It’s that time of the year again – Ontario BioBlitz time! This year we will be surveying the Credit River Watershed. A number of BIO staff along with researchers, students and citizen scientists are volunteering their time this weekend – June 11 and 12th, 2016 – to try to find as many species as they can. The event is hosted by the Riverwood Conservancy this year, in Mississauga at Riverwood Park. Continue reading “Ontario BioBlitz at Riverwood Conservancy and the Credit River Watershed”
Category: Education and Outreach
Entomological Society of Ontario Conference 2015
This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending the Entomological Society of Ontario’s Annual General Meeting, this year held at the Queen’s University Biological Station (QUBS). Allison and I were invited to speak at the meeting and bring the BIObus along so everyone could learn how we promote insects, biodiversity and science to the public. Continue reading “Entomological Society of Ontario Conference 2015”
Messing Around With Monarchs
Hello my faithful readers,
I just got back from a fun filled weekend in Bruce Peninsula where we were trying to capture monarchs with the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy. Unfortunately the Queen narrowly avoided escape but we did manage to catch about 40 monarch butterflies. Our goal was to tag their wings with a small sticker which would help researchers track the monarch migration. Continue reading “Messing Around With Monarchs”
Plenty of Pollinators and Ample Amphipods: Georgian Bay Islands and Six Mile Lake
It is yet again time for a quick update on the comings and goings of the BIObus! Thanushi, Kate and I spent this past week visiting and sampling in three different parks: Six Mile Lake Provincial Park, Georgian Bay Islands National Park and Awenda Provincial Park. With glorious weather and beautiful sample sites, it was the perfect week for aquatic sampling. Continue reading “Plenty of Pollinators and Ample Amphipods: Georgian Bay Islands and Six Mile Lake”
Natural Wonders of the Ausable-Bayfield Watershed, with a Little Bit of Outreach
Welcome to another rendition of my blog where you will hear incredible stories about our adventures in the Canadian wilderness.
On June 29, a few of us from BIO teamed up with Pinery Provincial Park and the surrounding Ausable-Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) to collect, sort and maintain samples of aquatic and soil invertebrates to help construct the DNA barcode library. This will allow us to someday assess the biotic integrity of the Ausable-Bayfield Watershed by sequencing the environmental DNA in a water or soil sample. Continue reading “Natural Wonders of the Ausable-Bayfield Watershed, with a Little Bit of Outreach”
Ontario Bioblitz – Don River Watershed
Hey everyone,
If you’ve ever wondered how scientists that study animals and plants do their work, then getting involved in a BioBlitz is a great way to discover this! Continue reading “Ontario Bioblitz – Don River Watershed”
Mussels and Muffins
On September 12, a few of us from BIO teamed up with the Ausable-Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) for their ‘Mussels and Muffins’ event in Ailsa Craig. A number of ABCA biologists including Hope Brock and Kari Jean, organized and led a fantastic outreach event for a large group of local high school students and community members. Continue reading “Mussels and Muffins”
Heating up the Hot Springs
Kootenay National Park is a long, thin park with the highway running down the middle through a large valley and with mountains rising up on either side. The valley is made up of coniferous forest and it is very susceptible to forest fires. Following the highway up through the park, you pass through an old, forested area and then suddenly you pass into a huge burnt area full of dead trees from the highway right up to the treeline on the mountains on both sides. Continue reading “Heating up the Hot Springs”
Getting Into the Sweep of Things
Greetings everyone, this is Nate Jones. This summer I have been fortunate enough to be part of the BIObus crew for my first time. I have a keen interest for nature and all things wild. I am feeling very comfortable, here in Northern British Columbia, where there is no shortage of wildlife and boasts a vast array of plant life. I feel like I am right in my element and I am eager to learn about the native flora and fauna. Continue reading “Getting Into the Sweep of Things”
Outreach and Odonates
Hello again! Today was our second last day on Pender Island, and we spent it mostly doing outreach in various places. Our time at the park has been fantastic, and I would have to say that it is my favourite park so far. The small island community of about 3,000 people has shown itself to be friendly and trustworthy. Continue reading “Outreach and Odonates”
