Bioblitz Cambridge 2013 is a 24-hour race against time to find as many different plants and animals as humanly possible. The team behind the event needs members of the public to help record anything from weeds and trees to worms and bees. Hosted in the Gog Magog Hills by Cambridge Past Present & Future (CambridgePPF), this special science event starts at 3pm on Friday 21 June and runs through the night, finishing on Saturday afternoon.
Organised by the University of Cambridge Science Festival team and the Museum of Zoology, Bioblitz Cambridge 2013 will see experts and volunteers work round the clock to document the range of plants, flowers, trees, insects, birds and mammals that can be found in Wandlebury Country Park – a magnificent green space to the south of the city.
There are plenty of opportunities for local people to take part during daylight hours plus special daytime and after-dark workshops about reptiles, amphibians, spiders, bees, bats, snails and wild flowers. Booking for workshops – which are all free to attend – is now open!
The format of the event is simple. Upon arrival at Wandlebury, participants will be given a clipboard, a nature checklist, a map of the park and a target area to survey. They’ll also be able to go on guided surveying sessions. Open to everyone, regardless of age, Bioblitz Cambridge 2013 is an ideal event for families looking to get out in the fresh air after school or at the weekend. Nature knowledge is not essential. Experts will be on hand throughout the event to offer advice and help categorise any creatures that aren’t immediately identifiable.
Bioblitzing brings scientists, naturalists and volunteers together in an attempt to record all living species within a designated area over a short timeframe – normally 24 or 48 hours. The term originated in America, where the first ever Bioblitz took place in Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in Washington D.C., in 1996. Three Bioblitz events have taken place in Cambridge in the past – one at Coe Fen and two at the University of Cambridge Botanic Gardens.
Philip Robson, Head of Properties and Green Spaces at CambridgePPF said: “Our team of rangers and education specialists already have a very long list of creatures and plants that call Wandlebury home. This information is used to help manage the site and ensure it remains a diverse habitat for members of the public to enjoy, whenever they like. By hosting Bioblitz Cambridge 2013 we’re taking a snapshot of life in the park. The hope is that we’ll find some extra plant and animal species that we don't know about. We’re relying on the public to embrace this opportunity and join us to become nature detectives – even if it’s just for an hour. All people need to bring is a good dose of natural curiosity and a keen pair of eyes to explore the park – which spans 110 acres of wood and chalk grassland.”
Rosalyn Wade, Education and Outreach Officer at the Museum of Zoology, said: “We are excited to be taking Bioblitz Cambridge to Wandlebury Country Park this year. Exploring a new site will give us a different view of local wildlife. The Bioblitz is a fun way to discover the great diversity of birds, bugs and plants right on our doorstep. This is a fantastic chance to talk to experts, learn how to identify different species and try out some of the techniques that scientists use to find out more about habitats and their inhabitants. Book onto a workshop or drop in on the day to have a go at counting the wildlife at Wandlebury.”
If you’d like to take part in Bioblitz Cambridge 2013 you can drop in at Wandlebury Country Park from 3pm to 9pm on Friday night or on Saturday from 6am to 3pm, when the audit will conclude. NB: Some workshops will be taking place after dark and booking is required. For the full list of workshops and to book go to: http://www.museum.zoo.cam.ac.uk/events/bioblitz.cambridge.2013/ or call: 01223 243830 extension 205.
Results of Bioblitz Cambridge 2013 will be published after the numbers have been evaluated. NB: Parking at Wandlebury costs £2.50 or is free if you are a member of CambridgePPF. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please wear sturdy shoes and dress according to the weather.
Existing media files: A short film of Bioblitz at Cambridge in 2013 was filmed by the Bluesci film unit and is available online: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LilZbRc6BjA&feature=plcp
About the University Museum of Zoology, Cambridge: The University Museum of Zoology, Cambridge houses an extensive collection of scientifically important zoological material designated as being of outstanding national and international significance by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. As part of the Department of Zoology it is also home to a thriving research community. The collections date back to 1814 and in 1865 the Museum moved into a new building on the New Museums Site. This was replaced in the late 1960s, early 1970s by the current ARUP building with open, modern displays illustrating the diversity of animal life. The Museum has received initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the 'Animals Galore - preserving and safeguarding diversity' project, to develop plans to apply for a full grant of nearly £1.6 million at a later date. In preparation for the proposed major redevelopment work ahead, the Museum is currently closed to the public. The Cambridge BioBlitz is part of the outreach programme of the Museum, which also includes the running of a popular Young Zoologists Club, Zoology Club and participation in events and visits to schools around the city.
About CambridgePPF: Founded as Cambridge Preservation Society in 1928, CambridgePPF is a registered charity campaigning to keep Cambridge and its surroundings special by positively influencing planning developments, delivering environmental education and managing the green spaces and historic buildings in its care. Its diverse property portfolio includes Wandlebury Country Park and its Iron Age Ring; Coton Countryside Reserve; Barnwell Leper Chapel; Bourn Windmill plus various wildlife sites and historic buildings. Key achievements include protecting sites such as Grantchester Meadows, the Gog Magog Hills and Wandlebury Estate from development and helping to establish the Cambridge Green Belt in the 1960s. CambridgePPF has a growing membership, which makes a vital contribution to the cost of conserving, managing and developing its sites. With its HQ at Wandlebury, the charity has a mix of busy full and part-time staff and is run by a Board of Trustees together with Advisory Committees staffed by dedicated volunteers. For more information about the charity and benefits of membership: www.cambridgeppf.org
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