardens
When: Saturday, August 1, 2026; 9 – 11 a.m.
(rain or shine)
Where: Project GREEN Gardens, 820 Park Road, Iowa City
Meetup Point: Parking along Normandy Drive;
accessible parking in Ashton House parking lot
Free; *Registration Required*
Click button to register:
How to Participate in 2 Simple Steps:
-
Download the App
We use the free citizen science platform iNaturalist to document our findings:
Download for iOS (App Store)
Download for Android (Google Play)
-
Get Outside & Observe
Show up at the meetup point, or explore on your own. Photograph everything from blooming wildflowers to buzzing bees and upload them to iNaturalist. The community will help identify your finds!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is there a video or information to review?
Yes, iNaturalist offers several videos to help you use the iNaturalist app.
iNaturalist explained for Beginners: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y15mOREcGD8 (5 minutes)
How to make an observation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xENz1xRu0wI (1½ minutes)
Introduction to iNaturalist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_HONkxPJsc&t=169s (webinar video―50 minutes)
iNaturalist YouTube videos: https://www.youtube.com/@inaturalist-org/videos (multiple videos)
iNaturalist how-to videos: https://help.inaturalist.org/en/support/solutions/folders/151000547795 (multiple tutorial videos)
Getting started is a step-by-step instruction to use iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/archived+getting+started (step-by-step instruction guide)
Do I need to be an expert?
Absolutely not! The event is completely beginner-friendly. You just take the photos, and the iNaturalist community—along with local scientists—will help identify the species.
What should I bring?
- a fully charged smartphone
- comfortable walking shoes
- water to stay hydrated (reusable/refillable water bottle if possible)
- weather-appropriate clothing
Is there an age limit?
No, it is a fun and educational activity for all ages!
What you might see at Project GREEN Gardens:
Help Us Stay Green: BioBlitz participants are encouraged to practice a carry-in/carry-out philosophy; if you bring it in, carry it out. And, please bring a reusable/refillable water bottle. We’ve adopted the initiative to avoid using single-use plastics. Everything we can do to help our environment makes a difference: Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
Organized By: This collaborative effort brings together the City of Iowa City, Hills Bank, Johnson County Master Gardeners, Johnson County Planning, Development & Sustainability, Project GREEN, and the University of Iowa Office of Sustainability and the Environment to promote environmental education, stewardship, and community engagement.
Contact Email: johnsoncomg@gmail.com
ISU Extension Non-Discrimination Policy