National Geographic and National Park Service: 10 Years of BioBlitz

• One annual BioBlitz in an urban NPS unit, leading up to 2016 centennial

• 2007: Rock Creek Park

• 2008: Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

• 2009: Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

• 2010: Biscayne National Park

Why Saguaro National Park?

• Biogeographically unique & diverse desert

• Southwestern city with a lot of scientists

• Close ties with surrounding communities

• Successful and active environmental education programs

• Enthusiastic staff

Major Goals of our BioBlitz

• Find, identify, and learn about as many species as possible

• Highlight unique biodiversity protected by NPS system-wide

• Introduce public & scientists to their local NPS lands & waters

• Let the public do science in the field with experts

• Inspire the next generation of organismal biologists and stewards

• Guide people in reconnecting to nature

• Build capacity & interest

Nature Deficit Disorder and Our Future Stewards

Major Components of BioBlitz

K-12 School Group Activities

K-12 School Group Activities

Scientists & Inventories

Scientists & Inventories

Social MediaSocial MediaCelebrate

BioDiversity Festival

Celebrate BioDiversity

Festival

Public Presentations

Public Presentations

Exhibit Booths & Biodiversity

University

Exhibit Booths & Biodiversity

University

Base Camp and Satellites

Base Camp and Satellites

BioBlitzBioBlitz

One Park = Two Districts = different resources91,445 acres and 70,905 acres designated wilderness

TMD – two biotic communities

desert scrubdesert grassland

RMD – six biotic communities

desert scrubdesert grasslandoak woodlandpine-oak woodlandpine forest mixed conifer

forest

2,180 - 4,687 ft elevation rangeOver 13,000 acres designated wilderness

2,670 - 8,666 ft elevation rangeNearly 58,000 acres designated wilderness

(Showing both districts of Saguaro National Park)

Tucson Mountain District, Saguaro National Park

Potential locations for BioBlitz activities

Base Camp

Rincon Mountain District, Saguaro National Parkshowing potential locations for BioBlitz activities

SAGU BioBlitz Base Camp Plan

Base Camp

• Lots of activities at basecamp

• Scientist tent open to public

• Ranger-led hikes• Live animal

demonstrations• Music & entertainment• Etc.

Celebrate Biodiversity Festival

Exhibitors

Biodiversity University

Students and the general public will be invited to participate in the festival through the BioDiversity University.

Social Media

•Blogs

•Facebook

•Twitter

•YouTube

•Live chats

•Re-posting

Scientists

Leading Inventory Teams Keying Out Species

Informal Education Submission and QA of Data

Scientist led Field Inventory Teams

K-12 School Group Activities

K-12 Education Resourceswww.nationalgeographic.com/bioblitz

National Geographic FieldScope

Who we still need…

Communications and Technologyspecialists to help plan solutions to IT deficiencies

Incredible organizers, who can site manage and want to work with the Park staff prior to the event

YOU! We want you to participate!

Roles for Collaborators• Promote – web, listserve,

newsletters, calendars

• Contribute experts to lead inventories and work with school groups

• Recruit event helpers

• Host pre BioBlitz events

• Use our online educational materials

• Exhibit at a booth

• Provide public speakers and demonstrations

How Collaborators Benefit• Reach new audiences, in

person and via the press

• Advance your mission

• Promote and strengthen your ties to the park

• Strengthen your national organizations’ ties to NPS and NGS

• Generate ideas for doing your own BioBlitz

Thank you.

We look forward to working together!bioblitz@ngs.org (202) 775-6186

Park contacts…

Science – Don_Swann@nps.govAnna_Iwaki@nps.gov (scientists)

Education – Chip_Littlefield@nps.gov

Public Programs – Richard_Hill@nps.gov

Or

Andy_L_Fisher@nps.gov Natasha_Kline@nps.gov