Plans have come together quickly for the Potter/Cameron County BioBlitz at Sinnemahoning State Park on Monday and Tuesday, May 20-21. Not only will participants collect scientific data, they’ll also raise awareness of natural resources and biological diversity while encouraging environmental stewardship. Hundreds of high school students will collaborate with scientists, naturalists to identify as many kinds of organisms as possible in at the park during the two days and one night of the event. Organizers are excited about the variety of habitats at the park, including the East Fork of Sinnemahoning Creek, Exceptional Value and Class A tributaries, an impoundment, vernal pools, ponds, swamps, marshes, grassy fields, woodlands and more.
A core planning committee is meeting and welcomes volunteers. Sinnemahoning State Park Superintendent Lisa Bainey is involved, as are the Potter and Cameron County Conservation Districts and educators from the high schools in Potter and Cameron counties.
A team of respected scientists and naturalists from museums, universities, state agencies, and conservation groups are committed to the project. Among participants will be Dr. William Shear (shown), a Coudersport native, who will be coming from Virginia to BioBlitz at Sinnemahoning State Park. He is a recognized authority on spiders.
BioBlitz offers a rare opportunity for students and teachers to be linked directly with the science team which will be using an interesting array of techniques for collecting data. Student groups will have an opportunity to enter their discoveries in the National Geographic Chesapeake Bay FieldScope GIS program on site. Website for the blitz is constantly being revised by graduate student Jen Gross. Address is: https://sites.google.com/site/sinnemahoningbioblitz/home.
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