Thousands of scientists, students and volunteers are set to descend on the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore this spring in a 24-hour event aimed at documenting every species living there.

The event, called a BioBlitz, will be the third such event in the nation. The National Lakeshore was selected by cosponsors National Geographic and the National Park Service to be among 10 of the National Park Service's 391 properties to participate in the event.

The BioBlitz events are taking place annually in the 10 years leading up to the 100th anniversary of the creation of the National Park Service in 2016.

"National Geographic has noticed that people don't recognize there are national parks in their own backyards in metropolitan areas," said Linda Lancaster, civic engagement and volunteer program manager for the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

The BioBlitz will take place at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore from noon May 15 to noon May 16.

The first BioBlitz took place in 2007 at Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C., where teams found and identified 661 unique species and some that have yet to be identified. The 2008 BioBlitz was at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, where 1,364 species were counted.

Some 6,000 people participated in the Santa Monica blitz and organizers of the event planned at the dunes hope to meet or exceed that goal.

Local organizers hope to launch a Web site in January to allow scientists to sign up to participate. The Web address has yet to be established.

"We'll have some national experts and some experts in local species as well," Lancaster said. "Those with areas of expertise will lead teams on that topic or species."

In February, school groups will be able to sign up online and in March, the general public will be invited to register to participate.

Gary environmentalist Lee Botts, who founded the Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center and the Alliance for the Great Lakes, said she is particularly excited about the opportunities for young people.

"There is a big effort underway to get the high school and elementary school students involved," Botts said.

Kim Swift, educational program manager at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, said the Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center hosted two educator workshops for 44 teachers from Cook, Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties in November in preparation for the BioBlitz. Swift said more are being planned for February or March to meet the growing interest, but the dates have yet to be set.

"One of our goals and the big goal of National Geographic is this is not just a one-day event for publicity's sake," Swift said. "It's about incorporating these ideas in the classroom and reinforcing the idea of citizen science. We really see this as the big spotlight that can shine and let the teachers see how they can incorporate it into their curriculum daily."

Swift said she wouldn't be surprised if "several thousand school children" participate in the BioBlitz.

For those who do not register or participate in logging the various species, other activities will be taking place, primarily at West Beach.

At the closing ceremonies for the BioBlitz at the dunes, National Geographic and the National Park Service will announce where the next event will take place.

Ruth Keefover, public relations director for the Porter County Convention, Recreation and Visitor Commission, said the event will be good for the region.

"I think that this partnership that National Geographic is making with the National Park Service is fantastic," Keefover said. "This is going to bring national recognition to the dunes and put the region back on the map."