Date: Saturday, May 1, 2021
Join the Orange County Land Trust for a Mini-BioBlitz, an engaging and educational citizen-science effort aimed at identifying as many species of plant and animal life at the Land Trust’s 150-acre Moonbeams Preserve.
Various sessions focusing on a category of habitat, flora, and/or fauna will take place throughout the day. At the conclusion of the event, all observations and data will be published and publicly available on the iNaturalist mobile app.
Sessions
Birds
with Jim Van Gelder
8am-10am
This session will be led by Jim Van Gelder, birding guide and board member of the Orange County Audubon Society. Participants will help identify as many bird species as possible within two hours. Results will be documented and collected by group leaders and/or OCLT staff.
Stream Life & Insects
with Dr. Walter Jahn
10:30am-12:30pm
Led by Dr. Walter Jahn of the SUNY Orange Biology Department, this session will focus on identifying as many aquatic and terrestrial species along the Shawangunk Kill as possible within two hours. Results will be documented and collected by group leaders and/or OCLT staff.
Plants: Meadow and Forest Floor
with Rich Pillar
1pm-3pm
Plant guide Rich Pillar and co-leader Melissa Peterson will lead this session focusing on identifying understory and herbaceous plants. Results will be documented and collected by group leaders and/or OCLT staff.
Trees and Shrubs
with Matt Decker
3:30pm-5:30pm
Led by the Orange County Land Trust’s Director of Conservation and Stewardship, Matt Decker, this session will focus on identifying as many species of trees and shrubs as possible within two hours. Results will be documented and collected by group leaders and/or OCLT staff.
Moths, Slugs & Nighttime Insects
with Jason Crockwell
7pm-9pm
Led by Jason Crockwell, this 2-hour session will focus on identifying slugs, moths, and other nighttime insects. Results will be documented and collected by group leaders and/or OCLT staff.
