Looking for a fun way to get outside, meet new people, and connect with nature? Whether you're wrangling kids, catching up with a friend, or just flying solo with your curiosity, a bioblitz is a perfect excuse to get outside and explore.
A bioblitz is part nature scavenger hunt, part citizen science, and all about discovery. In just 90 minutes, we’ll see how many plants, bugs, birds, and creatures we can find in a garden.
No experience or expertise required—we’ll help you learn along the way.
And no need to sign up—just show up to this free event ready to explore.
Saturday, July 19: Edible Classroom
In this colorful outdoor classroom filled with edible plants and pollinator friends, we’re blending nature and tech. Bring your smartphone (optional) with the iNaturalist app to snap photos and identify species. Great for families, nature nerds, and anyone curious about digital ecology.
Saturday, July 26: McPherson Edible Forest
This sunny edible forest garden is ideal for slowing down and exploring with all your senses. We'll ditch the screens and use good ol’ observation skills with hands-on, guided activities—perfect for kids and adults who like their adventures analog.
Schedule (both days)
* 10:00 am: Bioblitz! Wander the garden, discover hidden life, and connect with others who love the outdoors.
* 11:00 am: Community time. Grab a snack, share your coolest finds, and soak up the garden's good vibes.
THINGS TO BRING
* Comfy clothes and sun protection for outdoor exploring
* A smartphone with iNaturalist (optinal and for July 19 only)
* Water bottle
* Bug spray
* A friend (or two!) and your curiosity
This event is part of our Nature Escapes series—fun, drop-in experiences held year-round in the public gardens we manage.
SPONSORS AND PARTNERS
This class was developed in collaboration with many community partners. It would not be possible without these sponsors and supporters. Please frequent these generous organizations to thank them for donations of time, materials and funds.
* Hills Bank
* Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department
* 100 Grannies
* Master Gardeners of Johnson County
* New Pioneer Food Co-op
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