Behind the Scenes of Biodiversity Week

Can you give us a brief introduction to your organization? 

LIFE B4B is a project funded by the EU, involving 14 Belgian nature partners. We're leading a national awareness campaign for Natura 2000 Day and Biodiversity Week under the guidance of the Agency for Nature and Forests.

How long have you been organizing Biodiversity Week? 

This is our second year. It's a unique cross-regional collaboration that's been really well-received by both organizations and participants.

Any details on the turnout—number of visitors or observations? Have you noticed any changes over time? 

Last year, we had over 20,000 participants, which is amazing for a first-time event! In just one week, participants registered nearly 500,000 observations of 6,671 different species.

What are some of the most remarkable species observed during Biodiversity Week? 

We spotted some captivating species:

- Butterflies: red-underwing skipper (Spialia sertorius)

- Beetles: Weaver beetle(Lamia textor)

- Reptiles/Amphibians: common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis)

- Birds: scops owl (Otus)

- Plants: Germander broomrape (Orobanche teucria)

- Mammals: Barbastelle bat (Barbastella barbastellus)

Why is biodiversity so important? 

Put simply, without biodiversity, there's no life. Our campaign aims to raise awareness about this and amaze people with the incredible variety of life, even right in their own backyards.

What does citizen science mean to you? 

Citizen science is incredibly valuable. By involving citizens directly in the campaign, we increase not just knowledge, but also appreciation and understanding for nature and biodiversity.

Do you receive support from the European Union? 

Yes, the LIFE project is co-financed by the European Commission.

Besides the bioblitz, what other activities do you organize? 

With various partners on board, everyone brings something different to the table. Some organize local bioblitzes, while others offer workshops or guided walks. There's even engagement with experience weeks or sports activities, so there's something for everyone. You can find all the details on www.weekvandebiodiversiteit.be.