WASHINGTON DC: National Geographic & National Parks Service to Host BioBlitz 2016 - May 20-21

National Parks BioBlitz and Biodiversity Festival

May 20-21, 2016

Grab your backpack and explore the wilds in and around Washington, D.C. like never before at the National Parks BioBlitz and Biodiversity Festival, Friday and Saturday, May 20-21, 2016.

Teams of scientists, students, teachers and the general public will join in a race to discover and document the flora and fauna of select National Capital Parks. From early morning birding adventures on Theodore Roosevelt Island and pollinator surveys in Piscataway Park, to meadow exploration and fish counts in Rock Creek Park, to exploring the wetlands of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, spider splendor at Dyke Marsh, and other species inventories at parks throughout the national capital region, there will be something for everyone.

Part scientific endeavor, part festival, and part outdoor classroom, BioBlitz provides a unique opportunity to work alongside leading experts to discover, count and document the living creatures in the parks; to contribute to the park’s official species lists; to explore interconnectedness of plants, animals, the environment, culture and our daily lives; and to help protect the extraordinary biodiversity in our parks. With top scientists as their guides, participants will discover that our parks are more than tourist attractions and recreational spots, but also living laboratories rich in biodiversity.
   
A concurrent two-day Biodiversity Festival will be held at the National Mall at Constitution Gardens. The festival will feature hands-on science exhibits, food and art, as well as family-friendly entertainment and activities. The festival will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 20-21, 2016, with a special “Bugs, Bats, and Brews” evening of biodiversity fun planned for Friday night from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

American Express is a national sponsor of the National Parks BioBlitz. Additional support for the Washington DC event is being provided by Verizon and Southwest Airlines Co.

Explorers of all ages are needed. All events are free and open to the public; however, advance online registration is required to secure a spot on a BioBlitz inventory team. Inventory teams are best suited for ages 8 and up. The Biodiversity Festival does not require advance registration. Whether you have a couple of hours or a full day, there are activities to engage the whole family.

Be part of this free and exciting event! To learn more about the National Parks BioBlitz activities throughout the national capital region and beyond go to natgeo.org/bioblitz.