Middlesex County Joins National Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz this September

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ - Throughout September, Middlesex County is participating in the National Recreation and Park Association's (NRPA) Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz, inviting residents to explore the County's parks and open spaces while documenting the plants and pollinators that call these natural spaces home. Now underway, the month-long initiative gives community members an opportunity to contribute observations that help researchers better understand and protect biodiversity across Middlesex County's more than 11,000 acres of parkland.

"The Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners and I are proud to once again participate in the Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz, an initiative that brings our residents into our parks while helping us better understand and protect the natural habitats that sustain our local ecosystem," said Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios. "I encourage everyone to take part throughout the remainder of September by exploring our parks, photographing the plants and pollinators they discover, and contributing to this important effort."

"The Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz is an exciting way for residents of all ages to get outdoors, explore our beautiful park system, and learn more about the important role pollinators play in our environment," said Middlesex County Commissioner Charles E. Tomaro, Chair of the County's Infrastructure Management Committee. "By documenting what they see, participants are not only learning about the natural world around them, but also contributing valuable information that can help guide conservation efforts and protect our environment for future generations."

HOW IT WORKS

Launched in 2018, the Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz is a partnership between the NRPA and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation. Using the iNaturalist app, participants take and submit photos of pollinators and plants found in Middlesex County's parks and open space preserves throughout the month of September.

To participate, follow the steps below:

1. Download the free iNaturalist app from the App Store or Google Play Store on a smartphone or tablet.
2. Create an iNaturalist account and log in.
3. Find the Projects section of the app. On iPhone, select "Projects" in the lower-right corner; on Android, select "Projects" in the upper-left corner.
4. Search for the project: "Parks for Pollinators 2026 - Middlesex County Parks."
5. Take photos and upload your observations of plants and pollinators found in Middlesex County parks and open space preserves.
6. Contribute to biodiversity research. Observations are shared through iNaturalist and can contribute to global biodiversity data.

Following the BioBlitz, the Middlesex County Office of Parks and Recreation will compile a list of species for each participating County park. The findings will be publicly available on iNaturalist and may be used by scientists and researchers worldwide.

Submissions that receive community-confirmed identifications can earn "Research Grade" status, enabling them to be contributed to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, an international resource that provides biodiversity data for scientific research and environmental studies.

For more information on how to participate in Middlesex County's Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz, visit middlesexcountynj.gov/bioblitz.

Information about Middlesex County parks, including park locations, hours, amenities, and activities, is available atmiddlesexcountynj.gov/parksandrec.