Head over to the Edelman Fossil Park & Museum Bioblitz, and discover the incredible biodiversity of the museum grounds. Join guided walks with our staff and local experts to explore birds, bugs, plants, and more, or wander the property on your own to record species sightings. Don't miss kids' activities like storytime and coloring.

Every observation you upload to iNaturalist inches closer to the goal of 1,000 observations!

This family-friendly event also features kids’ activities like outdoor storytime and coloring stations, plus an iNaturalist help desk for new users. Whether you’re a seasoned naturalist or just curious about what’s living around us, your discoveries matter.

Bring a smartphone or camera to document your finds.

Open to all ages- sign up in advance or drop in on the day.

You can find the INaturalist account here.

Goals

• Increase total museum iNaturalist observations from 650 to over 1,000 in one day.

• Engage the local community in hands-on citizen science.

• Foster awareness of biodiversity within the museum’s property.

Participation Rules

• Any species (plants, fungi, insects, birds, mammals, etc.) observed on museum property counts.

• Observations must have:

• A clear photo uploaded to iNaturalist.

• Accurate location tagging.

• Observations should be uploaded the same day, but participants may finish uploads at home.

Schedule of Events

7:30 AM – Check-in begins

Guided Nature Walks (30–45 min each)

7:30 AM: Birding Blitz – led by a local birder

8:30 AM: Pollinator Patrol – insect sweep net & macro photography focus

9:30 AM: Plant & Fungi Foray – plant ID and mushroom spotting

10:30 AM: Bug Safari for Kids – short walk with nets and magnifying lenses

All Morning (7:30–11:00 AM) – Ongoing Engagement In the Theater

• iNaturalist Help Desk – EFM staff will assist with Inaturalist identification and troubleshooting

• Observation Leaderboard – live update board with participant totals

• Kids’ Zone – outdoor storytime, nature-themed coloring pages, magnifier table

All Day – Self-Led Observations

*Price does not include museum admission

Visitors can explore any open trails and habitats on their own to upload observations.