The Pierce County Biodiversity Alliance needs interested and accomplished
birders to aid in the Bioblitz 2007 of the Lower White River (near Auburn).
Read below for details...



"Please join the Pierce County Biodiversity Alliance for BioBlitz 2007:
Lower White River. Many of you participated in last year's BioBlitz. It
was a very fun event and quite successful in terms of wildlife and habitat
inventory. An overview is provided at:
http://www.fish.washington.edu/naturemapping/pierce_county.html.

Formally designated the Lower White River Biodiversity Management Area
(BMA), this region is an incredible mix of habitat. Dominated by riparian
hardwood, the habitat also includes abundant wetlands, flood channels,
seeps, and grasslands. Because of the size of the survey area, there is a
need for several BioBlitz events.

This year's BioBlitz will focus on filling in the gaps from last year's
event. We will be surveying sites that are more urban, but still important
to the wildlife that live there. Additionally, we will be targeting several
species that we believe should be found in the BMA but were not recorded
during last year's survey. The BioBlitz will occur on Saturday, April 21
from 6:00am to 6:00pm. Team leads will do some additional surveys before
and after. Taxa that will be surveyed include: mammal, bird, amphibian,
reptile, invertebrate, fish, and plant.

Also this year, in conjunction with the survey work, we will host a special
event commemorating Earth Day which will highlight the biological diversity
of the Lower White River area. We will be inviting the public and members
of the media to Science Central for the latter part of the day to heighten
their awareness of the natural world and offer ways to help support
biodiversity in their own backyard.

So, the 2007 BioBlitz has three objectives. First, to continue to validate
the species predicted to inhabit the area based on modeling conducted as
part of our larger Pierce County Biodiversity Network Project. Second, to
engage community members in discovering the biological richness of the
region. Third, to have a great field day for all participants in one of
Western Washington's most scenic areas.

This is an intensive event and our team participants work hard documenting
as many species as possible against the clock. The members of the Pierce
County Biodiversity Alliance and Puyallup River Watershed Council thank you
in advance for your assistance. What a great way to do something meaningful
for Earth Day! Please contact Michele Cardinaux at (253) 591-6439 if you
need additional information. Thank you!"









Gabriel Newton

University Place, WA

mailto:gnewton at tahomaaudubon.org