Annual Berkshire BioBlitz at Thomas and Palmer!

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Annual Berkshire BioBlitz to be held September 16-17, 2017
Event puts scientists and citizens together to survey local species

Great Barrington MA: As part of the 50 year celebration of the Berkshire Natural Resources Council this year's 8th annual Berkshire BioBlitz will be held at Thomas & Palmer Brook in Great Barrington, MA. Starting at noon Saturday September 16 and ending noon on Sunday September 17. This year's event is hosted by Berkshire Natural Resources Council and co-sponsored by Dr. Augie’s Science Education Programs and Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT). Thomas & Palmer Brook is located on Rt. 23 in Great Barrington directly across from the Koi Chinese Restaurant. There will be signs for parking.

The Berkshire BioBlitz is an opportunity for biologists, naturalists and environmentalists to work in collaboration with the general public. Our goal is to survey the Thomas & Palmer Brook land within a 24-hour period and to name as many living species we can find. This will give us an overall view of importance of a healthy, active ecosystem in our own community. There will be about 20 specialists on hand to explore, identify and educate, including specialists such as John Wheeler of the Berkshire Mycological Society (fungi), iNaturalist's Jason Crockwell (insects and mollusks), Charley Eiseman (co-author of Field Guide to Invertebrate Tracks and Signs), as well as renowned local birders Christine and Greg Ward.

There will be a variety of family-friendly, interactive, nature-oriented walks and conversations taking place throughout the day. You can drop in at anytime and spend as much time as you like. The staff of Berkshire Natural Resources Council will be there to lead and answer questions. Berkshire Wildlife Tracker and BEAT Program Manager, Elia Del Molino will lead a mammal tracking workshop and there will be an invasive species identification exhibit. After dark two programs will be taking place: a “Moth-Light” demonstration by Mark Mello of the Lloyd Center for the Environment and an “Owl Prowl.”

We encourage everyone to take advantage of this unique FREE STEM event. berkshirebioblitz.com

Directions to Thomas & Palmer Brook in Great Barrington: Follow on US Rte. 7 south to Great Barrington, turn sharp left to State Rd 23 (Rt 183) 0.4 miles on your left directly across from the Koi Chinese Restaurant.