On August 25 Petrified Forest plans to hold a bio blitz. It is an opportunity for a limited number of interested citizen scientists to be led by subject matter experts into the park to tally all the various biota they encounter over a 24-hour period. When the park conducted bio blitz events in 2014 and 2016, new species of plants were identified in the park.
The way it will work this year, 20 to 25 subject matter experts will lead various excursions based on their specific expertise. The ungulate expert will lead the ungulate group, the bird expert will lead the bird group, etc. Apart of the group they will lead will include students and other professionals. As space is available, citizen scientists will fill the remaining spots in each group.
The event will start at 9 am on Saturday, August 25, at park headquarters. Citizen scientists will only be able to participate through the park’s normal closing time. If you are interested in participating as a citizen scientist and would like to get your name on a list to be contacted as the date approaches, please contact Andy Bridges, park biologist, andrew_bridges@nps.gov or 928-524-6228 x278.
Where: Park Headquarters (Google Maps – opens in new window)
When: August 25, 2018 at 9:00 AM