If you are a Saskatchewan resident who wants to help nature but are not sure what to do, then the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) has you covered with a fun event that promotes knowledge and conservation.
During the August long weekend, the NCC will be holding their third-annual Big Backyard BioBlitz. For this event families and individuals are encouraged to enjoy and document the nature around them.
“Everyone is invited to participate. It is a great way for people of all ages to look at nature more closely and learn about biodiversity close to home,” said Kayla Burak, engagement program manager with NCC in Saskatchewan. “Spending time outdoors is also beneficial for our physical and mental well-being. The Big Backyard BioBlitz event is a great incentive to connect with nature and fellow nature lovers while contributing to our collective knowledge of plants, animals, and other species in Canada.”
Whether you are at one of our national parks, or you are sitting in your backyard, people can snap photos of the species they see and submit their observations to the NCC. This is one of the largest crowd-sourced species inventories in Canada. They compile all the critical information on species populations and locations for scientists and conservation planners. The NCC hopes that the information gathered will help plan future protection and restoration efforts in our country.
“Whether you log an invasive plant like glossy buckthorn, or a rare bird like the red knot, every entry counts,” Burak said. “Using iNaturalist can provide valuable information such as locating species outside of their usual range or where invasive species are encroaching. This information can be used to identify important habitat for protecting at-risk species.”
More than 6,500 participants logged over 36,000 observations across Canada during last year’s event.
Once you have registered you will receive a step-by-step guide on how to participate, information about species identification, photography tips, and an automatic entry to win a Big Backyard BioBlitz prize pack. To register for the Big Backyard BioBlitz go to www.backyarbrioblitz.com and register at any time.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) has brought Canadians together to conserve and restore more than fifteen million hectares since 1962. The NCC seeks solutions to the twin crises of rapid biodiversity loss and climate change through large-scale conservation. To learn more about the NCC visit natureconservancy.ca.
