Biodiversity of Alabama's Journal

http://www.inaturalist.org/projects/2017-bioblitz-at-moundville-archaeological-park

Come celebrate Earth Day (April 22, 2017) with the University of Alabama Museums, and join in the fun as we discover and identify the plants and animals that inhabit Moundville Archaeological Park. UA Museums staff, scientists and volunteers will be there to help identify the species we encounter, and to teach you and your family how to become citizen scientists that can contribute to our ongoing biodiversity projects.

This is a rain or shine event, and unless there is severe weather we plan to proceed with the event.

The main gate to the park will open at 6:30 AM, and the admin building at the park entrance will be staffed beginning at 8:30 AM. Participants and volunteers arriving before 8:30 AM can go directly to the Conference Center Building located on the the banks of the Black Warrior River, This building will serve as the headquarter for the event, and also be the starting point for all the walking tours. This building has air conditioning, wi-fi access, and bathroom facilities.

Staff will be based at the Conference Center for most of the day, helping to orient both staff and participants, and will also be there getting folks starting on using iNaturalist and will be projecting a “live scoreboard” of the iNaturalist observations that are made during the event. BioBlitz participants will be encouraged to stop by and receive assistance with identification of their observations.

All visitors attending the bioblitz will receive a colored wrist band to distinguish them from other visitors in the park that day. Admission to the park and the bioblitz/Earth Day event is free, but visitors will need to pay admission if they wish to visit the Jones Archaeological Museum at Moundville Archaeological Park, which is near where our Earth Day tables will be set up.

Our schedule of BioBlitz and Earth Day Celebration Events are as followings:

Time Activity Leader
7 AM - 3 PM Biobltz Orientation & iNaturalist Help Center John Friel
8 AM- 9:30 AM BioBlitz Bird Walk Dwight Lammon
10 AM - 11:30 AM BioBlitz Butterfly Walk Steve & Mary Jane Krotzer
10 AM - 3 PM Earth Day Celebration Tables Various UA & local environmental groups; plus Jay Eubanks with live herps
12 PM - 1:30 PM BioBlitz Plant & Wild Flower Walk Moncia Watkins
2 PM- 3:30 PM Bio Blitz Amphibian & Reptile Walk Jay Eubanks
4 PM - 5:30 PM Bioblitz Insect & Terrestrial Arthropod Walk John Abbott
8 PM - 10 PM BioBlitz Black Lighting for Moths & Nocturnal insects Stott Noble & John Friel
8 PM - 10 PM Stargazing with UA Astronomical Society

For complete details please email almnh@ua.edu, call 205-348-7550.

Friday, May 19, 2017 - 9:00am to Saturday, May 20, 2017 - 3:00pm

You're invited to help inventory the Yates Lake West Forever Wild property. Volunteers will work with biologists for two days to collect data on the types of plants, trees, wildflowers and wildlife (birds, reptiles, etc.) that are present at Yates Lake West.

Participants should email Wayne.Barger@dcnr.alabama.gov to register.

You may come for a couple of hours or stay all day. Wear comfortable clothing and bring water and snacks. You may also want to bring binoculars and a camera.

From I-85 exit 26, head north on AL Hwy 229 for approximately 17 miles. Sign in at the parking area located on the right side of the highway (N32.64534 W85.94996).

Location:
Yates Lake West Forever Wild Property, Elmore County

Contact Email:
wayne.barger@dcnr.alabama.gov
Contact Phone:
334-242-3484