Join us on June 7th, 2014 for the first Huron Bioblitz!

What is a Bioblitz?  A educational event, social gathering, and citizen-science endeavor.  Volunteers learn from experts how to identify the local flora and fauna, and will work together to find as many species as possible in a given time period.

Our Bioblitz:  We will be focusing on doing an inventory of herptiles (reptiles and amphibians) at specific locations in Huron County.  We will meet at Wawanosh Nature Centre (38854 Nature Centre Rd, North Huron), and from there groups of volunteers will embark on surveys at the Saratoga Swamp, and a county woodland tract.  Although we’ll mostly be looking for reptiles and amphibians, all information is welcome!  Please join us if you have other interests or specialties.

Bioblitz date:  June 7th

10 am—4 pm (field inventories of all herptile species)

6 pm—8 pm (frog calling)

What to bring:

  • Please bring your own lunch and snacks
  • Sunscreen, bug repellent, and a hat
  • Good walking boots, and long pants to protect against poison ivy
  • You may like to bring your own clipboard, and/or field guides
  • Cameras and GPS units will be useful (but not required)
  • Potable water and washrooms will be available at the base camp

Registration: participants must register at Wawanosh between 10 am and 2 pm on Saturday June 7th.  Upon registration you will receive instructions, directions, and maps, as well as the tally sheets to list species observed.

Purpose:  There is a general lack of information about reptiles and amphibians in Huron County.  We can contribute to the conservation of these cold-blooded critters by learning more about where they live and the size of their populations.  The information gathered can also be used to inform future management plans for these properties.

Learn more and spread the word: Whether you are an expert or novice, come join us. Ontario’s reptiles and amphibians are becoming increasingly rare; you can help make a difference!  We look forward to this event, and we hope you do too.  Please share this information with anyone you know who might be interested.