FRANKLIN CREEK – For anyone who loves the earth, the Franklin Creek will host a BioBlitz on Saturday, April 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

What is a BioBlitz? ‘Bio’ means ‘life’ and ‘Blitz’ means ‘to do something quickly and intensively’. Together they make ‘BioBlitz’, a collaborative (with a little friendly team competition and fabulous prizes) race against the clock to discover as many species of plants and animals as possible in a set location. Experts, novices and everyone in between can participate. A BioBlitz is a fun way to create a snapshot of the variety of life that can be found in the area.  It provides an opportunity to learn, work together, and enjoy the outdoors, while creating a biological inventory that will help us set restoration goals and monitor ecological changes over time.

How can you participate? Participants must be willing to help for the entire day. Encourage your co-workers, family, and friends to participate too. Children ages 9 and older are welcome with an adult. All participants must sign up in advance. Send the contact information (name, address, phone, email) for you and anyone attending with you to stewardship@franklincreekconservation.org by Saturday, April 14. 

What will happen on the day of the BioBlitz? All participants will meet at 9 a.m. at the Franklin Creek Grist Mill, 1893 Twist Road, Franklin Grove (in the Franklin Creek State Natural Area). Together you will inventory trees, bushes, flowers, grasses and sedges, fungi, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects using phone apps, field guides, and experts to help with species identification.

Introduction, training and assignments will be held from 9-10 a.m. Inventory of morning target areas will be held from 10 a.m. to noon. A free lunch at the Grist Mill will be held from 12-1 p.m. Afternoon inventory of target areas will be held from 1-3 p.m. The event will wrap up at the Grist Mill to submit data, answer questions, hear feedback, take team photos and hand out awards from 3-4 p.m.

What should you bring with you to the BioBlitz? Wear long pants and long sleeve shirts, close toe shoes, hats, gloves, and layers appropriate for the weather. Bring water, bug spray and sunscreen. If you have a smart phone and charger, please bring them. Binoculars and field guides are also helpful but optional as some will be provided.

What if you still have questions you can email stewardship@franklincreekconservation.org.

This event is funded through an outreach grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation.