Bucks Mills, Devon – July 2025 — Atlantic Academy’s BioBlitz 2025 brought science to life for hundreds of students and community members, offering an immersive exploration of the rich biodiversity found in the school’s grounds and surrounding coastal habitats.
In the days leading up to the public event, approximately 300 Year 7 students from Atlantic Academy and Bideford College took part in hands-on ecological activities, including pond dipping and bug hunting. These sessions provided a unique opportunity for students to engage directly with nature and deepen their understanding of local ecosystems. A rewarding week for the Finding Nature’s Footprint Team at the North Devon Coast National Landscape.
The public BioBlitz event took place on the evening of June 27th and throughout June 28th, welcoming over 70 participants from the wider community. Families, local residents, and wildlife experts came together to survey and celebrate the area’s natural diversity across the school grounds and nearby woodlands and coastline.
Highlights of the event included:
- Guided nature walks and species hunts
- Rockpool rambles and stream kick sampling
- Plant and fungi identification workshops
Participants recorded a wide range of species with approximately 270 different insects, plants, coastal creatures and other animals recorded, with some exciting finds. A standout moment came during the Saturday morning moth trap survey, which revealed a vibrant array of nocturnal insects. Another memorable discovery was a spider crab mid-moult in a coastal rockpool.
Observations were logged using iNaturalist and field guides, helping attendees build skills in species identification and ecological awareness.
“It was amazing to see our students so engaged with nature – I didn’t think they would be so interested in the pond dipping, but they were all really excited to discover life in the pond!” said a tutor from Atlantic Academy.
Beyond scientific discovery, the BioBlitz strengthened the Academy’s confidence in using its outdoor spaces—particularly the pond area—for future learning and environmental education.
Being a more remote location make the public attendance modest, but the event proved deeply meaningful for those involved, offering a valuable opportunity to connect with nature and contribute to local biodiversity monitoring efforts
There are more events to come. To find out more about how you can get involved in the Finding Nature’s Footprints project visit the North Devon Coast National Landscape website www.northdevoncoast-nl.org.uk/findingnaturesfootprints or email [email protected].
