{"id":2753,"date":"2019-04-28T14:27:20","date_gmt":"2019-04-28T18:27:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/walkingrichmond\/?p=2753"},"modified":"2019-05-08T11:17:34","modified_gmt":"2019-05-08T15:17:34","slug":"hidden-gems-of-the-james-bioblitz-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/walkingrichmond\/2019\/04\/28\/hidden-gems-of-the-james-bioblitz-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"Hidden Gems of the James: BioBlitz 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A family learns about species native to the James River area from a park employee during BioBlitz 2019. (Photo by Marina Winkler)<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

By Marina Winkler<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

A voice reaches out through the rush of wind and the distant whistle of a train.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you guys here for the BioBlitz?\u201d<\/p>\n

The person behind the voice, a young woman with her hair pulled into a neat bun named Penelope Davenport, steps out from under a tent fluttering wildly in the breeze.<\/p>\n

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Penelope Davenport (dark jacket) welcomes a visitor to the BioBlitz at James River Park. (Photo by Marina Winkler)<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Davenport, an outdoor education supervisor for the James River Park System (JRPS), has caught sight of an approaching family\u2014a mother, a father, grandparents, a little girl, and two very grumpy-looking dogs. The mother starts to explain that they\u2019re just out for a Saturday walk, but the little girl has already scooted inside the tent band begun picking up brochures and instruction sheets from the information table. The mother follows, and before long the entire family is gathered around.<\/p>\n

Davenport explains what a bioblitz is\u2014a citizen science event that taps community members to help document the variety of species that can be found in an area, like a giant scavenger hunt using an app called iNaturalist to help identify what they find. Davenport also tells them about the craft tables set up nearby at the Reedy Creek Park entrance and at the JRPS headquarters a little ways down the Buttermilk Trail. The girl\u2019s eyes widen.<\/p>\n

Then Davenport shows the young girl a \u201cJunior Scientist Notebook\u201d made for this event, and the girl is hooked. Her blond curls bob up and down as she asks her mother if they can participate. Who could say no to that?<\/p>\n

Working in partnership with the VA Department of Conservation and Recreation\u2019s Natural Heritage Program, the James River Park System held its first ever BioBlitz on April 20, 2019. Dozens of volunteers\u2014including ‘walk-ons’ like the family with the dog\u2014collected data and observations that park naturalists will use to assess the species diversity of the park as well as engaging the community and teaching an appreciation for the habitats included in the James River park.<\/p>\n

After a short walk along a wide gravel path, I reached the JRPS headquarters. It\u2019s a modest building with exterior bathrooms for park goers, a porch overlooking the river, and a small indoor nature center.<\/p>\n

Two craft tables were set up in the shade of the overhanging roof with coloring crafts for young children. Inside there\u2019s an assortment of critters, both dead and alive. Along with the skulls of common creatures and animal identification guides, the building houses a small variety of live reptiles and fish. The wall facing the river is one large window, letting in daylight and offering a view of the stream not too far below. Children scurry around the small building, pointing out animals they see to each other while their parents catch their breath. As more children entered, I decided to go look for some critters myself.<\/p>\n