BioBlitz documentary for RI Natural History Survey (RINHS)
The CI is a long-standing supporter of the Rhode Island Natural History Survey’s (RINHS) 
Annual BioBlitz in which scores of intergenerational citizen volunteers come together to count and identify as many species as possible within twenty-four hours on a particular parcel of land. BioBlitz highlights biodiversity and engages citizens in scientific discourse and promotes support of their local ecological communities.
In 2013, the CI brought in a professional film company and an advisory producer, both with a history of frontline Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)-funded work, to produce a CI-crafted thirty-minute broadcast-quality documentary featuring BioBlitz. The film underscores the importance of monitoring, which is viewed as tedious by the public, less than exciting by funders, and baseline critical by scientists. Citizens, scientists, and hobbyists, along with the middle and high school science superstars of tomorrow excitedly participated in the shooting of the film, which was designed to amplify the BioBlitz message and broaden its audience.
With this video we have a great tool to empower people to learn about their local environment and to recruit volunteers for the next BioBlitz.
David Gregg, Executive Director, RINHS