18 May 2026
What lives in the park down the road, the wetland near your workplace, or the patch of bushland you pass every day?
Across Queensland, everyday wildlife sightings are helping build a clearer picture of where species live, how common they are, and where conservation action may be needed. Using the free iNaturalist app, anyone can record plants, animals, fungi and insects by taking photos or sound recordings on their phone.
When observations are confirmed by the iNaturalist community, they can become “Research Grade” records that contribute to biodiversity databases used by scientists, conservation organisations and land managers. These verified records can also flow into the Atlas of Living Australia and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). This means a single observation can contribute to real conservation knowledge.
Start by noticing what is around you
You do not need to be a scientist or know the name of every species you see. And you can use iNaturalist almost anywhere, from your backyard and local creek to a national park or school grounds.
Every observation helps build a clearer picture of Queensland’s biodiversity and fills important information gaps about where species are present, and where they may be disappearing.
What is a bioblitz?
As people become more confident using iNaturalist, many want to take the next step by joining or running a bioblitz.
A bioblitz is a community event where people work together to record as many species as possible within a set location and time period. Participants photograph wildlife, upload observations to iNaturalist, and create a snapshot of the area’s biodiversity.
Bioblitzes do more than create species lists. They encourage people to slow down, look closely and connect with the wildlife around them. They also bring communities together and often attract new supporters who want to stay involved in conservation.
Fraser Coast shows what is possible
Wildlife Queensland’s Fraser Coast Branch recently demonstrated just how successful a community bioblitz can be.
During the Fraser Coast Branch Backyard BioBlitz this autumn, 45 observers recorded 338 observations covering 242 species. Highlights included White-bellied Sea Eagles, Plumed Whistling Ducks, frogs, moths and a remarkable diversity of insects and bugs.
The most commonly recorded species were Australian Brush Turkeys (Alectura lathami) and Blue-faced Honeyeaters (Entomyzon cyanotis), followed by Australian White Ibises (Threskiornis molucca).
Join a Wildlife Queensland BioBlitz
Want to experience a bioblitz for yourself?
Wildlife Queensland, in partnership with Oxley Creek Catchment Association, Griffith University and Transurban, will host a community bioblitz at Archerfield Wetlands on 31 May 2026. The Fraser Coast Branch runs regular backyard bioblitzes; the Sunshine Coast Branch has its long-running FaunaWatch; and the Gold Coast Branch has a NaturallyGC Wildlife Watch camera trap event on 3 June 2026. Plus, keep an eye out for a Brisbane Branch BioBlitz later this year!
These events will give participants the chance to explore your bushland, learn how to use iNaturalist, meet fellow nature enthusiasts, and contribute valuable biodiversity data for conservation.
Could your group run a bioblitz too?
“Once people realise how much life is around them, they want to help protect it. Bioblitzes give communities a simple way to turn that feeling into action,” says Wildlife Queensland Board Member and ecologist, Dr Wade Hadwen.
If your branch, school, or community group is interested in running a bioblitz, join Wildlife Queensland’s Discover & Protect initiative to access more information. We are happy to provide advice on using iNaturalist, building experience on the platform, and planning a successful community bioblitz.
Connecting sightings to conservation
Discover and Protect encourages Queenslanders to record wildlife observations through various platforms, including iNaturalist, to help improve understanding of where threatened species are present, where they may be absent, and where more conservation effort is needed.
As Discover & Protect participants build confidence, they can also become involved in more structured threatened species surveys. Volunteers, schools and conservation groups can help collect repeatable survey data through targeted monitoring campaigns and consistent observations at priority sites.
Sometimes conservation begins with something very simple: paying attention to the wildlife already sharing our neighbourhoods.
What you can do
- Join Discover & Protect and learn more about how your wildlife sightings can help protect Queensland’s species.
- Subscribe to our eBulletin Talking Wildlife to learn more about your local wildlife, plus Wildlife Queensland’s latest news, offers and events.