August 19, 2026 EOCA hosts an inclusive Bioblitz at ISPO Amsterdam
The European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) and Adaptive As Standard will host a guided nature morning at ISPO Amsterdam on Nov. 5. The session pairs a brief “Bioblitz” citizen science activity with somatic ecology, and is designed to be accessible to all participants.
Much of ISPO Amsterdam will unfold indoors, across the halls of RAI Amsterdam. But on the final morning of the fair, a small group will head outside instead to see what lives in the city around the venue. The session, titled Inclusive Nature Exploration in the Heart of Amsterdam, runs from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and is part of the official ISPO program.
The walk focuses on species that live in urban green spaces and on how human activity has shaped them. ISPO organizers describe the activity as a reminder that nature is not only found on distant trails:
“It’s right here, and it needs protecting.”
An accessible Bioblitz by design
Alongside the species count, Alice Sainsbury, a somatic ecologist and founder of Adaptive As Standard, will guide participants through somatic ecology – an approach that treats the body as part of nature and draws on movement and rest, as well as sensory connection.
The morning is built around four questions: what lives in the area that people normally miss, how people have affected the ecosystem, how those impacts shape the ability to connect with nature and how that connection can help people connect with themselves and each other.
The route itself is designed with access in mind. According to the event organizers, it includes regular rest points and moves at the pace of the slowest participant, and no fitness level is required. Registration includes optional questions about access needs, and participants are not asked for a diagnosis or medical information.
At its core is a Bioblitz, which records the wildlife and plant life found in one place at one time. EOCA’s in-house ecologist will lead the count, and participants will log their findings in the iNaturalist app. The data can then be used for science and conservation.
How to register
Taking part requires registration for ISPO Amsterdam. Those who have not yet done so can register for ISPO Amsterdam here.
Places on the session are limited and can be booked via the Bioblitz sign-up page, where the meeting point is also shared.
Brands interested in collaborating on the activity can contact EOCA via eocaconservation.org.
About EOCA
The European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) is a conservation charity founded by the European outdoor industry in 2006. Funded through membership fees and fundraising by its member companies, it supports practical conservation projects around the world. Since its founding, EOCA has funded more than 200 projects in over 65 countries, chosen through a public vote and a vote among its members.
Photos: Giacomo Tonoli/EOCA
