Chadron State Park hosts its annual Bioblitz this weekend, with the public able to natural resource experts and community volunteers in discovering the biodiversity of the park.
A Bioblitz tries to identify as many plants and animal species as possible to get an accurate snapshot of the wildlife present in Chadron State Park at this time of year.
Event organizer Amanda Filipi, a Nebraska Game and Parks outdoor education specialist, calls it “a great way for folks of all ages and backgrounds to become engaged in nature and learn about the many species in this region.”
Educational sessions over the two-day event include moth backlighting and how to conduct surveys for mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, plants and insects.
Bioblitz starts with the set-up for the small mammal survey, but it officially gets underway with a free pizza dinner, orientation and team trivia game at 6:30 in the park’s community building.
Registration is required to attend the dinner and you can RSVP through the event listing at calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov or the “Chadron State Park Bioblitz” event page on Facebook.
Scheduled activities and sessions runthrough noon tomorrow at locations throughout Chadron State Park.
Bioblitz is free, but vehicles entering state parks are required to either possess or purchase a valid state park pass.
Bioblitz is presented by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in collaboration with the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, Chadron State College, and the Community Scientists of Nebraska Network. Funding comes from the Nebraska Environmental Trust