Trinity Western University community members participate in the first-ever virtual Langley Watershed Bioblitz (June 1 -14, 2020) and join 135 other participants in making 3,615 observations and documenting a total of 776 species of plants and animals. Bioblitz photo results can be viewed online through the iNaturalist platform. Final results will be announced after The Langley Environmental Partners (LEPS) reviews the submissions.
Every year, Dr. David Clements, Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies at Trinity Western University, joins conservationists around the world to observe and catalogue living things in their natural environment. An event called bioblitz brings scientists and enthusiasts together to celebrate and document biodiversity.
Taking place in locations around the world, scientists and naturalists gather to conduct intensive field studies within a set duration, usually 24 hours. Within the timespan, participants race to find and record as many species of living things as possible.
Exciting and educational, bioblitz events produce important data for scientific study, while also engaging the public and raising awareness for environmental conservation. Community participation is encouraged, and researchers, educators and families can all take part in a bioblitz. Biodiversity is captured in the form of photographs, and visual records are added to a public catalogue to help monitor ecological trends and to promote appreciation for local and global biodiversity.
In Langley, BC, the bioblitz takes place annually in June. This year, Langley's biobiltz expanded into a virtual format for the first time.
Dr. Clements is an avid participant in Langley’s annual bioblitz events. He writes an environmental column called Green Beat for a local newspaper, and earlier this spring, he announced in the paper Langley’s first-ever virtual bioblitz. It was an adaptive way to keep the event alive despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and social-distancing measures.
Switching to a virtual platform using the app iNaturalist, this year’s Langley Watershed Bioblitz (June 1 -14, 2020) was very successful. 138 people participated, together making 3,615 observations and documenting a total of 776 species of plants and animals. The Langley Environmental Partners (LEPS) staff are currently reviewing the submissions.
Dr. Clements ranked 2nd among all participants, making 742 observation over the 2-week event, and identifying 251 species. Two other TWU community members ranked within the top 20. Ted Goshulak, a retired TWU librarian, ranked fifth, with 173 observations and 139 species. Jennifer Adhika, an aluma of TWU’s Environmental Studies program, ranked 15th with 43 observations and 35 species.
To see the results of this year’s Langley Watershed Bioblitz, visit the iNaturalist Langley Watershed Bioblitz page.
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About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students to find and fulfill their purpose in life. It is a fully accredited research institution offering liberal arts and sciences, as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. TWU emphasizes academic excellence, research, and student engagement in a vibrant faith community devoted to supporting godly leaders seeking to have a transformational impact on culture.
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