Rock Island Field Office biologist Kraig McPeek shows the characteristics of stream minnows during the recent BioBlitz in Winnebago County Illinois. - FWS photo

Kraig McPeek enjoys a little "stream time" with BioBlitz participants - FWS photo

Don't let 'em get away - FWS photo

Don't let it bite! - FWS photo

People of all ages peered through binoculars and microscopes, netted insects and dragged seines up Kent Creek at this area's first-ever BioBlitz on Saturday May 19. Over 100 local people teamed up with professional biologists to search for and identify a variety of plant and animals in the park. Additionally, around 50 people dropped in to observe the science teams at work, view natural science exhibits, and partake in family nature activities. Perfect weather and a festive atmosphere at BioBlitz Central, including refreshments and prizes, enticed disc golfers and picnicking families to join in the BioBlitz activities.

Volunteer Scientists
Over one dozen volunteer professional biologists from all over the state traveled to Rockford to lead science teams in their areas of specialty. Kraig McPeek from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, James Wiker from Illinois Natural History Survey, Andy Bacon of Natural Land Institute, Lee Johnson of Sand Bluff Bird Observatory, Lynda Johnson of the North Central Illinois Ornithological Society, Jack Armstrong with Sinnissippi Audubon, Richie Wolf from Byron Forest Preserve, Brian Russart from Winnebago County Soil & Water Conservation District, Judy and Bob Kaplan of the Illinois Mycological Society and Nathan Hill of Nachusa Grassland Preserve all participated. Jessi DeMartini and John Oldenburg from Forest Preserve District of DuPage County led the insects and mussels portion of the aquatics research. Other highly qualified and experienced biologists led teams of individuals on surveys of plants, trees & shrubs, insects and birds.

The day-long event was sponsored by the Four Rivers Environmental Coalition and was offered to the public free of charge thanks to grants from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois and the Environmental Education Association of Illinois. BioBlitz Coordinator, Don Miller, summarized the purpose of the event. "Short-term field collections of plants and animals called "bioblitzes" are occurring throughout the United States to call attention to the rich biotic diversity of our local habitats. Too often we think that "nature" is limited to what happens in the national parks, in the Tropics or on the Discovery channel. Meanwhile the parks and wild places in our own neighborhoods are teeming with life!"

After Saturday's great success, The Four Rivers Environmental Coalition plans to make Bioblitz an annual event. This year's project was sort of a mini-bioblitz. Site Planning Coordinator, Kim Woodin, explains, "We didn't want to get overly ambitious our first year. It was a lot to put together and promote, but with the support of all the cooperating agencies, it came off really well. We will expand it next year including more categories of organisms and involving more people