BioBlitz Introduction and Training

The shoreline opposite Redfish Rocks.\Photo courtesy of ODFW.

On August 12, CoastWatch is leading the last of the summer’s BioBlitz events, which have been focused on the state’s five marine reserves.  This time around, we’re tackling the Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve near Port Orford.  The goal is to take a one-day inventory of all the species we can find on the shore and in the intertidal on the fringes of the marine reserve.  Everyone is welcome and needed as BioBlitz participants, but volunteers who aren’t skilled naturalists will benefit from some orientation and training.

So, on the evening of Saturday, Aug. 11, we’re offering a BioBlitz introduction and training session.  Join CoastWatch Volunteer Coordinator Fawn Custer at 6:30 p.m. at the Oregon State University Field Station (444 Jackson St.) in Port Orford.  Fawn will provide a tutorial on how BioBlitzes are conducted and on recognizing the species we’re likely to find on the shoreline facing the marine reserve.  Ian Throckmorton, our 2018 Marine Reserve BioBlitz Coordinator, sponsored by the Oregon Coast Aquarium, will join Fawn to help participants upload the iNaturalist app and learn how to use it.  This is a useful tool (for those with smartphones) which enables any observer of the natural world, of any skill level, to contribute information to a vast national database.

We will also discuss the opportunity to become part of CoastWatch’s citizen science projects, some of which focus on the marine reserves.

The event is free and open to all.  While the idea is to prepare for the next day’s BioBlitz, feel welcome to attend even if you can’t participate on the following day but would simply like some background information on the shoreline and its denizens, or would like to hone your abilities as a CoastWatch mile adopter (or consider becoming one).

For more information, contact Fawn Custer, (541) 270-0027, fawn@oregonshores.org.