Matts Macro On Tour 2020 - BioBlitz Bonanza

Hi Everyone,

I'm back with another blog post and it's an exciting one!

This year I went on tour to schools in Scotland, if by some chance you missed it then the blog is here (Click me). My mission was simple, to educate and inspire, and I'm pretty confident I succeeded. Result!

Next year I want to do it again. I'll be heading out to schools up and down Scotland only this time I'll be offering 'BioBlitz Sessions!!!!'

Now, some of you may be thinking 'What's a BioBlitz?' Well, let me tell you, The BioBlitz was First developed by Sam Droege in the USA in 1996, BioBlitzes are now held regularly in many countries and have been taking place in the UK since 2006. According to Wikipedia a BioBlitz is an intense period of biological surveying in an attempt to record all the living species within a designated area. Groups of scientists, naturalists and volunteers conduct an intensive field study over a continuous time period (e.g., usually 24 hours).

We won't be as long as that description, basically we will pick an area in your school grounds or nearby and we will spend approximately 1-2 hours surveying the area seeing what wildlife we can find. This is a great informal and fun learning opportunity. Children and teachers get to go outside (teachers secretly cheering) and spend some time with the local wildlife, learning all about in the process. You will be amazed at just what can be discovered. A treasure trove of nature goodies awaits.

I will be bringing some sweep nets, pots, trays, books, a spotting scope and some check lists for the pupils to use. Come rain or shine we will still go ahead so please make sure pupils have adequate clothing.

This year I'm hoping to be accompanied on some BioBlitzs by Ashleigh Whiffin. Ashleigh is Assistant Curator of Entomology at National Museums Scotland.

OK, so this all sounds great yes? Now you're thinking about costs.....IT'S FREE!!!

Yes, that's correct, there is no charge, well maybe a sandwich and a coffee :)

Dates will be released soon, most likely the tour will run over the months of April and May.

I'm selling prints on my website to fund the tour, and I've also set up a crowdfunding page here. (Click Me)

I'm very excited and I can't wait to start the tour.

Please could all schools wishing to take part email me via the website (Click here) for contact page, it would also be great if you could download iRecord App before my visit so we can upload our data.

Thanks

Matt