The Whistler Naturalists' 10th annual (and Canada's longest-running) BioBlitz was a huge success, thanks to the quality and quantity of over 70 scientists and volunteers. BioBlitzes strive to achieve two goals: to increase public appreciation for biodiversity and also our knowledge of all the species that share the areas where we live. The 2016 BioBlitz again achieved those goals thanks to the efforts and support of many people and organizations.

 

Thanks to everyone who braved the weather and dropped by Alpha Lake Park on Saturday, July 9 to take part in the BioBlitz Nature Festival. On display were Whistler critters, plants, mushrooms and other life forms with scientists answering questions and providing lots of amazing info. Special thanks to the weather for clearing during our kids events — animal-tracks T-shirt painting and the wild-things scavenger hunt.

 

Saturday night, it was great to hear from the scientists on their fabulous finds of the day as well as during the past nine years of BioBlitzing in Whistler. Over the years we've had species found during BioBlitz that had never been recorded before on the B.C. mainland, had never been recorded west of the Rockies, had never been recorded in Canada, and even species new to science!

 

Results from the weekend are now pouring in and we expect the total to be over 500, of which close to 100 will be new records for our area. The results will be collated by the Whistler Biodiversity Project and available online within the next few weeks at www.whistlerbioblitz.ca.

 

The Whistler Naturalists would like to thank all the scientists and local volunteers, plus our key sponsors: the Community Foundation of Whistler, AWARE, Resort Municipality of Whistler, Squamish-Lillooet Regional District and Whistler Blackcomb. We would also like to thank all the organizations and businesses who contributed to the event: Whistler Museum, Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council, South Coast Conservation Program, Get Bear Smart Society, Legends Hotel, Creekside Market, Nesters Market, Whistler Brewing, Riverside Café, Palmer Environmental Consulting, Avalanche Pizza, Purebread, Whistler Cooks, Whistler Creative, and Glacier Signs.

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