Nature enthusiasts of all ages are invited to celebrate the first anniversary of the Natural History Museum’s transformed gardens with a free, family-friendly BioBlitz, a vibrant day of nature discovery, perfect for families, nature enthusiasts, and budding young explorers alike. Every observation made will contribute to real scientific research, offering a rare chance to explore the city’s natural world through the eyes of scientists.
A BioBlitz is an exciting, hands-on event where scientists and the visitors of all ages team up to record as many different species as possible in a set time. A fast-paced wildlife survey, part science, part scavenger hunt, all set within the stunning backdrop of the Museum’s Nature Discovery Garden.
A great way to keep kids entertained during the summer holidays, activities running throughout the day will include:
Pond dipping offers children and adults the chance to explore the fascinating underwater world, discovering creatures like toads and newts
Field surveys will help identify and log the plants and animals living in the gardens, including birds and insects
Surveying the wildlife garden’s smallest animals with DNA barcodes
Jessica Wardlaw, Community Science Programme Developer at the Natural History Museum said, “We’re looking forward to welcoming families, nature lovers, and curious minds of all ages to this year’s BioBlitz in the Nature Discovery Garden. It’s a brilliant way to connect with nature right here in the heart of London, and every observation made on the day will contribute to real scientific research. Activities like this are vital for helping us understand how nature is changing and how we can protect it. Plus, it’s a lot of fun!”
The Nature Activity Centre, supported by Amazon Web Services (AWS), will be fully equipped with microscopes, ID guides, and hands-on tools, giving curious minds the chance to engage with nature at close quarters. The data collected on the day will be fed into the Museum’s Data Ecosystem, a data platform built using AWS cloud technologies. The Data Ecosystem helps the Museum’s team of scientists to collect, enrich and share multiple biodiversity data types alongside environmental data such as water chemistry, rapidly and accurately, from a range of sources.
Whether a lifelong Londoner, an eco-curious parent, or simply looking for an unusual way to spend the day with the kids, the BioBlitz is an inspiring reminder of just how much wildness still thrives in the capital if you know where to look.
