Take part in our bioblitz this September and help us build a better snapshot of the birds, little critters, plants, weeds and wildlife that can be found in the Yarra Catchment. Plus, everyone who takes part in our bioblitz will go in the running to win prizes.

How can you join? All you need to do is grab your phone, download the iNaturalist app and set aside a couple of minutes to appreciate and observe the nature that you can find in your garden, by your balcony or during your one hour of exercise.

Why a bioblitz? The goal is to achieve as many sightings of our wonderful and varied environment from our co-inhabiting wildlife, plants, flowers and bugs! Data from every observation submitted to our projects directly feeds into scientific databases like our Yarra Catchment Atlas and the Living Atlas of Australia. By submitting a photo to one of our projects, you are helping to increase our knowledge of the biodiversity found in the Yarra Catchment.

Not sure where to start? Use our Weeding Toolkit, Wildlife Toolkit and Little Critters Toolkit to help kickstart your observations.

How to get started 

1. Download the iNaturalist app using your smartphone or iPad and create an account or login.
2. Using the app, search YRKA biodiversity month and join the project that is within your 5km radius / local area.
3. Take a look around your backyard, balcony, front yard or during your 1 hour of exercise and look for the plants and wildlife living all around you.
4.  Using the app, take a photo of the plant or wildlife you’ve discovered, or upload it from your camera. Submit it to the YRKA Project through the app.

Join Our Projects

Abbotsford 

Yarra Bend Park, Dights Falls, Studley Park, Bellbird Park and the Collingwood Children’s farm are all found in this project area. Situated in the City of Yarra, this project area is home to a wide range of plants and animals, and is well known for Grey-Headed Flying foxes.

Join the project here

Burnley Crofters 

Also in the City of Yarra area, Burnley Crofters is home to significant River Red Gums and Sugar Gums.

Explore the parks and pathways besides the Yarra or venture along the streets of Richmond and help contribute to the understanding of biodiversity that is found in urbanised areas.

Join the project here

Kew 

Explore the eastern side of the River, and walk through Yarra Bend Park, Studley Park, Victoria Gardens and the streets of Kew.

Did you know that Sugar Gliders have been seen in this area? Maybe you can spot one (they usually love in small hollows of old trees).

Join the project here 

Stonnington 

One of our bigger bioblitz areas, the Stonnington bioblitz stretches from South Yarra through to Chadstone.

The Yarra River, Glen Iris Wetlands and Gardiners Creek are a few spots to explore. Or walk through the streets in search of little critters, plants and wildlife that may otherwise go unnoticed.

Join the project here

Westerfolds Park 

120 hectares of parkland and situated next to the Yarra River, Westerfolds Park is a great place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Here you can explore different types of landscapes,  from forests through to grassy woodlands. It’s also an area known to be an important habitat site for threatened species. Keep an eye out for the Macquarie Perch, Regent Honeyeater, Swift Parrot and the Australian Grayling.

Join the project here

If these projects aren’t within your local area, don’t worry! You can still help contribute invaluable data by submitting photos to our Yarra Catchment Atlas