Babcock Nature Preserve BioBlitz 2017

Times: The Event will run from 9am on Saturday, July 22nd to 9am on Sunday July 23rd. You can participate for any portion of that time. If you know what times you plan to attend, it would be helpful to let us know to help with planning. If you don’t know in advance, that is fine.

Goal: 400 species

Directions: The entrance to the Babcock Nature Preserve is at the end of Baker road in Eden, VT. Be aware that there are bridges out on Knowles Flat Rd. and on White Rd. This means that the way to get to the Preserve is to go South on Crooks Rd off of 118 and turn right onto Baker Rd until it dead ends at the Preserve. I have put a map at the end of this document.

Schedule: We are still working on the schedule for the event. Most designated times will be for the more public focused activities. Experts and volunteers who are helping to collect and identify will be more flexible. If you would be interested in leading a public hike, please let me know.

Tentative Schedule:

Saturday
9:00 am – Welcome and Orientation
9:15 am – Data Collection Begins
9:30 am – Public Hike – Learn to BioBlitz
10:30 am – Amphibian Exploration (Public)
1:00 pm – Tree Inventory (Public)
3:00 pm – Lakeshore Exploration (Public)
9:00 pm – Owl Hike (Public)
10:00 pm – Moths (Public)
Sunday
8:00 am – Bird Hike (Public)

Base Camp: We will use the Old Babcock Cabin (now a lean-to) as the Base Camp area. This is about a 1 mile (easy) hike from the parking area. There is no electricity and very minimal cell coverage. If you have equipment that you need to drive into the Base Camp, please let me know and we can make arrangements. I will be sending out a map closer to the event.

Equipment Needs: If you are participating in the BitBlitz and you know of equipment that would help you in your search or in identification, please let me know. I have access to some supplies from Johnson State College and I also have a small budget to purchase some equipment, if needed. If you are willing have particular expertise and are willing to have volunteers join you in your search, think about equipment that may be helpful for them, as well.

Taxa Specialist Areas: We have a good group of participates who have areas of special expertise. So far, we have people with expertise in the following areas. We would love to grow this list so encourage and specialists you know in the region to participate!

Bird
Moths
Reptiles and Amphibians
Trees
Butterflies
Dragonflies
Leaf mining and gall making insects
Insects – General

Parking: There is a small parking lot at the entrance for a few vehicles. There is also room to park along the right side of the road leading to the preserve.

iNaturalist and Internet Access: Cell coverage at the Preserve is spotty. We will be using iNaturalist to compile all of our findings but we may need to upload the data after the event. We can still use the iNaturalist app to gather the information. If you are new to iNaturalist, it would be helpful to set up an account and practice entering species.

Once you have an account you can join the Babcock Nature Preserve BioBlitz at …
http://www.inaturalist.org/projects/babcock-nature-preserve-bioblitz-2017

There is a helpful guide for getting started with iNaturalist at ...
http://www.inaturalist.org/pages/getting+started

Food: We will be providing food and some beverages throughout the event. It would be good to bring your own water bottle, as there is no running water at the Preserve. Some water will be available at the Basecamp.

Camping: For those interested in staying through the night, there are a few options at the Preserve. There are two lean-to type facilities with fire rings and an outhouse, where people can sleep for the night. No tent camping is allowed at the preserve. There are a few tent sites available at Lake Eden Recreation area if you want to stay in the area. If you think you may want to stay in one of the lean-to areas, please let me know so I can keep a count. less ↑