BioBlitz 2008
What exactly is a BioBlitz?

Typically, a BioBlitz is a 24-hour count of as many living things as possible in a particular area.

At INHF's first BioBlitzes, held during the summer of 2007, more than 50 scientists tracked down more than 800 species, including 200 plant species, 35 fish species, 100 stream invertebrates, 19 reptiles, 11 amphibians, 13 mammals, 15 butterfly species, 116 fungi, 5 liverwort taxa, 22 mosses, 51 lichens, and at least 92 bird species. The diversity of this site is astounding, and the specialists are sure to find more surprises this year!  INHF staff, Taxon Team leaders, and other conservationists are eagerly awaiting the third and fourth BioBlitzes, when we can include the general public in this exciting discovery process.

The third event was canceled due to flooding. The fourth event will take place over 24 hours on August 23-24, 2008, from 1:00 PM-1:00PM, which will allow novices from the public to join “Taxon Teams” and accompany scientists on surveys.  Each team will be looking for species from a different taxon, or species group, such as mammals, reptiles and amphibians, butterflies, or fungi.  If you don’t know how to identify any species, don’t worry.  Taxon team leaders and others will be available to teach you how to listen, look for, identify, and even sometimes catch or collect species in the wild. 

When you're not in the field, you can use the microscopes at base camp to look at specimens. We will need your help compiling species lists and celebrating nature's secrets.  This assessment is an essential part of INHF’s management strategy for this property. Background information about habitat quality and species diversity from the BioBlitz assessments will allow INHF land managers to begin restoring this property to its natural state, and we can’t complete this process without your help.

Photo by Ron Moore

An American toad overlooks the BioBlitz site.

Please join members of the Iowa Natural History Association and staff of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and Iowa Department of Natural Resources for this very special free event: BioBlitz 3!! Come for the survey, and stay for the closing celebration as the leaders and their Taxon Teams announce how many species, and what kinds of particularly unique or favored species, were found.

Dr. Tom Rosburg (Drake University) and Marlene Ehresman (Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation) are the key organizers for these events. Please direct event questions to Marlene at mehresman@inhf.org, registration questions to Jessica at jnanke@inhf.org or call (515) 288-1846.

Registration forms Please note: You must register before the event to be guaranteed a spot on a Taxon Team. All individuals must register, even if you plan on coming in a group. Space is limited to 80 for each event. We prefer that you register online, but if you need to, please call Jessica at 515-288-1846 for assistance.

Before the events: If you register as a specialist on a Reptile or Small Mammal Taxon Team, you have the option to set up a drift fence with closed buckets, or to set out locked-open live traps a week prior to the event. You may run the traps during the event.

All are encouraged to set up equipment at least the day before the event (ie: Friday). If you plan to do some advance set-up (drift nets, pit traps, etc.) of this type, please respond to the related section on the registration form so that we can make arrangements for someone to meet you at the site.

Bring your families!!! The June event will be a great way to celebrate Father’s Day.  Your families are most welcome at the events--but plan to personally supervise any children who come with you.

For event information, e-mail Marlene Ehresman or call 515-288-1846.
Registration questions? E-mail Jessica Nanke.