Brent Manning, director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, says, "We are delighted to participate and serve as hosts for the BioBlitz. The information to be gathered will be vital as we develop and implement programs and strategies for protecting, preserving and enhancing the natural resources of the Calumet region."
McCarter, Jimenez and other dignitaries will speak at the BioBlitz kickoff event 3:00 p.m., Friday Aug. 23 at the William W. Powers State Recreation Area, 12949 S. Avenue O (see directions below). As the BioBlitz headquarters, this site on Wolf Lake site will be transformed into an outdoor lab, with microscopes to examine specimens, computers to log finds, and display areas to show participants samples of what has been found.
At the Wolf Lake headquarters, the public will be able to participate for free in many activities, including: tours, hikes, demonstrations, observing scientists at work, helping to control invasive plants, and gathering seeds of native plants for later planting (see schedule below).
"This will be a wonderful hands-on learning experience for anyone who joins us," says Carol Fialkowski, conservation education director at The Field Museum. "We want people, especially those from nearby communities, to go home with a better understanding of Calumet's diverse ecosystems - and what they could do to help revive and save these unique natural assets."
BioBlitz partners include: Chicago Department of the Environment; Illinois Department of Natural Resources - Conservation 2000 Ecosystems Program; Illinois Natural History Survey, Forest Preserve District of Cook County; Chicago Park District; The Field Museum; and Chicago Wilderness, an unprecedented alliance of more than 140 public and private organizations working to protect, restore, study and manage Chicago's natural ecosystems.
Schedule
All activities are based at William W. Powers State Recreation Area (on Wolf Lake)
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Contact: Greg Borzo
gborzo@fieldmuseum.org
312-665-7106
Field Museum
16-Aug-2002