The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is asking people all over Canada to participate in the Big Backyard BioBlitz event August 3 to 7.
The registered charity works with its partners to “protect the natural landscapes that harbour the diversity of plant and animal life on Earth.”
BioBlitz asks you to see and write down as many different living things as you can find in a certain place and time. Think Where’s Wally but with all sorts of wildlife.
You can search anywhere, like in your backyard, parks, walking around your neighbourhood or while visiting local parks. The NCC says this event is great for families, and you don’t need to know much about nature to join in.
What makes the BioBlitz so important? The NCC explained that writing down what you see helps scientists learn about the animals and plants in different places.
They can see what’s common, what’s rare, and what might be causing problems, like an invasive species. They use this information to help fix damaged places in nature and decide what must be protected.
“By documenting the wild species that you see, including plants, birds, insects, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, lichen and fungi, you’re contributing to the protection of nature…” Kristie Wegener, NCC’s Director of Conservation, told the Cochrane Eagle.
Jensen Edwards, who works with pictures and videos for the NCC, said that looking closely at nature makes people care more about the world around them.
“When you get outside and start looking at nature through a more close-up lens, you might start to build more of an appreciation for what’s around you,” explained Edwards.
If you want to take part in BioBlitz, all you need is a smartphone, tablet, or digital camera to take pictures of the things you find. You can sign up here. The NCC will send you instructions on how to take good pictures and how to know what kind of plant or animal you find.
Last year, 9,100 people joined the BioBlitz. They wrote down 53,000 wildlife and plant observations, including more than 5,300 species.
