Washington, D.C. Biodiversity Festival

Schedule of Events

Friday, May 20

 

10:00–10:30 a.m., Main Stage

National Geographic's Animal Rescue Live Quiz Game

 

11:00–11:20 a.m., Main Stage

National Park Services Youth Ambassador Program performers (YAP!) bring the parks to the people through lively rap and edutainment movement.

 

11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m., Main Stage

Opening Ceremony, WTOP’s Hillary Howard will emcee the opening ceremony featuring Department of Interior, National Park Service, and National Geographic Society leadership and special remarks from Dr. Edward O. Wilson. Dr. Wilson is recognized as one of the foremost naturalists in both science and literature, as well as synthesizer in works stretching from pure biology across to the social sciences and humanities.

 

12:30–1:00 p.m., Main Stage

Join the National Forest Service’s Woodsy the Owl for a fun-filled music and dance treat.

 

1:15–1:45 p.m., Main Stage

Students from the Kamehameha Schools join us from Honolulu to perform traditional Hawaiian song and dance.

 

2:30–3:00 p.m., Main Stage

The Buzz About Bees: Learn why bees play an important role in nature and how you can help them! Panel to include:

  • Clay Bolt, Conservation Photographer and Co-Founder of Meet Your Neighbours
  • Mikaila Ulmer, 11-year-old Founder of the Me & the Bees Lemonade company.

 

4:00–5:00 p.m., Science Tent

Light the Torch: Learn about careers in resource science.

Friday Evening Special Event

“Bugs, Bats and Brews” on the National Mall is an opportunity for adults to experience the wilder side of the National Parks with a night of laughter, science, and live music. Attendees, ages 21 and older, can start the night with drink at our beer garden, while science writer turned wildlife DJ, DJ Ecotone creates a soundscape of animal sounds remixed into exotic beats. Host Chris Duffy will explore the funny side of animal behavior with National Geographic photographer and explorer Anand Varma, and Danielle Lee. Together they’ll take on trending science myths, one joke at a time. Capping off the night is French Horn Rebellion, band geeks with dancefloor ambitions and pioneers of Next Jack Swing.

Attendees can also join scientists to adventure out and look for bats and bugs in the park in between beers, showcasing their observations on iNaturalist.

Main Stage Lineup

7:00 - 7:45 p.m.: DJ Ecotone

7:45 - 8:00 p.m.: “Trending” Introduction by Chris Duffy

8:00 - 8:10 p.m.: Bat Inventory with Rob Mies

8:10 - 8:45 p.m.: “Trending” Anand Varma

8:45 - 9:15 p.m.: “Trending” Danielle Lee

9:15 - 10:00 p.m.: French Horn Rebellion

Saturday, May 21

 

9:00–10:00 a.m., Main Stage

Bendy Brunch with Grip The Mat Yoga & Peet’s Coffee. Bring your yoga mat and experience the positive effects of nature on your brain and body. Breakfast refreshments will be provided.

 

10:00–10:45 a.m., Main Stage

Billy B, the natural science song and dance man, will entertain young explorers and the young at heart with his lively performance.

 

10:45 a.m.–11:15 a.m., Main Stage

Join the National Forest Service’s Woodsy the Owl and special guests from the California Conservation Corps for a fun-filled music and dance treat. You’ll learn how to do the BioBlitz Dance!

 

11:15–11:45 a.m., Main Stage

National Park Services Youth Ambassador Program (YAP!) performers bring the parks to the people through lively rap and edutainment movement.

 

12:00–12:45 p.m., Main Stage

Piscataway Indian Nation, the indigenous tribe to the Chesapeake area, will perform traditional American Indian drumming, singing, and dancing

 

1:00–1:30 p.m., Main Stage

Tune in for live video from a BioBlitz dive with Dr. Sylvia Earle at the Channel Islands.

 

1:30–2:00 p.m., Main Stage

Learn about birds of prey during an up-close-and-personal presentation with Earth Conservation Corps.

 

2:00–2:45 p.m., Main Stage

Hear from National Geographic explorers about how they are using science, exploration, education and storytelling to be good stewards of our planet! Panel to include:

  • Gregg Treinish, Founder of Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation
  • Erin Spencer, Ecologist and Storyteller
  • Jim Cybulski, FoldScope Team Member at Stanford

 

3:00–3:15 p.m., Main Stage

Tune in for live video from a BioBlitz dive with Dr. Sylvia Earle at the Channel Islands.

 

3:15–3:45 p.m., Main Stage

Singer-songwriter Erica Wheeler: Inspiring connections between people and place through great music.

 

4:00–4:30 p.m., Main Stage

Tales from the Field: One-on-one interviews with top scientists, experts and BioBlitz veterans about their BioBlitz experiences.

 

4:30–5:00 p.m., Main Stage

Closing Ceremony: Join us as we conclude the event and reveal the species counted during the BioBlitz! With special presenters from National Geographic and the National Park Service.