Bioblitz Battle Falmouth (April 2025)
12 Apr
2025
11:30am to 2pm
The Big Rock Pool Challenge is an exciting community-driven initiative combining citizen science with coastal exploration to protect and celebrate marine biodiversity. The project is proudly funded by The Scottish Power Foundation and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, whose generous support enables us to inspire communities and deliver lasting environmental impact.
This initiative is delivered in partnership by The Rock Pool Project, a leading marine citizen science organisation, and the Marine Biological Association, internationally renowned for advancing marine research and conservation. Together, we are empowering individuals and communities to connect with nature, contribute valuable biodiversity data, and support the health of our coastal ecosystems for future generations.
The Big Rock Pool Challenge is based around monthly free local community events called BioBlitz Battles - fun competitive wildlife discovery open to everyone! We are currently running these events in Falmouth and Plymouth, and will be expanding to new hubs by the end of 2025.
Have look at our Events page to see the amazing species that people have already discovered.
Our BioBlitz Battles are more than just a fun activity. They also provide an accessible and engaging way to connect with nature, encouraging mass participation and fostering a sense of community. Open to all levels of experience, the BioBlitz Battles create an inclusive environment where participants can learn and share knowledge with fellow rock pooling enthusiasts. Each event presents new challenges, ensuring that there is always something to discover and learn. The data collected during these BioBlitz Battles is invaluable, generating verified biodiversity insights that contribute directly to scientific research and conservation efforts.
As participants engage in rock pooling and citizen science, they build a deeper connection to their coastal environment and with each other. The initiative also offers physical and mental health benefits. Engaging in outdoor activities like rock pooling promotes well-being, and research increasingly shows that spending time in "blue spaces" such as the ocean can reduce stress and anxiety. Rock pooling is a low-impact activity that is accessible to people of all abilities, making it an ideal way to connect with nature. Furthermore, being part of a community-focused conservation effort fosters a sense of pride and accomplishment, strengthening local bonds and empowering individuals to take ownership of their natural heritage.
The Data Archive for Seabed Species and Habitats team (DASSH) of the Marine Biological Association is developing data pipelines to ensure the of data generated by the project is delivered to national and international data sharing platforms in the best way possible. These data will help monitor the impact of environmental stressors, such as pollution and climate change, on rock pool ecosystems.
Collaborating with Natural England, the initiative also tracks the spread of non-native species and helps identify changes in the overall health of habitats.
iNaturalist is a fantastic tool for people of all levels of knowledge to use. Whether you are trying to report something special or just curious about “What bug is this?” you can use iNaturalist to help.
By using iNaturalist you can share images of the wildlife you find while also recording important information about where and when you found it. This information allows for the fellow nature enthusiasts to help with identifying what it is you have found all while allowing for researchers to use the data you have submitted to help with conservation work.
Check out our The Big Rock Challenge iNaturalist page here.
