Scientists and Nature Lovers Unite for Annual Bio Blitz

The Trailside Nature Center in Mountainside is taking place in this year’s Union County Bio Blitz, which is holding its 2011 headquarters at Passaic River Park, located on the corner of River Road and Springfield Avenue in Berkeley Heights.

The Bio Blitz is a yearly event sponsored by the Union County Freeholders in which scientists and specialists in several types of plants and animals survey the land surrounding the park in order to “generate a big list of species, which will give us a snapshot of the biodiversity of the area with the help of the park ecosystem,” according to event spokesperson Betty Ann Kelly.

Each surveyor collects data, which they bring back for calculation at “Bio Blitz Central”, which is located at the park.

“(The park is) where they’ll look at their results, they’ll try to look at what they’ve got, whether it’s a plant, animal, or insect, and then they will give that to the data person and the data person will plug that into the computer,” said Kelly.

Kelly also hopes that the event can inspire members of the public, both young and old, to examine the natural world around them. This wish is amid a growing reliance on technology in our society that is affecting the amount of time that people, especially children, spend immersed in nature.

“It’s just a really fabulous way for people to get out into nature. There is what some people refer to as ‘nature deficit’, where kids are sitting in front of TVs and sitting in front of the X-Box, they’re on their cell phones texting, doing IM, Facebook and all of that. All of which are good things, but they’re really not getting outside as much,” said Kelly.

“They’re not even doing this passive kind of recreation where they’re taking a hike or going for a walk, even with their dog, and noticing the shapes of trees and different insects, plants, and animals,” continued Kelly.

As part of the event, organizers have planned several programs to take place through its duration. The event began at 5 PM Friday and, rain or shine, is planned to last until 5 PM on Saturday.

“To raise awareness, we mean to provide programs and displays for the public so the kids and the adults can all interact and learn about nature in their backyard,” said Kelly. “They’re usually pretty amazed at the number of species that we find and the types of plants and animals that we find, because people are busy with their regular lives. They don’t really observe as well as they really should, so that’s what this event does.”

Some of the event’s late-night programs, such as the “Owl Prowl”, can be a bit overwhelming for people inexperienced in dealing with nature, but prove to be fun and intriguing when they become immersed.

“Most people are intimidated by (the late-night program),” said Kelly. “If they don’t have the knowledge or the expertise, they don’t feel like they can do that, so this event will help them feel more comfortable about doing that.”