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From the highest peaks to beneath the waves:Explore the mysteries of Maracas at this year’s Bioblitz

For Release Upon Receipt - September 16, 2025

St. Augustine


St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago – September 16th 2025- For the 14th consecutive year, the Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists’ Club (TTFNC) and the Department of Life Sciences at The University of the West Indies have partnered to make new and exciting discoveries about the country’s rich biodiversity.

The annual Trinidad and Tobago Bioblitz, a tradition since 2012, isn't just about counting creatures; it's a vibrant celebration of Trinidad and Tobago's incredible biodiversity and a hands-on invitation for everyone to become active participants in scientific discovery and, crucially, conservation.

 

This year scientists, eager students, and passionate nature lovers focus their attention on the territories of North Trinidad. With a basecamp in Maracas Bay Community Centre, the survey area encompasses the stretch of coast between Maracas Bay and Las Cuevas Bay, as well as the upper reaches of Maracas Valley - including T&T’s second highest peak, El Tucuche.

Over an intense 24-hour period, starting at midday on Saturday 20th September, around 200 dedicated volunteers will embark on an important quest. Their mission: to identify and record the diverse array of species that call this part of the island home, from the smallest fungi and insects to the larger mammals, birds and reptiles. Of course, this part of the island is rich in aquatic life; teams will also be snorkelling around the coast and seining streams and rivers to include marine and freshwater species. The culmination of these efforts will be a grand species tally announced on Sunday afternoon at Basecamp.

The anticipation is palpable – can this year's dedicated team surpass the impressive 960 species documented last year in Guayaguayare?

Dr Amy Deacon, Zoologist in The UWI’s Department of Life Sciences, and the Scientific Coordinator for this year’s Bioblitz, believes they can: “The area around Maracas includes a wide range of marine, river and forest habitats and we will have teams snorkelling and hiking in as many of them as possible. Excitingly we will be surveying the high elevations of El Tucuche, and hopefully recording species that are only found here - such as the endangered golden tree frog”

This Bioblitz holds immense promise for unveiling the hidden treasures of Maracas and enhancing our understanding of the species that inhabit this ecologically significant area. By empowering a collective of enthusiastic individuals with scientific methodologies, this event will generate crucial data. This information will be invaluable in shaping future conservation strategies, directly contributing to the protection of this vital ecosystem.

A key tool will be the user-friendly citizen science app, "iNaturalist." Participants can contribute in real-time by simply uploading photographs of the species they encounter. This not only builds a comprehensive species list for the Maracas area, accessible to everyone, but also connects participants with a global network of experts who can assist in accurate identification. This blend of local observation and international expertise strengthens our collective knowledge and appreciation for our natural world.

The overarching mission of the Bioblitz extends beyond simply cataloging biodiversity. It aims to ignite a lasting passion for nature in everyone, with a particular focus on inspiring school children, engaging community-based organizations, and connecting with individuals who live and work in the Maracas area.

Outreach Coordinator, Kelly Fitzjames of ARC Environmental explains that “Leading up to the main event, we will be engaging with local community members, to encourage full participation in the event from those who actually reside in this species-rich area.”

The invitation is open to all! Whether you're keen to actively participate in recording species or simply curious to witness the process, you are welcome to join over the weekend. While Saturday will be dedicated to the scientific surveys, Sunday promises a vibrant atmosphere with live displays and engaging, family-friendly activities hosted by the Bioblitz team and local environmental NGOs - all are welcome to come along.

 

This year’s Chair of the Bioblitz committee, Jernella Chedick, a recent UWI graduate says: “The success of this vital initiative relies on the generous support of dedicated sponsors. We extend our sincere gratitude to First Citizens for their continued commitment as the main sponsor of Bioblitz. We are also grateful to the Maracas Bay Community Centre for their invaluable cooperation and support”.

The opportunity to be a part of this impactful event is still available! You can register as a volunteer team member at https://tinyurl.com/ttbioblitz2025 or simply come along to the base camp on Sunday morning to experience the live displays and family activities firsthand. For further information, please email ttbioblitz@gmail.com or follow the adventure on social media by searching for #bioblitz.

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About The University of the West Indies

 The University of the West Indies (The UWI) is the Caribbean’s premier higher education institution and one of only two regional universities in the world. With five campuses across the English-speaking Caribbean and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe, The UWI continues to be a beacon of academic excellence, research innovation, and societal impact. Consistently ranked among the world’s best by Times Higher Education (THE), The UWI is a global leader in addressing critical challenges, including climate change, sustainability, and development.

 As The UWI St. Augustine Campus celebrates its 65th anniversary in 2025 under the theme Beyond 65: From the Caribbean, For the World, it pays tribute to its Caribbean roots while highlighting its contributions to solving global challenges. This milestone underscores the campus's significant role in producing ground-breaking research and fostering talent that transcends regional boundaries to shape a better world. The UWI St. Augustine’s researchers, academics, and graduates continue to make an international impact, exemplifying the university’s mission to serve the region while influencing the world.

 Learn more at www.uwi.edu 

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