White Memorial Organizing BioBlitz for 2013

Middletown BioBlitz

White Memorial is proud to announce that it is planning a BioBlitz for May 31 - June 1, 2013 as part of the 100th anniversary celebration of White Memorial Foundation's incorporation.  A BioBlitz is an event where every living organism is counted within a 24 hour period.  Scientists who study specific groups of flora and fauna, referred to as taxonomists, perform the counting and are helped by volunteers.  Families are welcome to attend nature walks, learn more about our natural world, and participate in the inventory.  BioBlitzes are intense with every one trying to count as many species as possible and are loads of fun!  Thousands of organisms are counted by experts and amateurs in only 24 hours.  Our organizing committee consists of local educators, scientists, and conservationists.  Check back here to learn more about our BioBlitz in 2013!

Sue Clarkin, Wamogo High School Science Teacher
April Devereux, Wamogo High School Science Teacher
James Fischer, White Memorial Cons. Ctr. Research Director
Gerri Griswold, White Memorial Cons. Ctr. Director of Administration and Development
Jeff Greenwood, White Memorial Cons. Ctr. Education Director
Nicki Hall, Litchfield Hills Audubon Society Board Member
Twan Leenders, Connecticut Audubon Society Conservation Biologist
John Markelon, Litchfield High School Science Teacher

Monthly Snake Cover-Board Check -- August 2011

Eastern Garter Snake basking on Osmunda Ferns.
photo by James Fischer

(l to r) Madeline Bove, Twan Leenders, and Becca Solnit peeling
through the Snake Cover-Board Pile at Apple Hill Lower Field.
photo by James Fischer

Twan Leenders, CT Audubon Society Conservation Biologist, joined us yesterday to see our Snake Cover-board Monitoring program.  It was great having Twan because he offered us all kinds of advice about how can improve and modify the program.   It also gave us an opportunity to show him unique parts of the property that we conserve.  We encountered 3 species: 8 Eastern Garter Snakes, 3 Northern Redbelly Snake, and 1 Eastern Milk Snake.  We check all of the 12 cover-board piles on the property between 12:30 p.m. through 15:10 p.m. EST.  Madeline Bove, Ryan Gannon, and Becca Solnit were also present, which begins to explain why this session was so efficient, because we had so many hands and eyes present that searching for the snakes.