New Pioneers was delighted to lead our fifth annual BioBlitz at the Loretto Motherhouse Property this June, with students visiting for Service Week! "BioBlitz" serves as a unique opportunity for anyone to become a "citizen scientist" by identifying and recording ALL species in a set area during a set period of time.

During the 2026 BioBlitz, 12 students from Nerinx Hall (St. Louis, MO), Loretto Academy (El Paso, TX), and St. Mary’s Academy (Denver, CO) joined us to identify as many plants, animals, and bugs as we could during our eventful morning. We explored Badin Pond, the pollinator habitat, and the surrounding area of the campus.

This experience is truly unique for each student, as the wildlife in Kentucky varies greatly from the wildlife they might see at home! The girls were excited to ID birds, bugs, turtles, flowers, trees, and other plants/critters that make Loretto's property so richly diverse.

Thank you to the Loretto Community, our wonderful volunteers, and all the lovely students and chaperones who made our 5th annual BioBlitz a shining success!

To view more photos from the BioBlitz, click here or on the collage above.