BioBlitz

press release:  If you’re interested in birds, bees, beasts or biology, you’ll want to join in the fun at the BioBlitz on Saturday, June 23 at Lake Farm County Park near Madison as nearly 100 scientists from across the United States gather to conduct an intensive survey of the plants and animals in the surrounding 1,000 acre wildlife area.

The event, free and open to the public, runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is being hosted by Milwaukee Public Museum with partners Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District, Dane County Parks, Friends of Capital Springs and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. This will be the museum’s fourth annual BioBlitz and the first time the event will take place in Dane County. Community members will have the opportunity to explore the variety of species living in nearby woods and wetlands and participate in the discovery process.

What is a BioBlitz? It’s a 24-hour celebration of biodiversity where scientists work together to see how many species of plants and animals they can find in one area. On Friday, June 22, some of Wisconsin’s best science minds from MPM and other local institutions will converge on the Dane County Park to discover its native biodiversity.

The BioBlitz will be open to the public on Saturday, June 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Meet the scientists, see what species they’ve found, and take part in hands-on activities – BioBlitz is fun for the whole family!

HIGHLIGHTS:

●     See species being identified and recorded at the base camp.

●     Interact with scientists.

●     Learn about the importance of Wisconsin’s native plants and get free seeds to start your own native garden.

●     Learn where water goes, how it’s cleaned and what you can do to help the water cycle.

●     Play the Great Migration and the Pollinator Seed games.

●     Learn about monarch butterflies and how you can become a citizen scientist and help track them.

●     Touch real pelts and skulls of native Wisconsin animals.

●     Take a guided prairie and bird walk at 1 p.m.

●     Hear the final tally of numbers.

Why Lake Farm County Park? With a view of the capitol from basecamp, this year’s MPM BioBlitz will be held at Lake Farm County Park and surrounding areas in Dane County. While basecamp will be in Lake Farm County Park, scientists will be surveying almost 1,000 acres of prairie, wetlands, and streams as well as the northern end of Lake Waubesa. The area includes Lake Farm County Park, the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District Wildlife Observation Area, and part of the Capital Springs Recreation Area, including Centennial State Park. We anticipate we will find lots of species that were not found in past years! We chose a Dane County park because, as Wisconsin’s natural history museum, we want to branch out and explore other counties in Wisconsin.

1. Learn about the importance of Wisconsin native plants to biodiversity and how you can help out at home! Start your own native garden with free seeds from Dane County Parks.
2. Prairie and Bird Walk at 1:00 p.m. - The prairie is in full bloom! Hike nearby prairie trails with eyes out for different bird species.

MMSD Water Exhibit

Learn where water goes, how it is cleaned, and what you can do to help the water cycle.