The Montserrat National Trust (the Trust) is inviting residents of Montserrat to unleash their inner scientists, by participating in a BioBlitz on Saturday, July 9.
At the free BioBlitz event, scientists from the UK and the Meise Botanical Gardens in Belgium will assist participants with creating a snapshot of the variety of life that can be found in the Trust’s botanical gardens. For the BioBlitz, participants will use the iNaturalist platform (a website and mobile application developed in the US, but used all over the world), which uses artificial intelligence technology to identify plants and animals.
The BioBlitz will not only inspire participants to be stewards of Montserrat’s biodiversity, but it will also help the Trust in its commitment to increase the variety of living organisms within its boundaries. Increased biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity and strengthens the bonds between species to create a balanced ecosystem, which is healthy for Montserrat and the planet.
Sarita Francis, Director at the Montserrat National Trust explains:
“Monitoring biodiversity helps the Trust to understand and protect Montserrat’s natural ecosystem, which is really important because we rely on a healthy, thriving and biodiverse island to provide us with clean air, food, fresh water and a stable climate – in fact, everything we need for our own survival. These efforts directly support our goal to connect the people of Montserrat through the power of nature, wellness and creativity.”
The BioBlitz launches with opening remarks in the Trust’s conference room at 8:00 am, followed by an update on two of the Trust’s ongoing projects: Hidden Histories and Adopt a Home for Wildlife. Participants will then disperse into the botanical gardens to explore. Scientists, Quentin Groom, Sofie Meeus and David Clements will be on hand to explain how to use the iNaturalist app and the best ways to discover the rich array of species in the garden. Data will be downloaded in the Trust’s conference room at the conclusion of the event and the results will be shared with the public in due course.
How to take part?
- Register
So that we can manage the number of people in the garden, we kindly ask you to register at bit.ly/mntbioblitz and complete the registration form by 4pm on Thursday, 7 July, 2022. If you cannot attend the event at the botanic garden in person, there are still ways to participate: see https://www.ukotcf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Montserrat-Bioblitz-Step-by-step-guide.pdf - Download
Download the FREE iNaturalist app on your mobile phone before the event starts. If you do not have a mobile phone, you can also use a camera to take photos of what you see and upload them to the website later. - See it
Find as many animal and plant species in the botanical gardens at the Montserrat National Trust on 9 July 2022 from 8am – 11am OR explore nature in and around your home, on the way to school or work, gardens or courtyards – anywhere you might find living organisms. - Snap it
Take a photo: of wild plants, animals, or fungi that you find. If they are not wild, for example domestic animals or planted flowers, be sure to mark them as captive/cultivated in the app. - Share it
Record what you find by clicking ‘observe’ or ‘+’ on the iNaturalist app or upload your photos to https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/bioblitz-with-the-montserrat-national-trust.
For our inaugural BioBlitz event, the Trust has partnered with the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, The Montserrat Ministry of Agriculture, Land, Housing and Environment, Meise Botanic Garden, UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum and the Leeds Museum and Galleries.
