A Biodiversity Blitz, or BioBlitz, is a rapid assessment of what lives in a particular area at a given point in time. Biodiversity, the variety of living things, is often discussed in terms of the rain forest or the ocean, not somewhere familiar or local. However, Illinois’ second BioBlitz was held in Chicago when scientists and the public came together for a 24-hour blitz on August 23 and 24, 2002. Organized teams converged on Calumet to conduct an extensive inventory of the surprising biodiversity living within the industrial landscape of landfills, refineries, and abandoned steel mills. Beyond those doing the field work were many community organizations that ensured meaningful participation for the public.

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