3 days ago
People across Dumfries and Galloway urged to take part in environmental BioBlitz
Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership is asking people to identify as many species of animals and plants as possible.
People across Dumfries and Galloway are being asked to record as many species of animals and plants as possible.
The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership is taking part in a special BioBlitz on Saturday, August 23, going up against other UNESCO Biospheres across the British Isles.
A BioBlitz sees people work together to find and identify as many species of animals and plants as possible in a set time and area.
It's a fun, family-friendly activity and no expertise is required – just download the iNaturalist mobile phone app.
The idea for the BioBlitz came from the new youth forum for UNESCO biospheres in the British Isles, in which Jake McLaughlan represents the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere.
He said: 'We'd love for as many local people as possible to become citizen scientists for a day and help us break all known records for nature recording in south west Scotland.
'This is a fantastic way to spend a summer Saturday and we can also support community groups, businesses and attractions to host their own mini BioBlitzes for the event.
'Nature recording is all about capturing as much information as possible so we are interested in every plant, insect, mammal, bird, fungus, and more – if it's growing or living wild, we want to know.
'It's a brilliantly inclusive activity and there is no need to head out into the wilderness, the butterflies and beetles in your flowerbed are just as important to discover.
'Everybody's sightings uploaded to iNaturalist will help paint a picture of the precious biodiversity all around us, and it's going to be fascinating to see how our UNESCO biosphere compares to our sister designations around the British Isles.'
As part of the BioBlitz, Jake and colleagues will be meeting by the Southern Upland Way bridge over the River Nith in Sanquhar to count species between 10am and 11.30am as part of the Nithraid River Festival organised by EcoArt and The Stove Network.
For more information about the British Isles BioBlitz and how to get involved, contact Jake via jake@
