Canada 150 Bioblitz Uplands Park April 22, 2017 Bioblitz Canada - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Canada 150 Bioblitz Uplands Park April 22, 2017

� Bioblitz Canada partners aim to help Canadians learn about and connect with nature. � 35 Bioblitzes across Canada � Victoria was the first

Victoria Bioblitz 150 � Organized by GOERT � Britton Jacob-Schram, RNS, Sierra Club � Catherine Keogan � Held at: � University of Victoria – Jake Mentz, student � Beacon Hill Park – Britton and Catherine � Uplands Park – Margaret Lidkea, FOUP

Uplands Park (Source: www.goert.ca)

Cattle Point has a rocky foreshore

The Big Day – cold, wet, windy

Public Data Sheet

iNaturalist – Uplands Park � Experts Observations Species � Geoffrey +David Newell – birds 61 59 � Kem Luther – mosses, lichens 47 44 � Sean McCann + C Scott – spiders, insects 15 9 � Octavio Cruz – marine foreshore 9 9 � Total 132 122 � Bioblitz Total - +UVic, Beacon Hill 481 275

Challenges � Short lead-up time – lack of volunteers, media exposure, not time to invite committed groups � Earth Day – reduced participation � First Bioblitz for organizers � Too much paperwork , needs simplifying � Rain, wind and cold � Protection of sensitive areas of rare plants

Citizen Science Value � Contributes to research and active projects � Maximizes data � Assists scientists in physical work � Reaches local, national or global projects � Connects volunteers to nature � Creates a sense of place, belonging, love � Provides education, skills, scientific understanding � Encourages stewardship � Gives people an informed voice

� Helps to create the Naturehood � Inspires people to look after the natural areas in their neighbourhood � Helps humans and wildlife live together � The Victoria Harbour Bird Sanctuary is the oldest migratory bird sanctuary on Canada’s Pacific coast and recently recognized as a Naturehood!

Use your citizens wisely

Uplands Park Citizens � Bioblitz’s for specific categories � Not rare plants because of possible ecological damage; already have plant list � Mushroom list � Insect and spider lists � Educational � Restoration � Invasive plant removal � Planting of native plants � Volunteers at Events

Thanks to all the Citizen Scientists especially to the Friends of Uplands Park and its Steering Committee