Sunday, May 2

All-day

Celebrate biodiversity at BioBlitz!

During this family-friendly event, you will work with scientists, educators, and naturalists to document the biodiversity at Cumming Nature Center. Spend the day identifying, collecting, and recording as many species of plants and animals as possible throughout our 900-acre preserve.

Along the way, you will learn fascinating facts, develop your naturalist skills, and grow in gratitude for the diverse species that create the unique and vibrant ecosystem that we call home!

At BioBlitz you can:

• Join a hike (or two! or three!) with an expert guide to collect field data and identify plant and animal species
• Hone your observational skills by participating in hands-on activities and exploring citizen science opportunities
• Engage with experts to ask your questions about the natural world
• Help us visualize biodiversity and the data we collect throughout the day with a collaborative art project

Kid-friendly activities will be available, so pack a picnic and plan to stay for the whole day!

BUY TICKETS

Hike Schedule

9:00am - Birds 

9:30am - Birds

9:30am - Amphibians

10:00am - Wetland Ecology

10:30am - Birds

10:30am - Spring Ephemerals 

11:00am - Birds 

11:00am - Macroinvertebrates

11:30am - Nature Journaling

12:00pm - Useful Plants

12:00pm - Beaver Ecology

12:30pm - Mosses

1:00pm - Ferns

1:30pm - Trees

1:30pm - Macroinvertebrates

2:00pm - Amphibians

2:30pm - Mosses 

3:00pm - Trees 

3:00pm - Beaver Ecology

3:30pm - Invasives

4:00pm - Fungi

*hike schedule may change

Activity Stations

BASE CAMP
Chat with experts, help identify species, and check in on the list of found species as it grows throughout the day!

TREE OF LIFE
Explore the evolutionary relationships between species through a large-scale phylogenetic tree and help us mark each species that we find at Cumming Nature Center throughout the day.

TAKE-HOME PHENOLOGY WHEEL
What day did you first hear spring peepers? When did the first dandelion bloom? Phenology is the study of seasonal changes, and this take-home phenology wheel will give you a place a record your observations all year as the landscape changes around you. Perfect for children and adults alike!

BIODIVERSITY MANDALA
Help us create a visualization of biodiversity by adding a found object to the mandala! Throughout the day, this community-created project will morph and grow as disparate objects interact to form an integrated, balanced whole. 

ANIMAL TRACKS & SIGNS
Have you ever taken a hike and wondered, "where are all the animals?" This station will open your eyes to the lives around you, as you explore the mammals of Cumming Nature Center through their tracks and other signs!

WOODLAND WINDOW
How many species are present in a single square meter of woodland? What are the processes at play between soil, leaf litter, tree canopy, and sky? Hone your naturalist skills by sitting at one of our Woodland Window sites and taking the time to pay attention and observe the diversity of life around you. We'll provide observation aids and a bench - you provide the inquisitive mind!

STORY WALK
Experience the magic of the forest through story! On this self-guided hike, storybook pages are hung at stations along the trail. Complete the trail to read the whole story.

AND MORE...

What is a BioBlitz?

BioBlitz combines the fun of a festival with the thrill of scientific endeavor, as participants engage with local scientists, educators, and naturalists to record as many different species as possible in a natural area in one day. Activities include hikes led by experts, interactive educational stations, identification assistance, and more! Participants will help contribute to our understanding of the CNC landscape and the biodiversity of our region.