The community is invited to create a snapshot of biodiversity Indian Creek Nature Center is holding its first-ever BioBlitz across our trails and grounds between June 25 and July 1.
What’s a BioBlitz? It’s a community-sourced science project to discover, observe and track the variety of the plants and animals living across the nearly 500 acres of restored woodlands, prairies and wetlands the Nature Center protects. Each day visitors will be encouraged to explore a new part of our grounds, including a day at our newly established Věčný Trail.
Community members can participate for free simply by visiting Indian Creek Nature Center at 5300 Otis Road SE any day of the event and using the free iNaturalist app, or just pen and paper, to track what they find. The collective findings of the community will help our environment by providing our land management team with valuable information on the health and biodiversity of our grounds.
Plus, visitors can make observations without any prior experience. The Nature Center headquarters, Amazing Space, will be open and staffed for extended hours from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. every day of the BioBlitz. As visitors explore the trails and grounds they’ll also find volunteers and staff who are available to help visitors use the app and identify the plants and animals they discover.
If a visitor wants to learn more about identifying different species they can register for a free How to ID Session. These sessions, led by local identification experts, allow participants to gain a deeper knowledge of a class of species and the area’s biodiversity.
Another Nature Center first that’s happening during the BioBlitz is the availability of track chairs that increase access to nature for anyone with mobility issues, permanent or temporary. Track chairs are a type of wheelchair with tank-like tracks designed for off-road terrain instead of wheels. This allows guests previously limited by their mobility access to explore further into our trail system than ever before. These chairs are often used by people with disabilities looking to enjoy nature and the Nature Center is excited to bring this opportunity to the Cedar Rapids community. Track chairs can be reserved ahead of time by calling (319) 362-0664 or can be checked out when BioBlitz visitors arrive, if they’re not already reserved.
As if this wasn’t enough excitement for the week, we will have Z102.9-KZIA broadcasting live from our patio to help kick off the BioBlitz. Tune in or stop by to be part of the live broadcast from noon through 3 p.m. Sunday, June 25.
Indian Creek Nature Center is grateful for our sponsors Collins Aerospace, Frontier Co-op, GreenState Credit Union and Sunrise Builders for their support. You can find more information about the BioBlitz, including a schedule, links to register for How to ID Sessions and more at indiancreeknaturecenter.org/50th-anniversary/bioblitz.
Sunday, June 25
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. – Blitz Area: Cedar Overlook and Woodland Trails
Noon to 3 p.m. – Z102.9 Live Remote Broadcast from ICNC Patio
3 p.m. – How to ID Session – Trees
Monday, June 26
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. – Blitz Area: Cedar Rapids Prairie and Stimple Prairie
2 p.m. – How to ID Session – Butterflies
6 p.m. – How to ID Session – Wildflowers
Tuesday, June 27
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. -Blitz Area: Wood Duck Way
10 a.m. – How to ID Session – Dragonflies
6 p.m. to 7p.m. – Practice in the Prairie (free yoga series)
Wednesday, June 28
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. – Blitz Area: Cedar Overlook and Woodland Trails
Noon – How to ID Session – Trees
Thursday, June 29
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. – Blitz Area: Věčný Woods
1 p.m. – How to ID Session – Woodland Understory
3 p.m. – How to ID Session – Birds
5 p.m. – How to ID Session – Trees
8:45 p.m. – How to ID Session – Insects
Friday, June 30
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. – Blitz Area: Bena Prairie and Christiansen Prairie
Saturday, July 1
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. – Blitz Area: Lynch Wetland
6 a.m. to noon – How to ID Session – Birds