REGIONAL- Area residents and visitors will have a chance to help document the rich diversity of life in Voyageurs National Park next month as Voyageurs Conservancy and the National Park Service host a weeklong BioBlitz from Aug. 1-9.
The community science event invites participants of all ages and experience levels to use the free iNaturalist app to record plants, animals, fungi, insects, and other organisms found throughout the park. Those observations become part of a growing scientific database used to better understand species distributions, ecological communities, and future conservation needs.
“A BioBlitz is really an opportunity for anyone to contribute to science while exploring one of Minnesota’s most diverse landscapes,” said Dr. Brandon Güell, community engagement coordinator for Voyageurs Conservancy. “Every observation expands our understanding of the remarkable diversity of life in Voyageurs National Park. Whether documenting a wildflower, bumble bee, bird, or fungus, participants are contributing valuable information that supports science, education, and stewardship.”
Throughout the nine-day event, National Park Service staff, Voyageurs Conservancy staff, volunteers, and partner organizations will lead a variety of guided programs designed to help participants learn about the park while collecting observations. No previous experience is required.
The BioBlitz begins with a kickoff event at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 9 to 11 a.m. The program includes an introduction to biodiversity in the park, citizen science, and the iNaturalist app before participants head out on a guided nature walk to begin documenting species.
Several specialized field programs follow during the week.
A guided Forest Plants and Flora Hike will be held Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Blind Ash Bay Trailhead, where participants will explore the park’s forest ecosystems while learning to identify native plants, wildflowers, fungi, and other species.
That evening, the Crane Lake Visitor Center will host the BioBlitz’s only nighttime event. From 9 to 11 p.m., participants will use light traps to attract moths and other nocturnal insects while learning insect identification techniques and contributing observations after dark.
Aquatic life takes center stage Wednesday, Aug. 5, from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Kabetogama Visitor Center. Participants will help check minnow traps, identify native fish, and search the shoreline for aquatic insects, snails, and other freshwater invertebrates.
Two programs are scheduled for Friday, Aug. 7, at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center. A Bumble Bee Atlas Workshop runs from 10 a.m. to noon, introducing participants to Minnesota’s community science effort to monitor native bumble bee populations through hands-on field surveys. Registration is required for that workshop.
Later that day, visitors can explore the Ethnobotanical Garden during guided tours at noon and 1 p.m. The program highlights native plants, pollinator habitat, invasive species, and the cultural importance of native plants to the Ojibwe while also offering a family-friendly Junior Ranger activity.
The final guided event is a Morning Birding Hike on Saturday, Aug. 8, from 7 to 9 a.m. at the Beaver Pond Overlook Trailhead. Participants will search for birds and other wildlife while learning how forests and wetlands are connected within the park’s ecosystems.
Additional information, the complete schedule, and registration details are available at voyageurs.org/bioblitz.