Saturday, July 14, 2012 ● Cheverly BioBlitz
Schedule
All teams will meet first at the command post table by the parking lot of the Cheverly Town Hall, 6401 Forest Road, Cheverly, MD 20785, where your team leader will provide necessary instructions on what to expect and what you will be doing. From there you will fan out to your respective areas. Most hikes will be in the Woodworth Park area, but one or two may be in other areas. Woodworth Park restoration and trail are the work of Friends of Lower Beaverdam Creek. Please arrive 10-15 minutes before the designated starting time
Separate sign-in is required for each of the sessions so we will know how many participated in each and for a head count afterwards. Have contact information available in case of emergencies. See below for further details.
Morning
8:00 to 10:00 AM. Wildlife in Cheverly
Learn about animal life all around you in Cheverly. Lifelong wildlife observer will show you how to read animal sign, locate their stomping grounds, learn where they sleep, what they eat, how they court and get hitched, and where they have and raise their babies, plus much more. Matt T. Salo, Cheverly naturalist.
10 to 11:30 AM Simultaneous Sessions.
1. Native Plant Walk
Founder of Chesapeake Natives and an expert on native plants will lead a walk to identify local native plants and explain what distinguishes them from alien invasives, ornamentals and cultivars, and why native plants have special value for us. Sara Tangren, Johns Hopkins University.
2. Mainly for Munchkins: Childrens’ Nature Walk
Master gardener and naturalist will introduce children to wonders of nature. Observations will be recorded by the leader and added to those obtained in other sessions. Dave Kneipp, M-NCPPC Park Ranger.
Too young for the walk? The KidMarket theme this week is "Buzz, Buzz, Buzz, Busy Bee" and Eileen Shlagel will be talking about the importance of bees to the environment.
12:00 Noon to 1:30 PM. Lunch Break
Afternoon
1:30 to 3:30 PM. Cheverly Trees and Shrubs
Tree and shrub identification walk in the top part of Woodworth Park documenting as many trees, shrubs and perhaps a few of the most notable herbaceous species, that can be encountered near the trail.
Matt Salo, Cheverly naturalist and forest steward.
3:30 to 5:30 Life in and around Streams and Wetlands.
Primarily focused on reptiles and amphibians, but any fish, crustacean, or other aquatic creature will also be recorded. Rebecca Ford, Environmental Scientist, Straughan Environmental Services at NASA.
Evening
5:30 to 7:30 PM Simultaneous Sessions.
1. Unique Microhabitat.
Visit a grassy glade in Euclid Park to identify remnants of eastern prairie vegetation, their co-evolved pollinators and learn about their relationships. Randy Pheobus, ecologist and native grasses specialist.
2. Invasive Plants.
Learn to identify the most common invasive plants in Cheverly and learn what problems they cause. Jil Swearingen, invasive plants specialist, National Park Service, Center for Urban Ecology.
Between 8:30 and 9:00 PM (starts at dusk). Blacklight Bug Blitz.
A professional entomologist will show you how to capture and identify night-flying insects using black light (ultraviolet) technology. Warren Steiner, Smithsonian Institution.
What to Bring
Highly recommended: Long sleeves, and pants that can be tucked into sturdy shoes or boots. For the stream and marsh hike knee length rubber boots are best, but you could get along with an old pair of sneakers if you don’t mind getting them wet. Shorts, short sleeves, and flip flops are NOT recommended.
Also, because this is July, bring a sun hat and a bottle of water; although temperatures under trees can be 10 degrees cooler, there will still be sunny areas. Those who burn easily should bring sunblock lotion . Insect repellent with DEET is also recommended against ticks and mosquitoes. Binoculars are very useful for the wildlife session.
Optional gear: Dip nets for stream exploration; cameras if you wish to record specimens or just have a record of what you did; stiff notebook or clipboard if you wish to keep your own record of observations (team leaders will keep a comprehensive tally).
You are welcome to bring field guides appropriate for your sessions, but the command post table and team leaders will have several available for lookups if needed. Traveling light is recommended.
Cautions
The areas you will visit are not particularly dangerous but whenever you are out in rough terrain you should exercise common sense caution to avoid falling or getting scratched. Because we have just had storm damage do not go under trees with hanging branches or broken-off tree tops. There are places with green-briers, roses, and blackberry bushes that have sharp thorns, as well as poison ivy, so know the plants and avoid them if you are sensitive. For annoying insects see advice above.
Do not wander off paths or specified observation areas and be especially careful in areas with sensitive plants (your leader will advise you). We do not want any rare or endangered plants to be trampled. Do not break branches or otherwise damage trees or shrubs. Do not collect any plants or other specimens; you are there to only observe and study. ONLY your leader may collect specimens for further identification, but you are welcome to take any pictures you want.
Also this is the season when most animals and birds are having their young so be careful not to cause them undue alarm, by making a lot of noise or approaching them.
GIGO - - Do not litter; if you bring something in make sure it also goes back with you. There will be a trash container at the parking lot.