Hi everyone,
I wanted to let you all know about an activity that you might be interested
this fall at Land Between the Lakes: a Fall BioBlitz, which will go from
September 19 through November 15. The Friends of Land Between the Lakes and
Murray State's Watershed Studies Institute are co-hosting this event. It's
basically a citizen science effort to document all of the living things that
people can observe in LBL during the fall season. And of course we would love
birders to participate!
Below is the text of the news release we sent out today with details about how
to participate. Thanks so much, and I hope some of you join in and share your
photos!
Thanks,
Aviva YasgurExecutive Director, Friends of Land Between the LakesCalloway
County (home); Trigg County (work)
Murray State University’s Watershed Studies Institute (WSI) and the Friends of
Land Between the Lakes (LBL) are teaming up to host a BioBlitz at Land Between
the Lakes National Recreation Area from September 19 - November 15, 2020. This
citizen science activity invites participants to visit Land Between the Lakes
to document sightings of wildlife and plants throughout the fall season. The
BioBlitz uses an app called iNaturalist, and will help compile up-to-date
information about the natural community in LBL.
All that is needed to participate is a smartphone or digital camera and a
willingness to spend some time in LBL. Participants will take photos of
observations such as insects, birds, wildflowers and more, and upload them to
the LBL BioBlitz project page on iNaturalist. Participants can search for “LBL
BioBlitz” in iNaturalist, or go directly to the page at:
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/land-between-the-lakes-bioblitz.
The iNaturalist app is a free download, and there is no fee to participate.
The BioBlitz offers outdoor enthusiasts, students and home-educating families a
COVID-friendly activity for fall. Not only is it an opportunity to get outside
and learn through exploration, but it is also a chance to contribute to a
scientific project.
Dr. Howard Whiteman, Professor of Biological Sciences and WSI Director, said "A
BioBlitz is a great way to engage the community in citizen science, learn about
nature and get outside for some socially-distanced fresh air, particularly
during a pandemic. We are also very hopeful that the observations collected by
the participants will help LBL biologists and land managers make more informed
conservation and management decisions in the future, and perhaps spark new
research opportunities for Murray State students, staff and faculty members as
well."
For more information or questions about participating, please contact either
the Woodlands Nature Station at mwest@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx or LBL's Volunteer
Coordinator at volunteer@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
