Searching for Species during NCRLT’s First Bioblitz! What an Adventure!
Last week NCRLT staff led a small group of plants enthusiasts to explore a beautiful property and conduct community science in an outing called a bioblitz!
A bioblitz is a community effort to find, record, and identify as many species as possible around a specific place and within a limited time frame. Observations are recorded in the mobile app, iNaturalist, plotting the points on a map where species were found, paired with the picture taken by the observer.
Safety circle and introductions before the main event!
For the land trust’s first bioblitz event we broke into 4 teams…
Team Moss, with keen eyes and hand lenses, found joy in tiny surprises!
Team Monardella was on the hunt for Windowpane Monardella (Monardella venosa), a rare plant endemic to California.
Team Riparia crept along clear creeks, dodging poison oak, finding drooping lilies, and following wandering snakes.
Team Grasslands drove around the vast property via ATV, visiting cultural sites and botanizing the open plains.
A picture of Team Grasslands exploring verdant plains and vernal pools!
The property was beautiful, sweeping fields transitioning to proud buttes. Flowing water and groves of oak with small sprouts of regeneration. We trekked to seeps covered in monkey flowers and walked across hills abundant in purple hyacinth. Crouching to look at the little things, curious and confident in turns.
What a gorgeous sight!
After a day that quicky warmed with the sun, our teams came back together at a charming cabin for a spread of local fare, NCRLT thank you gifts, and a reflection on our experiences.
Our local fare and and NCRLT thank you gifts!
This day wouldn’t have happened without our generous landowner, land conservationist, soils, trees, and water quality steward, alongside his conservation legacy team. A huge thank you to our enthusiastic and knowledgeable volunteers, hailing from a variety of places and expertise, your dedication and care is deeply appreciated.
iNaturalist! What a tool! ...especially when wielded by good folks who know how to find great things.
What a great first run at a Community Science Bioblitz, everybody! Will you join us for the next one? Details to come!
A collection of species our Stewardship Manager Kim found!
Top (left to right): Shield-bracted monkeyflower, bowtube iris, echo azure butterfly on California coffeeberry
Bottom (left to right): white globe lily, round-tooth ookow, western morning glory
