Toohey Forest BioBlitz Doubles Brisbane’s Species Count

When scientists and volunteers took to Toohey Forest for a weekend survey, they documented part of a rich ecosystem hidden in plain sight at the forest, home to more than 500 species.

Read: Tarragindi’s Toohey Forest: A Bushwalker’s Paradise Just Minutes from the City

Community Effort in Action

Between 5 and 6 September 2025, more than 80 volunteers joined Griffith University researchers for the Toohey Forest BioBlitz. This two-day survey invited everyday nature lovers to help document the forest’s rich ecology.

Using the app iNaturalist, they photographed plants, insects, birds and fungi across the campus and surrounding bushland. In total, they recorded 4,166 observations and identified 516 unique species, nearly doubling the site’s previously known biodiversity record.

Lead organiser Wade Hadwen from Griffith’s School of Environment and Science said the data not only mapped the forest’s ecological health but also created a valuable baseline for future monitoring. The project was run in partnership with the Griffith EcoCentre, with community engagement at its core. Many participants were new to biodiversity surveys, yet their observations significantly expanded scientific records of the area.

Findings That Matter

Among the hundreds of records were sightings of endangered and vulnerable wildlife, including the Koala and the Powerful Owl. The findings confirmed that Toohey Forest still supports species of conservation concern despite sitting within metropolitan Brisbane.

Specialists and enthusiasts working across plant, insect and fungi groups helped uncover major data gaps, especially among smaller species such as spiders, beetles and fungi.

Griffith University noted that the expanded dataset could inform management of the forest, including habitat protection, fire control and biodiversity planning. The results also showed how collaborative research can reconnect urban residents with the natural world in their own backyard.

A Baseline for the Future

Hadwen explained that Toohey Forest acts as a “biodiverse island oasis” surrounded by urban development, making it an ideal site to track how ecosystems adapt to environmental pressures. Organisers said the success of this first BioBlitz could pave the way for ongoing volunteer monitoring programs that continue to build on the dataset.

Read: Locals Step Up as Koala Underpass Plan in Toohey Forest Gains Urgency

Participants reported the experience as educational, with many saying it strengthened their connection to the local environment. The BioBlitz has become a model for community-driven conservation, blending academic research with public participation to protect one of Brisbane’s last remaining forest corridors.

Published 22-Oct-2025