Join South Shore neighbors to explore and document the biodiversity in the South Merrill Community Garden and surrounding area.
No experience is necessary – just bring outdoor clothes and a smartphone to capture your findings.
What is a BioBlitz?
A BioBlitz is an event in which participants identify as many living things as possible in an area in a short period of time to produce a snapshot of an area’s baseline biodiversity. BioBlitzes can take place in various habitats, such as parks, nature reserves, or even urban areas like vacant lots. The data collected helps us to understand parts of South Shore as ecosystems and track changes over time, which can then inform neighborhood planning.
How do we collect the biodiversity data?
BioBlitz participants use various tools and techniques to identify and document as many species as possible. For example, participants perform walking surveys and use the free mobile phone app, iNaturalist, to identify and inventory as many organisms at the species level as possible. Participants will also collect insects in traps and estimate the percent cover of vegetation using 1m2 quadrats along a 10m transect. Both Simpson’s Diversity Index and Shannon-Weiner Species Diversity Index are used to quantify biodiversity data and compare among sites.
When/Where:
We will travel on foot to several sites in the South Shore neighborhood. The South Merrill Community Garden will be our “home base”. A tent with refreshments, first aid, and information will stay at the South Merrill Community Garden during the BioBlitz.
- South Merrill Community Garden (7030 South Merrill Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60649) | 10am – 10:30am
- South Shore Nature Sanctuary (7059 S South Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60649) | 10:45am – 11:30am
- 71st and Crandon Community Garden (2301 E 71st St, Chicago, IL 60649) | 11:45am – 12:15pm
- Vacant city-owned lot (7042 S. Paxton Avenue, Chicago, IL 60649) | 12:30pm – 1pm
What to Bring:
- Clothing:
- Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing (layering is often a good idea).
- Sturdy walking shoes or boots.
- Hat and sunglasses for sun protection.
- Rain gear, if necessary.
- Personal Items:
- Smartphone
- Water bottle (stay hydrated).
- Snacks or packed lunch.
- Sunscreen and insect repellent.
- Notebook and pen/pencil for taking notes.
Please note that this event will be recorded via photography, videography, and audio recording. By attending, guests grant Delta Institute permission to take photographs/video/audio of them and their property. Guests authorize Delta Institute, its assigns, and transferees to edit, copyright, use, and publish the same in print and/or electronically. Guests agree that Delta Institute may use such photographs/video/audio of them with or without their names and for any lawful purpose, including such purposes as publicity, web content, and reports. By attending, guests acknowledge that they have completely read and fully understand Delta Institute’s Media Release Consent Form & COVID-19 Disclosure and agree by all conditions, and they release any and all claims against Delta Institute for utilizing this material for publication, external promotion, or distribution via Delta Institute-managed channels.
Delta Institute recognizes and appreciates that COVID-19 is an ongoing consideration for events attendance and management. We encourage our guests to please connect with us another time and stay at home to rest if they are experiencing fever, cough, difficulty breathing, loss of taste/smell, or any other symptom that may indicate COVID-19 infection. Further, we encourage our guests to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and welcome the wearing of masks to reduce community spread. Have fun and be safe!