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Thank you to all participants who supported the Student and Family Sandy Hook BioBlitz 2017, September 29th!

BioBlitz Recap & Results!


The American Littoral Society hosted this year's Student and Family BioBlitz at Sandy Hook on September 29, 2017. This 12-hour event started at 10am on Friday September 29, 2017 and concluded at 10pm on Friday September 29, 2017. A BioBlitz is a biological inventory where volunteers work alongside scientists and expert naturalists to find and identify as many species as possible over a short time period. It is an opportunity to increase awareness of the diversity of organisms that exist within our park; to become more connected to our surroundings; to increase our understanding of biodiversity; to become empowered to protect the places and spaces where nature exists; and – most importantly – to have fun!! It’s a celebration and exploration of biodiversity!


View of NYC across Jamaica Bay


How will it work?

Scientists/Expert Naturalists and Volunteers reported to the event and ventured out as teams to conduct surveys. You should register for specific survey times. You are welcome to participate in as many surveys as you want. Volunteers were also needed to assist at the "Base Camp" with general information, registration, food preparation, GIS, photography, and social media.

We used an app called iNaturalist to record species data for the 2017 Sandy Hook BioBlitz. The app gathered data in a fun and simple way - plus you don’t have to be an expert! Just snap and post a picture and experts in that field will review and identify the species. If you want to use your smart phone or tablet and the iNaturalist app, you can create an account at http://www.inaturalist.org/signup (works best if you do it from a computer and not your phone). Once you have an account, you can join the 2017 Sandy Hook BioBlitz (http://www.inaturalist.org/projects/2017-student-and-family-bioblitz).

But don't worry - species observations can also be recorded the old fashioned way - pencil and data sheet.  You don't need to have a smart phone or be tech savvy to participate in the BioBlitz.

T-shirts, food, a rest area, and plenty of coffee and water were provided. Join the fun and come explore Sandy Hook with Scientists/Expert Naturalists. For additional information, contact Lindsay Weil (Lindsay@littoralsociety.org).