GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The Great Karoo Wilderness (formerly known as the Mountain Zebra Camdeboo Protected Environment) recently hosted a successful iNaturalist training and mini BioBlitz event in partnership with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (Sanbi) and the Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers (Crew).
On Monday 25 August, Suvana Parbhoo Mohan, Sanbi’s Citizen Science Programme Manager, and Vathiswa Zikishe, Crew’s Eastern Cape Node Co-ordinator, visited Graaff-Reinet to lead the day’s activities.
The morning session introduced participants to the role of citizen science in biodiversity conservation, with a focus on how the free iNaturalist app helps monitor species of conservation concern across South Africa.
Crew also highlighted its vital work in protecting rare and endangered wildflowers.
In the afternoon, more than 40 local schoolchildren took part in a lively mini BioBlitz at Camdeboo National Park.
A BioBlitz is a nature-based treasure hunt where participants count as many plants, animals and insects as possible within a set time.
Using the child-friendly Seek app by iNaturalist, the children photographed their discoveries and learnt more about the environment around them.
The organisers described the event as both educational and enjoyable, with plans to host similar activities in the future.
“It was a privilege having Suvana and Vathiswa in Graaff-Reinet to share the important work being done through citizen science,” the Great Karoo Wilderness said in a statement.
Participants were also encouraged to join the upcoming Great Southern BioBlitz, an international biodiversity event taking place across the Southern Hemisphere from 24 to 27 October.
The Great Karoo Wilderness extended thanks to SANParks for its support in making Camdeboo National Park available for the day’s activities.
For more information, contact Katie on 079 879 0796 or Ulrich on 066 238 6264.
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