You can contribute to the health of the wetlands, prairies and woodlands protected by Indian Creek Nature Center without any hiking experience or advanced degrees.
Between June 25 and July 1 we are inviting the entire community to come out and observe as many plant and animal species as possible as part of our first BioBlitz. People of all ages, abilities and backgrounds can have fun making observations as they explore the trails and grounds at Indian Creek Nature Center.
As you venture across Indian Creek Nature Center property discovering frogs, dragonflies, mushrooms and more there are two simple ways to share your discoveries with Indian Creek Nature Center.
First, you can download the free iNaturalist app to your phone. This app uses the photos you take to offer suggestions to help to identify your discovery and then when you confirm it you’ll automatically be sharing that observation with Indian Creek Nature Center. You can see how easy it is to use iNaturalist by watching this short video.
Alternatively, you can stop by Amazing Space (our main headquarters) to get a Species ID Form that you can use to record your findings and return the form to a staff member at the end of your explorations.
In addition to having a free and simple app (or pen and paper) to track your observations, we’ll also have volunteers and staff members trained in using iNaturalist in the area’s where visitors are encouraged to “Blitz” each day of the event. Between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM each day you’ll find a table with a volunteer ready to help you identify whatever plant or animal species you find. Please bring the volunteer a photo of your discovery and leave the plant or animal where you found it.
Once the community’s collective observations are shared with Indian Creek Nature Center it will create a snapshot of the property’s biodiversity. This snapshot will help inform future land management decisions as our staff work to protect, restore and strengthen the lands we steward. Also, knowing the location of where animals nest and different plants are spreading can help the education team know where learning opportunities can be found for the future Champions of Nature in their programs.
Since these observations can have a powerful impact on the future health of our environment we want as many people as possible to be a part of this event. Indian Creek Nature Center is trying to make this event as accessible as possible by keeping it free of registration costs and extending our business hours (8:00 AM to 8:00 PM) during the week so staff can be on hand for visitors unable to come out during typical working hours. Also, we will have three all-terrain chairs available to reserve for free. These chairs are designed to handle rougher terrain than a typical wheelchair so individuals with permanent or temporary mobility issues can have greater access to nature.
The BioBlitz is truly for anyone who enjoys the outdoors and wants to contribute to the health of the environment — and we hope you join us!