Driftless Area BioBlitz

Welcome to the Driftless Area BioBlitz (DABB)!

First of all…

What is a BioBlitz?

Created by iNaturalist,* a bioblitz is a communal citizen-science effort to record as many species within a designated location and time period as possible.

*Launched in 2008, iNaturalist  is a joint initiative by the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society. It is a social network of naturalists, citizen scientists, and biologists built on the concept of mapping and sharing observations of biodiversity across the globe. iNaturalist may be accessed via its website or from its mobile applications. As of December 2021 there were 2.5 million registered users! (Wikipedia)

What Is Driftless Area BioBlitz?

Driftless Area BioBlitz (DABB) is a free, one-of-a-kind, opportunity for families, students, and all nature lovers to search for and learn about plants and wildlife in the Driftless Area. Scroll down to see how you can participate!

From April 24, 2022, to April 30, 2023, people can participate by submitting observations of wild organisms from anywhere in the Driftless Area using iNaturalist. The Driftless Area includes areas in Wisconsin and parts of Minnesota, Illinois, and Iowa that is free from glacial drift and seems not to have been covered by the Pleistocene ice.

DABB was launched on March 1, 2021, by Strive 2 Thrive Coulee Region (S2TCR), along with collaborating DABB Partners: Mississippi Valley Conservancy, WisCorps, UW-L Biology, and City of La Crosse Parks, Recreation, and Forestry department. Additional Promotional Supporters include La Crosse Public Library, ORA Trails, and the following Neighborhood Associations: Downtown, Holy Trinity-Longfellow, Logan Northside, and Powell-Poage-Hamilton.

What is the DABB 2022 Nature Challenge?

The DABB 2022 Nature Challenge  is a “bioblitz within a bioblitz!” It is a FREE ongoing bioblitz in which participants use their cell phones or cameras and computer, to upload as many observations as they can in their yard, nearby park or trail, or anywhere in La Crosse or the Driftless Region. Public observations of “all things nature” helps document the incredible biodiversity of the driftless region. AND by becoming a “Member” on the DABB 2022 Nature Challenge iNaturalist project page, members are eligible to win prizes!

The 2022 Nature Challenge was held from April 24th to September 30th. Thank you to all who participated in this year’s Nature Challenge! Thank you to all who participated in this year’s Nature Challenge!  (The winners of the 2022 Nature Challenge are here.) 

What is the Spotlight on Nature Event Series?

The Spotlight on Nature Event Series is a series of FREE, in-person events held at various times on various topics throughout the spring, summer and fall and is part of DABB’s 2022 Nature Challenge. These events are a chance to participate in a bioblitz with experts sharing their passion for and knowledge of the Driftless Region. Eight different events were held in 2022, each focusing on various taxa like fungi, moss and lichens, pollinator plants, birds, and insects, including nocturnal and decomposers. (2022 Spotlight on Nature events here.)

How Do I Participate in Driftless Area BioBlitz 2022?

It’s easy! Just follow these steps:

1. Bookmark Driftless Area BioBlitz 2022 (so you can keep up with updates).
2. Create a free iNaturalist account.
3. Download the iNaturalist app for iPhones or Android.
4. Review iNaturalist’s instructions on how to use the app.
5. Submit your observations of plants, animals (including invertebrates), and mushrooms in the Coulee Region/Driftless Area through the iNaturalist app on your phone or website on your computer.