The Elling Eide Center Team-Challenge Bioblitz

Activity **Please note: this event is under development and certain details may change. We invite you to register early to secure your position. Event updates will be emailed to you as they become available.** The Elling Eide Center Team‑Challenge Bioblitz is a half‑day biodiversity survey where individuals or teams of up to six people document observations of living things using the citizen science platforms iNaturalist and/or eBird. Bioblitzes are a type of citizen science activity when the community joins together to document as many types of living thing within a specific area, during an intensive, usually 24-hour, time period. At the Eide Center, observations will be aggregated together for the Preserve, creating research-grade data that will help us track species richness, abundance, and phenology over time. Ultimately, this information will guide land management decisions at the Eide Preserve and conservation decisions more widely. If you have expertise in any certain taxa - plants, birds, insects, etc - we especially need your participation. Team Prizes Prizes will be awarded for teams in the following categories (tentative): 1. Highest Taxonomic Diversity (Grand Prize) - Awarded to the team that documents the widest range of taxa across plants, insects, birds, fungi, and more. 2. Most Research‑Grade Observations - Recognizes the team with the highest number of observations that reach research‑grade status through community or expert verification. 3. Rarest or Most Unexpected Species - Celebrates the team that documents a species that is unusual, under‑recorded, or ecologically significant for the area. 4. Community Spotlight Award - For the team that generates the most public engagement through social media posts before and during the event. Connects the bioblitz to broader visibility goals. Schedule (tentative): 6:30 AM - Gates open (you may arrive anytime after 6:30) 12:00 PM - Event ends Difficulty This activity will be easy, but will require walking on uneven surfaces and trails; vehicles are generally prohibited throughout the property. Participation will require a smartphone with the iNaturalist or eBird app. Do you have certain limitations or concerns you want to share? Accomodations may be possible - please share your needs with Lee at LeeAmos@ellingoeide.org. Cell-phone App Training Prior experience with iNaturalist or eBird is strongly encouraged. We are available for questions, but we do not intend to provide extensive instructions. Beginners are encouraged to use iNaturalist, not eBird, and to watch video tutorials ahead of the event, found here: https://inaturalist.freshdesk.com/en/support/solutions/folders/151000547795. Facilities Portable toilets will be onsite, along with seating areas for rest. Inclement Weather If the forecast includes rain, we will send a follow up email with further instructions. Attire Participants are required to wear closed-toe shoes. Long pants are strongly encouraged. Please bring adequate water, snacks, sunglasses, hats, sunscreen, bug spray, etc, in order to be comfortable.