National Geographic BioBlitz

Well the time has come and gone…. National Geographic BioBlitz hit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park like a storm. For two days this past week, the park and surrounding community was running around endlessing partaking in the BioBlitz. BioBlitz is an event held in one National Park every year to provide a 24hr species inventory. As a park volunteer and innkeeper at Volcano Village Lodge, I helped out the data team. This event was very unique, because you had scientists, community members, keiki, and others from all around the world helping to count species! It was a very unique park experience and a great opportunity for hands-on science. For me, I helped input and verify data. Of course the plants, birds, and other larger aspect animals were easy to identify. But as soon as the bugs came, I handed that over to the professionals. Using dissecting microscopes and expertise , many of the bugs and fungi were identified. To me the coolest part of BioBlitz is the online database, iNaturalist. Here you can use an app on your phone, take a picture and submit your species to be identified throughout the world. This app works anywhere! So take it with you on a hike nearby and find out what kind of diversity is around you. Or while visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, take it out and about and use their guide to help you identify that beautiful plant or crazy lichen. If you do use the iNaturalist while staying at Volcano Village Lodge, let me know and I can definitely verify your findings. So whether or not you were here for BioBlitz, you can still be part of inventorying. Use the app to explore and learn. Everyday can be a BioBlitz, especially in Volcano!