The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WALLA WALLA—Join the Blue Mountain Land Trust and the U.S. Forest Service for Walla Walla’s second annual BioBlitz on Sat., June 1 at Fort Walla Walla Museum and Natural Area. This will be a day of scientific exploration, observation and discovery right outside of city limits.

The Walla Walla BioBlitz is a chance for the community and scientists to come together and celebrate the biodiversity that exists in the Walla Walla Valley. Participants will help local scientists and naturalists record as many species as possible around the Fort Walla Walla Natural Area. This data will then be used by the Blue Mountain Audubon Society to manage the Natural Area.

Throughout the day local naturalists will lead nature walks to help discover the plants, bugs, and birds that enjoy the area. After each walk, they will aid in identifying and recording the species collected. BioBlitz participants help the Blue Mountain Audubon Society learn more about the number and types of species that call the Natural Area home.

A Discovery Zone will be on site at Fort Walla Walla Museum for children and parents to learn about the different types of biodiversity encountered in the Blue Mountain region. Kids will have a chance to hone their observation skills and discover the interconnections that exist between all living and nonliving things.

BioBlitz Schedule

Friday, May 31 @ 8:30 PM - Evening Nature Walk

*Requires RSVP at bmlt.org/bioblitz. Registration is free.

Saturday, June 1 @ 6:00 AM - Morning Bird Walk

*Requires RSVP at bmlt.org/bioblitz. Registration is free.

Saturday, June 1 @ 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM- BioBlitz

*Free and open to the public. Casual, drop-in and enjoy the day.

The Walla Walla BioBlitz is meant for everyone. No science background needed. Download the iNaturalist app and join the Walla Walla Bioblitz event page to start uploading species identification photos. For how to download the app and create a profile, visit bmlt.org/bioblitz/. For a full schedule of the day’s events, please visit bmlt.org/bioblitz. Contact Lauren Platman (509-525-3136; lauren@bmlt.org) with any questions.

This event is presented by the Blue Mountain Land Trust and the U.S. Forest Service and is made possible with the support of Blue Mountain Audubon Society, City of Walla Walla, Fort Walla Walla Museum, Outside the Lines Art Studio, Sustainable Living Center, Tri-State Steelheaders, Walla Walla Basin Watershed Council, and Whitman College.