BioBlitz Events
- Event Locations
- Opening Ceremony
- Nature Walk
- Junior BioBlitz
- Shadow a Scientist
- Biodiversity Presentations & Roundtable Discussions
- Keynote Speaker
- Closing Ceremony
- Thank-You Reception
Download a registration form to register for BioBlitz events! Send completed form to emily@groundworkhv.org or fax to (914) 375-2153 (Registration is encouraged, but not required.)
Event Locations
All Friday events will be held at The Science Barge, at the end of Dock Street, Yonkers
All Saturday events will be held at Pace University, Pleasantville campus.
For directions to events, please see Directions on the above navigator bar.
FRIDAY
September 25 – The Science Barge, end of Dock St., Yonkers
Opening Ceremonies, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Join us when Yonkers’ municipal officials “release” the scientists into the watershed. River seining at the mouth of the river will be conducted.
SATURDAY
September 26 – Pace University, Pleasantville campus
Nature Walk of Wild Campus Areas, 11AM
Meet at Kessel Student Center Information Booth, 15 minutes prior to start.
The Nature tour will mimic the scientists' BioBlitz activities —finding as many species—plants, trees, insects, birds, “critters,”—as possible on the campus during the walk. Nature tours will be led by local naturalists and will last approximately 1 ½ hours. Please do not wear flip-flops! Registration is encouraged, not required.
Please email emily@groundworkhv.org with name, email, phone, time preferred, and number of people. We will post notices if the slots are filled. We will also have site registration at the Information Booth, Keesler Student Center, Pace University if there are still openings. Signs will be posted at the entrance to the campus for the student center and the location of the Information Booth. Directions will be posted for this and other events under “Directions” at the top navigation bar.
Junior BioBlitz, 1pm-5pm (Runs concurrently with adult program. Participation welcome throughout the afternoon.)
Sign In at Information Booth in Kessel Student Center
Participants will survey wild sections of the Pace University campus with assistance from professors, graduate students & naturalists to identify species. Family-friendly program of exploration, collection and identification, and interesting nature crafts. Meet in at Pace University’s Kessel Student Center. Registration is encouraged, not required.
Please email emily@groundworkhv.org with student name, adult name & email, phone number, and time preferred. We will post notices if the slots are filled. We will also have site registration at the Information Booth, Keesler Student Center, Pace University. Signs will be posted at the entrance to the campus for the student center and the location of the Information Booth. Directions will be posted for this and other events under “Directions” at the top navigation bar.
Shadow a Scientist, Opportunities Available All Day Saturday
If you are interested in shadowing a scientist, please send your name, adult in household name, email, telephone number, grade in the fall 09, and species of interest (if you have one) to emily@groundworkhv.org. If possible, we will link you to a scientist in your field of interest who you can observe in the filed during the BioBlitz. There will be a limited number of “shadowing” positions for high school students to accompany scientists during their field work.
Biodiversity Presentations & Roundable Discussions, 1:00 – 5:00 pm
Kessel Student Center
Why Your Backyard Matters--Creating a Regional Bioscape – 1 PM
Fred Koontz, Executive Director, Teatown Lake Reservation. Mr. Koontz will emphasize the importance of backyards to biodiversity and stress that parks and preserves can no longer be the only protector of species.
"Home Rule" for Biodiversity--Success Stories of the Hudson Valley – 2 PM
Laura Heady, Biodiversity Outreach Coordinator, NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation. Laura will showcase New York towns with good habitat species protections in place in their municipal codes.
What Do We Want to do in OUR Village?--Roundtable Discussions – 2:30-3:45 PM
Municipal officials (trustees, planning board & conservation advisory board members) will lead roundtable discussions for each watershed village/town. Key questions will be given for responses by each roundtable. Public and students will observe and then have a chance to comment. Ideas from each village will be shared.
Keynote Speaker, 4:00-5:00pm
Climate Change: Causes, Impacts, and What to Do, Dr. William Schlesinger, President, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies.
Kessel Student Center
Dr. Schlesinger will focus on what climate change will mean to our local biodiversity, what people can do locally to assist species, and why biodiversity of species is so important to human health.
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Closing Ceremony, 5:00 – 5:30 pm
Featuring Birds of Prey Demonstration, Kessel Student Center
The total number of species that have been recorded during the last 24 hours will be announced. Pace University Professor Jim Eyring will do a special presentation of his Birds of Prey helping celebrate the species count.
Public Thank-You Reception for Field Scientists
5:30 – 6:30 pm, Kessel Student Center
After the celebration of the species, we ask you to come and help us thank the scientists for FINDING all of them!
Sponsor a Scientist!
Thank you to those who donated to the scientists who identified over 650 different species within the Saw Mill River Watershed!
We ask you to please continue your support so that we can further connect communities to the biodiversity in their own backyards. We hope to organize another Junior BioBlitz after the great success of the September event.
Latest News
Please click on the "Media" tab for press coverage of the event.
We are still processing data. Stay tuned for a detailed report of our results! For a preliminary list click on the "Research" tab.
Learn more about BioBlitz Scientists.
Download a copy of our September newsletter.
Download a copy of our July newsletter.
Important Dates
Please check back for future BioBlitz-related events.
