BioBlitz 2025

Bioblitz 2025

Which plants, animals and fungi live at Utrecht Science Park (USP)? From 22 May to 21 June 2025, Utrecht University and Utrecht University of Applied Sciences invite you to go outside to monitor as many species as possible during the Bioblitz 2025. The data we collect together will give us insight into how biodiversity is doing at USP. Will you join us?

You can also participate in nature excursions.

What is the Bioblitz?

The Bioblitz, an amalgamation of ‘bio’ for ‘life’ and ‘blitz’ for ‘doing something quickly and intensively’, is an initiative to map biodiversity at Utrecht Science Park. By annually monitoring which species live at USP, we can see whether our measures to strengthen biodiversity are effective.

How do you participate?

Go out and keep your eyes and ears open. Do you spot a plant, an animal or a fungus? Take a photo of it. We are specifically looking for wild species. By registering your observations through the app ObsIdentify or waarneming.nl, we will create an overview of the species living in USP. Who knows, we might even discover new species!

If you’d like, you can join this Signal group  where we share our experiences and discoveries.

How to install and use the ObsIdentify app?

Explanation in text

Before you go outside:

  • Step 1. Create an account on waarneming.nl.
  • Step 2. Download the app ObsIdentify on your smartphone.
  • Step 3. In the dashboard of ObsIdentify, link your waarneming.nl account.

When you are outside:

  • Step 4. Take a photo in the ObsIdentify app of any wild species you come across.
  • Step 5. Upload the photos in the ObsIdentify app. The photos will appear in the app and on waarneming.nl.

You can also upload your photos via waarneming.nl. See how you can do that here.

Excursions & lectures

During the Bioblitz you can participate in various nature excursions. Participation is free.

22 mei 12,00: Green Talk with Marit Overbeek – Utrecht Sisterparks (Dutch)
26 mei, 12.00: Botanical Field Trip (Dutch and English)
3 juni, 15.00: Foraging Walk (in Dutch)
5 juni, 21.30: Evening excursion: moths in the Botanical Gardens (in Dutch and English)
10 juni, 15:30: Excursion: Soil Creatures (in Dutch and English)
12 juni, 12.00: Guided tour through Amelisweerd (in Dutch)
20 juni, 15.00: Birding in Utrecht Science Park (in Dutch)

Lunchtime walks on Tuesdays

During the Bioblitz, there will be a lunchtime walk every Tuesday. During the walk, you can participate in the bioblitz with your colleagues or fellow students under supervision. Signing up is not necessary.

Dates:
May 27, June 3, June 10, and June 17 from 12:15 – 13:00 hours.

Starting Points:
In front of the entrance of Padualaan 99

In front of the entrance of the Administration Building (Heidelberglaan 8)

On Thursday, June 12, there will also be a Bioblitz lunchtime walk from 12:15 – 13:00 hours, starting at the entrance of Vening Meineszgebouw A.

Strengthening biodiversity in USP

Since 2022, we have been working on strengthening biodiversity at Utrecht Science Park. For example, the thirty-four hectares of grass on campus are mowed less frequently and in phases. Robust ecological connections with the surrounding area will also be created in the coming years. Our goal is to bring twenty guide species back to the USP by 2035.

Bioblitzes across the country

Not only at Utrecht Science Park a Bioblitz is organised. In the Sister Parks of Utrecht (‘Utrechtse Zusterparken’) and at universities and universities of applied sciences throughout the country, people are monitoring species.

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