In honour of our 125th anniversary, our oldest provincial park, Algonquin, is hosting a bioblitz series!
Join park naturalists for weekly programs where you will learn how to identify and inventory different species, as well as the importance of citizen science in protecting the biodiversity of our parks.
As one of Ontario’s largest provincial parks, Algonquin is biologically diverse with more than 1,000 vascular plant species and more than 200 vertebrate species that breed within the park.
Accordingly, the park has a long-standing history of research, science and education; this bioblitz series is a celebration of that history.
A history of prolific research at Algonquin
For more than 70 years, biologists from Canada and around the world have been visiting the park to study the animals that inhabit the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Approximately 1,800 scientific papers have been published on research in Algonquin Provincial Park.
Algonquin is home to one of the oldest research stations in Canada, the Harkness Laboratory of Fisheries Research. This research station was opened in 1936. The Wildlife Research Station in Algonquin has also been collecting data on small mammals since 1952, one of the world’s longest-running small mammal studies.
Your chance to be an Algonquin Provincial Park researcher
The Algonquin Provincial Park Bioblitz Series gives park visitors an opportunity to learn how contribute to the ongoing research at the park.
Join our park naturalists for any of the following programs (several of which are taking place this Friday, July 20, for Healthy Parks Healthy People Day!).
Bird Hike
Discover eBird (online bird database) and complete a bird point count survey while learning bird identification skills.
Friday July 20, 8:00 am, Mizzy Trail
Algonquin for Kids Citizen Science
Learn what citizen science is all about and why it is such a valuable resource for Parks.
Friday July 20, 10:30 am, Algonquin Visitor Centre
Stream Ecology
Learn about the unique organisms that make up a stream ecosystem, while using some of the methods a biologist would use to sample. Nets for catching provided, but please bring your own if you have one.
Friday July 20, 1:00 pm, Whiskey Rapids Trail
Evening Program Citizen Science
Learn about bioblitzes, as well as the importance of citizen science and iNaturalist in Algonquin.
Friday July 20, 8:00 pm, Outdoor Theatre
Insect Catching Session
Survey for insects using sweep nets and learn about the fascinating lives of insects. Nets for catching provided, but please bring your own if you have one.
Friday July 20, 3:00 pm, Old Railway Bike Trail parking lot (1 km south on Mew Lake Campground Road)
Moth ID Program
Learn how to identify moths using white sheets and black lights to attract them.
Friday July 20, 9:00 pm, Outdoor Theatre
Sweep Netting for Insects
Learn how to identify insects and survey using sweep nets. Nets provided, but please bring your own if you have them.
Friday July 27, 1:00 pm, Old Railway Bike Trail parking lot (1 km south on Mew Lake Campground Road)
Beaver Pond Ecology
Check out the fascinating biodiversity that can be seen in a beaver pond. Nets provided but please bring your own if you have them.
Friday August 3, 1:00 pm, Beaver Pond Trail parking lot
Plant Survey
Learn how to identify many of the unique bog plants that are often found further north and help update the park’s plant records.
Friday August 10, 1:00 pm, Spruce Bog Trail parking lot
Stream Ecology
Learn about the unique organisms that make up a stream ecosystem, while using some of the methods a biologist would to sample them. Nets for catching provided, but please bring your own if you have one.
Friday August 17, 1:00 pm, Whiskey Rapids Trail
Wildflower ID
Learn how to identify some wildflowers found in Algonquin, while contributing to the parks records.
Friday August 24, 1:00pm, Spruce Bog Trail Parking Lot
Bird Hike
Learn about eBird (online bird database) and complete a bird point count survey while learning bird identification skills.
Friday August 31, 1:00 pm, Mizzy Trail
For more information about any of the events listed above, contact Ryan Rea, Natural Heritage Education Specialist, at ryan.rea@ontario.ca or (613) 637-2828 x 223.
Ready for more?
Other bioblitzes taking place in Ontario Parks this summer include:
- Killbear Provincial Park Mini Bug-blitzes – Saturdays through July and August
- Murphys Point Provincial Park BioBlitz – Saturday August 18, 2018
To help celebrate Ontario Parks’ 125th Anniversary, parks across the province are hosting stewardship programs to help protect biodiversity in provincial parks. This project is one of 13 Ontario Parks 125th anniversary stewardship projects happening throughout 2018.