BioBlitz 2019

Audubon International’s Global Nature Competition Coming This Month

BioBlitz is a free event designed to showcase the environmental value of natural habitats on golf courses

TROY, NY – Environmental nonprofit Audubon International’s 5th annual BioBlitz will run from May 11th through June 23rd (World Migratory Bird Day through the end of National Pollinator Week).

“Each year, BioBlitz brings hundreds of enthusiastic volunteers from communities around the world together to document the large diversity of species that call golf courses home,” said Christine Kane, Chief Executive Officer of Audubon International.  “Last year’s BioBlitz participants recorded over 2,000 unique species of animals, plants, fungi, and insects on participating golf courses.”

This year’s free event is sponsored by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and is open to any golf course worldwide. Participants such as golfers and their families, youth groups, community members, and local environmental experts gather to enjoy nature while counting plant and animal species located on each property. Some courses have gotten very creative with their events, which is what Southwinds Golf Course the 2018 winner of the Community Engagement Award for most participants, did last year.

“Our team enjoyed creating activities to engage golfers from juniors to seniors in recognizing the rewards of environmental stewardship,” said Sharon Painter, General Manager at Southwinds Golf Course.

The course’s BioBlitz activities included both Ladies’ Night Out and Junior BioBlitz events, as well as BioBlitz themed drink specials during the event dates.

Awards will be given for Most Species, Most Participants, and Best Photo. Following BioBlitz, Audubon International will compile the lists of plant and animal species recorded and report on the findings.

To register for BioBlitz 2019 and receive your free toolkit, please visit https://auduboninternational.org/bioblitz/.

About Audubon International

Audubon International is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) environmental organization providing people with the education and assistance they need to practice responsible management of land, water, wildlife, and other natural resources. To meet this mission, the organization provides training, services, and a set of award-winning environmental education and certification programs for individuals, organizations, properties, new developments, and entire communities. For more information, visit Audubon International’s website at www.auduboninternational.org.

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2 Comments

  1. Mary Hutchinson on May 10, 2019 at 8:05 am

    Is the species count done throughout the entire golf course community (inc. around homes, etc) or just specifically on the golf course? Our community is about 850 acres, with woods, estaurine shoreline, wetlands, lakes and golf course, so all these habitats contibute to a rich and diverse flora and fauna, as well as the landscapes around the homes. It was unclear from your info material. Just wanted to clarify before our BioBlitz starts on May 11th. Thanks!

    • Kat Findlay on May 14, 2019 at 11:15 pm

      That’s a great question – your BioBlitz event can encompass the golf course and adjacent property, including your community if it borders the course. The goal is to showcase the environmental value of golf courses, and the species you see on the adjacent properties are an extension of that habitat. Have a wonderful event!

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