Herons, geese, raccoons, rhododendrons, trees if this is the extent to which you can describe the flora and fauna of Stanley Park, then its 125th birthday is the perfect chance to get to know it a whole lot better. You might even discover a never-before-seen species in the process.
August 24 to 25, the Stanley Park Ecological Society (SPES) is hosting a BioBlitz to identify what flies, hops, crawls and flutters around the clock in the park.
Even though the park is surrounded by a highly urbanized landscape and sees more than eight million visitors a year, it is an oasis for a wide range of plants, animals, fungi and pollinators. Wetlands such as Beaver Lake and Lost Lagoon teem with plants and wildlife. But even managed landscapes such as the Rose Garden and other areas with ornamental plantings provide food and shelter for many insects, small mammals and birds.
During the BioBlitz, visitors will have the opportunity to survey local wildlife, take part in hands-on stewardship activities and learning about everything from forest ecology to local birds to bats and beavers through educational walks and talks.
While we may think we know Stanley Park pretty well, its a vast place and remains full of surprises, says Patricia Gooch, SPES BioBlitz organizer. At the BioBlitz, you will have a chance to get up close to some of the tiniest creatures that live in the ocean just feet away from the seawall during a plankton survey or you can learn more about the parks forest ecosystem and the giant trees during a forest walk. Or, if you come along to one of the evening events, you may see a bat feeding over Beaver Lake, hear an owl calling in the distance or make discoveries about the social lives of our resident beavers.
This weekend, scientists, volunteers and members of the public will collaborate on finding, identifying and recording as many species of plants, animals, fungi, and other organisms as possible to increase SPES knowledge of the parks biodiversity. This will help SPES, a non-profit that connects park visitors with nature through school and educational programs, improve its stewardship activities and will guide the advice SPES gives to the Park Board on habitat management strategies.
At the previous BioBlitz in 2011, 395 different species of flora and fauna were found and, of those, 152 new species were identified. With more scientists and naturalists involved and more events, SPES is hopeful that it will make even more discoveries in Stanley Park this year.
With more than 30 nature events happening throughout the weekend, theres something for everyone. All events are free and theres no need to register, just show up a little early.
For more information about the BioBlitz and details of the free events happening this weekend, click here.
It's all about Stanley Park this weekend. Want to know more?
Celebrate! Stanley Park events: http://www.wevancouver.com/news/220730601.html
Fun facts and history: http://www.wevancouver.com/news/220731271.html
Lost art of Stanley Park: http://www.wevancouver.com/news/220733111.html
Tourism Vancouver's Top 5: http://www.wevancouver.com/news/220734001.html
Inventing Stanley Park: http://www.wevancouver.com/news/220734291.html
