BioBlitz Events

ITU Commission on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity and Ecosystems organizes BioBlitz events every year. These BioBlitz events bring together volunteers with field experts to record and identify species living on campus to increase awareness on biodiversity and promote its conservation.

ITU BioBlitz 2024

ITU BioBlitz 2024

The traditional ITU BioBlitz event was organized by the ITU Commission on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity and Ecosystems on May 22, as a part of the celebrations of International Day for Biodiversity. ITU BioBlitz events aims to record as many species as possible living in ITU Ayazağa Campus in one day using a citizen science approach. During this year's "ITU BioBlitz 2024" event, students, volunteers, and expert academicians from various universities documented more than 2,000 records covering more than 350 species of the flora, fauna, and fungi of the campus. In addition, the most common species living on the campus, and the ecosystems that are under threat within the campus were also identified.

Despite being located in the city center, the ITU Ayazağa campus stands out for its diverse ecosystems and rich biodiversity. The campus is particularly rich in plant diversity, hosting endemic species such as the Early Everlasting-Pea (Lathyrus undulatus), which only lives in and around Istanbul, as well as trees from the Black Sea region such as Quercus petraea, Quercus robur, and Quercus frainetto, and various species representing Mediterranean flora such as Quercus coccifera, Spartium junceum, Cistus, and Phillyrea. The campus also provides rich habitats and feeding grounds for more than 160 recorded bird species.

Event Announcement Page: https://www.cbd.int/biodiversity-day/celebrations/tr

ITU BioBlitz 2023

ITU BioBlitz 2023

The “ITU BioBlitz 2023” event was organized by ITU Commission on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity and Ecosystems as a part of the International Day for Biological Diversity. The event brings volunteers and experts together to record and identify species living on the Ayazağa Campus. More than 50 volunteers including students of both ITU and other universities and citizens were attended to the event. Field experts of plants, mammals, reptiles, insects, and birds informed volunteers on the land and aquatic ecosystems and guided them for species identification. During the event, more than 1800 observations were recorded and more than 400 species were identified from all over the campus. ITU will continue to work to increase awareness about biodiversity and protect it.

The project link: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/itu-tur-say-2023

The news page: https://sustainability.itu.edu.tr/en/news-detail/2023/05/25/itu-bioblitz-2023

ITU BioBlitz 2022

ITU BioBlitz 2022

ITU Commission on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity and Ecosystems organized a BioBlitz event as a part of the 22 April Earth Day. The event brings volunteers and experts together to record and identify species living on campus. “ITU BioBlitz 2022” took place in the ITU Ayazağa Campus. More than 50 volunteers including students of both ITU and other universities and citizens were attended to the events. Field experts of plants, mammals, reptiles, insects, and birds informed and guided volunteers on species identification as well as the land and aquatic ecosystems. During the event, more than 1500 observations were recorded and more than 300 species were identified from all over the campus. ITU will continue to work to increase awareness about biodiversity and to protect biodiversity.

The project link: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/itu-tur-say-2022

More: https://www.cbd.int/biodiversity-day/celebrations/tr
Also see: https://haberler.itu.edu.tr/en/newsdetail/2022/04/29/itu-for-a-sustainable-world

ITU is Planting 250 Thousand Saplings in its 250th Year for a Greener Türkiye

ITU aims for a greener Türkiye with its 250 Thousand Saplings in the 250th Year campaign. The campaign started on Sunday, December 11, 2022, with the first saplings planted in the Silivri Çantaköy afforestation area. “ITU 250th Anniversary Memorial Forest” is waiting for new donors!

Istanbul Technical University (ITU) planted the first saplings of the “250 Thousand Saplings in the 250th Year” campaign, launched within the scope of the 250th Anniversary Events, in Silivri Çantaköy afforestation area. The sapling planting event held on Sunday, December 11, 2022, was attended by nearly 500 nature lovers including our Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Koyuncu, our academics, ITU employees, a large number of ITU students and graduates, as well as volunteers from the non-governmental organization Dikili Ağaçım Var (I Have a Planted Tree). Chairman of the Board of ÇEKUD Environmental Organizations Solidarity Association Prof. Dr. Eyüp Debik, ÇEKUD board members and volunteers also participated in the program.

The planted saplings were carefully selected from among tree species compatible with the region. Afforestation is still one of the most cost-effective and sustainable solutions against climate change, global warming, environmental disasters and pollution.

Thanks to the “250 Thousand Saplings in the 250th Year” campaign, we aim to leave a greener world to future generations with saplings that will take root and grow in 81 provinces of our country. Moreover, the saplings, which will grow with the valuable contributions of ITU members, aim to remind the enthusiasm of ITU’s 250th Anniversary.

You can also join the enthusiasm of ITU’s 250th Anniversary with your sapling donations.

Click to donate to the “250 Thousand Saplings in the 250th Year” campaign.

Go to news page: https://haber.itu.edu.tr/en/newsdetail/2022/12/13/itu-is-planting-250-thousand-saplings-in-its-250th-year-for-a-greener-turkiye