A first step to participate in the Nature Conservancy Canada 2023 Big Backyard Bio Blitz at SCFF will be to head to their instruction page and install/register the iNaturalist app. Please do this ahead of time!
(It will also help to get familiar with taking photos, identifying and saving observations).
(You will be able to keep using this app to identify and record your species observations, wherever you go!)
Nature Conservancy BioBlitz 2023 Instructions
For those new to iNaturalist, this is a phone or website app that helps identify and record your observations of flora and fauna and can share your discoveries with a worldwide community.
If you already use iNaturalist you can simply add the project: “2023 Big Backyard BioBlitz” if you search under the Projects tab.
By Joining the project, you can upload your photos/observations to the NCC when on WiFi.
Preparation:
Please come ready for hot weather and bugs:
Sun hat, long light clothing, water bottle, insect repellent and your packed lunch.
Bring rubber boots if you wish to wade down the shallow creek bed!
A cellphone or camera will be used to take photos of your observations and later upload via iNaturlaist to the NCC BioBlitz project. If this is not possible for you, bring a notebook to record what you see. We will want to build a list for SCFF as well.
Arrival:
Shibagau Forest Farmstead is 100 acres of varied natural environments set in a wide valley. From the entrance, you will drive down a steep lane, turn right at the bottom and come up to park at the barn which will be the event headquarters with instructions and site maps.
There should be someone in the barn or nearby to get you started, but if not, everyone is out observing.
Facilities:
There is a composting toilet at the barn, a shady spot to rest and there will be water available.
(For those interested in Photography,
have a look at the mid-August workshop.)