The Big Rock Pool Challenge
The Big Rock Pool Challenge is an exciting new initiative from The Rock Pool Project, that combines competitive rockpooling with citizen science. Participants join monthly volunteer-led BioBlitz Battles and compete to discover species in their local rock pools. Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and The Scottish Power Foundation Marine Biodiversity Fund, and delivered in partnership with the Marine Biological Association, the Big Rock Pool Challenge is empowering individuals to contribute to marine conservation efforts and collect valuable marine biodiversity data. It’s a unique opportunity to have fun while making a real impact.
What is a BioBlitz Battle?
The Rock Pool Project has been working with local communities in the South West for over 8 years, exploring, and connecting people with, one of the UK’s most fascinating and diverse ecosystems. Building on this success, we created the BioBlitz Battle, the friendly, competitive citizen science activity for rock pool enthusiasts (Fig. 1). A BioBlitz Battle is a timed, team-based competition where participants record species they find in local rock pools using iNaturalist, a popular biodiversity recording app. Every species found returns a score, depending on its rarity as recorded in the UK iNaturalist database. This encourages participants to search for a wide variety of species, from the common to the rare, and adds an exciting competitive element.
BioBlitz Battles are more than just a fun activity. They also provide an accessible and engaging way to connect with nature, encouraging mass participation and fostering a sense of community. Open to all levels of experience, the BioBlitz Battles create an inclusive environment where participants can learn and share knowledge with fellow rockpooling enthusiasts. Each event presents new challenges, ensuring that there is always something to discover and learn. The data collected during these BioBlitz Battles is invaluable, generating verified biodiversity insights that contribute directly to scientific research and conservation efforts.
The Big Rock Pool Challenge
The Big Rock Pool Challenge is designed to engage communities in regular, volunteer-led BioBlitz Battles to document the biodiversity of coastal rock pools. Working initially by gathering feedback from our two existing communities in Falmouth and Plymouth, the Big Rock Pool Challenge is co-developing infrastructure—including a website and app—to empower volunteers to lead these monthly activities in their local rock pools. Support from our funders will allow the Big Rock Pool Challenge to expand into new locations in the South West and across the UK over the next 2 years.
Helping wildlife
Any species discovered can be recorded; all records must include a photograph and undergo a verification process by our team before they officially contribute to a team’s score. As such, BioBlitz Battles provide high-quality biodiversity data that is shared instantly with the wider community. The MBA’s Data Archive for Seabed Species and Habitats (DASSH) team are developing the Big Rock Pool Challenge data pipelines to ensure the data generated by the project is delivered to national and international data sharing platforms in the best way possible. The data will help monitor the impact of environmental stressors, such as pollution and climate change, on rock-pool ecosystems. Collaborating with Natural England, the initiative also tracks the spread of non-native species and helps identify changes in the overall health of habitats. By contributing large-scale verified data, the project aids in improving conservation strategies and ensuring better management of coastal ecosystems.
Helping people
By bringing people together to preserve marine heritage, the Big Rock Pool Challenge is fostering a strong sense of community among local people (Fig. 2). As participants engage in rockpooling and citizen science, they build a deeper connection to their coastal environment and with each other. The MBA membership platform will play a key role in connecting participants with other rock pool enthusiasts and experts in marine science, sharing their findings, and contributing to a larger conservation network.
The initiative also offers real physical and mental health benefits. Engaging in outdoor activities like rockpooling promotes wellbeing, and research increasingly shows that spending time in ‘blue spaces’ can reduce stress and anxiety. Rockpooling is a low-impact activity that is accessible to people of all abilities, making it an ideal way to connect with nature. Furthermore, being part of a community-focused conservation effort fosters a sense of pride and accomplishment, strengthening local bonds and empowering individuals to take ownership of their natural heritage.
How to get involved?
Currently, you can join the Big Rock Pool Challenge by participating in one of our BioBlitz Battles in Falmouth or Plymouth. These regular events offer hands-on experience in marine conservation while having fun. You can also get involved by joining our online verification sessions, where you can help confirm species sightings submitted by participants. If you’re interested in organizing your own event or would like more information on how to bring the challenge to your neighbourhood, we would love to hear from you!
Loretta Kwok and Ben Holt.
For more details or to get involved, contact us at info@therockpoolproject.co.uk, or visit www.therockpoolproject.co.uk
The Big Rock Pool Challenge is made possible through the generous support of The Scottish Power Foundation and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
