GSWA held its BioBlitz 2009 on May 15-16 at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, in partnership with Friends of Great Swamp and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to great success — both in the biodiversity found, and the number of scientists and area residents who came out for the public programs and to mingle with the experts. The object of this large-scale science project was to tally as many species as possible within a specific 24-hour period as a means for gauging the health and functionality of the area surveyed.
More than 60 biologists from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NJ Endangered and Non-game Species, Rutgers University, Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, NJ Audubon, National Biodiversity Parks, NJ Conservation Foundation, local entomological, mycological, botanical and ornithological societies showed up to survey. Some set up insect traps that they tended all night, harvesting the many species of night flying moths that inhabit the refuge. Others set up pollinator traps to identify the solitary bees and wasps that fly by day. Mycologists set out with their mushroom baskets over their arms.
Consultants from two of the state’s most respected environmental consulting agencies electro-shocked fish. Almost a dozen biologists combed the refuge for reptiles and amphibians (herps as they are collectively called). They came back bitten, soaking wet and covered in mud, but having found many turtles, snakes, salamanders and frogs that call the refuge home. What a hive of surveying activity!
Over the 24-hour period more than 240 people took part in wildflower walks, owl prowls and early morning bird hikes to increase their own knowledge under the tutelage of area experts. More than 20 members of the public learned from Colin Osborn, the US Fish and Wildlife Vernal Pool specialist, just how the refuge keeps tabs on some of these species in a radio tracking demonstration and a vernal pool hike. One participant commented that they have driven through the refuge at night for years, but had never been out within it after dark. The sound of barred owls calling back to them across the wet meadows and the grey tree frogs calling so loud as to drown out casual speech will stay with them.
Find out who wonthe Mountain Bike,
Binoculars,
and MP3 Player!
The combination of education and real science data gathering were the true markers of this event’s success. We hope that BioBlitz2009, held jointly by three different entities (Great Swamp Watershed Association, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Friends of Great Swamp), who all work in their own slightly different way to take care of and educate about the resource that is Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, impressed upon local residents and visitors an enlightened understanding and caring about the biodiversity on their own doorstep, and the need to support and care for it going forward.