Learn about the natural world around you and help the Chocorua Lake Conservancy collect data on what is found in the forests of the CLC’s Brown Lot!
On Thursday, July 15, from 9AM-12PM, join the Chocorua Lake Conservancy for a BioBlitz, exploring what’s on the land with like-minded adventurers and budding naturalists.
What is a BioBlitz? It’s essentially a citizen science effort to collect as much information about what is in a particular area in a given period of time. Plants, animals, insects and other invertebrates, fungus, birds and anything in between! We won’t be collecting them—just documenting what we find and where on this property. Help us spot, count and map what’s on this 150-acre parcel, but don’t worry, we won’t be covering the entire 150 acres!
Pine, hemlock, beech and oak make up a large part of the forest canopy here, but there are places where one species or another is more dominant. A variety of intermittent streams come down from the top of the hill creating seeps for amphibians and snakes and ferns. The property also includes stonewalls, foundations, and an old sawmill.
Everyone is welcome to participate. If you have a particular interest or knowledge of species to share, that’s great, but if not, this is also an opportunity to learn and practice observation skills. We’ll be traveling spread out in a group or two. If you use a smartphone, apps that work well for plant ID include iNaturalist and Picture This; we can discuss the strengths and weaknesses of these programs at the BioBlitz.
You’ll want sturdy walking footwear, plenty of water, snacks and bug repellent, a camera or phone for pictures, and maybe a small notebook. If you have not yet been vaccinated, or are less than two weeks from your last shot, please bring a mask for moments when social distancing is not possible.
Meet at the Island public access area at Chocorua Lake on Route 16 in Chocorua. We’ll park there and go across the highway to the Brown Lot. Please email lflaccus@chocorualake.org with your phone number to let us know you will be coming so that we can let you know of any changes in the schedule.
Naturalist Lynne Flaccus has 30+ years of experience in land conservation and stewardship, managing protected properties, studying wildlife, and educating adults and children.
Banner image: Documenting a beautiful instance of chicken of the woods (Laetiporus). Photo: Lynne Flaccus