BioBlitz 2025 aimed to document as many living species as possible within a single day.
This year’s event revisited L’Ancresse East where a previous BioBlitz had taken place in 2019. The event saw participants scouring the area, on land and at sea, for plants, insects, birds, bats and marine life. The data collected will be crucial in understanding how local biodiversity has changed over the past six years and is vital for conservation efforts and helps track changes in species populations and distributions. All data collected was uploaded to iRecord* and will be available to the Guernsey Biological Records Centre.
This annual event also served as a platform to address environmental challenges. Recent surveys have identified invasive species such as Sargassum seaweed and certain bryozoans, which pose a threat to local ecosystems. Efforts to manage and mitigate the impact of these species were discussed during the event.
But BioBlitz 2025 was not just about documenting species – it is about sharing information with the wider community, particularly primary school children. After the 24-hour recording event came the two-day schools’ event, in which 335 children across seven local schools participated in activities such as rock-pooling, bird watching, searching for important plants, learning about bats, and minibeast spotting.
Angela Salmon, head of operations and education at the Nature Commission, emphasised the importance of connecting children with nature. ‘Attending the annual BioBlitz helps children become familiar with common plants and animals found on their doorstep; it also helps children to connect with nature which has numerous benefits for their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing,' she said.
The educational impact of BioBlitz 2025 cannot be overstated. Children learned about the importance of biodiversity and the role they can play in protecting it. Activities were designed to be both fun and informative, fostering a sense of curiosity and respect for the natural world.
Angela Salmon noted: ‘By involving children in these activities, we hope to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. It’s about creating a lasting connection with nature.’
In addition to a presentation at their schools prior to the nature activities, each child received a nature booklet filled with fascinating facts about some of the amazing species found at L’Ancresse East. The Guernsey-French names of common plants and animals were also included in the booklet to enhance the children’s understanding of Guernsey’s local culture.
The educational side of the annual BioBlitz is appreciated by local primary school teachers, and a Year 4 teacher praised this annual event. ‘The BioBlitz was organised really well and the children loved it!There was a perfect number of activities which lasted the perfect amount of time. It fits in with the curriculum and I think it is an amazing opportunity for the schools to take part in.’
BioBlitz 2025 at L’Ancresse East was a resounding success, bringing together scientists, nature enthusiasts, teachers, and schoolchildren in a celebration of biodiversity. It highlighted Guernsey's rich natural heritage and underscored the importance of conservation efforts. As the data collected is analysed and shared, it will contribute to a greater understanding of local ecosystems and inspire ongoing efforts to protect and preserve them.
With the location of BioBlitz 2026 already being discussed, Angela Salmon expressed optimism about the future: ‘We are already looking forward to next year’s event when we will continue our efforts and expand our reach, engaging more local experts and schoolchildren in the importance of biodiversity and connecting with nature.’
*iRecord is a free app and website for sharing wildlife observations (biological records). Individuals and organisations can add records for others to see and see what has been recorded by others. Wildlife sightings are checked by experts and made available to support research and decision-making.
For more updates on BioBlitz 2025 and other nature information, follow the Nature Commission on social media.
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