2025 AVI KWA AME NATIONAL MONUMENT SPRING BIOBLITZ // DAY ONE

We’re celebrating Avi Kwa Ame National Monument’s second anniversary with a three day Spring BioBlitz! Have fun and help us document the monument’s biodiversity as we embark on plant and animal surveys, go on hikes, take workshops, learn about the monument and more from Friday, April 25 through Sunday, April 27.

PLEASE NOTE:

There are several events on each day, many with overlapping times. Please only RSVP for the events that you will be attending to make sure that the limited spaces remain available. There will be a few walk-in slots available for all events, so if the event you are interested in is booked up, know that you may be able to join in day-of.
Each day of the bioblitz has its own event page. This is the event page for DAY ONE. Please refer to BIOBLITZ DAY TWO and BIOBLITZ DAY THREE to RSVP for those day's events.
All events begin and end at Walking Box Ranch. If your activity takes place in another monument location, you will be meeting with your group and caravanning there from Walking Box Ranch.

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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

For more information about these events, and for details that will help you plan your trip, please refer to our information page HERE.

FRIDAY AFTERNOON SESSION

TIME	EVENT NAME	DESCRIPTION	LOCATION & MORE INFO
2PM-5PM	SPECIAL STATUS PLANT SURVEY	Join BLM Botanists in conducting botanical surveys via transects for Rosy and Yellow Two-Toned Beardtongues (Penstemon bicolor ssp. roseus & Penstemon bicolor ssp. bicolor). Plant paramours will be visiting historically documented populations found within the Monument to collect updated population and occurrence data then perform surveys in suitable habitat to identify additional occurrences of these species. Flora fans will be walking back and forth in nature, but make no mistake, this is no walk in the park, no nature walk. It’s for science. (5 participants)	Meet at Walking Box Ranch & carpool/caravan to various locations through monument. Hiking off-trail on uneven ground required, no restrooms.
2PM-3:30PM	DRAWING NATIVE PLANTS	Participants will work with botanical artist Kim Garrison Means to learn how to create accurate illustrations with contour drawing and technical pens. Kids can join with adult supervision. (20 participants)	Location: Walking Box Ranch garage Wheelchair accessible
3:45PM-4:30PM	TOUR OF WALKING BOX RANCH HOUSE	Join our board president Ron Safran for a tour of this historic house, with some new surprises! Kids can join with adult supervision. (20 participants)	Wheelchair accessible in most downstairs rooms.
4:30PM-5PM	HOW TO BIOBLITZ	Learn about our Spring 2025 BioBlitz goals, and to help scientists study Avi Kwa Ame’s plants and animals using iNaturalist to record observations. Kids can join with adult supervision. (30 participants)	Walking Box Ranch Bunk House Wheelchair accessible
5PM-6:15PM	FRIDAY POTLUCK DINNER AND GROUP WELCOME	Bring your own meal or something to share with the group.

FRIDAY NIGHT SESSION

TIME	EVENT NAME	DESCRIPTION	LOCATION & MORE INFO
6:30PM-11PM	REPTILE ROAD CRUISING	Caravan in cars along designated routes for evening time surveys that focus on encountering nocturnal snakes and other animals while driving slowly, using vehicle headlights and flashlights. Kids can join with adult supervision. (multiple routes with up to 80 participants total)	Meet at Walking Box Ranch & carpool/caravan to various locations through monument. Light walking, standing, bending, no restrooms.
6:30PM-10PM	BAT SURVEY @ MYSTERY RANCH RESEARCH STATION	Observe and assist biologists as they record bat species through acoustic monitoring and careful netting at a local water source. (up to 12 participants total)	Meet at Walking Box Ranch & carpool/caravan to Mystery Ranch Research Station. Light walking, standing, bending

Click below to go to the event pages for each day:

You can also support the Spring Bioblitz by making a donation during checkout.

THE 2025 AVI KWA AME NATIONAL MONUMENT SPRING BIOBLITZ is hosted and supported by the following organizations: