FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 4, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT:
Madeline Anderson
414-278-2784
andersonm@mpm.edu
Wehr Nature Center to Host Milwaukee Public Museum’s Annual 24-Hour Biodiversity Survey and Celebration, BioBlitz
June 12-13, 2026
MILWAUKEE —Scientists, species specialists and nature enthusiasts from across Wisconsin will join forces June 12-13 at Wehr Nature Center in Franklin for an intense 24-hour search (survey) of the area’s plants and animals as part of Milwaukee Public Museum’s (MPM) 11th annual BioBlitz. The goal of BioBlitz is to find as many different species as possible before the clock runs out. Along the way, the public is invited to take part in the ecological endeavor as they help surveyors identify and analyze their discoveries and enjoy fun nature-themed activities, such as bird and dragonfly walks, demonstrations from conservation dogs and hands-on learning stations at base camp. This family-friendly event is FREE for all and will go on rain or shine.
SCHEDULE
Media is invited to the below events and activities:
Friday, June 12
3 p.m. 24-hour survey begins; experts will be:
- Setting up fish/reptile traps
- Using binoculars to scan for birds
- Sweep netting and log flipping to uncover insects, spiders and other arthropods
- Setting up light traps to catch moths
All below activities are open to the public:
7:30-8:30 p.m. Bats of Wisconsin Presentation
- A Wisconsin DNR bat biologist will share fascinating facts about the diversity of bats
9-10:30 p.m. Mist Netting for Live Bats
- Observe DNR scientists at dusk and after dark as they conduct mist netting for bats. The use of mist nets is a humane and vital field research method to safely capture, study, and monitor bats.
Saturday, June 13
All below activities are open to the public:
9-11 a.m. Bird banding demonstrations
10 a.m.-3 p.m. Activity stations and informational tables at base camp
10 a.m. Guided bird walk
10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Introduction to Biodiversity Surveying presentation
11:15 a.m. and 1 p.m. Conservation dog demonstrations with Mequon Nature Preserve’s conservation dog
12:15 p.m. Guided dragonfly walk
1:30 p.m. Guided pollinator walk
3 p.m. Survey ends and total species count announced
BACKGROUND
MPM’s BioBlitz is typically held at a different location around the state each year, and participants will often identify up to 1,000 species—from spiders to snapping turtles and maple trees to algae. This data is then used to inform and influence future conservation efforts, scientific research and public outreach. “A BioBlitz is an efficient and engaging way to get a snapshot of the biodiversity in a particular natural area,” said Julia Colby, MPM Invertebrate & Vertebrate Collections Manager and BioBlitz organizer. “Often, when we talk about biodiversity, we talk about places that are far away and exotic, like rainforests, oceans or deserts. But the truth is, biodiversity is everywhere, and we are impacted by it every day—from our morning commute to work to our evening barbeque.”
During this year’s BioBlitz at Wehr Nature Center, participants can explore the 220-acre nature preserve, which features more than five miles of trails through woodland, wetland, prairie, oak savanna and lake habitats. Wehr also includes a one-mile All Abilities Loop trail with a hard-surface boardwalk, helping to connect people of all ages and abilities with the natural world.
“Wehr Nature Center views the BioBlitz as much more than a 24-hour species count,” said Brooke Gilley, Wehr Nature Center’s Park Naturalist & Interpretive Media Coordinator. “The event provides a unique opportunity for community members to meet and join scientists in the field. Through hands-on activities and experiential learning, families and visitors can deepen their understanding of the natural world while inspiring future generations of scientists and environmental stewards.”
MPM President & CEO Dr. Ellen Censky helped organize the first-ever BioBlitz that involved members of the public in the 1990s during her time at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh. The BioBlitz public program has since been adopted by institutions all over the world.
“One of the most exciting parts of BioBlitz is seeing people of different backgrounds and ages come together to participate in discovery,” said Dr. Censky. “When residents become more curious about the biodiversity in their own backyards, it helps strengthen the ecosystems that support all of us.”
For more information about BioBlitz, visit www.mpm.edu/bioblitz/2026.
About the Milwaukee Public Museum
The Milwaukee Public Museum is Wisconsin’s natural history museum, welcoming over half a million visitors annually. Located in downtown Milwaukee, the Museum was chartered in 1882, opened to the public in 1884, and currently houses more than 4 million objects in its collections. MPM has three floors of exhibits that encompass life-size dioramas, walk-through villages, world cultures, dinosaurs, a rainforest, and a live butterfly garden, as well as the Daniel M. Soref Dome Theater and Planetarium. MPM is operated by Milwaukee Public Museum, Inc., a private, non-profit company, and its facilities and collections are held in trust and supported by Milwaukee County for the benefit of the public.
About the Wehr Nature Center
Discover Wehr Nature Center, Milwaukee County Parks’ only nature preserve and education center. Explore more than five miles of scenic nature trails winding through woodland, wetland, prairie, and oak savanna across 220 acres of protected land within Whitnall Park.
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