Join the Viikki Campus BioBlitz 2024 and earn a unique event patch!
Now as we head back to campus after the summer break to continue our studies, it is the perfect time to create routines that support well-being, including outdoor activities. Engaging with nature offers numerous benefits for both physical and mental health, providing refreshing breaks from studying. This aligns perfectly with the ongoing Viikki Campus Bioblitz 2024, during which our campus community has made great progress in documenting local biodiversity.
What is the Viikki Campus BioBlitz?
A BioBlitz is an exciting event where the community comes together to observe, identify, and record as many species as possible within a short period.
The event will run until the end of September 2024.
How to Participate:
- Grab your phone;
- Install the iNaturalist app;
- Walk around and shoot pictures at the biodiversity you encounter on campus (plants, animals, fungi);
- Upload as many pictures as you wish on iNaturalist to identify species. The photos taken within the Bioblitz area are automatically added to the project.
- Repeat :)
The contest is open to all. Only unique pictures taken within the orange borders of the campus as shown in the attached map will be considered. Pictures of pets, potted plants, lab organisms, indoor ornaments, sculptures or illustrations will not count.
We expect the community to be respectful of the species they observe and to not disturb wildlife. Pictures will not be judged on their quality or beauty, but must be of good enough quality to at least allow the iNaturalist app to provide some kind of identification.
Why Participate?
- Be among the first 50 students to make 50 observations and receive a unique event overall patch! (Design by Beñat Olascoaga). Once you've collected 50 observations, email your iNaturalist username to pinja.tolvanen(at)helsinki.fi to claim your patch.
- The participant with the highest number of unique observations, and the participant with the most diverse observations during the Bioblitz will both be rewarded with a University hoodie. A tree will also be planted on campus on their accounts.
- Discover and help document the rich variety of species on our campus.
More information
- BioBlitz on the The iNaturalist project website
- More information about the iNaturalist app
- Data recorded to iNaturalist is also used to inform the database on Finnish Biodiversity.
Info image: BioBlitz
Decorative image: Anniina Sjöblom