During Friends of Grand Rapids Parks’ BioBlitz 2026, we’re going to document as many different plants, insects, fish, birds, and other wildlife species in Riverside Park as possible in one day! This record will help us track restoration efforts by establishing a baseline of species present through the power of citizen science!
There will be scientist-led activities throughout the day for participants to join in and contribute to the scientific process. Events will be family- and kid-friendly! In addition to other fun science-based activities, attendees will help to find, identify, and record various species of flora and fauna identified during the event in the iNaturalist app! If you don’t have the app, you can always talk to one of our staff or event partners about what you have found, and they can enter it into the app for you. Educational activities and resources provided by our partners will help participants learn more about the incredible species you might encounter in the park, and our scientist experts can help with confirming which species you’re noticing as you enjoy Riverside Park!
Why We’re Hosting BioBlitz at Riverside Park
We’re excited to host BioBlitz 2026 at Riverside Park—one of the most ecologically diverse and rich parks in Grand Rapids! There are already so many species in Riverside Park, and through dedicated conservation work, we can bring back more native plants and animals. By establishing a baseline alongside community partners and volunteers, we can track the restoration progress in Riverside Park.
What is a BioBlitz?
A BioBlitz is a community-led day of citizen science in which participants work together to find and identify as many species as they can over a short period of time. BioBlitzes were started by National Geographic and are an incredible way for communities to come together, engage in citizen science, and learn about the natural world.
Volunteer for BioBlitz!
If you want to help facilitate citizen science, join us in volunteering for BioBlitz! Roles are 1-2 hours each supporting everything from scientists, setup, and more. View opportunities and sign up here.