Biodiversity Challenge - Wageningen University & Research
Will you join us outdoors to see, feel and snell nature on the Wageningen Campus? Once again, we will venture outside to admire the extraordinary biodiversity around us. Register for one of our guided excursions, or grab your phone and go discover species with colleagues, friends or just by yourself.
As in previous years, Wageningen University & Research will compete against 17 other life sciences universities from the European ICA network. All participating universities try to mobilise as many staff and students as they can to observe what species can be found on their grounds.
Programme of activities
| Datum | Tijd | Excursie | Startpunt | Registratie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 May | 12:00 - 13:00 | Plant diversity on Wageningen campus | De Zaaier statue (in front of Atlas) | Register |
| 14 May | 12:00 -13:00 | Food forest Wageningen campus | Kielekampsteeg 32 | Register |
| 21 May | 12:00 - 13:00 | Flora and Fauna around the picknick blanket | De Zaaier statue (in front of Atlas) | Register |
| 22 May | 12:00 - 13:00 | Plant parasites: an often overlooked species group | De Zaaier statue (in front of Atlas) | Register |
| 27 May | 12:00 - 13:00 | Guided tour exhibition Beautiful Botany | WUR Library entrance | Register |
| 28 May | 19:00 - 22:00 | Insect identification evening: sorting and identifying trapped insects from WUR campus | Het Groene Wiel, Hendrikweg 14b Wageningen | Open |
| 2 June | 12:30- 13:30 | Insects at Leeuwenborch | Leeuwenborch entrance | Register |
| 3 June | 12:00 - 13:00 | Green roof (Omnia) | Omnia entrance | Register |
| 4 June | 06:30 - 08:00 | Wild mice on campus | De Zaaier statue (in front of Atlas) | Register |
| 5 June | 12:00 - 13:00 | Bird identification by sound | Aurora entrance | Register |
| 11 June | 12:00 - 13:00 | Dragonflies on Wageningen campus | De Zaaier statue (in front of Atlas) | Register |
| 11 June | 19:00 - 22:00 | Insect identification evening: sorting and identifying trapped insects from WUR campus | Het Groene Wiel, Hendrikweg 14b Wageningen | Open |
| 12 June | 12:00 - 13:00 | Biodiversity at NIOO: The excursion will lead you from the ecological garden of the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) to the specially laid hedges and the experimental fields. Normally not open to the public! | Reception NIOO | Register |
| 19 June | 12:00 - 13:00 | Medicinal & ritual plants on campus | De Zaaier statue (in front of Atlas) | Register |
| 24 June | 12:00 - 13:00 | Nature connection walk | De Zaaier statue (in front of Atlas) | Register |
| 25 June | 19:00 - 22:00 | Insect identification evening: sorting and identifying trapped insects from WUR campus | Het Groene Wiel, Hendrikweg 14b Wageningen | Open |
| 27 June | 15:00 - 17:30 | Closure event Biodiversity Challenge | Impulse speakers corner | Open |
Bioblitz: record species with an app
How exactly does the Bioblitz work?
Recording species is very easy. To do so, first make an account at observation.org. You can either enter sightings directly on observation.org., or use your phone to do so through the app ObsIdentify. With this app, you take a picture of what you see, and then read on your screen which species it probably is. Then you can submit your sighting at the touch of a button.
Please note that we only count wild species! Planted flowerbeds or animals kept by humans will be rejected.
How do I add my entry to the Biodiversity Challenge?
Your entry will automatically be added to the Biodiversity Challenge when submitted between 30 April and 27 June at a location belonging to Wageningen University & Research. This applies both to the Wageningen Campus and to WUR locations outside Wageningen.
- View the WUR Bioblitz 2025 at Observation.org
- See the results from all participating organisations on Observation.org
- See the results from SLU (Sweden) on Artportalen
What happens to the collected data?
The data collected from the Biodiversity Challenge will be used to monitor the score, and compare the findings to other universities in Europe. Afterwards, students will work with the data to map the distinctive observations, and compare them with data from previous years.
Join the photo competition!
The university of Geisenheim is organisaing a photo competition for all participating organisations. Upload your best photograph by 15th June, and perhaps your photo will be among the winners announced at the closing event on 27th June. You can also cast a vote for your favorite pictures. For uploading and/or voting, check this link.