KNOXVILLE, Tenn.­­ – For the eighth year, the Tennessee Valley Authority is hosting BioBlitz events on its managed lands and the public is invited to participate. An event is scheduled on May 4 at Marbut Bend Trail, Alabama, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. CDT.

In partnership with Discover Life in America, TVA invites the public’s help in documenting as many species as they can find along these trails. Before the events, participants should register at dlia.org and download the iNaturalist app. There will be experts on hand to answer questions and to show participants how to post iNaturalist observations of the plants, animals and insects they see. Children are welcome!

Enjoy the connection to nature and count yourself as a partner in TVA’s stewardship mission.

“Our lives depend on biodiversity, and part of TVA’s mission is to connect people with their public lands,” says Bucky Edmondson, TVA director of Natural Resources. “This gives people a chance to be a part of something bigger, learn about the area they live in and hopefully grow a passion for protecting these resources for future generations.”

Even after the events, participants are encouraged to return at any time and add to the iNaturalist database by making species observations along the trails. Those who do return will have an opportunity to win one of three prize packages, including a smartphone/tablet clip-on camera lens, two TVA publications and a DLiA ball cap and tee shirt.

To learn more about TVA and its 85-year mission of service to the Tennessee Valley, click here.