Join us for two days of discovery across the Botanic Garden and Waun Las Nature Reserve, exploring the wild wonders of our remarkable landscape.
A BioBlitz is a race against time to find and identify as much wildlife as possible over a specific period, creating a snapshot of the diversity of species in a specific location. You can help us to record as many species as possible in just 48 hours, and be part of a big celebration of Welsh wildlife and conservation.
What to Expect:
- We’ll be joined by conservation organisations and experts from across Wales
- Guided wildlife tours & identification workshops
- Talks by expert scientists & conservationists
- Hands-on biodiversity recording activities for all ages
- Explore our botanical collections & nature reserve
If you’d like to find out more about what we got up to and what we discovered during last year’s BioBlitz Festival, you can read the blog here.
Drop-in activities Saturday & Sunday
Information Hwb | Time: 10 am – 5 pm | Location: Millennium Square | Details: Staff, volunteers, and experts are here to help with questions and species identification. Grab a recording form – and don’t forget to return it before you leave!
Conservation Corner: chat with organisations from across Wales about their work | Time: 10 am – 5 pm | Location: Millennium Square | Details: We’ll be joined by other organisations, each bringing interactive activities and displays showcasing their work and the incredible species they’re recording and protecting.
Family Activities For All | Time: 10 am – 5 pm | Location: Millennium Square | Details: Get stuck in with nature themed activities and crafts suitable for the whole family to enjoy.
Listen to the Sounds of the Pond with the Wildlife Sound Recording Society | Time: 10 am – 5 pm | Location: Aqualab | Details: Using sound is a unique way to discover new and hidden wildlife. Learn all about wildlife sound recording equipment and try using a parabolic reflector for yourself!
What’s in the Moth Trap? | Time: 10-11:30 am | Location: Millennium Square
Saturday Schedule
Talks (Theatr Botanica):
- 11-12 pm | How We Can All Help Hedgehogs by Hedgehog Helpline
- 12:30-1:30 pm | Learn more about Bats by Diana Clark
- 2:30-3:20 pm | Skomer: A Biodiverse Island by Rob Knott, The Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales
Guided Walks & Tours (Start from Millennium Square):
- 11:30-12:30 pm | Taith Bywyd Gwyllt Cymraeg with Rhys Gwynn
- 12:30-1:30 pm | Bee Walk with Bumblebee Conservation Trust
- 2:30-3:30 pm | Pollinator Safari with Richard Dawson
- 4-5 pm | Reptile Walk with Matt Cooke, Amphibian & Reptile Conservation
Bookable Workshops:
Solitary Bee Identification Workshop with Richard Dawson
Price: £25 non-members, £22.50 members | Time: 10:30 am – 1:30 pm | Location: Science Centre
This hands-on lab-based workshop will introduce the key features used to identify solitary bees. Includes access to microscopes and pinned specimens to gain an understanding of the morphological features used for identifying solitary bees. Suitable for recorders and those with some experience of insect identification, for ages 16+. In affiliation with the Bees, Wasps & Ants Recording Society (BWARS).
Book here for Solitary Bee Identification Workshop
Bundle Dyeing with Nature Workshop with Makepeace Studio
Free with Garden admission | Times: 11 am, 12:10 & 1:15 pm | Location: Bee Wild Club
Discover a contemporary approach to the ancient craft of bundle-dyeing as we use natural plant dyes to create beautiful prints on cloth. Suitable for the whole family. Each session will last around 45 minutes, and you’ll return later in the day to collect your finished design once it has had time to develop.
Book here for Bundle Dyeing with Nature Workshop
Hay Meadow Plant Identification with Garden botanist, Dr Kevin McGinn
Free with Garden admission | Time: 2 – 3:30 pm | Location: Meet at Millennium Square
A hands-on workshop exploring the plant life of our restored, wildflower-rich hay meadows. Learn how to identify key species and recognise plant families. For ages 16+.
Book here for Hay Meadow Plant Identification Workshop
Sunday Schedule
Talks (Theatr Botanica):
- 11-12 pm | Make a Moon Meadow to Save Moths by Pip Gray, Butterfly Conservation
- 12:30-1:30 pm | Badgers, Biodiversity and Belonging by Sally Jones, Badger Trust
- 2:30-3:30 pm | Devil Birds – The Fascinating Life of Swifts by Elfyn Pugh, Machynlleth & District Swift Group
Guided Walks & Tours (Start from Millennium Square):
- 11-12 pm | Taith Bywyd Gwyllt Cymraeg with Rhys Gwynn
- 11:30 am & 2:30 pm | The Unsung Heroes of the Pollinator World with Liam Olds, Glo i Natur
- 12:30-1:30 pm | Lichen Walk with Ellie Baggett & Josie Bridges, Natur am Byth!
- 1:30-2:30 pm | Big Butterfly Count with Pip Gray, Butterfly Conservation
- 3-4 pm | Farm and National Nature Reserve Tour with Ieu Davies, Garden’s Farm Manager
Bookable Workshops:
Field Notes Journaling Workshop with Becky from from ‘Our Wild Edges’
Price: £25 non-members, £22.50 members | Time: 10:30 am – 1:30 pm | Location: Meet at Millennium Square
Create your own Field Notes Journal using simple craft techniques, then use it to record your discoveries – just like the naturalists before us! We will complete a Study of a Place within the core Garden or nature reserve, recording what we find with sketches, notes and photos, with your observations contributing to the BioBlitz. No artistic or wildlife ID skills needed – suitable for all ages.
Book here for Field Notes Journaling Workshop
Full schedule of events can be found here.
