Waverley Schools Marine BioBlitz

Schools are invited to participate in Waverley's first ever Marine BioBlitz, on Friday 28 March 12pm - 3pm 

BioBlitz is a collaborative way to record and identify as many species as possible in a specific area over a short period of time. It’s a fun way to explore nature and contribute to science. We are calling on all local students to record marine animal and plant species with the iNaturalist app on a smart phone or using a species checklist for younger students. This will help us understand more about the unique intertidal platform environment.

Register now to ensure you get all the information about this activity when it becomes available.

Council support

We will also be holding a "get ready' webinar to give participants lowdown on everything they need to know about the BioBlitz. The webinar will be recorded and available for the rest of the month, so register for it even if you can't make it so we can provide you the recording. BioBlitz 'get ready' webinar 6.30 - 7.30pm Monday 10 March

The Eastern Suburbs Sustainable Schools Network will hold a teachers rockpool exploration session on 17 March, to familiarise educators with iNaturalist and some of the intertidal species to look out for.

A species checklist will be provided for primary school students to record their sightings.  

Marine experts from The Sydney Institute of Marine Science will be there to answer questions and Will Jones from the Bondi Marine Discovery will host a touch pool at Bondi so students can learn about some of the species they can look out for.

Students don’t need to know what the species is they have found, once the observation photo has been uploaded into iNaturalist, the App will suggest what it thinks your observation is and members of the iNaturalist community will confirm.

The time selected for this activity is to coincide with low tide so the rocks will be exposed.

Important information

This is a self guided activity on the rock platforms at low tide.  Students must be supervised by teachers or school staff at all times. Whilst Waverley Council staff and marine experts will be on hand, Council will not be supervising or leading the activity. We will provide information prior to the BioBlitz on how to take part safely and get the most out of this learning opportunity.

This event is suitable for primary and high school students.

What to bring on the day

• Phone with camera
• iNaturalist App downloaded on your phone
• Reusable water bottle
• Enclosed shoes
• Hat
• Sunscreen

The BioBlitz pledge

You will be asked to accept this pledge on the schools behalf at checkout

• Our school is participating in the BioBlitz of our own free will and we are responsible for the student’s safety and that of participating staff
• Students and teachers will not handle or harm any marine animals or plants during the BioBlitz
• The school acknowledges this is a self-guided activity and Waverley Council will not be providing supervision, and that students will be accompanied by the required number of supervising adults
• Participants will wear appropriate clothing and bring required equipment as advised on the booking page
• Individuals take full responsibility for their personal belongings which may be used in the course of the BioBlitz, including mobile phones
• The school or any individuals, will not hold Waverley Council responsible for any loss or damage arising from our participation in the BioBlitz

Ticketing Policy