Thursday, March 1, 2018

Montpelier 2018 Bio Blitz Announcement


SAVE THE DATE!

MONTPELIER BIOBLITZ 2018

 JULY 21 – 22


Ten years ago, our city hosted the state’s largest gathering of scientists and nature lovers in a quest to discover and document every living thing in Montpelier. Over 400 participants fanned out across the city and identified nearly 1,500 species in 24 hours. Next summer, we are breaking out the binoculars and bug nets again for the tenth anniversary of this auspicious event.

The upcoming Montpelier BioBlitz 2018 will turn the city into a giant nature festival involving professional biologists, local naturalists, bikers, hikers, campers, families and children in a citywide exploration of Montpelier’s greatest natural treasures. Natural history surveys, public presentations, field walks, live animals, exhibits, workshops, music, games, and food are just some of the activities anticipated for this around-the-clock weekend event. Part celebration and part citizen science, the BioBlitz gathers critical data for local environmental conservation, and gets hundreds of people out into nature.

We want to invite you to join us. We need a village of biologists, naturalists, educators, volunteers, donors, vendors, and friends to make this event happen. If you’d like to volunteer for, 
Taxon-specific inventory
General natural history inventory
Leading public field walks, presentations or demonstrations
Public exhibit
Other public day-of activities
Logistical day-of support (parking, setup, etc.)
Financial sponsorship
In-kind support (food, supplies, staff time, etc.)
please save the date and conact Sean (montpelierbioblitz@gmail.com) for a sign up form.

The Montpelier 2018 BioBlitz is a unique cross-city collaboration of the North Branch Nature Center, the Montpelier Parks Department, and the Montpelier Conservation Commission.

Thank you.  Please direct inquiries to montpelierbioblitz@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

Sean Beckett 
Staff Naturalist, NBNC 
BioBlitz Coordinator  



NYTimes: The Eight Million Species We Don't Know 
A few quotes from the article: "With only about 20 percent of its species known and 80 percent undiscovered, it is fair to call Earth a little-known planet. Human activity has driven up the average global rate of extinction to 100 to 1,000 times that baseline rate. What ensues is a tragedy upon a tragedy: Most species still alive will disappear without ever having been recorded.

Do not call these organisms “bugs” or “critters.” They too are wildlife. Their existence makes possible our own. We are wholly dependent on them."

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