UNDERSTANDING
BIODIVERSITY
woodstock land conservancy
and the catskill center present
The term “BioBlitz” was first coined by U.S. National
Park Service naturalist Susan Rudy while assisting
with the first BioBlitz at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens,
Washington D.C. in 1996. Approximately 1000 species
were identified at this first event!
‘Bio’ means life, and a ‘Blitz’
is a quick, energetic effort.
Together, they make ‘BioBlitz,’ a collaborative
race against the clock to discover as many
species of plants, animals, and fungi as possible
within a set location, over a set time period
(usually 24 hours).
The BioBlitz at Thorn Preserve pairs scientists
and expert naturalists together with students
and other community members to study the
wildlife of the area. Over the course of two
days, we’ll create a snapshot of the wide range
of life on the Preserve. It’s a fun and informal
way to learn together, pairing knowledge
with a raw enthusiasm for nature.
NO EXPERIENCE
NECESSARY–
Wilson believes species are going extinct at an
alarming rate, often before they are even discovered,
due to factors such as pollution, climate change and
the conversion of wild places to housing lots, farms,
shopping malls, roads, etc. He fears we may be
witnessing a massive loss of biodiversity as great as
the one that saw the demise of the non-avian dinosaurs
66 million years ago.
A big step to solving this dilemma is to discover and
understand the importance of biodiversity within
our own community.
FOR MORE INFO:
email: [email protected]
call: 845-679-9629
visit: BioBlitz2016.com
Presented by:
Woodstock Land Conservancy and the Catskill Center
Just a curiosity and love of nature.
Areas of exploration will include: birds, mammals,
insects, woody plants, herbacious plants, grasses,
fish/aquatics, invasives, soil/geology, moss,
butterflies/moths.
Underwritten by Laurie Ylvisaker,
Associate Real Estate Broker
Coldwell Banker Village Green Realty
11-13 Mill Hill Road, Woodstock, NY
845-901-6129
Photos by V. Luppino, S. Chorvas. All illustrations courtesy of Biodiversity Heritage Library. Design by Anna Landewe.
WHAT IS A
BIOBLITZ?
BioBlitz events today are inspired by Harvard biologist
and champion of biodiversity preservation, E.O. Wilson,
who developed a program with wildlife expert Peter
Alden to catalog the organisms around Walden Pond.
THORN PRESERVE
woodstock, ny
A SPECIAL TWO-DAY EVENT
FRI, JUNE I0 (8am–10pm) and SAT, JUNE II (9:30am–5:30pm)
Rain dates: June 17 and 18
THORN PRESERVE
55 John Joy Road, Woodstock, NY
Thorn Preserve is comprised of 60 beautiful acres
of largely open space with 10 acres of woodland.
Sweeping grassland habitat for birds, butterflies and
pollinators, riparian forest, wetland and ponds make
this spot a profoundly relaxing and peaceful area.
With breath-taking mountain vistas, Thorn Preserve
boasts the most painted views of Overlook Mountain.
Thorn Preserve will remain an undeveloped landscape,
which will allow us to offer nature-based education,
sustainable agriculture, model stream management
and possibly an ideal artists' retreat.
Want to get down and
dirty with our local flora,
fauna, and fungi?
THREE WAYS
TO PARTICIPATE
Grab a group of friends for a fun-filled outdoor
adventure! Participants are needed to work
with the biologists who will be gathering data.
This is a hands-on opportunity to learn more
about biodiversity. You’ll help create a database
with photographs, written records and maps.
1. Just show up June 10th and/or 11th.
Volunteers (high school age and older) are
welcome to assist in data collection by working
beside scientists throughout Friday and Saturday. All curious members of the community are invited
to come along to observe the scientific process.
Refeshments and snacks are provided.
Please bring a bag lunch and provide
your own transportation.
Fun events are scheduled all day, both days.
No pre-registration necessary.
2. Volunteer to help out at “Base Camp”
and go into the field with the experts. 3. Become a "Citizen Scientist" to
take photos and record field data. For this you will need to attend a short
training session on one of these days:
Wed., June 1 at 6pm: Thorn Preserve
55 John Joy Road, Woodstock, NY
Sun., June 5 at 12:30pm: Catskill Interpretive Center
5096 Rte 28, Mt Tremper, NY, 12457
For a detailed schedule of events,
explorations, and experts, visit:
BIO BLITZ 20I6.COM
Owned by the Catskill Center, Thorn Preserve is
operated in partnership by the Catskill Center and
Woodstock Land Conservancy.
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