Search MnSTA

From CGLL:

What is the Great Lakes BioBlitz?
An event that focuses on finding and identifying as many wild, living things as possible in the Canadian province and the U.S. states that have coastline on the Great Lakes during a specified period of time.

Who should participate in the BioBlitz?
Teachers, educators, students, and families.

Why should I participate in the BioBlitz?
It’s a way to record biodiversity, the variety of wild living things found in a given area.

How do I participate? 
Simply create a free iNaturalist account and become a member of both your local project and the umbrella project for the Center for Great Lakes Literacy 2021 Great Lakes BioBlitz, then upload your photos (see below for more details).  For added fun, participate in the weekly aquatic or terrestrial challenges!

When do I participate?

Starts: Earth Day, Thursday, April 22, 2021

Ends: Thursday, May 20, 2021

Where do I participate?
The BioBlitz will take place in yards and other outdoor spaces all across Ontario, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.

How do I get on to iNaturalist and join in the BioBlitz?

Joining is as easy as saying “One-two-three-CHEESE!”

1. Download the iNaturalist app (or you can access iNaturalist through your computer) and create a free account.
2. Become a member of the 2021 BioBlitz project for your state/province and the 2021 CGLL Great Lakes BioBlitz umbrella project (see below).

   Umbrella project:

   2021 Great Lakes BioBlitz  https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/2021_great-lakes-BioBlitz-cgll-

    Individual state and province projects:

   2021 Minnesota BioBlitz  – https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/2021_minnesota-BioBlitz-cgll-

   2021 Wisconsin BioBlitz  – https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/2021_wisconsin-BioBlitz-cgll-

3. Take photos of wild, living things within the app or upload via your computer.

Are you new to iNaturalist and need more help for yourself or your community?

 Check out these great tools from iNaturalist:

• General Help Menu/FAQ/What are “Projects”/What counts as an observation/etc: https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/help
• Video Tutorials for using iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/video+tutorials
• Teacher’s guide for using iNaturalist for class projects: https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/teacher’s+guide

Have questions?

Contact Marte Kitson at mkitson@d.umn.edu or 218-726-8305.