My name Heather Kostick, and I am a Masters of Environmental Studies candidate at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. I am planning to conduct three bioblitzes at the Willistown Conservation Trust, Willistown, PA (it’s about 40-60 minutes from Philadelphia, PA). A bioblitz is a 24-hour intense surveillance period of an area with the purpose of getting a snapshot of the area’s ecosystem and biodiversity.
I am specifically seeking volunteers that have a specialist background in the following fields: birds, mammals, plants, moss, lichen, owls, amphibians, reptiles, bats, fungi, aquatic invertebrates, mollusks, and insects. The bioblitz will occur June 3/September 9 (at night: insects, owls, bats, mammals, amphibians, reptiles), and June 4/September 10 (during the day: plants, birds, reptiles, insects, aquatic life). Depending on background and experience, volunteers (group leaders) maybe asked to lead/oversee a team of 4-8 students/volunteers. Late June bioblitz dates are still being finalized. This late June bioblitz (dates TBD) will actually occur on another field site at a conventional farm. Bioblitz dates: June 3&4 (Rushton Farm), Late June TBD (Conventional Farm), and September 9&10 (Rushton Farm) If you are interested or have students who may be interested, please have them email Heather at [email protected] with the subject title "bioblitz - [specialization]". Volunteers must email prior to participation. No prior experience is necessary, nor do you have to specialize in a particular taxon. Please feel free to distribute this information to your departments and students. Note: I am conducting this bioblitz as part of my Masters thesis. I am conducting this bioblitz along with Lisa Kiziuk, University of Pennsylvania lecturer and Willistown Conservation Trust Bird Conservation Program Director.
