HOPLAND 3/31/2017 — The bioblitz is coming back to the Hopland Research and Extension Center on April 7 and 8. Here’s a press release, with details about who’s talking about what, and when:
Bats, Birds and Venomous Animals in Hopland
Spring is here, flowers are blooming and wildlife abounds. The UC Hopland Research and Extension Center (HREC) is inviting the community to join a Hopland Bioblitz on April 7 and 8 to discover and record as many different species as possible.
“The concept of a bioblitz is to connect researchers, experts and the community in a combined effort to survey a specific piece of land over a set period of time,” said Hannah Bird, HREC community educator. “In our case we will be hiking a beautiful 2.4 mile trail on the University owned property taking us into oak woodland, through creeks and across grasslands on Saturday afternoon from 12 to 4.”
Speakers on a variety of subjects will discuss wildlife during Friday and Saturday, including:
- Rachael Long, UC Cooperative Extension advisor, children’s author and bat expert
- Andrés Muñoz-Sáez, (UC Berkeley) mammal researcher
- Robert Lane, (Professor, UC Berkeley) tick borne disease expert
- Lauren Esposito, arachnologist (spider and scorpion expert) from the California Academy of Sciences
- Mike Cardwell, wildlife biologist and venomous animal researcher
- Kate Marianchild, author of “Secrets of the Oak Woodlands”
- Members of the Peregrine Audubon Society, California Native Plant Society, California Naturalists and California Conservation Corps.
Visitors are encouraged to join the talks and walks during the weekend to hone their skills in wildlife identification, from frogs to ferns and much more. The events are suitable for a range of ages and experiences. All are encouraged to come and try their hand at discovering and recording species using a cell phone app called iNaturalist.
“Using tools like iNaturalist, which link us with a community of experts, allows us all to become citizen scientists,” Bird said. “Researchers only have so many pairs of eyes. Observations of species can be magnified greatly when the public get involved and submit their findings through an online platform.”
Photographers will have an opportunity to display their skills during a competition for the best pictures taken during the weekend. Prizes will be given not only for the best pictures of wildlife but also for pictures that express the wonder and awe of nature. The public will be invited to judge the photographs during the weeks following the bioblitz on the HREC website, http://hrec.ucanr.edu.
This is the second Hopland Bioblitz to be held at HREC following an academically focused event in April 2016, when 385 different species were recorded in 24 hours including one species of insect, a subterranean blind silverfish, which was new to science.
“We hope that this year’s community-focused bioblitz will include all those who enjoy getting outdoors and observing nature – from the roly poly researching toddler to the keen gardener, hiker or aspiring teen wildlife biologist,” Bird said.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 16 for all talks. The mini bioblitz on Saturday is free, but registration is required for all events. Register online by visiting the HREC website at http://bit.ly/HoplandBioblitz2017 or by calling Hannah Bird at (707) 744-1424, Ext. 105. The registration deadline is April 5. All events will begin at the Rod Shippey Hall, 4070 University Road, Hopland.
Due to the nature of the research with sheep and a commitment to using guard dogs as part of a predator control program, no dogs are allowed on UC ANR HREC for public events.
More on the Bioblitz schedule
April 7, 7-9 p.m.: Close Encounters of the Bat Kind
with Rachael Long (UC Agriculture and Natural Resources) and Andrés Muñoz-Sáez (UC Berkeley Merenlender Lab)Rachael Long is a children’s author and UCANR farm advisor with a particular interest in bats. Join Long to learn more about what species of bats live in our area and how they help our farmland. Following her talk we will spend time out in the field listening for the ultrasound chattering of bats with a bat detector. We will also have the chance to see local bats up close working with researcher, Andrés Muñoz-Sáez, who will be trying to catch and identify a few of these tiny flying mammals during the evening before returning them to the night sky. Please bring your flashlights. Suitable for those 6 years and over. Adults $10, Children under 16 $5
April 8, 7-9 a.m.: Bird watching
with Peregrine Audubon SocietyBob Keiffer and Chuck Vaughn share their vast knowledge of local bird life on this early morning hike. This event is suitable for older children and adults who are happy to walk and watch quietly and keenly. Bring your binoculars – limited pairs will be available to borrow from Hopland REC.
Adults $10, Children under 16 $5
April 8, 9 a.m. -12 p.m.: Spiders and Scorpions
with Lauren Esposito (California Academy of Sciences)Join Lauren Esposito, Ph.D., of the California Academy of Sciences to learn more about some of the creepy crawlies we often try to avoid. This talk and field session will begin at the Rod Shippey Hall and then continue outside to find some of these fascinating arachnids. Suitable for all ages.
Adults $10, Children under 16 $5
April 8, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.: Mini Bioblitz
with the California Conservation Corps and expert volunteersMeet entomologists, botanists and a host of other scientists and naturalists on a short exploration of the UC Hopland Research and Extension Center. Help to discover and identify as many species as possible and share your findings using the iNaturalist smart phone app.
Suitable for all ages, however the trail we will be using is not appropriate for strollers.
Free (registration required)
April 8, 4-6 p.m.: California’s Venomous Animals: Identification, Symptomatology and First Aid with Mike Cardwell
Snakes, spiders, wasps and scorpions – which ones should we worry about and which are harmless? Mike Cardwell, adjunct professor at Cal State Sacramento and an award-winning wildlife photographer, will talk about how to recognize the few venomous animals in California capable of producing medically-significant injuries in people, how to recognize symptoms and provide appropriate first aid. Suitable for those aged 16 and over.
$10
Hopland Bioblitz Package
Enjoy access to all talks and hikes accompanied by dinner of local organic produce with our speakers on April 7 and a packed lunch on April 8 prepared by Black Dog Farm Catering.
Adults $100, Children $50
More on the University of California Hopland Research and Extension Center:
The Hopland Research and Extension Center is a multi-disciplinary research and education facility run by the University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources Division. As stewards of more than 5,300 acres of oak woodland, grassland, chaparral, and riparian environments, research and education programs at the center aim to find better ways to manage our natural resources and conduct sustainable agricultural practices, through science, for the benefit of California’s citizens.
More on the University of California Cooperative Extension:
UC Cooperative Extension is best described as a vast network of UC researchers and educators who work together to develop and provide science-based information to solve locally relevant economic, agricultural, natural resource, youth development and nutrition issues.
UCCE advisors live and work in every California county, applying research from the University of California to help local businesses and entire communities thrive. In turn, our experts partner with local innovators to develop and disseminate best practices through UC’s expansive local and global networks. Some of our programs include 4-H Youth Development, UC Master Gardeners, California Naturalist, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education, and the Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program.
Contact: Hannah Bird, [email protected], (707) 744-1424, Ext. 105
