Forget what you think you know about museum trips! This weekend, one of Yangon’s most storied and beautiful buildings, The Secretariat, is throwing a party for nature. We’re talking about the country’s first-ever iNaturalist BioBlitz, wrapped up in an exquisite Art + Science exhibition by the amazing Jacana Project!
If you’re in Yangon from November 7th to 9th, it’s time to trade your coffee dates for conservation efforts. This is your chance to step into history, soak up some incredible art, and prove that our bustling city is still a haven for wild things.
The Art: Seeing Myanmar’s Birds Through New Eyes
The core of the event, housed in the beautiful AIA Khit space, is the Jacana Project exhibition.
- What It Is: This non-profit is on a mission to completely revamp the illustrated field guide for the Birds of Myanmar. Given that our country is a global biodiversity hotspot with over 1,000 bird species, this is a huge undertaking!
- The Vibe: Prepare to be wowed. Local artists, working with ornithologists, have created stunning, detailed illustrations in the classic Audubon style. It’s a beautiful merging of art and science, and a showcase of local talent.
- The Impact: Every piece is a step toward making this crucial guide available to everyone, particularly in the Burmese language, empowering a new generation of local nature lovers and researchers.
The Science: Become a Citizen Scientist
This is where you join the action! The entire weekend turns the Secretariat’s lush, 16-hectare grounds into an open-air laboratory for the iNaturalist BioBlitz.
- How it Works: Grab your smartphone and the free iNaturalist app. Your task? Take photos of any wild organism you spot—a tiny flower, an unusual beetle, a fluttering bird, or a vibrant fungus. The app logs the observation, and the global science community helps identify it. Just like that, your photo contributes real, usable data to track biodiversity!
- The Competition: CitizenScience.Asia is even offering a prize for the keenest eye—the person who observes and records the most species on the Secretariat grounds takes the top spot! It’s an epic urban scavenger hunt.
The Intel: Workshops and Learning
Beyond the gorgeous paintings and the digital scavenger hunt, the event is a learning hub.
- Knowledge Transfer: The Jacana Project is hosting both student workshops on ornithology and artist workshops on naturalist illustrations. It’s a fantastic opportunity to listen, learn, and meet the passionate people driving this local initiative.
- Insider Tip: While workshop spots might be limited, being at the venue means you’re surrounded by experts. Don’t be shy—say hello, ask questions, and connect with the community!
Weekend Essential Guide
Ready to join the buzz? Here’s the need-to-know:
| Detail | Information |
| What | The Jacana Project Art + Science Exhibition & iNaturalist BioBlitz |
| When | November 7th – 9th (All Weekend!) |
| Where | AIA Khit, The Secretariat, Downtown Yangon |
| To See | Beautiful, detailed bird illustrations and a chance to meet local artists. |
| To Do | Download the iNaturalist App and start recording species on the grounds! |
| To Follow | Keep an eye on the Nawaday Tharlar Art Gallery Facebook page for updates! |
Step outside, look down, look up, and let’s put Yangon’s hidden wildlife on the global map. It’s time to let your inner naturalist take flight!
Will you be joining the BioBlitz and hunting for a prize?
