2015 UC Berkeley Sagehen Creek Field Station BioBlitz

Welcome to the 2015 BioBlitz!

You bring your smart phone and tons of enthusiasm. We’ll rally some experts and folks who know Sagehen Creek Basin. Together we’ll make some science!

A BioBllitz is a detailed study of biodiversity in a specific location over a specified period of time, bringing experts and volunteers together. We’ll look for birds, mammals, reptiles, butterflies, insects, spiders, trees, and flowers. People of all ages and skill levels are welcome!

Bring your smart phone for sure. Bonus: camera, binoculars and magnifying glasses. We’ll enter observations in iNaturalist and maintain eBird lists. To check out some of the cool stuff we may see click here. Don't have an iNat account yet? No problem! Sign up for an iNaturalist account, then download the app: iPhone, Android. Want a little more help? Check out these videos. iNaturalist.org Video Tutorials:

Full Event Details

On the day of the event, groups of 5-10 participants will be paired with a California Naturalist who will guide you to your zone and assist with making observations using your smart phones or a camera. You may also be joined by an additional expert in plants, insects or birds. You can choose to participate in any or all of the following acitivites when you register. All participants, regardless of age, need to register.

Pre-Event Practice Session: 10-1pm, Saturday, June 20th, Sagehen Creek Field Station-Meet at the Entrance gate at 10am. Not required, but available for those who want the practice or have technical questions.

Plants, Bugs and Butterflies: 1-5pm, Saturday, July 11, Family Friendly, Difficulty level: Moderate-walking on uneven terrain through meadow and forest with limited distance and modest up/down.

Free BBQ for BioBlitz Participants at the Field Station: 5-7pm, Saturday, July 11-If you plan to attend, be sure to check this box when you register.

Insects, Moths and Nightjars: 8-10pm, Saturday, July 11, Youth 13 and older welcome with an adult. Easy-mostly standing and observing (or recording sound for Nighthjars) in a single location of flat ground.

Birds: 8-11am, Sunday, July 12, Youth 13 and older welcome with an adult. Moderate-walking on uneven terrain through meadow and forest with limited distance and modest up/down.

Plants, Bugs and Butterflies: 9-12pm, Sunday, July 12, Family Friendly, Difficulty level: Moderate-walking on uneven terrain through meadow and forest with limited distance and modest up/down.

FAQs

Is there an age limit for participation?

We recommend that families with youth under 13 yrs take advantage of our designated Family Friendly Data Collection Periods which are Saturday, July 11, 1-5pm and/or Sunday, July 12, 9-12pm.

What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?

Please carpool! Carpool on your way to the event or carpool from the front gate down the mile-long dirt road to Station Headquarters. Parking is extremely limited so keep your eyes open for fellow participants and coordinate your rides into the Station. When you do park your vehicle, please keep the roadway clear. There should be enough room for one of those huge fire trucks to get by your car. The dirt entrance road is passable for passenger vehicles, but please drive slowly (10mph or less) to keep dust from building up on nearby vegetation that may be a part of on-going research at the Station. Directions to UC Berkeley's Sagehen Creek Field Station click here.

What can/can't I bring to the event?

Please bring everything you, your family and friends need to be out in the field for 2 hours including sturdy shoes, hat, sunscreen, water bottle, snack and an extra layer in case it is cool. Be prepared for mosquitos and bring a flashlight if you are doing the night collection period. You will also need a smart phone (preferred) or camera and set up your iNaturalist account before the event. Please leave family pets at home. Thank you!

Are there facilities at the Field Station?

Yes, at Headquarters there are restrooms (please be gentle with the plumbing), places to sit in the shade and a place to fill your water bottle. There are also bunk houses if you wish to stay overnight, but a reservation is required and there is a fee. Go to http://sagehen.ucnrs.org . A primitive USFS campground is located nearby or you can stay in Truckee, CA which is only 12 miles away.

What if I want to practice before the event or have more questions?

We have scheduled a BioBlitz Practice Session on June 20th, 10am-1pm, Sagehen Creek Field Station-Meet at the entrance gate at 10am. This is the best time to get one-on-one assistance prior to the event.

Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?

For additional questions, please email sagehen.programs@gmail.com and use the subject heading: BioBlitz.

Is my registration/ticket transferrable?

No. We appreciate you taking the time to update your registration if you can't attend. It's easy to cancel your registration from your Eventbrite account. Just log in to Eventbrite, go to the My Tickets page, and locate your order. Select "Manage Order" to view your order details, and then select "Cancel Order" to cancel your registration. You will be sent an email confirming the cancelation.

Tip: You can only cancel your registration from a desktop computer—not on a mobile device.

Thank you!