If you've got a soft spot for nature and a keen eye for spotting wildlife, head over to North Mississippi Regional Park this Saturday, October 12, for the final installment of this year's Fall BioBlitz series. You don’t need a PhD in botany or zoology to join; all you need is a bit of curiosity and perhaps a penchant for fun albeit, a touch of friendly competition tracking down flora and fauna.
Described as an effort to document as much biodiversity as possible, the BioBlitz invites anyone to join forces with local naturalists and experts from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to identify a vast array of organisms. So far, two parks have been surveyed by over 120 participants, resulting in an impressive 1,235 observations and the identification of 571 species.
The day is broken down into three parts – beginning with 'Early birding' at 7:30 am, followed by a 'Nature Survey' session at 9:00 am, and if you're really committed (or just enjoying the free light lunch for session 2 and 3 attendees), round out your day with another 'Nature Survey' kicking off at noon. Participants get to wield a variety of tools from microscopes to binoculars, so bring your best Sherlock Holmes game. This isn’t just about ticking off species on a list, it’s about contributing to data that can prove valuable to scientists and researchers.
For those with children, keep in mind that kids under 14 need to be accompanied by an adult – but really, this seems like an opportune way to introduce them to the wonders of our local ecosystem and perhaps, kindle a lifelong passion for environmental stewardship. As for signing up, you can hop over to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s website and secure your spot. Immerse yourself in nature, learn a thing or two, and maybe – just maybe – you’ll leave the park a little more connected to this blue and green marble we call home.
