Exploring the value of a BioBlitz as a biodiversity education tool in a post-secondary environment
Susan E. Gass, Amy Mui, Paul Manning, Heather Cray, Lara Gibson
Abstract
Biodiversity education is widely considered a necessary component of protecting global biodiversity by helping to change harmful attitudes and actions. BioBlitz events, rapid surveys of all living things in a defined area over a set period, are becoming a widely used practice for biodiversity education. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of a campus BioBlitz as a place-based experiential learning experience for early undergraduate science students by having students work alongside naturalist experts to build skills in species observation and identification using the iNaturalist app. We surveyed students about their perceptions of the BioBlitz experience. Eighty two percent of students agreed that the BioBlitz provided valuable hands-on learning, they valued learning outside of a traditional classroom, and felt they learned new knowledge about species identification. Many students reported a heightened sense of environmental stewardship and a positive sense of place on campus. We conclude with a discussion of the benefits of a campus BioBlitz in overcoming many of the emerging challenges associated with outdoor field-based education.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2021.1960953 .