Nature enthusiasts, scientists, and conservationists converged in the ancient heart of the Vredefort Dome World Heritage site over the weekend of April 26-29 for an exciting Bioblitz – racing against time to record as many species as possible using the iNaturalist app.
iNaturalist is an open citizen science platform that allows everyone to contribute to conservation.
The event, hosted by the Vredefort Dome Conservancy in collaboration with local stakeholders and biodiversity experts, turned the World Heritage Site into a hive of activity, observation, and learning.
Armed with smartphones, cameras, and curiosity, participants documented plants, insects, birds, fungi, reptiles, and more. Every sighting was uploaded in real-time to iNaturalist, contributing to a growing digital database of the area’s unique biodiversity.
For the Vredefort Dome Biodiversity Project on iNaturalist, more than 4 200 observations have been logged, covering 660 species—a remarkable snapshot of the ecological richness within the Dome.
Highlights included sightings of magnificent tree species and beautiful butterflies. Six hundred and sixty-eight new observations were logged over the weekend, including in areas of the Free State portion of the Dome that had previously been poorly surveyed.
The event also focused on education and community involvement.
Workshops on using iNaturalist and identifying local species were held throughout the weekend. The accessible format empowered both beginners and seasoned naturalists to participate, fostering a deeper appreciation for citizen science.
The data collected will contribute to long-term conservation planning in the Dome and surrounding areas and forms part of the Vredefort Dome Conservancy’s biodiversity project It also strengthens the case for continued environmental protection amid growing development pressures.
The Vredefort Dome Conservancy expressed gratitude for the high level of public participation and encouraged everyone to continue contributing observations beyond the Bioblitz weekend.
For those who missed the event, it’s not too late to get involved—download the free iNaturalist app, head into nature, and start observing. The Dome is alive with stories waiting to be told—one photo at a time. If you want more information or would like to get involved in the Vredefort Dome Biodiversity Project, you can contact Nicolette on 083 265 6245 (WhatsApp only).
