Community Invited To Help Middlesex Co. Study Biodiversity At Parks

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ — Throughout the month of September, the Middlesex County Office of Parks and Recreation will run a month-long “BioBlitz” program, as part of the National Recreation and Park Association’s (NRPA) Parks for Pollinators campaign.

This nationwide virtual event helps raise awareness regarding the pollinator crisis and to increase community involvement in protecting pollinators and biodiversity.

The program is open to all people, groups, and families.

The Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz is a collaboration between the National Parks and Recreation Association and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation. The campaign allows community members to take snapshots of the variety of plants and wildlife that can be found in County parks.

Residents can participate by using an app to take photos of plants, insects, and animals found in the park, in order to see what wildlife is present in the park during the BioBlitz.

“Our County parks are wonderful spaces for everyone to enjoy – including the bees, butterflies, and moths that provide a vital function as pollinators,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios. “Pollinators play a crucial role in our ecosystem and in sustaining healthy communities, and September’s Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz will provide critical information regarding the types of pollinators currently found in our County parks and open spaces.”

The program also helps provide the park system with more information about local pollinators, which are essential to the ecosystem. “The data collected during the BioBlitz will help us ensure we are maintaining pollinator-friendly spaces throughout Middlesex County,” Rios said.

Residents can use the iNaturalist app on a smartphone, visit any of Middlesex County’s 19 County parks or open spaces and take photos of trees, plants, butterflies, bees, or moths.

They can then use the app to attempt to identify the species and upload the photo to the iNaturalist website where experts will confirm the identification or offer a suggestion regarding the species.

Those interested in participating in the program should visit middlesexcountynj.gov/bioblitz for additional information and download the iNaturalist app.

After the program is complete, the County will develop a list of species for each County park. The data will then be available for the public to view on the iNaturalist website and to be utilized by scientists.

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