Workshops for Kids Using The Bio Blitz Concept
I have set up a camp at the WNC Nature Center for kids from 12 to 16. We join with visiting state scientists for a documentation effort of our Appalachian flora and fauna called the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) along the Trillium Trail and Swannanoa River at the WNC Nature Center. Participants will research multiple forms of living organisms found on the property, which are then registered into the ATBI database. This will be presented using the Bio Blitz concept. All activities are based on scientific collection modules and will involve digging, seining, netting, and identifying species of mollusks, fungi, mammals, birds, fish, flowers, and ferns. As with any scientific research, we may find a new species not yet documented! This is the 4th year this camp has been held and it has been one of the most popular camps in town.
Due to the popularity of this camp, I would will be starting a series of workshops in the Highlands area using the Highlands Biological Station and it’s Nature Center and Highlands – Cashiers Land Trust.
This will allow students who are interested in science to work together on projects in the area using the Bio Blitz concept with the help of scientists and other experts. We are also on the lookout for other potential partners in our area.
Because photography is my profession, I have been incorporating this into the Bio Blitz concept. This allows interested students to learn techniques that they can use to photograph species and biodiversity. I am working with program called Meet Your Neighbors, which sets the techniques used by photographers from all over the world to document species inventory. We used this technique when we shoot the National Geographic Bio Blitz in Saguaro National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Jean Lafitte National Park in New Orleans, and Golden Gate National Park, CA.