Join The Wetlands Initiative staff along with our guest experts for a Mini-Bioblitz at the Sue and Wes Dixon Waterfowl Refuge! This event is being hosted as part of the first-ever City Nature Challenge spanning Central Illinois. Participants will split into focused groups to document species in different taxonomic groups: plants, insects, birds, and reptiles & amphibians.
Mini-Bioblitz Agenda:
8:30am: Optional iNaturalist app refresher
9:00am: Arrive at the fieldhouse at the Dixon Waterfowl Refuge
9:15am: Caravan to hiking locations with your group
9:30am: Bioblitz!
12:00pm: Optional Reconvene at the fieldhouse for brown bag lunch & social
What is the City Nature Challenge? The City Nature Challenge is an international effort for people to find and document plants and wildlife where they live. It's an annual four-day global bioblitz at the end of April, where people collaborate to see what we can discover and accomplish when we all work together. To learn more about the City Nature Challenge, see: https://www.citynaturechallenge.org/
What is a Bioblitz? A bioblitz is an in-depth biological survey that attempts to document all living species within a designated area. Groups of scientists, naturalists, and volunteers conduct an intensive field study over a continuous time period (e.g., usually 24 hours), photographing and identifying whatever they find. Many Bioblitz events feature a public component to teach people about, and get them interested in biodiversity. The Wetlands Initiative last hosted a Bioblitz at the Sue and Wes Dixon Waterfowl Refuge in 2018.
This event is suitable for ages 12+ (see kid-friendly group option below). Bioblitz participants can expect to walk on uneven surfaces on and off trail as permitted by TWI staff. Please wear appropriate clothing including long pants, weather appropriate layers, and shoes that you are comfortable hiking in.
We will be meeting at The Wetlands Initiative fieldhouse at 9:00am. The address for the fieldhouse is 9231 State Rt. 26, Hennepin IL 61327 Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/5wFwpnWGx26X1c72A
Please email Katie Kucera, Lead Ecologist, at kkucera@wetlands-initiative.org with any questions.