Celebrate BioDiversity At Illiniwek Forest Preserve This Weekend

Celebrate biodiversity at the 6th annual BioBlitz, held at Illiniwek Forest Preserve from 2 p.m. on June 25 to 2 p.m. on June 26.

A BioBlitz is an intensive survey of as many species as possible within a specified area during a 24-hour period. This is a rare opportunity to join over 40 scientists and naturalists from around the region as they survey mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, plants, insects, and much more!

Friday Public Activities*

6:30 p.m.         Going Native– Niabi Zoo

7:30 p.m.         Birds of Prey– Iowa Raptor Center

8:30 p.m.         Owl Prowl and Frog Night Hike

Dusk                Bugs and Blacklight

TBA                  Electrofishing Demonstration

Saturday Public Activities*

9:00 a.m.         Bird Hike

10:00 a.m.      Turtle Collection Analysis–Mik Holgerson

10:30 a.m.       Nature Hike & Insect Scavenger Hunt

11:15 a.m.      Birds of Prey– Iowa Raptor Center

11:45 a.m.       Acoustic Bat Detection Program and Analysis–Amber Schorg

12:15 p.m.       Freshwater Mussels– Jon Duyvejonck

12:45 p.m.      Native Furbearers– Ann Sullivan & Deb Kutsunis

1:15 p.m.         Ferns of Iowa and Illinois– Bob Bryant

*Activities and times subject to change.

Make sure to check out the booths at base camp on Saturday, June 26th from 10:00am-2:00pm! Several groups, including Nahant Marsh, Niabi Zoo, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Guardians of the Prairie and Forest, and more will have interactive booths for all ages to enjoy!

Sean Leary is an author, director, artist, musician, producer and entrepreneur who has been writing professionally since debuting at age 11 in the pages of the Comics Buyers Guide. An honors graduate of the University of Southern California masters program, he has written over 50 books including the best-sellers The Arimathean, Every Number is Lucky to Someone and We Are All Characters.