Southern Tasmania is gearing up for a major citizen science initiative this September, with seven local councils joining forces for the “BioBlitz 2026: Southern Tassie Showdown.” The regional competition challenges residents to identify and log as many plant, animal, and fungi species as possible within their local areas over a two-week period.

The event, running from September 15 to 30, encourages people across the Eastern Shore and wider southern region to explore their backyards, local bushland, coastal reserves, and waterways. Participating councils include Sorell, Hobart, Clarence, Kingborough, Glenorchy, Huon Valley, and Tasman Council (covering the Tasman Peninsula).

The goal of the BioBlitz is to foster a deeper understanding of Tasmania’s diverse natural environment and contribute vital data to the state’s Natural Values Database. This information is crucial for informing environmental decision-making and conservation efforts across the region.

Eastern Shore residents, particularly those in the Clarence and Sorell municipalities, are encouraged to get involved. Participation is free and straightforward: simply download the iNaturalist app, a free mobile platform designed for citizen science. Once registered, participants can snap photos of any living thing they encounter – from insects and birds to orchids, grasses, mammals, reptiles, and even weeds – and upload their observations to the app.

Every observation logged during the two-week period will automatically count towards the respective council’s tally in the friendly competition. A winner will be announced after the event concludes, based on which municipality records the highest number of biodiversity observations.

The initiative aims to engage people of all ages and backgrounds in discovering the rich biodiversity that exists right on their doorsteps. Whether exploring a local park, a bush track, or even a garden, every contribution helps build a clearer picture of the unique species inhabiting southern Tasmania.

For more details on how to participate and to track the progress of the Southern Tassie BioBlitz Showdown, residents can visit their local council’s website or the iNaturalist platform.