In May 2008, the San Diego Natural History Museum is bringing BioBlitz to Balboa Park. A BioBlitz is a 24-hour inventory of species found in a given area. Since 1996 various organizations around the country have been doing BioBlitzes—from Washington to Central Park to Chicago. The Museum invites you to join us as we explore the biodiversity in our own backyard!

On the surface, a BioBlitz seeks to quickly answer two simple questions: How many species are in an area, and what are their names? This is the most basic way in which we can describe biodiversity of an area, yet for most of the Earth’s surface, we have no idea.

In this regard, a BioBlitz becomes a local metaphor for the larger, global biodiversity crisis. As BioBlitz scientists race against the clock to document as many species as they can in 24 hours in an urban park, so do biodiversity scientists around the globe race against the much more ominous clock of habitat destruction and climate change.

BioBlitz Balboa Park will be a catalyst for greater awareness and appreciation of biodiversity in our region and beyond. Over 50 regional biologists will be racing the clock to document everything from scorpions to snakes to plants to beetles to birds to mushrooms and beyond...in 24 hours. After that, it will be time for the final tally.

In the end, BioBlitz is about connecting to our future. With a variety of family-friendly activities that will appeal to both children and lifelong learners, BioBlitz Balboa Park will be an entertaining and educational experience for everyone involved.