Bioblitz: Life in 24 Hours Narrator: Welcome to Rock Creek Park

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

BioBlitz: Life in 24 Hours Narrator: Welcome to Rock Creek Park. It’s a big park in the middle of Washington, DC. Today, this park is going to be the site of a big research project. Dozens of scientists from around the United States, along with hundreds of volunteers are here for something called a BioBlitz. In a BioBlitz, teams of scientists, parents, kids, and volunteers all go to a park and look for examples of everything that’s alive there. They work in teams to count every living thing that they find—from the big animals like deer and rabbits to tiny plants. But they only have 24 hours to do it. Boyd Matson: I’m taking credit for the first species. Here’s one that’s easy to spot! A luna moth that blends right into my shirt. I found the first species of the BioBlitz, and it’s a beautiful one! Narrator: National Geographic explorer‐in residence, oceanographer Sylvia Earle, is at the BioBlitz. Sylvia Earle: The thing about the BioBlitz is that it brings out the kid in everybody. Narrator: Sylvia Earle likes the BioBlitz because people discover and appreciate the living things in their own community. Dr. Stuart Pimm, an ecologist from Duke University, is certainly excited about the event. He studies biodiversity. Dr. Pimm: The extraordinary thing about this BioBlitz is just how much stuff there is here! This is really where the wild things are. There really is a huge amount of stuff in this city park! Narrator: Park rangers are there to help. Here, they are helping a group to catch caterpillars, spiders, and butterflies. Insects are an important part of the BioBlitz. One reason is there are a lot of them. They also come in a great variety of color, shapes, and behaviors. It’s easier to see how special they are when you look at them close up. Photographer David Littschwager usually takes photos of endangered species, but at the BioBlitz he’s taking photos of insects. David Littschwager: We see a lot of pictures of lions and tigers and bears, but you don’t often see a portrait of a spider nice and close. Some people don’t like spiders, but I have great affection for them. But I like them to stay on the glass. Narrator: Littschwager worked all night taking pictures, but he wasn’t the only one who didn’t sleep. People had only 24 hours to find all the living things in the park, so all the participants worked hard until the final minute. And even at the end, there were a lot of plants and creatures that they couldn’t identify. The official count after 24 hours showed 666 different species in Rock Creek Park. But as searchers continue to identify species, that number is going to increase. The real purpose of the BioBlitz is to get people interested in the biodiversity that’s all around them, even in their own back yards. Just ask Gary Hevel, who lives in Maryland, a state next to Washington, D.C. In four years, Hevel has identified over 4,000 different species of living things in his backyard. So what are you waiting for? The clock is ticking. Isn’t it time to start counting the living things in your backyard? .

Copy Link

Recommended publications

R E P O R T S
I LLINOIS NATURAL HISTORY S U RVE Y R e p o r t s Winter 2006 No. 386 I N S I D E 24 Hours: The 2005 Busey Woods BioBlitz Mapping Owned, What brings more than 50 sci- systematics research of a poorly nearly 68% of the total number Managed, or Leased entists together with interested known family of fl ies (Therevi- of species identifi ed at Allerton? Properties of the Il- amateurs and the general public dae) that are not only present in Part of the answer goes to the linois Department of for a 24-hour extravaganza to Illinois, but found worldwide. root of why biodiversity studies Natural Resources see how many species could be The database was fi rst used at the are important and why so many 2 identifi ed from a 59-acre urban Allerton BioBlitz in 2001 where specialists are needed to do this natural area? The 2005 Busey 1,949 species were identifi ed work. Biologists working during New INHS Space Woods BioBlitz, which ran from nearly 3,000 observations the blitz were under no illusion Facilities from noon on June 24 to noon recorded during a 24-hour period that they would identify all of the 3 the following day, was species to be found in sponsored by the Urbana those 59 acres, and in (Illinois) Park District and fact, no one knew how Energy Impact of supported by a grant from many species might be Compact Development the Illinois Department there, because no one vs. Sprawl (Urban Ecology III) of Natural Resources.
[Show full text]
Backyard Bioblitz
Activity 1-3 Backyard BioBlitz You don’t have to travel to the rain forests of the Amazon or the coral reefs of Australia to discover biodiversity. Just AT A GLANCE Answer an ecoregional survey, then take a firsthand look at walk out the door, and you’ll find an amazing diversity biodiversity in your community. of life in backyards, vacant lots, streams and ponds, fields, gardens, roadsides and other natural and developed areas. OBJECTIVES In this activity, your students will have a chance to explore Name several native Illinois plants and animals and describe the diversity of life in their community. They’ll also get your local environment. Design and carry out a biological an introduction to how scientists size up the biodiversity inventory of a natural area. of an area—and why it’s so hard to count the species that live there. SUBJECTS English language arts, science BEFORE YOU BEGIN! PART I SKILLS You will need to gather field guides and other resources gathering (collecting, observing, researching), organizing about your area. To best prepare your students for this (classifying), analyzing (discussing, questioning) activity, acquire resources in advance. Suggested Illinois resources can be found in the “Resources” list with this LINKS TO ILLINOIS BIODIVERSITY BASICS activity (page 36). You can use the “Ecoregional Survey” CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK as it is written, or you can adapt it more specifically to species diversity your area and situation. You’ll need a copy for each VOCABULARY student, plus one copy for each team of four to five ecoregion, gall, ground-truthing, migration, native species, students.
[Show full text]
Taconic State Park Bioblitz, May 2013
Taconic State Park BioBlitz May 4-5, 2013 On May 4, 2013, 32 scientific professionals gathered at Taconic State Park in Copake Falls, NY for a BioBlitz, a 24-hour inventory of the park’s biodiversity. Our objectives were to look for rare species and significant natural communities in the park and document as many of the animals and plants living there as possible. This was a collaborative effort between the NY Natural Heritage Program (NYNHP) of the State University of NY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF); the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (State Parks); and Parks & Trails New York, who enlisted the help of scientists from various agencies, Some Taconic State Park BioBlitz participants, by organizations, and universities. Participants included Shereen Brock biologists with varying expertise and affiliations including NYNHP, State Parks, NYS DEC, Audubon, SUNY Plattsburgh, NYS Museum, Lloyd Center for Environmental Studies, Carnegie Museum, among others. At least 11 different organizations were represented and participants from 4 states assisted in the effort. Throughout the 24-hour period (9am Saturday May 4th to 9am the following morning), scientists formed small teams across affiliations and taxonomic expertise, targeting exemplary habitats in different areas of the park that could harbor rare species and high biodiversity. Teams visited forests and summits on Sunset Conrad Vispo, Hawthorne Valley Farm Rock, and Alander, Brace and Cedar Mountains. We also surveyed by George Heitzman Rudd Pond, wetlands and ponds near Mount Riga, Preachy Hollow, and Weed Mines, and several brooks throughout the park including Bash Bish and Cedar Brook, and Noster Kill.
[Show full text]
Call to Action #7 - Profiles in Partnering
National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Call to Action Item # 7 “Next Generation Stewards” A Success Story Natural Resource Report NPS/NRSS/BRD/NRR—2016/1357 ON THE COVER Aquatic macroinvertebrate inventory at Rocky Mountain National Park during 2012 NPS/National Geographic Society Rocky Mountain BioBlitz. Photograph courtesy of National Park Service Call to Action Item # 7 “Next Generation Stewards” A Success Story Natural Resource Report NPS/NRSS/BRD/NRR—2016/1357 Edited by: Sally Plumb Biodiversity Coordinator Biological Resources Division 1201 Oakridge Drive, Suite 200 Fort Collins, Colorado 80525 December, 2016 U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Fort Collins, Colorado The National Park Service, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science office in Fort Collins, Colorado, publishes a range of reports that address natural resource topics. These reports are of interest and applicability to a broad audience in the National Park Service and oth- ers in natural resource management, including scientists, conservation and environmental constituencies, and the public. The Natural Resource Report Series is used to disseminate comprehensive information and analysis about natural resources and related topics concerning lands managed by the National Park Service. The series supports the advancement of science, informed decision- making, and the achievement of the National Park Service mission. The series also provides a forum for presenting more lengthy results that may not be accepted by publications with page limitations. All manuscripts in the series receive the appropriate level of peer review to ensure that the information is scientifically credible, technically accurate, appropriately written for the in- tended audience, and designed and published in a professional manner.
[Show full text]
The OMG! the Outdoor Meeting Guide
The O.M.G! The Outdoor Meeting Guide ❧ ❧ Your guide to taking your meetings outside Take It Outside! Looking to take your meetings safely outside but not ready to start an outdoor badge? Or maybe you have already done some of them? This guide will help you get outside with minimal planning and supplies. Find an example of your typical Girl Scout meeting here. Adjust the time if or where needed. Pick from the attached activities. Parts of a Estimated Details of time block Meeting Time See examples outlined in this guide. Start Up 5-10 Some prep work for outdoor meeting Activity minutes ideas can be used as part of the start - up activity as well. 5 Opening Flag Ceremony, Promise & Law Minutes 5 Business Announcements, Dues, Kapers Minutes Pick one of the attached activities. The activities range from an estimate of 20-45 minutes, times can be adjusted based on your troop size, girls’ experience levels, and the time 20-45 Activity allowed for other meeting activities Minutes (i.e. opening, business). For example, if you know your girls like to put a lot of detail in their designing, you may want to calculate that into what best fits your group for these activities. Everyone checks for litter and makes ❧ 5 the space look better than we found Clean Up Minutes it. Put things back where they were found. Closing 5 Minutes Socially Distanced Friendship Circle Things to keep in mind while meeting outside Depending what time of year it is, many factors may affect your outdoor meetings.
[Show full text]
The Great Swamp Watershed Association ACROSS the WATERSHED Fall-Winter 2011
The Great Swamp Watershed Association ACROSS THE WATERSHED Fall-Winter 2011 Protecting our Waters and our Land for 30 Years New Jersey’s Great Swamp: A Tradition of Community Involvement ith our 30th Anniversary Gala officially formed. What we discovered can only right around the corner, Steve be described as a long tradition of environ Reynolds, our new Director of mental education, advocacy, and stewardship WCommunications & Membership, decided sup ported by communities throughout our to look back through the organ ization’s water shed. We hope you enjoy browsing photo archives to learn some more about these images as much as we did, and we hope where we have been. Our col lection stretches you feel the same kind of pride we do in the back into the 1960s, almost 20 years before remarkable accomplishments achieved in the Great Swamp Watershed Association was the name of the Great Swamp. Environmental Education in Great Swamp, 1967—present (1) Great Swamp tour, Nature Trail Area, Oct. 21, 1967. (2) Classroom teaching with middle school students using a GSWA watershed model, 1999. (3) Students learn about water quality in the field, 1986. (4) Current Director of Education & Outreach Hazel England demonstrates watershed dynamics to elementary school children—yes, that’s the same model from 1999! (5) Information abounds on this guided tour of Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (GSNWR) in 1996. (6) A bird-watching tour learns from birding expert Emile DeVito at GSWA’s 2011 BioBlitz. Environmental Stewardship in Great Swamp, 1973—present (1) A perspective on Millington Gorge and water macroinvertebrate surveying, 1999.
[Show full text]
Public Engagement and Wildlife Recording Events in the UK Matt Postles & Madeleine Bartlett, Bristol Natural History Consortium
- DRAFT - The rise and rise of BioBlitz: public engagement and wildlife recording events in the UK Matt Postles & Madeleine Bartlett, Bristol Natural History Consortium Abstract A BioBlitz is a collaborative race against the clock to discover as many species of plants, animals and fungi as possible, within a set location, over a defined time period - usually 24 hours. A BioBlitz usually combines the collection of biological records with public engagement as experienced naturalists and scientists explore an area with members of the public, volunteers and school groups. The number of BioBlitz events taking place in the UK has increased explosively since the initiation of the National BioBlitz programme in 2009 attracting large numbers of people to take part and gathering a large amount of biological data. BioBlitz events are organised with diverse but not mutually exclusive aims and objectives and the majority of events are considered successful in meeting those aims. BioBlitz events can cater for and attract a wide diversity of participants through targeted activities, particularly in terms of age range, and (in the UK) have engaged an estimated 2,250 people with little or no prior knowledge of nature conservation in 2013. BioBlitz events have not been able to replicate that success in terms of attracting participants from ethnic minority groups. Key positive outcomes for BioBlitz participants identified in this study include enjoyment, knowledge and skills based learning opportunities, social and professional networking opportunities and inspiring positive action Whilst we know that these events generate a lot of biological records, the value of that data to the end user is difficult to quantify with the current structure of local and national recording schemes.
[Show full text]
Berkshire Bioblitz 2010 Report
Groupings of Organisms & Key Experts 2010 Berkshire BioBlitz, Pittsfield State Forest, June 4 & 5, 2010 Compiled & Reported by Scott LaGreca Lisa Provencher, Dan Shustack, Jeremy Smith, Mike Gramacki, Lauren Moffat, and Scott LaGreca ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Before listing the nearly 1,000 species discovered at Pittsfield State Forest, acknowledgements must be given. The 2010 Berkshire BioBlitz—the very first, large all- species biological inventory in Berkshire County, Massachusetts—would not have been possible without the help of many organizations and individuals. First and foremost, Lisa Provencher of the MCLA STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) team deserves full credit as co-organizer of the BioBlitz. Not only did she advise and assist with every aspect of the scientific survey, she also single-handedly developed the education component of the Blitz for area schoolchildren. The Berkshire Museum confidently led our group of partner organizations and made the BioBlitz a success; Executive Director Stuart Chase and Director of Interpretation Maria Mingalone are especially thanked for always believing in the power of hands-on, experiential natural science education. Jane Winn of BEAT (Berkshire Environmental Action Team) was our “go-to girl”, ably assisting with all aspects of the Blitz—and sounding the horn which officially kicked off the Blitz at noon on Friday. We are also grateful to BioBlitz partner organization Massachusetts DCR (Department of Conservation and Recreation), on whose property the BioBlitz took place. Mark Todd (Supervisor of Pittsfield State Forest), Scott Dean, Chris Hookie, and Bob Mellace provided critical advice and logistical support. In addition, Keith Babuszczak generously cooked an early breakfast for over a dozen hungry staff and scientists on Saturday morning! Peter Alden (Walden Biodiversity Day/ The Walden Woods Project) is warmly thanked for giving me advice regarding running a BioBlitz, and for providing the template for this report.
[Show full text]
Glenn Oakes Bioblitz Report
Glen Oakes BioBlitz Report Note: The black line in the map denotes Glen Oakes Town Forest in Fremont, N.H. From May, 2011 Glenn Oakes Bioblitz 2011 page 2 of 11 whk Introduction On and around the weekend of May 21, 2011, an intensive species inventory (BioBlitz) was made in Fremont, NH within the Glen Oakes Town Forest. The event was organized to enhance the baseline information of the biodiversity found in this area begun by Forester Charles A. Moreno. Three small teams of volunteers lead by experts spent the morning of Saturday, May 21, 2011 scouring the Glen Oakes Town Forest in three different directions keeping an inventory of the species they identified. In addition, other volunteers unable to attend the event that day reported their findings from the week before and after the event. The result of these efforts is the species inventory list found in the right-hand column (verified 5/2011) of this report. The third column from the left contains observations made by Charles A. Moreno during the period of time he was working on the Forest Management Plan for the Glen Oakes Conservation Area (2009). Together the two columns represent the observed biodiversity of this area This conservation area, a part of the larger Spruce Swamp ecosystem, provides a unique haven of biodiversity. Much of the area inventoried has been identified as “highest quality habitat” or as important “supporting habitat” in the New Hampshire Wildlife Action Plan – please see the map printed on the cover of this report. It is worth noting the area contains the critical habitats required for several Species of Greatest Conservation Concern in New Hampshire.
[Show full text]
Schoolyard Bioblitz Education Kit
Schoolyard Bioblitz Education Kit For Grades 9-12 2 BIOBLITZ – GRADES 9-12 Contents Introduction to the Schoolyard Bioblitz Education Kit ...................................................................3 About the Kit ..........................................................................................................................................3 About Nature NB ...................................................................................................................................3 Acknowledgements .........................................................................................................................3, 50 SECTION 1: Introducing concepts ..............................................................................................4 1.1: What is Biodiversity? ..............................................................................................................4 1.2: Why is Biodiversity important? ............................................................................................4 1.3: What is a Bioblitz? ..................................................................................................................5 1.4: Biodiversity in New Brunswick ............................................................................................5 1.5: Activity 1: The Wheel of Life ..............................................................................................10 SECTION 2: Watching the Documentary Film ......................................................................14
[Show full text]
Bioblitz Results
BioBlitz Results Hills of Gold May 16th and 17th 2015 RESULTS FROM THE 2015 HILLS OF GOLD BIODIVERSITY SURVEY JOHNSON COUNTY, INDIANA Compiled from the Science Team Reports Assembled by Don Ruch (Indiana Academy of Science) Table of Contents Title Page………………………………………………………………………….………… 1 Table of Contents…………………………………………………………………………… 2 General Introduction ……..………………………………………………………..……….. 3-4 Maps…………………………………………………………………………………….…... 5-6 History of the Hills of Gold Conservation Area ……………………….……………….….. 7-10 Geology Report – Hills of Gold Conservation Area …………………….……………….… 10-30 Results Title Page …………………………………………………………………………... 31 Bat Team Results ..………………………………….….………………………..…………. 32-34 Beetle Team Results ………………………………………………...……………………… 35-37 Bird Team Results ……………………………………..…………………………………… 38-43 Fish Team Results ……………………………………………………….…………………. 44-45 Freshwater Mussel Team Results …………………………………………………………... 46 Herpetofauna Team Results ……………………………………………............................... 47-52 Mammal Team Results ……………………………………………………………………… 53-54 Moth, Singing Insect, and Non-target Arthropod Species Team Results ………………….. 55-57 Mushroom, Fungi, and Slime Mold Team Results …………………………………………. 58-62 Non-vascular Plants (Bryophyta) Team Results ……………………………………………. 63-66 Snail-killing Flies (Sciomyzidae) Team Results ……………………………………………. 67-68 Spider Team Results ………………………………………………………………………… 69-73 Vascular Plant Team Results …………………………..……………………………………. 74-97 Biodiversity Survey Participants ……………………………………………………………. 98-100 Biodiversity Survey Sponsors
[Show full text]
Biodiversity Discovery Has Revealed Amazing Things, and It Hasn’T Been Just Scientists Who Make These Discoveries
National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Notable Discoveries Natural Resource Program Center Biological Resource Management Division Biodiversity Discovery has revealed amazing things, and it hasn’t been just scientists who make these discoveries. Kids and volunteers also have collected plants and animals that turn out to be rare, new to a park, or some- times even new to science. These discoveries improve our Biodiversity Discovery understanding of species requirements, ecosystem func- tioning, and related stewardship activities. A Foundation for Resource Protection and Stewardship • Rare species in common places: At Yosemite National common, represented in about 70% of the world’s taxa. Park, scientists are just beginning to explore a vast system Parasitic worms can teach us about host animal diversity, The National Park Service is charged from emerging threats—such as tific study by engaging the next gener- of caves under their more-well-known towering walls of abundance, and food web interactions. with protecting the diversity of living climate change, invasive plants and ation of scientists, educators, and granite. While they expected discoveries in less disturbed organisms (i.e., biodiversity) found animals, disease, and human popula- park supporters. caves, a new species of pseudoscorpion (Parabosum • Some discoveries take time: After years of biodiversity within its lands. Yet, as the National tion pressures—or to keep ecosystems yosemite) was found in a cave that thousands of people activities at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a new Park Service nears its second century, intact. Investing in Biodiversity Discovery visit every year. pattern of life emerged there. Unlike the park’s plants, it has been estimated that as many as activities at multiple scales will be diversity of some of the most numerous and species-rich 80–90 percent of species in parks are To help address this gap, the National invaluable to the future of our parks.
[Show full text]