Denmark’s first citizen-scientist BioBlitz held at Mt Hallowell for ecological diversity identification

Denmark’s first BioBlitz has educated the community about the vast and biodiverse numbers of flora and fauna species that populate nearby areas. Inspired by the Walpole BioBlitz, organisers hope to create citizen scientists by teaching people how to identify native flora and fauna and upload their photos to the iNaturalist app. The event at Mt Hallowell A-class Reserve on October 28 featured talks by Professor Stephen Hopper and Menang-Noongar man Larry Blight. Both speakers highlighted the importance of respect for nature as well as potential hazards, while Mr Blight spoke about the cultural significance of the area for the Noongar community. About 70 people were split into nine groups led by local entomologists, botanists, zoologists, ecologists and Mr Blight. Dr Phil Runham, a senior zoologist, said citizen science has become globally important for the gathering of accurate information to assist governments, ecologists, and decision-makers in planning and policymaking on a mass scale. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for the public to learn how to interpret animal habitats, through simple methods and see a new layer to the bushland they look at every day where the role of a species’ food source and shelter comes into focus and determinants to their thriving or surviving recognised,” he said.