Rowan BioBlitz
Rowan BioBlitz
Join us for BioBlitz 2026 on Earth Day! April 22, 2026
What's a BioBlitz?
A BioBlitz is a race against the clock to record as much flora and fauna as possible within a set area in order to take a snapshot of its biodiversity at that time.
- Where: Rowan University's Glassboro Campus
- When: April 22nd from 10:00am to 7:00pm
- Who: Anyone! Community members, Students, Nature lovers, Outdoor enthusiasts, Scientists, and Citizen Scientists.
- Why: The BioBlitz will allow people to redirect their focus to the natural elements of Rowan's campus, and the data collected will help our Facilities make improvements to campus by having a better understanding of the invasive and native species that live here. Data can also be used by students and researchers to better understand the biodiversity of our campus habitat.
- How: Using the App iNaturalist, participants will scan any plants or wild animals they find and enter any known information. The iNaturalist community will do the rest and can identify the species for you if you're not sure. Since you'll be participating as part of the Rowan BioBlitz 2025, all of the species collected will be entered into our group for us to access later!
Rowan BioBlitz 2025 Itinerary (2026 itinerary coming soon!)
10:00 am - 7:00 pm: Self-guided Nature Walk of Rowan University Campus using iNaturalist & Map
Come to Discovery Hall any time between 10:00am-7:00pm to start your BioBlitz adventure. We'll have maps highlighting areas of focus on campus, info on how to use iNaturalist to collect data, and other fun things.
11:00 am - 12:15pm: Arboretum Walking Tour: Trees of Rowan with Dr. Sara Wright
Location: Meet at Discovery Hall Lobby - Walk to Hollybush area
Faculty: Dr. Sara Wright from the Biological & Biomedical Sciences Department
Learning objectives:
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Learn about the trees on Rowan's Glassboro Campus
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Learn about the history of tree plantings at Rowan
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Learn about the importance of native biodiversity for ecosystem health
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Get your steps in!
Description: Take a break, stretch your legs, and join Sara Wright from the Rowan Biological & Biomedical Sciences Department for an immersive 75-minute walking tour featuring Rowan's magnificent campus trees. Attendees will visit and learn about some of the oldest and largest trees on campus.
Skill levels for attendees: Novice, wear good walking shoes
12:15 pm - 1:00 pm: Wetland Plants of Rowan with Dr. Charles Schutte
Location: Meet at Discovery Hall Lobby - walk to Abbott's Pond area
Description: Join Dr. Shutte at Abbott's Pond and surrounding area to investigate some of the wetland plants that call Rowan home. This will include a brief walking tour with plant identification - wear comfortable shoes. Meet at Discovery Hall Lobby.
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Arboretum Walking Tour: Biodiverse & Sustainable Landscapes with Dr. Sara Wright and Linda Walczak
Location: Meet at Discovery Hall Lobby - walk to Rowan Woods (by Engineering)
Description: Join Sara Wright from the Rowan Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences and Linda Walczak from Rowan's Facilities Division for a 60-minute walking tour featuring a variety of sustainable landscapes on campus. Attendees will learn more about creating habitats that support biodiversity, the future goals of the Rowan Arboretum, and ways to get involved.
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm: Bug Safari: Discover, Catch, and Release Campus Insects! with Dr. Shelly Thomas
Location: Meet at Science Hall Room 239 - walk to Rowan Woods (by Engineering)
Description: Find the creepy crawlies of Rowan with the help of Dr. Thomas. Participants will go on a bug hunt with nets and jars to catch, identify, and release their finds. Discover why bugs are so essential to the ecosystem and should be loved not feared. Children are welcome to participate but must be accompanied by an adult for the safety of our bug friends.
Tabled Activities (2026 activities coming soon!)
Smell Studio with Pineland Forest Fragrances
Times: 12:00 - 1:00pm & 3:00 - 4:00pm
Location: Discovery Hall 1st floor Lobby
Description: Experience the scents of the NJ Pinebarrens using the Smell Studio's Smell Wheel. Will you land on stinky Skunk Cabbage or fragrant High Bush Blueberry? This wheel was featured at the 2025 Philadelphia Flower Show!
Rowan Arboretum Table hosted by Rowan Libraries
Time: 10:00 am - 3:30 pm
Location: Discovery Hall 1st floor Lobby
Description: Discover more about the Rowan Arboretum, ways you can get involved, and future tours. There is a lot of work that goes into maintaining and establishing an Arboretum. Become a friend of the Rowan Arboretum here!
Share your Water Story
Time: TBD
Location: Abbott Pond Gazebo
Description: Everyone has a story about water - how water has been a meaningful part of their life, played a supporting role in some of their fondest memories, or been a dear friend when times were tough. We welcome you to come share your water story and consider how water is worth protecting for ourselves and our future generations.
Walk the Westby Wilds Trail of the Westby Smell Garden (Self-Guided)
Pick up your Botanical Fragrance Field Guide at Discovery Hall or at the Westby Smell Garden and begin your journey. Your field guide includes a map of Westby Wilds, A Native Plant Smell Garden which will help you self navigate the many plants and their exotic smells located there. Remember to scan plants and animals you find along the way in your iNaturalist App on our BioBlitz Project!
Native Plant Mural-In-Progress (Self-Guided)
Location: Cassady Way (east of Time Sweeps & Discovery Hall)
Description: Artist, Muralist, and Rowan Art Department Alum Sammy Kovnat will be painting a mural of native plants on a shed near Discovery Hall beginning April 22nd and continuing the rest of the month. Stop by to see their progress!
Discover more about Rowan University's trees here: https://arboretum.rowan.edu/
Check out other Earth Week happenings here: https://sites.rowan.edu/senate/sustainabilityatrowan/earth-week.html
Special thanks to: School of Earth & Environment; Rowan Landscape Architectural Services - Div. Facilities, Planning, & Operations; Rowan University Arboretum; College of Science & Mathematics - Dept of Biological & Biomedical Sciences; Rowan University Library; College of Communication & Creative Arts - Dept of Art
Have questions or want to be a included as a presenter? Contact Jennifer Totora at totoraj@rowan.edu.