SOURCE: National Geographic Society.
This two-day Biodiversity Festival is part of the cornerstone BioBlitz in the Washington, D.C. region. The National Mall at Constitution Gardens will feature hands-on science exhibits, food and art, as well as family-friendly entertainment and activities. Constitution Gardens will also serve as base camp for the National Capital Parks BioBlitz and as a connection to all the other BioBlitzes taking place at national parks that weekend.
WHERE:
Constitution Gardens, National Mall
17th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington DC
DATES: Friday and Saturday, May 20 and 21
TIME: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday with special event Friday evening (see below)
There is something for everyone at the Biodiversity Festival. Younger audiences and adults alike will enjoy music from science song and dance man Billy B and performances from the Piscataway tribe.
Start your Saturday by engaging your brain and body in nature and participate in an open air yoga class at 9 a.m., sponsored by Peet’s Coffee and Tea. Participants will also have the opportunity to join photography workshops led by National Geographic photographers.
Look through a microscope to discover life in tiny places, and learn how scientists identify plants and animals. Have a burning science question? Ask an on-site expert. You’ll learn that biodiversity is everywhere—and why we need it.
Explore interactive exhibitor booths featuring environmental organizations, wildlife groups, and more. Have fun while learning about the biodiversity of Washington, D.C., and beyond with organizations like Earth Conservation Corps, Biophilic DC, the Maryland Master Naturalist Program, the Smithsonian, the National Aquarium, the Organization for Bat Conservation, and the Polynesian Voyaging Society—who planned a stop in their global sailing adventure in Washington, D.C., just in time for BioBlitz!
Local food vendors and trucks will serve up a diversity of options!
The Biodiversity Festival is free, family-friendly, and no registration is required.
Bugs, Bats, & Brews, Friday May 20, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
This special Friday evening event is an opportunity for adults to connect with the wilder side of the National Parks. Attendees can enjoy the beer garden while taking in animal sounds remixed into exotic beats by DJ Ecotone. Host Chris Duffy will explore the wild side of animal behavior with National Geographic photographer and explorer Anand Varma and TED Fellow Danielle N. Lee. Together they’ll take on trending science myths and misinformation, one joke at a time. Attendees can join scientists to go out and look for bats and bugs in the park, while the French Horn Rebellion band plays on.
There is no charge for the program. Food and beverage will be for sale. Learn More.
SOURCE: National Geographic Society.
WASHINGTON, D.C. BIODIVERSITY FESTIVAL
Schedule of Events
Friday, May 20
10:00–10:30 a.m., Main Stage
National Geographic’s Animal Rescue Live Quiz Game
11:00–11:20 a.m., Main Stage
National Park Services Youth Ambassador Program performers (YAP!) bring the parks to the people through lively rap and edutainment movement.
11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m., Main Stage
Opening Ceremony, WTOP’s Hillary Howard will emcee the opening ceremony featuring Department of Interior, National Park Service, and National Geographic Society leadership and special remarks from Dr. Edward O. Wilson. Dr. Wilson is recognized as one of the foremost naturalists in both science and literature, as well as synthesizer in works stretching from pure biology across to the social sciences and humanities.
12:30–1:00 p.m., Main Stage
Join the National Forest Service’s Woodsy the Owl for a fun-filled music and dance treat.
1:15–1:45 p.m., Main Stage
Students from the Kamehameha Schools join us from Honolulu to perform traditional Hawaiian song and dance.
2:30–3:00 p.m., Main Stage
The Buzz About Bees: Learn why bees play an important role in nature and how you can help them! Panel to include:
Clay Bolt, Conservation Photographer and Co-Founder of Meet Your Neighbours
Mikaila Ulmer, 11-year-old Founder of the Me & the Bees Lemonade company.
4:00–5:00 p.m., Science Tent
Light the Torch: Learn about careers in resource science.
Friday Evening Special Event
“Bugs, Bats and Brews” on the National Mall is an opportunity for adults to experience the wilder side of the National Parks with a night of laughter, science, and live music. Attendees, ages 21 and older, can start the night with drink at our beer garden, while science writer turned wildlife DJ, DJ Ecotone creates a soundscape of animal sounds remixed into exotic beats. Host Chris Duffy will explore the funny side of animal behavior with National Geographic photographer and explorer Anand Varma, and Danielle Lee. Together they’ll take on trending science myths, one joke at a time. Capping off the night is French Horn Rebellion, band geeks with dancefloor ambitions and pioneers of Next Jack Swing.
Attendees can also join scientists to adventure out and look for bats and bugs in the park in between beers, showcasing their observations on iNaturalist.
Main Stage Lineup
7:00 – 7:45 p.m.: DJ Ecotone
7:45 – 8:00 p.m.: “Trending” Introduction by Chris Duffy
8:00 – 8:10 p.m.: Bat Inventory with Rob Mies
8:10 – 8:45 p.m.: “Trending” Anand Varma
8:45 – 9:15 p.m.: “Trending” Danielle Lee
9:15 – 10:00 p.m.: French Horn Rebellion
Saturday, May 21
9:00–10:00 a.m., Main Stage
Bendy Brunch with Grip The Mat Yoga & Peet’s Coffee. Bring your yoga mat and experience the positive effects of nature on your brain and body. Breakfast refreshments will be provided.
10:00–10:45 a.m., Main Stage
Billy B, the natural science song and dance man, will entertain young explorers and the young at heart with his lively performance.
10:45 a.m.–11:15 a.m., Main Stage
Join the National Forest Service’s Woodsy the Owl and special guests from the California Conservation Corps for a fun-filled music and dance treat. You’ll learn how to do the BioBlitz Dance!
11:15–11:45 a.m., Main Stage
National Park Services Youth Ambassador Program (YAP!) performers bring the parks to the people through lively rap and edutainment movement.
12:00–12:45 p.m., Main Stage
Piscataway Indian Nation, the indigenous tribe to the Chesapeake area, will perform traditional American Indian drumming, singing, and dancing
1:00–1:30 p.m., Main Stage
Tune in for live video from a BioBlitz dive with Dr. Sylvia Earle at the Channel Islands.
1:30–2:00 p.m., Main Stage
Learn about birds of prey during an up-close-and-personal presentation with Earth Conservation Corps.
2:00–2:45 p.m., Main Stage
Hear from National Geographic explorers about how they are using science, exploration, education and storytelling to be good stewards of our planet! Panel to include:
Gregg Treinish, Founder of Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation
Erin Spencer, Ecologist and Storyteller
Jim Cybulski, FoldScope Team Member at Stanford
3:00–3:15 p.m., Main Stage
Tune in for live video from a BioBlitz dive with Dr. Sylvia Earle at the Channel Islands.
3:15–3:45 p.m., Main Stage
Singer-songwriter Erica Wheeler: Inspiring connections between people and place through great music.
4:00–4:30 p.m., Main Stage
Tales from the Field: One-on-one interviews with top scientists, experts and BioBlitz veterans about their BioBlitz experiences.
4:30–5:00 p.m., Main Stage
Closing Ceremony: Join us as we conclude the event and reveal the species counted during the BioBlitz! With special presenters from National Geographic and the National Park Service.
http://nationalgeographic.org/projects/bioblitz/washington-dc-biodiversity-festival/
