Celebrate Canada 150 with a Bioblitz at Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site

Parks Canada BioBlitzes invite families to help scientists identify flora and fauna

June 21, 2017                    St. Joseph Island, Ontario                        Parks Canada Agency

Throughout 2017, Parks Canada is hosting BioBlitz events across the country in support of BioBlitz Canada 150, a Canadian Heritage signature Canada 150 initiative led by the Canadian Wildlife Foundation. BioBlitzes are fun and educational activities that let families team up with scientists to discover plant and animal species and contribute to their protection.

As we celebrate Canada 150 with free admission to Parks Canada places, the BioBlitz at Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site is a great opportunity for families to experience the outdoors and learn more about our environment.

A Bioblitz is a team effort to find as many different life forms as possible in one location during a short period of time. At this time of year, many groups of plants and critters are at the peak of their activity cycles or at their most visible. This nationwide initiative aims to capture a snapshot of biodiversity on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Confederation. Events are planned throughout the summer at Fort St. Joseph and across the country.

Preserving and promoting ecological integrity is a priority for Parks Canada and the Government of Canada has committed to protecting 17 per cent of land and inland waters, and 10 percent of coastal and marine waters by 2020. Canada 150 offers an opportunity for all citizens to get involved in helping to protect the environment and Canada’s biodiversity.

Please visit the Parks Canada website for a full list of BioBlitz events happening across the country, and make conservation part of your plans for Canada 150.

Over the past two years, BioBlitz participants across the country have discovered one new type of mushroom, eight types of bats, and 33 new plants!  What will YOU discover?

Join us on June 24-25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for BioBlitz events at Fort St. Joseph and can take part in several activities for nature, science and biology. We encourage interested participants to visit pc.gc.ca/joseph for the full schedule and to preregister on EventBrite. Admission to this event is free as part of the Canada 150 celebrations and food will be available for purchase. For more information visit pc.gc.ca/joseph; our Facebook event page, or call the site at 705-246-2664.