BioBlitz Data Collection Training

Fawn Custer (right) leads BioBlitz training.\Photo by Tara Dubois.

Those interested in making a special contribution to this year’s “BioBlitz” citizen science events are invited to a training session at Oregon State University in Wilkinson Hall, Room 203 (2601 S.W. Orchard Ave. in Corvallis) this Thursday, May 16, at 3:30 p.m.  This is a repeat of the special training offered at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in April.

CoastWatch is collaborating with a number of partners on a series of BioBlitz events at Oregon’s marine reserves this late spring and summer.  This is the second year we have done this, in what we hope will be an annual tradition.  This collective effort is coordinated by the Oregon Coast Aquarium.  (CoastWatch is taking the lead with a BioBlitz at the Otter Rock Marine Reserve on June 6, and in collaboration with the Friends of Cascade Head Marine Reserve on July 6—see separate listings for these events, plus a training session on June 5.)

BioBlitzes are one-day surveys of all the species found in a particular area on a certain day (or sometimes two days).  Professionals and volunteers work together in a short-term effort to inventory all the plants and animals to be found in that habitat.  BioBlitzes are a great way to make a meaningful contribution to citizen science without a long-term commitment.  Anyone can pitch in to help with one of these events—some natural history background is useful, of course, but guides will be on hand and all are welcome.

However, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is partnering with PISCO (the Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans, based at Oregon State University) to piggyback on these BioBlitzes to gather certain types of data more intensively.  Special sea star transects, bird surveys, “vertical transects” (inventorying carefully on a vertical rocky shore), and juvenile fish surveys will be conducted on June 6 at Otter Rock, June 8 at Cascade Head, July 2 at Cape Perpetua, and June 6 at Cascade Head again. 

The training coming up on May 16 is open to volunteers interested in obtaining the training necessary to assist with these more professional-level surveys as part of the BioBlitzes.

For more information, contact Katy Nalven, the aquarium’s BioBlitz Coordinator, at 480-822-9413, nalvenk@oregonstate.edu.  Also contact her if interested but unable to attend the training.  RSVPs are not required but would be helpful.