2014 WGP BioBlitz Schedule - March 15th and 16th (updated Mar 13)
NOTE: Some events are FULL! 

Outreach Events - All events are free, but you must RSVP using the form below.

Saturday and Sunday - Flora and Fauna of the Big Bend, exhibit by Dr. Linda Tyson (Santa Fe College). Professor Tyson and her honors biology students from SFC will display the bounteous botanical and zoological wonders of Florida's Gulf Coast ecosystems, sharing hundreds of samples of rare and common birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and plants. Displays will be staffed with from 9:00 - 5:00 each day, so stop by to see the collection Professor Tyson has been curating for over 20 years!
Location: WGP Courtyard (marsh side) and Education Center (2nd floor)

Saturday, 9:00 AM - Plant Lore: the History of Florida's Coastal Flora, led by Lars Andersen (Adventure Outpost). Florida naturalist and explorer Lars Andersen will enchant you with tales of the historical and medicinal uses of Florida's coastal flora and  teach you how to recognize common edible plant species during a walk through the WGP.
SORRY! The event is full!
Duration: 1.5 hours
Meeting Place: WGP Courtyard (marsh side)
Recommended Supplies: Field gear (water, sunblock, hat, hiking shoes/boots, etc.), notebook, camera

Saturday, 1:00 PM - Paddle the Estuary, led by Lars Andersen (Adventure Outpost) and UF Students.  Florida naturalist and explorer Lars Andersen and UF students Sean Sharp and Katie Glodzik will lead paddlers through the marshes and tidal creeks of the WGP, helping you spot wading birds, osprey and a variety of marsh flora.  You may provide your own boat or reserve a spot in kayak using the form below (while available).
SORRY! The event is full!
Duration: 3 - 4  hours
Meeting Place: WGP front entrance 
Recommended Supplies: Field gear (water, sunblock, hat, water shoes, etc.), notebook, camera (optional, in a waterproof bag), binoculars

Sunday, 7:00 AM - Birds of the WGP, led by Mary Keith  (Tampa Audubon Society/Hillsborough County Extension). Join birding guru Mary Keith as she leads you through ornithological wonderland of the  WGP, pointing out migrating warblers, shorebirds, and perhaps even the elusive clapper rail! Mary will have a spotting scope for close up views (if the birds cooperate). 
Duration: 2 hours
Meeting Place: WGP Courtyard (marsh side) 
Recommended Supplies: Field gear (water, sunblock, hat, hiking shoes/boots, etc.), binoculars, notebook, camera

Sunday, 9:00 AM - Intro to Plant ID and Plant Walk, led by Amy Langston (UF). Participants will learn the basics of plant identification during a short presentation and then have the chance to use their new ID skills to observe the botanical diversity of the WGP. No previous experience necessary.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Meeting Place: Second floor, WGP Education Center
Recommended Supplies: Field gear (water, sunblock, hat, hiking shoes/boots, etc.), notebook, camera

Sunday, 9:00 AM - Mapping Sea-Level Rise, led by Nicholas Digruttolo (UF). Participants will learn basic surveying techniques and use their newly acquired skills to map out areas of the WGP that will be inundated by different levels of sea-level rise over the next 100 years. No previous experience necessary.
Volunteer Slots Available: 4
Duration: 1 hour
Meeting Place: Picnic area west of the WGP education center
Recommended Supplies: Field gear (water, sunblock, hat, hiking shoes/boots, etc.), notebook, camera

Sunday, 11:00 AM - Mapping Sea-Level Rise, led by Nicholas Digruttolo (UF). Participants will learn basic surveying techniques and use their newly acquired skills to map out areas of the WGP that will be inundated by different levels of sea-level rise over the next 100 years. No previous experience necessary.
Volunteer Slots Available: 4
Duration: 1 hour
Meeting Place: Picnic area west of the WGP education center
Recommended Supplies: Field gear (water, sunblock, hat, hiking shoes/boots, etc.), notebook, camera

Sunday, 1:00 PM - Mapping Sea-Level Rise, led by Nicholas Digruttolo (UF). Participants will learn basic surveying techniques and use their newly acquired skills to map out areas of the WGP that will be inundated by different levels of sea-level rise over the next 100 years. No previous experience necessary.
SORRY! The event is full!
Duration: 1 hour
Meeting Place: Picnic area west of the WGP education center
Recommended Supplies: Field gear (water, sunblock, hat, hiking shoes/boots, etc.), notebook, camera

Species Inventories - RSVP required! Use contact form below and event leader will contact you.

Friday through Sunday - Herpetofauna and Invertebrate Surveys, led by Paul Moler (FL FWC). Volunteers will scour the WGP collecting and identifying terrestrial (land-dwelling) reptiles and amphibians as well as macroinvertebrates (with a focus on SPIDERS!). Note: volunteer spots are filled. 
SORRY! The event is full!
Duration: 2 days 
Meeting Place: WGP parking lot

Saturday, 9:00 AM - Botanical Inventory, led by Dr. Colette Jacono (UF). Volunteers will learn plant surveying techniques, specimen collection, and other inventory basics before heading off to document the WGP's vascular flora in as many of its ecological communities as we can.  Teams will regroup in the afternoon to identify, press, and voucher their plant specimens and to share observations and findings.  
No previous experience necessary!
Volunteer Slots Available: 9 (we'll work in pairs)
Duration: 1 day
Meeting Place: WGP parking lot
Recommended Supplies: Field gear (sunblock, hat, shoes/boots that will work in muck as well as dry, long sleeves, long pants, bug spray etc.). Bring your notebook, field guides and keys, camera and if possible, a GPS.  Plan on food and water to fuel a full day.

Saturday, 10:30 AM - Tidal Creek Seine, led by Tom Ankersen (UF), Richard Hamann (UF) and Leroy Creswell (Florida SeaGrant). Participants will  use seine nets to document aquatic fauna within a tidal creek. Knowledge of estuarine fish and invertebrates is a plus, but not required. 
SORRY! The event is full!
Duration: 2 hours 
Meeting Place: WGP Courtyard (marsh side)
Required Supplies: Field gear (water, sunblock, hat, water shoes, etc.)

Saturday, 2:30 PM - Tidal Creek Seine, led by Tom Ankersen (UF), Richard Hamann (UF) and Leroy Creswell (Florida SeaGrant). Participants will use seine nets to document aquatic fauna within a tidal creek. Knowledge of estuarine fish and invertebrates is a plus, but not required. 
SORRY! The event is full!
Duration: 2 hours 
Meeting Place: WGP Courtyard (marsh side)
Required Supplies: Field gear (water, sunblock, hat, water shoes, etc.)

Sunday, 6:45 AM - WGP Bird Inventory, led by Adam and Gina Kent (Avian Research and Conservation Institute). Volunteers will observe and document the spectacular avian diversity of the WGP under the guidance of ornithologists Adam and Gina Kent. The survey will start just before dawn on Sunday morning and participants are encouraged to camp at the WGP the night before to ensure an early start. Volunteers with birding experience are encouraged to join the inventory, however no experience is necessary--Adam and Gina will provide background and instructions. 
Volunteer Slots Available: 4
Duration: 8 hours
Meeting Place: WGP Parking Lot  
Recommended Supplies: Field gear (water, sunblock, hat, hiking shoes/boots, long sleeves, long pants, bug sprayetc.), lunch, a snack, binoculars, notebook, camera

Sunday, 8:00 AM - Intertidal Invertebrate Species Inventory, led by Rebecca Squibb and Elliot Hart (UF). Participants will collect samples in the intertidal zone of creeks and marshes to document the WGP's diverse invertebrate fauna. All critters will be returned to their habitats alive.  No previous experience is necessary. 
Volunteer Slots Available: 4
Duration: 3 hours 
Meeting Place: WGP Courtyard (marsh side)
Required Supplies: Field gear (water, sunblock, hat, etc.), camera. Plan to bring knee boots or footwear you don't mind getting wet and dirty

Sunday, 9:00 AM - Island Tree Survey, led by Dr. David Kaplan (UF). Participants will kayak to offshore islands within the WGP to document living and dead trees and record island elevations relative to the water level. Volunteers should have some knowledge of common FL tree species and experience kayaking in the Gulf (some kayaks MAY be available at the site). 
SORRY! The event is full!
Duration: 2-4 hours 
Meeting Place: WGP Courtyard (marsh side)
Required Supplies: Field gear (water, sunblock, hat, water shoes, etc.)

Sunday, 10:30 AM - Tidal Creek Seine, led by Tom Ankersen (UF), Richard Hamann (UF) and Leroy Creswell (Florida SeaGrant). Participants will use seine nets to document aquatic fauna within a tidal creek. Knowledge of estuarine fish and invertebrates is a plus, but not required. 
SORRY! The event is full!
Duration: 2 hours 
Meeting Place: WGP Courtyard (marsh side)
Required Supplies: Field gear (water, sunblock, hat, water shoes, etc.)

    *To register for an Outreach Event, enter your contact information below and specify which events you would like to attend. Also note if you would like to reserve a kayak for the Saturday paddle. 

    *To RSVP as a BioBlitz Species Inventory Volunteer, enter your contact information below. Specify which inventory you are interested in joining and list any relevant experience.