Click here to register for the Guided Community Blitz!
The rare Charitable Research Reserve invites you to join us for our 2019 BioBlitz at our new property along the Eramosa River. Come explore these newly protected 87 acres and help us build our species list at this new property — rare’s first land in Wellington Region!
What is a BioBlitz?
A bioblitz is an intense period of biological surveying where a group of experts, naturalists and volunteers attempt to record as many species as they can in one area over a specific time period, often 24 hours. Participants record all the animals and plants they find, and the species records are compiled into a single data set: the species list, which provides a snapshot of the biodiversity in that location on that date.
Our 2019 BioBlitz takes place across two days from Friday, July 26th to 3:00PM on Saturday, July 27th. The event will run rain or shine.
The Location
We are excited to celebrate the purchase of our first property on the Eramosa River and the creation of the Eramosa River Conservation Corridor. This 87 acre property is part of the Eramosa River Valley Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI) and includes Provincially Significant Wetland, mature cedar swamp, high-quality mixed forest, agricultural fields, open meadow, and riparian areas along the Eramosa River.
Address: 5174 7th Line, Guelph-Eramosa
Directions
From Guelph: Travel northeast on Wellington Rd 124 past Guelph Lake Conservation Area. Turn right onto Wellington St/Wellington County Rd 49. Turn right on Evert St./7th Line. Continue to 5174 7th line and see property on right hand side.
From Cambridge: on HWY 401E take exit 295 for ON-6N toward Guelph. Turn right onto Wellington County Rd 34. Turn left onto Guelph Line/Halton Regional Rd 1. Turn Right onto Eramosa-Milton Townline/Halton Regional Rd 32. Turn right onto ON 7E. Turn left onto 7th Line and continue to 5174 on the left hand side.
Registration
Participants are encouraged to register in advance (click here to go to registration page) or visit the registration table under the rare tent on site on Friday from 8PM to 10PM or Saturday from 6AM to 3PM.
The Schedule
Sessions are two hours in length. Please try to arrive at the starting time for any session you wish to participate in as some sessions may disburse from the registration area and may be difficult to find once departed. The River Exploration session will occur from 8AM to noon on Saturday, with opportunities to join or depart at 10AM. Concurrent sessions are listed as (1) or (2) in the schedule. In these cases you will need to choose which session to participate in.
Species Observations
All participants are encouraged to submit their plant and animal sightings with the following information: species name, observer name, date, and location observed (parcel #, habitat, or GPS coordinates). Upon registration, a tally sheet will be provided and a map of the property if required. There are two options for submitting your species observations:
1. Written records: using the provided tally sheet, submit your written records to the registration tent before your departure. Photographs are appreciated and can be submitted to research@raresites.org.
2. Digital submissions through iNaturalist.ca or eBird.ca: download these apps to your phone or personal device prior to the bioblitz. There will be a bioblitz project created for the property so any submitted sightings through iNaturalist will be automatically submitted to our bioblitz tally. If using eBird, please share your checklist with research@raresites.org.
What to Bring
- Sunscreen, insect repellant, hat, and reusable water bottle.
- Good walking boots/shoes and long pants are advised.
- Any of your own field guides, binoculars, magnifiers, and other personal field supplies you may wish to use. Some supplies will be available to borrow on site.
- Cameras and GPS units (not required) are useful tools if available.
- Please bring your own meals and snacks, or choose to purchase your lunch on Saturday from the Schmuck Truck which will be onsite from 11:30AM to 1:30PM.
- Sorry, but please NO dogs at this event.
Contact research@raresites.org or 519-650-9336 for more information.
Photo credits: Maryam Fatahi, Carleigh Pope, Christine Head, David Coulson, Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, and Norval Outdoor School.
This event was made possible with support from TD Friends of the Environment.
