Citizen scientists wanted: Montrealers encouraged to explore nature during Big Backyard BioBlitz

The Big Backyard BioBlitz invites people across the country to photograph local wildlife and contribute to conservation research.

A nature challenge happening across Canada is calling on everyone —including Montrealers — to help scientists better understand the biodiversity around them.

The Big Backyard BioBlitz, launched by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), runs until Aug. 4. The idea is simple: step outside, spot something wild, and snap a photo.

From balconies in the Plateau to wooded trails in the Laurentians, participants are being asked to document the plants, animals, and fungi they encounter.

“You don’t have to be a biologist or a nature expert to join in,” said Jensen Edwards, spokesperson for the NCC. “The BioBlitz is really accessible to everybody. In fact, one of the most rewarding parts is how much people learn just by taking part.”

Participants can upload their sightings to the NCC’s website or use the free iNaturalist app, which helps identify what they’re seeing. The app uses image recognition to offer suggestions, and then experts step in to verify the results.

“There are way more people out there with smartphones than there are conservation scientists,” Edwards said. “This really helps scale up the research, and together these observations are a big help.”

According to Edwards, many participants naturally gravitate toward more familiar species.

“People are great at spotting birds, mammals,” he said, “but when it comes to insects and fungi, they’re often overlooked species,” despite them playing a huge role in ecosystems.

The NCC launched the BioBlitz in 2020. Since then, nearly 200,000 nature observations have been submitted across the country. While some of the sightings are fairly common, others have caught Edwards’ attention.

“Last year, someone off the coast of Gaspésie spotted a blue whale,” he recalled. “Another person west of Calgary photographed a whooping crane. Just 100 years ago, there were fewer than 20 of those left in Canada.”

Still, Edwards emphasized that the most valuable contributions aren’t necessarily the rare ones.

“Even the most everyday observations can tell scientists a lot,” he said.

In Quebec, where rapid urban development and climate change are threatening native ecosystems, every data point helps researchers track how species are adapting — or disappearing.

The observations collected during the BioBlitz feed into a growing national database, helping scientists map species migration, identify at-risk habitats, and better understand how to protect Canada’s natural landscapes.

Edwards said the challenge also has benefits for those taking part.

“People just end up deepening their relationship with nature,” he said. “They start to pay more attention, they gain an understanding of what lives around them and that leads to caring more about conservation.”

Whether it’s a squirrel in Jeanne-Mance Park, a mushroom in Mount Royal, or a bird perched outside your apartment window, Edwards encourages everyone to document it.