Indian Creek Bio-Blitz set for this weekend

Curious about nature?

Come be a part of the free Indian Creek Bio-Blitz this weekend. Sponsored by the Selkirk Alliance for Science and Kalispel Tribe Natural Resources Department, the biological blitzkrieg — or Bio-Blitz — is an intensive 24-hour inventory to find, count, and identify species of plants (flora) and animals (fauna) within a specific area. The study measures the biodiversity in that area, and the data provides a baseline about the relative health of that ecosystem.

Check-in will take place at noon on Saturday, June 8 at the Indian Creek Community Forest, 1802 Indian Creek Road, Newport. The forest is located 0.4 miles up Indian Creek Road, east from LeClerc Road and 7.3 miles north of Newport, Wash.

The public is welcome to participate in gathering data. There is no charge to take part.

Among the events taking place on Saturday are a plant survey, tree climbing demonstration, amphibian/reptile survey, lichen, fungi and moss survey and youth activities. On Sunday, events include a bird survey, soil invertebrates survey, youth activities and more.

The survey runs from noon on Saturday to noon on Sunday and will take place rain or shine.

The 350-acre Indian Creek Community Forest is managed by the Kalispel Tribe of Indians to educate people about the diversity of life here and the services that these species provide to humans and naturally functioning ecosystems. The Tribe wants to excite adults and kids about science and scientific methods. The biodiversity data that is collected contributes to science-based knowledge useful for sovereign, public, and private land management planning. Bio-Blitz activities are fun, entertaining, and bring together diverse groups of people for community cohesion, tribal officials said in a press release.

To participate, all you need are your curiosity and appreciation of nature. Participants should check in at the registration table upon arrival to obtain a free ticket stub and other information. In addition, participants must also sign a photo release to permit the Tribe’s use of your photographs for future scientific or educational purposes. Personal information will be protected for privacy.

Wear footwear and clothing suitable for hiking on uneven ground. Binoculars or a spotting scope are helpful for distance viewing. Field guides used for species identification will be available from expert scientist volunteers. Keep your numbered ticket stub so we can identify who participates on the survey teams.

For more information please email questions to Ed Styskel at selkirkallianceforscience@gmail.com.