May 13, 2016

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Bugs, Bats, Brews and BioBlitz in Washington, D.C.!

Celebrate biodiversity at a festival at Constitution Gardens and Citizen Science events throughout the Washington, D.C., Metro area

By DNLee

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This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American

I am over the moon excited to participate in this amazing this two-day Biodiversity Festival held in our nation's capital on the National Mall at Constitution Gardens. BioBlitz is the Olympics of citizen science inviting families out to help scientists catalog all of the creatures - great and small - that call our local green and wild spaces home. The events will also feature hands-on science exhibits, food and art, activities, and entertainment.

Family-friendly BioBlitz events will take place on Friday, May 20 and Saturday, May 21, 2016, at all of the several National Parks in the DMV area. Details here. You can register as individual, family, or school/youth group. Online registration closes Thursday, May 19th.

But the big party is happening on Constitution Gardens on both days, 9am - 5pm. Lots of fun and family entertainment. But the party doesn't end. After the school groups leave, then the adults can stay on and hang. Special Biodiversity-celebrating event for adults: Bugs, Bats, and Brews on the National Mall!

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The beer garden opens at 6:00 pm, programming starts at 7:00 pm. Grab a drink at the beer garden and join DJ Ecotone, a wildlife DJ that mixes animal sounds with exotic beats, National Geographic photographer and explorer Anand Varma, plus Chris Duffy, host of the evening, and me - TED Fellow Danielle N. Lee, your Hip Hop Maven as we explore the wild side of animal behavior with fun, humor and phat tracks. It's going to be a blast. You won't want to miss it!

Attendance to Bugs, Bats, & Brews is Free, but RSVP is encouraged.

​Join DNLee at the 10th Anniversary BioBlitz celebration activities presented by the National Parks Service and National Geographic, May 20 & May 21, 2016.
Photo by Alecia Hoyt Photography.

Then on Saturday, I'll be rolling up my sleeves, joining a BioBlitz team as a Pro-Observer. BioBlitz teams across the region and the nation are celebrating 100 years of the National Park Service and local biodiversity by cataloging the species they observe in real time usingiNaturalist - an online community, web portal and app for recording and learning about the natural world.

I can't wait to see you all there (or on the interwebs). Follow #BioBlitz2016 for join the fun.

Be sure to RSVP to Bugs, Bats, & Brews today.

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DNLee is a biologist and she studies animal behavior, mammalogy, and ecology . She uses social media, informal experiential science experiences, and draws from hip hop culture to share science with general audiences, particularly under-served groups.

More by DNLee

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