2026 SEEDS National BioBlitz Competition
What is a BioBlitz?
A BioBlitz is an opportunity to take a snapshot of the biodiversity, or variety of life, in an area. During a BioBlitz event, students, scientists, and the general public work together to find and identify as many plants, animals, and other organisms as possible in a short time (read more here).
BioBlitzes are important because they allow the public to work alongside scientists and, in this process, participants gain skills and explore nature while contributing to scientific research. Of course, the more people participate, the more species are found and identified! It also helps the public learn about local natural spaces by empowering participants to better understand and protect biodiversity.
This year, we’re announcing the 2026 SEEDS National BioBlitz competition where the SEEDS Chapter with the most observations recorded in a 24-hour window during the month of April will win! This year’s NEW rule will allow SEEDS Chapters flexibility to choose their own date (24-hour window) to conduct a local community event during the competition.
RULES
- Observations must be noted from April 1 – April 30 only! (Data collected in previous BioBlitz or iNaturalist projects may not be used.)
- Your chapter must select and notify SEEDS Staff on the 24-hour window of your choice. Email seeds@esa.org to sign up your chapter by March 18.
- Only observations made during the time frame count, you cannot upload photos taken from before or after your selected 24-hour window in April 2026.
- Potted plants especially those such as from gardening centers or for sale centers should not be considered as part of observations.
- The Chapter with the most observations will be the winner.
- SEEDS Chapters must be “Active In Good Standing” or “Active” status to participate.
PRIZES
- All chapters that sign up to participate will receive a SEEDS BioBlitz swag bag during the Bioblitz Competition.
- Additionally, SEEDS will sponsor an end-of-semester celebration* for the winning Chapter! (*capped at $250)
How to Participate in this years’ SEEDS National BioBlitz:
- Create an iNaturalist account or login to an existing account on the iNaturalist website.
- Once logged in go to the “Projects” tab and click on Start a Project.
- Choose a Collection Project and click Get Started
a. Make sure your project name includes your Chapter name or institution and the year 2026 (“SEEDS National BioBlitz 2026: your chapter name/institution”)
b. Upload a unique Project Icon/Banner and create a project summary. For example: “A BioBlitz focuses on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a given area. We are tapping into our SEEDS Chapter Network across the country to encourage interactions with nature! It is a competitive event – may the best chapter win.”
c. Project Type: select Collection
d. Under Observation Requirements:
- Leave “Include Taxa” space blank
- Include Users – Your chapter/community members that wish to participate
- Include Places – either choose the local area around your institution or choose the entirety of the United States so that all your members can participate
e. Check the “Project Members Only” box and leave “None” on the With Annotations box.
f. Data Quality: Select Research Grade, Needs ID, & Casual
g. Media Type: Select Any
h. Establishment Means: Select Any
i. Date Observed: select Range and in April as start/end time of your selected 24-hour window
j. Trust: Check the “Allow members to trust this project with hidden coordinates”
k. Choose your admins! (SEEDS Leaders & advisors) and add SEEDSBioBlitz as an admin.
- Email seeds@esa.org AND suhey@esa.org with your project name to be added to the umbrella project (competition). This might take a day or two. Your email to us is the official ‘sign up’ for the competition! If there are any issues or questions, please email us.
Please sign your Chapter up by Wednesday, March 18, 2026!
- Share with your members!
May the most observant SEEDS Chapter win!