MVFN BioBlitz 2009
The Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists in partnership with the Nature Conservancy of Canada and with assistance from the Community Stewardship Council of Lanark County invite you to participate in the 2009 MVFN BioBlitz taking place on the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Bell Property.
 NOTE: click here for a printable version of this MVFN BioBlitz 2009 Information
Please see our full colour mvfn-bioblitz-2009-poster as a pdf file.
Our tentative schedule for the expert-led biological surveys is now also available. Follow the links from the home page or click on  mvfn-bioblitz-tentative-schedule1 for a printable pdf.
A BioBlitz is part contest, social gathering, educational event and citizen-science endeavour. The BioBlitz will bring together scientists, and expert and novice nature enthusiasts to see how many species they can find in a 24 hour biological survey.
The BioBlitz provides an opportunity for all participants to learn from experts how to identify the many plants, animals and birds that will be found during this 24 hour period. Specialists and experts from a diverse set of disciplines will be grouped with interested participants to explore the area under investigation.
The inventory and interaction of specialists with the public are integral goals of this event.
The event is both educational and fun. Individuals of all ages including children are welcome to attend. There is no charge for this event.
THE DATE
The BioBlitz takes place from:
3:00 pm on Saturday, 19 September
to
3:00 pm on Sunday, 20 September
The event will run, rain or shine.
THE SITE
The Bioblitz will take place on the Bell Property, owned and managed by the Nature Conservancy of Canada. We are delighted to be able to hold this BioBlitz on this approximately 85 acre conservation property which has a variety of habitats including, hardwood and mixed wood forest, seasonal wetlands, and streams.
ACCESS AND LOCATION
The property is located at the intersection of Clayton Road and Ramsay Concession 3B. Mississippi Mills, Ont. K0A 1A0 in Lanark County -near the town of Almonte (just west of Ottawa).
Coming from the town of Almonte
1) Turn right (north) onto County Rd. 29/Christian St
Continue to follow County Rd. 29 for 3.1 km
2) Turn left (west) onto Clayton Rd. and continue for 8.1 km
BioBlitz is on the left (south side) at 1633/1631 Clayton Rd.
Please park where indicated (not on the Clayton Road) and follow signs to the Base to register.
ACCOMMODATION
There will be limited free overnight camping near the Bell Property on Cliff & Lynda Bennett’s property 1772 Clayton Rd. (north side) just west of Ramsay Concession 3B and 1 km before County Rd. 9 (Tatlock Rd.). Please let us know if you are planning to camp.
Information on commercial accommodations in Mississippi Mills area can be found at
http://www.mississippimills.ca/tourism/articleListing.cfm?articleListingId=297.
REGISTRATION
Participants must register at the BioBlitz Base site between 2:00 and 9:00 PM on Saturday, Sept. 19 or between 6:30 AM and 2:00 PM on Sunday, Sept. 20.
Upon registration, you will be provided with instructions, directions and a map of the property as well as tally sheets on which to list species observed.
Please return your final tally sheets and field notes to the Base site before departure. These will be copied and returned to you if you wish.
WHAT TO BRING
Please bring your own meals and snacks, but note the Sunday BBQ social (see below).
Please also bring sunscreen, insect repellant, hat, and a flashlight for night activities.
Good walking boots are advised and appropriate clothing including long pants.
You may like to bring your own binoculars, hand lens, clipboard, checklist and field guides.
Cameras and GPS units will be useful (but not required) to record rare species, and for recording species needing identification.
Potable water and a washroom will be available at the Base site and camp site. Please bring your own water bottle and travel mug and camping equipment if camping overnight.
BARBEQUE SOCIAL
A free barbeque will be held at the post count wrap up after 3:00pm.
PLEASE . . .
NO dogs at this event. Please be sensitive to the fact that this is conservation property and we are there only at the invitation of the Nature Conservancy of Canada. Try to keep the impact to a minimum and attempt to leave things as they were found.
We look forward to this event and hope you do too. Please share this information with anyone you know who might be interested.
Volunteers are needed to run the BioBlitz. Please contact Cliff Bennett if you are willing to help (phone 613 256-5013 or email bennett@magma.ca)
Contact me if you plan to participate or wish to have any questions answered
(phone 613-256-7211 or e-mail mcphaill@hotmail.com ).
Yours truly,
Mike McPhail
MVFN BioBlitz – Communication Lead
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