University of West Florida Virtual BioBlitz Fall 2016

This fall semester, GTU is hosting a virtual BioBlitz event on the iNaturalist app during homecoming week of Oct. 16-21st 2016. Any person with a smart phone, location services, and an app can check in and log data through the app on their own time.
All observations for this event should be logged on UWF campus only.

In case you may need some background, a BioBlitz is an all-day event where research professionals, naturalist, hobbyists, and volunteers work together to survey and log as many species as possible in a designated study area.

The UWF BioBlitz events were initiated by the Earth and Environmental Science department and the GTU Geographic Honors Society in October of 2014. Since then, there have been 3 events that surveyed vascular plants, birds, reptiles, amphibians, aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, and fungi. Over 300 species are logged at every event.

There are two natural areas on campus that have hiking trails and host a large amount of wildlife. The Edward Ball Natural Trail on the west side of campus and the Baars-Firestone Wildlife Sanctuary on the east side of campus.

If you are from the community and you do not have a parking pass for UWF, make sure to contact me first (if you are a volunteer, you should have my email).

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Watch your step and be careful on hiking trails! There can be roots and holes that can easily trip you. Don't use the app until you have stopped walking.

If you are not familiar with the hiking trails on campus at the Edward Ball Nature Trail or at the Baars-Firestone Wildlife Sanctuary, the correct trail maps provided on this campus map - http://geo.uwf.edu/map/

The Baars-Firestone Wildlife Sanctuary cross country trails on Google maps and the My UWF campus map are not accurate. Please use the link above to access the correct trails.

On the boardwalk and trails, there can be alligators, venomous snakes, and biting insects.

Please take the correct precautions and wear outdoor clothing, closed toed shoes, sun protective gear, sunscreen, and bug spray.

Try to have at least one person with you on the hiking trails if you are not familiar with them.

All data is to be collected in the daylight, do not go out at night.

Please be careful when taking photos and data. DO NOT DISTURB OR TOUCH the organism(s)!!!

Observations for this BioBlitz will be made from 8:00 am on Sunday October 16th to 5:00 pm on Saturday, October 22nd 2016.

Results will be presented at the UWF Earth and Environmental Science Department Open House on October 21st at 5 pm.

Website for UWF BioBlitz: https://sites.google.com/a/students.uwf.edu/uwfbioblitz/

Thank you Everyone! ---- Talia E. Smith less ↑