24 Hours of Wildlife: Cornwall’s Coastline Set for a Community Bioblitz

Cornwall’s wildlife is about to take centre stage with a 24-hour biodiversity challenge led by The Rock Pool Project.

Taking place from Friday 19th to Saturday 20th September at Porthpean Outdoor, the Community Bioblitz Festival will bring together families, nature lovers and seasoned experts for an immersive celebration of Cornwall’s coast and climate.

Focus on Climate and Conservation

This year’s theme, “Our Coast. Our Climate. Our Future,” highlights climate-sensitive species and aims to collect biodiversity data that supports scientific research, conservation, and climate resilience planning across the region.

The event is part of the Big Rock Pool Challenge, a nationwide citizen science programme run with the Marine Biological Association. Monthly BioBlitz Battle events have already been encouraging people of all ages to record marine life, helping conservationists gain a better understanding of the country’s marine environment.

Packed Festival Programme

The festival will span a wide variety of habitats, from rock pools to woodlands, and will include:

• A coastal BioBlitz with a night-time rock pool session

• Expert-led talks and workshops on conservation and climate

• Species identification training and citizen science activities

• Wellbeing sessions and outdoor adventures such as paddleboarding and nature walks

• A community hub with local environmental groups

Loretta Kwok, South West Lead of the Big Rock Pool Challenge, said:
“This is a brilliant opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to connect with nature, learn new skills, and contribute to real scientific research. The BioBlitz is more than just counting species — it’s about building climate awareness and empowering communities to protect our stunning coastal environment for the future.”

Free to Attend

Thanks to funding from the ScottishPower Foundation, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the Duke of Cornwall’s Marine Environment Fund, the event is free to attend. However, some activities and camping options will carry additional charges.

To make it more accessible, shuttle buses will run from St Austell railway station, and camping options are available on-site. The Rock Pool Project is also inviting local organisations and environmental groups to run talks, workshops or interactive sessions during the festival.

A full programme will be announced in the coming weeks, with spaces for camping and activities expected to fill quickly.

For more information and to book free tickets, visit The Rock Pool Project’s website