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All Alabamians are invited to join Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in celebrating World Environment Day by participating in the Alabama Backyard BioBlitz this Fri., June 5, 2020.

The event encourages the public to explore and document the natural world from the comfort of their own backyards.

“The theme of this year’s event is biodiversity,” said Clara Zubrick, Weeks Bay education assistant. “Alabama ranks fifth in the nation in biodiversity and first east of the Mississippi River. To protect and conserve our environment, we must first connect with what’s out there. The best place to begin exploring nature is in your own backyard.”

To participate in the event, download the free iNaturalist app from the Apple or Android app stores and search for the “Alabama Backyard BioBlitz” project. After joining the project on June 5, participants can observe and document the plants, animals and insects present near their homes. Those also can participate through the iNaturalist website at www.inaturalist.org/projects/alabama-backyard-bioblitz.

“We are excited to provide this opportunity to bring together citizen scientists throughout Alabama in an effort to increase awareness of our state’s amazing biodiversity and celebrate its natural beauty,” said Chris Blankenship, commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR).

Learn more about World Environment Day at www.worldenvironmentday.global.