Riverside Park BioBlitz – Grand River Greenway
On June 12, Ottawa County Parks will be hosting its first-ever BioBlitz at Riverside Park (from pre-dawn to dusk). This event will bring local scientists and conservation organizations together to work with community members to build an awareness of the biodiversity along the Grand River while collecting monitoring data.
What will we be documenting?
With your help, we will be documenting a variety of species, including:
- Birds and mammals
- Reptiles and amphibians
- Insects and arachnids
- Plant species and fungi
- Fish, mussels, and macroinvertebrates
- Water quality
We’ll be using the iNaturalist and Seek apps to ID and document different species. Feel free to download the apps ahead of time. Not sure how to use them? We’ll be offering trainings at the event!
Hikes & Activities
At the BioBlitz we’ll be offering hikes and activities for adults and older children (ages 10+), as well as for families. In addition to the scheduled activities, there will be exhibits available all day.
RSVPs are not required, but we do ask you check in at the registration table on the day of the event. A map of activities will be provided.
Nocturnal Bird Hike, 5-6 am – ages 10+
Bob the Spider Hunter, 8-9 am – ages 10+
Fish survey, 9:30-10:30 am – ages 10+
Plant Hike, 9-10 am – ages 10+
iNaturalist/Seek Training, 10-11 am – ages 10+
Bob the Spider Hunter, 11 am-12 pm – families welcome
Fish Shocking and ID, 1-2 pm – families welcome
Macroinvertebrate ID, 1:30-2:30 pm – families welcome
Plant Hike, 1:30-2:30 pm – families welcome
iNaturalist/Seek Training, 2:30-3:30 pm – families welcome
Insect Hike, 3-4 pm – families welcome
Mussels ID, 3-4 pm – families welcome
Bird Hike, 3:30-4:30 pm – families welcome
Fungi Hike, 4-5 pm – families welcome
Event Partners
Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds (LGROW)
Owashtanong Islands Audubon Club
White Pine Chapter of Michigan Botanical Society
Bill Martinus & Associates
Friends of Ottawa County Parks
Ottawa County Parks Foundation
Learn more about biodiversity in Michigan with mi Eco BUZZ
Can’t make it to this event? You can still support this work by donating to the Ottawa County Parks Foundation!
The Ottawa County Parks Foundation raises funds to assist the Ottawa County Parks & Recreation Commission in achieving goals for acquiring land, developing parks and providing parks and recreation services and nature education programs for residents and visitors of Ottawa County. Programs to achieve these goals include various fundraising initiatives including efforts to secure donations of estates, solicitation of general donations from individuals and foundations, mail and email solicitations, fundraisers including annual event. Learn more & make a donation: ottawacountyparksfoundation.org