What is a BioBlitz? Find out May 20, '09 at Saint Mary's University

Learn more about preserving the wilderness areas around us by attending a BioBlitz information session at Saint Mary's University on Wednesday May 20 in the Scotiabank Conference Theatre in the Sobey Building. Presentations begin at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

Leading up to BioBlitz 2009, which will be held in the newly protected Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness Area in June, Saint Mary's University invites the pubic to learn how BioBlitz works, why it's important to preserve our wilderness areas and how to get involved.

Featured speakers include, Dr. Cathy Conrad, a geography professor at Saint Mary's, Dr. Andrew Hebda, a zoologist with the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History and Raymond Plourde of the Ecology Action Centre.

The Saint Mary's University BioBlitz is a 24-hour taxonomy survey that will provide a biodiversity snapshot of the area. On June 5 and 6, more than 80 scientists will converge on Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness Area to survey the plant and animal species of the area. The public is invited to take part in BioBlitz guided hikes and activities on June 6 which are centered at the Lebanese Cultural Centre and Maskwa Aquatic Club, located off Kearney Lake Road.

BioBlitz is designed to increase the communities' awareness of the scientific importance of biodiversity in our immediate neighbourhood and the valuable services that various animal and plant species provide to improve the quality of our lives.

For more information about the Saint Mary's University BioBlitz, please visit: www.smu.ca/bioblitz/

Thanks to Catherine McCarthy, Public Affairs Officer Saint Mary's University and member of WRWEO for forwarding this information,