At the end of August 2024, a 2-day BioBlitz event was held at Mt. Pleasant Creek, Belmopan, involving local communities, students, and environmental enthusiasts. A BioBlitz is a concentrated effort over a defined area and period of time, typically involving a large group of people, to collect biodiversity data. Organised by the University of Belize Environmental Research Institute (UB-ERI) and the UB Environmental Club, the event aimed to document the area’s biodiversity, increasing awareness of biodiversity while fostering environmental stewardship.
The BioBlitz Report documents that over the course of the event, 76 participants, including 12 taxa-specific experts, worked to catalogue the biodiversity of Mt. Pleasant Creek. Their collective efforts resulted in over 1,000 observations and the identification of 500 taxa. These observations were logged using iNaturalist, a citizen science platform that allows individuals to record and share biodiversity data. Have a look at the project here: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/2024-belize-bioblitz
UB-ERI and the UB Environmental Club are grateful to organizations, The Belize Zoo & Tropical Education Center, Belize Audubon Society, Belize Karst Habitat Conservation, Friends for Conservation Development, Full Circle Belize, Toucan Ridge Ecology & Education Society, Wildlife Conservation Society, The National Biodiversity Office and Belmopan City Council, who supported the event, taking part in the BioBlitz and/or the Environmental Fair. The event offered a unique opportunity for participants to engage with nature, learn from experts, and contribute to the growing body of biodiversity knowledge in Belize. From plants and fungi to a variety of animal species, the Bioblitz highlighted the ecological diversity present along the creek, even in its urbanized setting.
Participants and community members were encouraged to appreciate the local biodiversity and reflect on the impacts human activities are having on the area. As environmental stewardship continues to grow in importance, events like these serve as key catalysts for positive social and ecological change. The data collected during the BioBlitz will inform future conservation efforts and community outreach activities in Belmopan.
Stay tuned for more updates on future environmental projects and how you can get involved in preserving Belize's natural beauty!
