Volunteers

About the Muster

Join our BioBlitz activity to spend a day outdoors learning about local flora and fauna and collect data to inform their protection in the face of severe weather events.

What to expect

A BioBlitz is a snapshot study of a specific location, where the community and scientists work together to record as many species as possible within a specific timeframe.

You will use an app on your mobile phone, iNaturalist, to record information on the species you find. The information you capture during the day will benefit the publication of research outputs, contributing to scientific evidence that can influence policy on many scales and connecting the wider community with science.

The more we know about our local flora and fauna, the more we can do to mitigate the impact of severe weather events like fire and floods on them.

What you need:

• Mobile phone – with iNaturalist app installed
• Close-toed shoes
• Appropriate clothes for changing weather
• Wide-brimmed hat
• Sunglasses
• Long pants
• Food and drinks
• A backpack for your gear – there are no bag lock up areas available
• Insecticide

Download the iNaturalist app on your phone

You’ll use the app to record the species you find during the BioBlitz. Be sure to download it before you arrive, in case your location has poor connectivity.

• Download iNaturalist for Android
• Download iNaturalist for iPhone

Frequently asked questions

Q. How do I get there?

• • • We highly recommend using a sustainable mode of transport such as public transport or bicycle. Bike racks are available.
    • Public Transport > From City: take tram 96 or 16 to St Kilda Beach, get off at stop Jacka Bvd/Fitzroy St and walk about 8 min, 650m north to arrive > From Balaclava train station: take tram 16 to Melbourne University, get off at stop Jacka Bvd/Fitzroy St. Walk about 8 min, 650 m to arrive at the corner of Pier Rd & Beaconsfield Pde.
    • Driving There is limited free parking available close by. Paid all day parking is available at the St Kilda Sea Baths ($11-$15 per day). Early birds (before 10am) can use the underground carpark for early bird rates ($8).

Q: What is the physical exertion / mobility level required?

Medium level of intensity This involves walking on uneven surfaces including wet sand, and working in a kneeling or bent position. Please advise the supervisors of any mobility needs to allow for adaptation. The whole day is outdoors including exposure to the sun and weather conditions.

Q: What can I expect to do?

Biodiversity Tour and Transect Surveys

Discover the unique and critical flora and fauna among the coastal dune scrub, salt marsh and grassy woodland plains of our community-led native revegetation site. Explore, identify and document a variety of plants and animals, and learn about the symbiotic relationships within this historic ecosystem.

Shoreline Shell Survey

Assessing shells on set beach survey areas allow us to identify species, estimate their abundance, record their characteristics and study the role of molluscs (shellfish) in the Bay ecosystem.

Dune Profiling

Dune profiling activities help the Port Phillip Baykeeper to monitor sand surface levels of intertidal habitat zones, and to map coastal vegetation cover.

Microplastics Research

Learn about microplastics and their effect on wildlife. Help us identify litter type and volume, and help map pathways from our coasts backwards to source hotspots where we can stop pollution. Become part of the conversation about a plastic-free Bay.