Bio Blitz!

BioBlitz participants can get an early start on honing their observation and identification skills during a Citizen Science Workshop scheduled 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, April 19 in Room C at the Skagit Valley College San Juan Center.

The workshop is free. Contact the college at 378-3265 or the park at 378-2240, ext. 2222 for accessibility information.

The BioBlitz is scheduled over a 24-hour period, Saturday and Sunday, May 3-4 starting and finishing at noon at American Camp. Conducted in parks throughout the nation, the BioBlitz is a unique combination of taxonomic inventory, public outreach and science education. Teams of volunteers, each lead by an expert scientist, find, identify, and photograph as many species as possible within a 24-hour period.

Conducted in partnership with Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, the workshop will open with Shona Aitken discussing identification techniques for spotting flora and fauna in the field. Anticipated inventory items include: algae, bats, beetles, birds, macro invertebrates, mammals, marine invertebrates, owls, plants, reptiles & amphibians, and trees.

The afternoon session, led by park eduation specialist Raena Parsons, includes recording scientific observations with smart phones and other devices.

“The success of a BioBlitz depends greatly on the knowledge and enthusiasm of the participants,” said Raena Parsons, park education specialist. “Come join us and share your knowledge!”

For information contact Parsons at the park number above or e-mail her at:
raena [_] parsons [@] nps [.] gov

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