CBS members are invited to engage in the June 3-4, 2022 CT BioBlitz to be held in the Groton, New London and Waterford area. Professional and amateur botanists will help us possibly break the world record of 2765 species found within a 24-hour period. Researchers with Project Oceanology and UConn’s Dept. of Marine Sciences will survey near-shore Long Island Sound using the Envirolab research vessel, making this the first true surf and turf BioBlitz. Entomologists, mycologists, ichthyologists, ornithologists, et al. will also be part of this adventure as we try to identify every species we can find within the 11-mile diameter circle.
CBS members can participate in one or more of the following ways:
Public Table – The public is invited Saturday June 4th from noon to 3pm to learn more about the biodiversity around them. Help set up and supervise tables with interesting botanical species found. Promote CBS and our summer walks to attract new members.
Public Educational Programs – Present short public talks. Examples: using keys, edible plants, beach botany, seaweed identification — whatever skill set you possess.
Lead School Biodiversity Teams – Schools within the 3 towns are invited to form survey teams of students, teachers and parents that will blitz their own campus or local parks. CBS members join with other naturalists to guide these groups, helping identify and add specimens to the final tally. Promote botany and CBS to this younger generation of potential botanists.
Identification Tables – Experts needed to identify marine algae, ferns, grasses, lichens, mosses, liverworts, herbaceous and woody specimens et al are necessary to ensure accurate identifications. Tables will be set up at BioBlitz Central at UConn Avery Point in Groton. Microscopes will be provided. Bring your own keys.
Botanize – Individuals or teams of CBS members search within the 11-mile diameter circle to locate, identify, photograph or bring any mystery specimens back to BioBlitz Central for accurate identification.
View BioBlitz website at https://ctbioblitz.uconn.edu/
Contact Ed Smith for further details or to sign up. painefaraday@gmail.com