Bush Blitz
Bush Blitz is a species discovery program conducting scientific surveys in Australian terrestrial and marine environments to document known and new fungi, plants and animals. The program is a partnership between the Australian Government, BHP Sustainable Communities and Earthwatch Australia. Bush Blitz is managed through Parks Australia and the Australian Biological Resources Study. The program began in 2010, the International Year of Biodiversity, involving specialist taxonomists, indigenous communities, rangers and landowners, teachers, students and BHP employees. Bush Blitz funds taxonomy and further research based on material collected during Bush Blitz surveys, specifically targeted to assist in the publication of new species and the resolution of problematic groups collected from surveys.
Expeditions
Bush Blitz conducts surveys in Australia's National Reserve System, made up of more than 9,000 properties, national parks and reserves. Expeditions have included:- Quinkan, Queensland, 2017
- Croajingolong National Park, Victoria, 2016
- Mallacoota, Victoria, 2016
- Lake Torrens, South Australia, 2016
- Kiwirrkurra IPA Western Australia, 2015
- Judbarra / Gregory National Park, NT, 2015
- Olkola Country, Queensland, 2015
- Carnarvon Station Reserve, Queensland, 2014
- Durack River and Karunjie Stations, Western Australia 2014
- Flinders Island, Tasmania, 2014
- Five Rivers Reserve and trawtha makuminya, Tasmania, 2014
- Namadgi National Park ACT and Kosciuszko National Park NSW, 2013
- Henbury Station, NT, 2013
- Hiltaba Nature Reserve and Gawler Ranges National Park, SA, 2012
- Wongalara Sanctuary, NT, 2012
- Fish River Station, NT, 2012
- Skullbone Plains, Tasmania, 2012
- Credo Station Reserve WA, 2011
- Cane River Conservation Park, Cane River region, WA, 2011
- Lake Condah, 2011
- Neds Corner Station, Vic, 2010
- Central NSW, 2010
- Bon Bon Station Reserve SA, 2010
- Witchelina Nature Reserve, SA, 2010
- Wet Tropics Nature Refuges, Eubenngee Swamp, Hann Tableland and Melsonby, 2010
- Tasmania Tas, 2010
- Darkwood Reserve, NSW, 2010
- North-western NSW and Southern Qld, 2009–10
- Charles Darwin, Kadji Kadji, Karara and Lochada Reserves, WA, 2009
New species
A peacock spider discovered at Carnarvon Station in western Queensland, in 2014, one of six new species of peacock spider described in 2016 by Barbara Baehr and Robert Whyte of Queensland Museum, was named Maratus lincunxini in honour of Queensland Ballet artistic director Li Cunxin, known for his book Mao's Last Dancer.