As the name implies, a National Action Day on Biodiversity spurs people to action. A broad range of stakeholders come together at a predetermined site, to analyse the features of a specific ecosystem. Participants are given simple tasks, such as collecting samples of all species they can find on that site. Scientists accompany mixed groups of participants to help them assess the characteristics of species, relationships between them and the ecosystem as a whole, including humans. All results are then gathered and analysed jointly and with the help of experts. This exercise provides ample opportunity for new and often surprising insights, and gathering of information about the importance of selected ecosystems in our lives.