Celebrate Canada 150 with a BioBlitz in Riding Mountain National Park on Parks Day

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

July 13, 2017                               Wasagaming, MB                             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 in Riding Mountain National Park 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 are very 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 across the country.

Preserving and promoting ecological integrity is a priority for Parks Canada and the Government of Canada has committed to protecting 17 percent 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’s 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?

In Riding Mountain there will be a Twilight Bats BioBlitz!

Every summer Riding Mountain National Park becomes a home to some fascinating and misunderstood creatures of the night. As hibernating bat species become increasingly threatened by white-nose syndrome, park staff are doing everything they can to understand and protect any bats living in the park. Don’t miss this chance to become a citizen scientist, work alongside our Resource Conservation team, and help protect this beautiful park. Join us at twilight as we survey historic buildings around the beautiful townsite of Wasagaming to see where the bats are hanging out.  

Where: Meet at the Friends of Riding Mountain Learning Centre (154 Columbine Drive)

When: Parks Day, July 15th at 8:30 p.m.

Duration: 2-2.5 hours

Free!

Please come prepared with bug spray and a flashlight.

Just prior to the Bats BioBlitz, visitors are invited to a presentation on Bat Research in Riding Mountain with Kaleigh Norquay, Research Coordinator at the University of Winnipeg Bat Lab. Learn about the different bats species in Manitoba, the threats they face and the potentially bat life-saving research being performed right here, in Riding Mountain National Park. Meet at the Learning Centre at 7:00 p.m.

Some of the Parks Day activities earlier in the day include a hike to Grey Owl’s cabin, Learn to Fish, Learn-to Camp demonstrations, Wasagaming buskers, Parks Canada air brush tattoos, and much more. Check the park’s website for full details.