Did you know that biodiversity is everywhere, even right on our own campus? During the Biodiversity Challenge lunch walks, you can join colleagues in discovering what lives in our immediate learning and working environment. Our campus is a green and species-rich environment. Yet we often walk past without really noticing how many plants, insects, and other animals are present. During these lunch walks, enthusiastic experts will guide you and show you everything that grows, blooms, flies, and crawls.
This year, we are participating for the third time in this national Bioblitz. Previously, this initiative took place under the name Bioblitz #HogerOnderwijsBloeit, but it is now called the Biodiversity Challenge. It runs from April 30 to June 30 and aims to record as many species as possible. Anyone can participate, whether you already know a lot about nature or do not (yet) recognize a single species by name. The more people participate, the better insight we gain into our biodiversity and the greater the awareness to protect and strengthen it.
There is also plenty to discover: more than 2,600 species have already been observed on our campus in total, and for the Biodiversity Challenge 2026, the count is already close to 400 species. The challenge is to reach 1,000 species together in May and June. For inspiration: last year, we recorded more than 1,200 species in just one month and we achieved first place nationwide!
This year, 53 schools and universities across the Netherlands are participating:
WHEN
The lunch walks take place from 12:30 to 13:30 on the following dates:
- Tuesday, May 12
- Thursday, May 21
- Tuesday, June 2
- Thursday, June 9
- Thursday, June 18
- Tuesday, June 30 (meet at the vegetable garden)
Meeting point: the entrance of the Technohal
Registration is not required, just come and join!
PARTICIPATION AND REGISTRATION
During the walks, you can easily record observations via waarneming.nl. In doing so, you directly contribute to mapping biodiversity on campus. To register your observations, it is useful to download the free ObsIdentify app and create an account on waarneming.nl in advance. There are no costs involved, and you can register using any email address.
PHOTO EXHIBITION: NATURE IN FOCUS
Following the success of last year’s two exhibitions, we are organizing a new exhibition again this year!
The theme remains Nature in Focus. This means that all photos showcasing nature are welcome—including those taken during the Biodiversity Challenge. This year, we are making it bigger: a large exhibition space is available. Here, we will display not only new work but also photos from previous editions. A great opportunity to look back together and discover new images of nature.
The exhibition will run from September through December.
In the coming months, you can already head out to capture your most beautiful nature photos. Further information about participation, submission, and the official opening will follow soon.
