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Montpelier Goes Wild
Vermont’s state capital will be transformed into a unique natural festival when biologists and nature lovers of all ages converge on the city in July to inventory every living thing they can find.
From 3 p.m. on July 11 until 3 p.m. on July 12, Montpelier will host what is expected to be the greatest gathering for biodiversity ever assembled in Vermont. It is called a BioBlitz.
The BioBlitz is free to participants. Anyone can join -- biologists, naturalists, students, families, and site volunteers. Advanced registration is welcomed. Get more information and register online at www.northbranchnaturecenter.org.
Montpelier Goes Wild
MONTPELIER, VERMONT – Vermont’s state capital will be transformed into a unique natural festival when biologists and nature lovers of all ages converge on the city in July to inventory every living thing they can find.
The catch is that participants have only 24 hours to discover Montpelier’s birds and butterflies, ferns and frogs, otters and orchids, and anything else that crawls, hops, slithers, swims, flies or even just sits there growing beside the pavement.
From 3 p.m. on July 11 until 3 p.m. on July 12, Montpelier will host what is expected to be the greatest gathering for biodiversity ever assembled in Vermont. It is called a BioBlitz.
“Think of this as a First Night for nature,” says Chip Darmstadt, director of the North Branch Nature Center, which is organizing the BioBlitz. “But ours is a 24-hour race against time to discover what’s wild in our capital.”
BioBlitzes happen all over the planet. They are a blend of science, celebration, education, community, and loads of fun. Normally, a BioBlitz covers a park, reserve or some other designated natural area. Scientists and ordinary citizens convene there to search for and catalogue anything living. But the Montpelier BioBlitz will be like no other. It will be the nation’s first-ever BioBlitz of an entire state capital.
As a result, Montpelier’s streets and parks, its woods and wetlands, even the Statehouse, will be alive with biologists, naturalists, families, students, and other inquisitive folks with binoculars, insect nets, field guides, cameras, enthusiasm and abundant curiosity.
Scientists will offer free guided nature walks and workshops. The Kid’s Tent will be teaming with fascinating critters and educational events. Interested landowners will discover the natural diversity in their own backyards. Downtown merchants will join the festivities. In short, the entire City will be transformed into a vibrant, thriving nature festival.
The 24-hour survey concludes Saturday evening, July 12, with a huge community barbecue supper at North Branch Nature Center, during which participants will report on what they found and generate a tally of the number of species. BioBlitz results will be compiled and made available to the city’s planners and Conservation Commission and to landowners, scientists, and the general public.
“Our natural areas are part of the heart and soul of the Montpelier community,” said Montpelier Mayor Mary Hooper. “We’re thrilled that the BioBlitz will help us discover even more of the city’s natural secrets.”
The BioBlitz is free to participants. Anyone can join -- biologists, naturalists, students, families, and site volunteers. Advanced registration is welcomed. Get more information and register online at www.northbranchnaturecenter.org.
“The BioBlitz is our way of uniting Vermonters with the biodiversity in our state capital,” said Darmstadt, who himself will be searching for birds in the morning, butterflies in the afternoon and moths and bats at night.
Major BioBlitz sponsors include the City of Montpelier Conservation Commission, National Life Group, National Wildlife Federation, and the Vermont Tent Company.
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