Wildlife and Public Lands

Go to a BioBlitz!

You may be asking yourself, what is a BioBlitz? If you are unsure of the answer-a BioBlitz involves tallying as many species as possible during a 24 hour period, in a specific location. (Give yourself a round of applause if you already knew the answer!) Now you may wonder, where do these events occur? The answer is-on many public lands throughout the United States!

On April 30th and May 1, 2010 , students, scientists, teachers and volunteers of all ages will gather at  Florida's Biscayane National Park to participate in the The National Geographic-National Park Service BioBlitz. This unique park is 95% underwater, allowing participants the opportunity to record the above ground and underwater species who call this area home. Just a few of the many organisms spotted in the Biscayane National Park are: pelicans, manatees, sea turtles, butterflies, beetles, corals, fish and mangrove trees.

National Geographic has created a section with information including: how to participate, educator resources, a blog and much more here.  Past National Geographic-National Park Service BioBlitz events have occured at:

• Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
• Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
• Rock Creek Park
  
  

BioBlitz during NPLD!

In Ohio, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Cesar Creek Lake incorporated a BioBlitz event into their 2009 NPLD service project. Over 300 volunteers identified 28 fish and 86 bird species; engaged in an owl calling expedition; tracked butterflies; identified 3 new plant species and much more detailed here.

Monarch Live

Go on a distance learning adventure with MonarchLIVE. 

REGISTER NOW to join in the annual migration of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), one of the most spectacular events in the insect world.  Every year, millions of monarchs migrate thousands of miles from Mexico to the United States and Canada.  This magical journey has been deemed an “endangered natural phenomenon,” so learn what you can do to help monarchs and create and preserve habitat.

Teachers can take their students on an electronic field trip and learn about monarch butterflies with MonarchLIVE: A Distance Learning Adventure. 

Two 60-minute web casts:

• On May 19, MonarchLIVE will visit Eden Place, an urban oasis in Chicago that has had big results for butterflies and people.
• On May 21, MonarchLIVE will go to Battle Creek Environmental School in St. Paul, Minnesota.  The program will feature information about monarch migration, spring and summer life cycle, the importance of milkweed, threats to monarchs, and how to preserve monarchs and their habitats.

You don't need to register to watch or send in questions.