The main goal of this initiative is to raise awareness about the natural richness of Monte Pisano and the importance of protecting its biodiversity.

The event takes place in spring as part of the international City Nature Challenge, a citizen science competition that invites people worldwide to observe and document biodiversity in their cities. The aim is to collect valuable data for science and conservation efforts.

The Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies and the Natural History Museum of the University of Pisa—in collaboration with the Department of Biology at the University of Pisa, the municipalities of Buti, Calci, San Giuliano Terme, Vecchiano, and Vicopisano, as well as the Consorzio Strade dell’Olio—have organized BioBlitz 2025. Together with local guides and field experts, they have designed routes and excursions across Monte Pisano to be held on Saturday, April 26, and Sunday, April 27, with the goal of collecting as much data as possible.

For the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, BioBlitz 2025 is organized in collaboration with the Third Mission Area - Public Engagement Unit, alongside the Agroecology research group of the Institute of Plant Sciences.

Camilla Moonen will be present as an expert for Route #2 in Calci, titled "The Semi-Natural Habitats of the Olive Grove Agroecosystem."

How to Participate

The event is open to all citizens, with no age or experience restrictions, aiming to engage as many people as possible in the discovery and appreciation of the natural environment. Each participant will have the opportunity to actively contribute to the census of local species, guided by industry experts.

Participation in the excursions is free, but registration is REQUIRED and must be completed online via the Eventbrite platform. Tickets will be available on EventBrite from April 14 to April 21.

For employees of the Sant'Anna School, a parallel itinerary will be available in Calci (Route #2: "The Semi-Natural Habitats of the Olive Grove Agroecosystem"). Book via Google Form - at this link. Only the first 25 registrations will be considered.

Saturday, April 26

• 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM | The Agnano Loop – AGNANO, San Giuliano Terme

• 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM | The Semi-Natural Habitats of the Olive Agroecosystem – Calci

• 3:30 PM – 7:00 PM | Parco della Ricordanza – Montemagno, Calci

   

Sunday, April 27

• 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM | Discovering the Historic Fonte delle Navarre – Buti

• 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | The Importance of Riparian Environments – Vicopisano

• 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | The Orchids of the Vecchiano Hills – Vecchiano

At the end of each excursion, a snack will be offered.

Notes for Participants:

For 2025, six routes have been organized, each led by local experts who will interact directly with participants. Full details can be found in the technical sheets for each route, where locations and contact information are provided to help plan the excursion effectively.

To participate in the routes, you must have a smartphone and download the iNaturalist application, available for all mobile operating systems. Instructions for downloading and installing the app can also be found in the attachments on this page.

Recommended Gear & Safety Guidelines

• Clothing: Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing for outdoor excursions is recommended, including hiking shoes and a hat.

• Equipment: It is advisable to bring a reusable water bottle and light snacks.

• Safety: All activities will comply with current safety and environmental protection regulations. Participants are encouraged to follow the organizers' instructions and respect the surrounding natural environment.