Join BioBlitz to find and identify species in Camdeboo

The Great Southern BioBlitz is taking place from 28 to 31 October and the Mountain Zebra Camdeboo Protected Environment (MZCPE) is taking part.

A BioBlitz is an event that focuses on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a specific area over a short period of time. BioBlitzes are an opportunity to take a snapshot of the biodiversity of a place.

The Great Southern BioBlitz is a global citizen science event taking place across Southern Hemisphere countries to record organisms during spring.

According to Katie Herold, Secretary of MZCPE Landowners Association, anyone living in the area of Graaff-Reinet, Nieu-Bethesda, Jansenville, Cradock, Murraysberg, Pierston and Somerset East is welcome to take part in the BioBlitz.

"It’s a wonderful opportunity for any nature enthusiast to engage in the natural world and use technology at the same time."

All interested MZCPE landowners are encouraged to take part and make as many observations as possible on their farms over the four days.

How do I take part?

All you need to do is sign up onto the free iNaturalist platform or download the app. (www.inaturalist.org) and join the project - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/greatsouthern-bioblitz-2022-mountain-zebracamdeboo-protected-environment Or search under Community, Projects and Great Southern BioBlitz 2022 Mountain Zebra Camdeboo Protected Environment on the site.

What should we record?

Any organism that you encounter: from the smallest insect to a great big mammal, a plant, a bush, or even traces of organisms such as spoor, feathers or scat.

"If you are particularly interested in a specific species, then you can also use this opportunity to focus on that. Only verifiable observations will be accepted and therefore it needs to be a wild organism and must have a photo or sound file attached as “evidence” along with a date and location. Don’t worry if you don’t know the name of the organism – iNaturalist uses artificial intelligence to help suggest what it could be, and there is also an amazing community of users who help with the identifications."

If there are any birding groups, walking groups, eco clubs or school groups who would like to take part, please contact Katie Herold at ordonnantie@gmail.com or

079 879 0796.

From left are Elaine Stanley, Chairperson of Vuyani Safe Haven, Eden du Plessis, Hildegard Brummer (Manager of Vuyani Safe Haven), and Racheal Jantjies. Rachel was presented with a 5-year service award, whilst Eden and Hildegard were presented with 10-year service awards.