You may recall the recent Nature Conservancy of Canada’s national BioBlitz, but there’s one happening on a smaller scale Saturday September 23rd at Clay Bank Park off of White Lake Road in McNab-Braeside.
As part of Nature Fest activities this year, participants will be counting all the plants, trees, animals, birds, insects, amphibians they can find.
Organizer Heather Lang says the bio-blitz data will contribute to park planning and development.
Heather says before you come, download the iNaturalist app to your cell phone.
It’s a fun family activity, but there are participation prizes if you need a nudge.
If you want to trek the meadow, you can do that. If you want to don rubber boots for a walk along the creek or river, you can do that too. People will be put into groups to traverse the terrain.
To kick the day off, Michael Runtz and Britta Runtz will be leading a bird walk, starting at 7:30AM.
When the kids feel they’ve had enough, mom and dad can keep the count going.
Heather sees adding the BioBlitz to Clay Bank’s annual activities as the way to go.
We don’t have an official title for Lang as organizer of the Clay Bank agenda.
The informal “Park Warden” of Clay Bank, Heather saw its opportunities back in 2015 and has been working to actualize and enhance them ever since.
By Rick Stow