COMMUNITY BIOBLITZES
Bioblitz Canada 150 features numerous community and independent events in large and small centres. For a full roster of local events across the country and to learn how you can get involved, please visit bioblitzcanada.ca
Canada was set. A committee was formed, and we started talking about Canada’s sesquicentennial in 2017 as a logical next step in the process of defining a sustainable bioblitz program. The Canadian Wildlife Federation emerged as the national non-profit organization best positioned to champion the group and to submit an application to Heritage Canada for a Canada 150 Signature Project grant. Together, we secured some $750,000 to implement the sesquicentennial program in 2017. At least 35 bioblitz events will happen in 2017 under this umbrella, from coast to coast to coast. There will be five flagship events — in Vancouver, Regina, Toronto, Quebec City and Halifax.
One important lesson we have learned over the past six years is that coupling scientists with non-scientists in the field is not straightforward. Many taxonomists are interested in teaching the public but legitimately have a difficult time managing both an intensive survey and bringing the public up-to-speed on their work. This was the impetus to include 10 “extreme,” scientist-only bioblitz events in some of the rarest and most precious ecosystems in Canada as part of the 2017 program. These include marine areas by all three oceans, prairie grasslands, and the shores of Lake Superior. These events will still include some aspect of public involvement, but less than with the flagship and community-level events. They will provide amazing opportunities to fill in the gaps on Canada’s remarkable natural history.
Bioblitz Canada has become one of the most successful bioblitz programs in the world. International organizations like the IUCN World Parks Congress and inaturalist (a mobile app that helps streamline the data acquisition and management process) have lauded the Canadian example as one to follow. Actively participating in Bioblitz Canada is fun and may even change your life — you will see yourself as part of the fabric that is biodiversity and recognize that you too can play a role in understanding and conserving it.
Find more information, including event locations, registration processes and resources to help you run your own, at www.bioblitzcanada.ca.a