Atlantic Academy’s Big BioBlitz, sees students race against time create a snapshot of Portland’s biodiversity.

The Atlantic Academy BioBlitz, which took place on Friday 16^th July, was a collaboration between Atlantic Academy, Eden Portland and Island Community Action (ICA) and saw students from across primary, supported by seniors, take part. 

A BioBlitz is an event that focuses on finding and identifying as many species of plants, animals and fungi as possible in a specific area over a short period of time.

ICA coordinator for the event, ML Anderson, explains, “With biodiversity under threat worldwide, we wanted to offer students an informal and fun way to learn about our Island’s amazing flora and fauna alongside local experts. We hope the event will really help to develop their love and respect for nature and the environment now and in the future.”

Atlantic’s Principals, Lesley Bishop (Senior) and Melissa Heppell (Primary) added, “Atlantic Academy are committed to working with students and the community to develop events and activities that help preserve, protect and increase Portland’s biodiversity. The BioBlitz will complement a wide range of other activities we are planning, including the re-starting of our Environment Club in the new academic year and a new wildlife garden and growing space, which is currently being developed within the Academy grounds.”

Eden Portland’s Director, Sebastian Brooke, explains, “Protecting and preserving biodiversity is so important.  This is now a huge global issue and engaging and inspiring people about it is what Eden Portland is all about.  Portland has so many magical stories to support Eden’s mission and I believe another strand manifested itself today:  the delight and curiosity of the children of the Island for the other creatures for whom Portland is also home.  Congratulations and thanks to ICA, the volunteer experts who came out to explain and identify species, Atlantic Academy, including the older children who came to help supervise and the budding David Attenboroughs in primary who came and found wild carrots, beetles and butterflies, moth cocoons, and in the hidden corners, Pyramid orchids.”