Photo courtesy of Kerri Gagne Photography.

It'll be a different kind of Earth Day celebration in 2020. But despite our obligations to stay (mostly) indoors and quarantine, the annual event recognized around the world intends to persevere and celebrate its milestone 50th anniversary this year. And in light of the global pandemic, local nonprofit Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast invites the public to partake in environmental awareness by joining its virtual Earth Day Backyard BioBlitz on Wednesday, April 22, from 8 am to 8 pm. 

BioBlitzs focus on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a specific area over a specific period of time. As a way to honor our earth’s precious resources, local residents will be able to document the scientific inventory of the awesome plants, animals, fungi and other indigenous organisms that call Sarasota County home. During this 12-hour virtual event, participants will be able to submit their nature observations to the online resource iNaturalist.Kids, parents, educators, scientists, nature-lovers, photographers and everyone in between are encouraged to get outside (safely) and share what they see in their immediate surroundings. Together, participants will find and identify as many species as possible to help contribute to the scientific survey that will help us get an overall count and snapshot of Sarasota County’s special biodiversity. 

"A BioBlitz is a fun and unique way for our community to come together to celebrate Earth Day while still following proper social distancing guidelines," Sam Valentin, Conservation Foundation event and rental coordinator. "It's a way to contribute to science, get outside, and be part of something bigger!" 

The foundation's team will be active on its Facebook page throughout the day, while environmental educators from multiple regional organizations also share activities, information and videos as part of the Earth Day fun. 

"Being physically isolated doesn't mean we have to be socially isolated," says Valentin.

How to Participate:
1. Log In or Sign Up for iNaturalist.
2. Download the iNaturalist App to your Smartphone (recommended) App for iOS (Apple products) or App for Android, or learn how to upload your camera photos to the iNaturalist website.
3. Open the Earth Day Backyard BioBlitz project page.
4. Click on the JOIN Button in the upper right of the project page so you can easily navigate back to the project from your iNaturalist home page.
5. Take photos and upload them to iNaturalist. The project will update in live time as observations are submitted the day of the event, so check in regularly to track progress.

Photo courtesy of Kerri Gagne Photography.

Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, 400 Palmetto Ave., PO Box 902, Osprey, 941-918-2100.