September is Biodiversity Month, a time to celebrate our natural wonders and diverse ecosystems. To pause and appreciate the beauty, complexity, and importance of biodiversity. To reflect on our relationship with the natural world and our duty to protect it.
To celebrate Biodiversity Month, the City of Casey will be co-hosting the 2024 ‘Biodiversity Blitz’- a light-hearted competition between south-east Melbourne councils to see who can record the most plant and animal species between Sunday 1 and Monday 30 September.
To participate in the Bioblitz, simply head outdoors, snap photos of flora and fauna in the City of Casey and upload your observations to iNaturalist throughout the month of September. Your observations will automatically be added to the competition results.
To track progress of the Biodiversity Blitz competition, visit the iNaturalist event page.
The City of Casey will also be hosting and supporting several other events and activities that provide an opportunity for residents to learn more about their local environment. Check them out below:
| iNaturalist Community Champions Online Webinar Tuesday 27 August (7.00 pm - 8.00 pm) | Community members from different council areas will share their stories of being a citizen scientist. You'll learn how and why they use iNaturalist, typical or unusual observations they've made, if they concentrate on certain species, and where they like to explore. Event expired. |
Environmental volunteering Saturday 7 September | 'Casey Friends' groups are a great way to get involved in the community. Most of our friends groups meet monthly for activities like planting, weeding, litter collection and environmental monitoring. Come along and join the Friends of Eumemmerring Creek for a working bee and find out all about it. |
National Threatened Species Day Tuesday 3 September | Join us at Myuna Farm for a walk and talk this National Threatened Species day! Participants will learn all about our local threatened species and what we can do to protect them from extinction. For children of all ages. $2 entry fee. Bookings essential. BYO cake or cupcake to decorate in the "Threatened Species Bake Off". Decorations will be provided. |
Gardens for Bandicoots and Wildlife Saturday 17 September Other dates also available in October and November | At Cranbourne Gardens we are the lucky custodians of a thriving population of endangered Southern Brown Bandicoots. Discover the tools the gardens use to keep our Bandicoots and other wildlife safe as well as learn some tips on what you can do to make your own garden a thriving home for wildlife, whether you live in the bush or in the heart of the city. |
The Great Southern Bioblitz 2024 Friday 20 – Monday 23 September | Take photos of wild plants and animals and upload your observations to iNaturalist between Friday 20 and Monday 23 September to participate. |
Doveton Show biodiversity stall Sunday 22 September | Visit us at the Sustainability and Environment stall at the Doveton Show (held at Myuna Farm) and learn all about the Grey Headed Flying Fox. |
Gardens for Wildlife School Holiday Program Tuesday 24 September | Join us at the Old Cheese Factory and discover what wildlife is living in the gardens. Learn how you can create a wildlife friendly garden and make an insect hotel to take and hang up at home. Recommended for ages 6-12 years. Please bring along a clean 400g tin can for creating your own insect hotel. All other materials will be provided. |