Tag Archives: Citizen Science

Another Successful Bioblitz

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We had 35 dedicated volunteers who helped us collect 445 species observations in 6 different hike locations. Stay tuned for our report coming out soon!

Species ID from the pictures above:

Top Right: Delta-spotted Spiketail

Top Left: Group looking at Swamp Darner

Middle 1: Leopard Frog

Middle 2: Juvenal’s Duskywing

Middle 3: Crayfish

Bottom Left: Blacknose Dace

Bottom Right: Me holding a Common Green Darner

 

A special thanks to our photographers who got some AMAZING shots of the day.

Minesing Wetlands Bioblitz

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The Friends of Minesing Wetlands are excited to announce the first Bioblitz of the Minesing Wetlands on June 3, 2017.

What is a bioblitz?

A Bioblitz is a volunteer-based biological inventory of a specific area. Participants include local scientists, professional naturalists, amateur enthusiasts and members of the general public. The goal of the Bioblitz is to identify as many species as possible in a set amount of time. This event provides community members with hand-on learning opportunities that can enhance their knowledge of species identification, biodiversity, citizen science and stewardship.

Why the Minesing Wetlands?

The Minesing Wetlands is one of Southern Ontario’s largest wetland and is home to many unique habitats, vegetation communities, and a vast array of wildlife. The Minesing Wetlands, previously known as the Minesing Swamp, are a Ramsar-designated (internationally significant) wetland located in south-central Ontario. The Minesing Wetlands are one of the largest wetland complexes in southern Ontario and host the largest and best example of a string fen in this part of the province. The Minesing Wetlands have also been designated as a Provincially Significant Wetland (PSW) and a provincially significant Life Science Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI) by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF).

How does it work?

You will be conducting surveys on a series of hiking trails located in the peripherals of the Minesing Wetlands. You will meet your expert leader and/or participants at your designated hiking trail (which you will choose after you register). All participants will be required to stay with their expert leaders, within close proximity to the designated trail at all times. After the morning and before the afternoon sessions happen, everyone will reconvene at Basecamp (Edenvale CA) to enjoy lunch and brief words of thanks from the organizers.

Schedule:

8-11 am – First round of hikes

11:30-1 pm – Lunch at Basecamp (Edenvale CA)

1:30-4:30 pm – Second round of hikes

Please note:

  • Expert Leaders and Participants will be able to sign up for a morning or afternoon hike post-registration, there is no expectation that you commit to a full day, but to simplify the ticket process we have made it an all day event.
  • There will be a kid-friendly hike available. Parents will be required to stay with their children at all times during the event.

Want to get involved?

We are currently searching for expert leaders to lead or co-lead one of 7 hikes. Please see “Expert Leader” ticket type for more information.

We are also seeking behind the scenes help to set up, tear down, prepare food, etc. Please see “Behind the Scenes” ticket type for more information.

We will now be accepting participants! Please see the “Participants” ticket type for more information.

To register as a leader, behind the scenes person, or participant for this event please click on the Event Brite button below (this is a free event):
Eventbrite - Minesing Wetland Bioblitz!

For more information on the Bioblitz please contact us at friendsofminesingwetlands@gmail.com

Empowering Citizen Scientists

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Bird Studies Canada has invited interested members of the Friends of Minesing Wetlands to partake in a day learning what the Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program is and how you can be a part of it. See below for details. To register click here: Empowering Citizen Scientists

Event Details

Bird Studies Canada, through support from Government of Canada’s Lake Simcoe/South-eastern Georgian Bay Clean Up Fund and in partnership with Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority is hosting an orientation workshop and social for the volunteer-based Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program (GLMMP) .

 

Spend the afternoon with us at the Tiffin Centre Picnic Pavilion to:

  • Refresh your knowledge or be introduced to the techniques used in the nationally-recognized GLMMP with the folks who coordinate it.
  • Help advance the study and protection of marshes in YOUR watersheds.
  • Contribute to knowledge and understanding of coastal and interior marshes including gathering information on birds, frogs and habitat characteristics.
  • Classroom portion runs 2:00 – 5:00
 
Join us for a social evening outdoors sharing knowledge.
 
Picnic with us:
  • Bring your own supper and enjoy a picnic at the pavilion before we go into the  field. 
  • We will be picnicking from 5:30 -7:00 before traveling to Minesing Wetlands
 
Come birding and frogging at the Minesing Wetlands viewing station: 
  • At 7:30 pm we will reconnect at the viewing station parking lot.
  • For a map visit http://goo.gl/maps/OZGVM  
  • Then spend an evening of birding and frogging with Bird Studies Canada’s Doug Tozer and Kathy Jones.
  • Share your wetland id knowledge or learn from others.
  • Experience the GLMMP techniques in a natural setting.


All are welcome!

  • New naturalists can come and learn about the program and decide if it is right for them.
  • Registered  participants can update their knowledge and enjoy the evening.
  • You can choose to attend the classroom activity, the evening event or both. Just pick the tickets that suit your schedule best and all attendees are welcome at the picnic.
 

This is a free event but donations for access to the NVCA are always welcome.