What is an Outdoor Classroom BioBlitz?  

• Students work together to find, identify and record the flora and fauna species in your school's outdoor classroom using iNaturalist (a free website and app where you can document and track your observations).
• Students will learn about the classification and taxonomy of plant and wildlife species native to Alabama.
• Students will become Citizen Scientists as they use technology and non-fiction field guides to record, identify, and report their data.
• You will have a biological inventory of the flora and fauna found on your campus that you can update anytime in the future to monitor the biodiversity of your campus.

Steps to Hold an OC BioBlitz  

Follow these quick and easy steps (PDF) that will walk you through setting up your school's iNaturalist account and participating in the Alabama Outdoor Classroom BioBlitz Challenge.

Contact your local Outdoor Classroom (OC) Consultant…

• to receive free organizational assistance,
• to set a date for your school’s BioBlitz, and
• to receive free technical assistance during your event.

If you do not know your local OC Consultant, contact April Waltz at aprilwaltz@alabamawildlife.org.


Who can participate in an Outdoor Classroom BioBlitz Challenge? 

You can hold a BioBlitz(es) with your class, your student club, your whole grade level, or your whole school.

 

Outdoor Classroom BioBlitz Planning & Resource Materials  

Click on the links below to download the planning materials, taxonomy information, and other helpful resources for your school's BioBlitz.  These materials provide tips and suggestions, but are NOT required.  Note:  The Word Documents can be edited to meet your needs, while the PDF files are ready to print "as is."

BioBlitz Planning Materials:
Steps to Participate in an OC BioBlitz (PDF) - These quick and easy steps will walk you through setting up your school's iNaturalist account and participating in the Alabama Outdoor Classroom BioBlitz Challenge.
BioBlitz Flier  (PDF) -  This is a great flier to share with your fellow teachers to help answer questions about what a BioBlitz is and what is involved in holding a BioBlitz at your school.  
BioBlitz Supplies List (Word Doc | PDF) - A list of supplies that could help you and your students during the BioBlitz (but are not required).
BioBlitz Tips & Suggestions (Word Doc | PDF) - This checklist includes suggestions and tips to help with the organization of your BioBlitz (so that you don't have to "recreate the wheel") and to help you have a fun, successful BioBlitz.

Taxonomy & Classification Info:
Taxonomy Presentation for Students (PDF) - This PowerPoint (saved as a PDF to reduce the file size) can be used to teach your students the basics about classification and taxonomy.  
Taxonomy Tips & Terminology Handout for Students (Word Doc | PDF) - This handout can be used to help students with the terminology as they fill out their observation sheets.

Example BioBlitz Observation Data Sheets: 
Students can record their observations on these data sheets and then enter this data on iNaturalist.
OC BioBlitz Observation Sheet #1 (Word Doc | PDF)     OC BioBlitz Observation Sheet #2 (Word Doc | PDF) 
OC BioBlitz Observation Field Journal #1 (Word Doc | PDF)     OC BioBlitz Observation Field Journal #2 (PDF) 

Example BioBlitz Participation Certificates:
BioBlitz Participation Certificate #1 (Word Doc | PDF)     BioBitz Participation Certificate #2  (Word Doc | PDF)

Additional BioBlitz Resources:
Example Insect Trap (Word Doc | PDF) -  Follow these steps to construct a bug pitfall trap to help you collect specimens for the BioBlitz.