On Saturday, Sept. 17, visitors to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (National Lakeshore) can become citizen scientists for the day by joining the park’s quest to showcase the biodiversity of the National Lakeshore through a BioBlitz. The BioBlitz is a time for scientists, students, teachers, families, and park visitors to team up to identify as many organisms as possible.
Interested visitors should sign up ahead of time to choose a hike with an expert, allowing them to learn about the intriguing plant and animal species they might find. All hikers will meet at the Dune Climb parking lot at their assigned time. Sign-up details are available at https://ceruleancenter.org/bioblitz. Visitors may also use the iNaturalist smartphone app to explore the National Lakeshore on their own.
The Lakeshore’s event is called “Blitz the Bear," and marks the launch of the Great Lakes Bioblitz, an initiative led by the National Lakeshore’s partner, the Cerulean Center, to study biodiversity in the Great Lakes region. Space is limited, so interested parties should register early to secure a spot. Citizen scientists and environmental stewards of all ages are needed.
Blitz the Bear is free with a park pass. Passes may be purchased at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire, or at the Dune Climb fee booth. Passes cost $15 per vehicle for seven days, or $30 for an annual pass.
For a complete listing of park events, visit https://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/calendar.htm.
Visitors are also encouraged to share their adventures at FindYourPark.com and on social media using hashtags #FindYourPark and #sleepingbearnps. For questions or concerns regarding these events, please call 231-326-4700, ext. 5005.
Tags: nps centennial
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
