BioBlitz: Biodiversity Bonanza at Bol Park

Join Grassroots Ecology on a scavenger hunt for native species! A BioBlitz is an effort to record as many wildlife species as possible (bio-) at a specific location over a specific timeframe (-blitz). During this BioBlitz we will use iNaturalist, a mobile phone app, to take pictures of and catalogue all the different species we find at Bol Park.

Bol Park offers a great opportunity to discover and learn about locally native species. At Bol Park, there is a native plant garden, Matadero Creek, and lots of native trees -- all of which provide habitat for invertebrates and other animals. With the help of Grassroots Ecology naturalists, you will learn all about the hidden ecosystems in urban Palo Alto!

Using iNaturalist: For this event, we will be using the mobile phone app, iNaturalist. Before you arrive, please download the app on the app store/google play, and create an account. Once you have an account you can join our project here or by going to the 'Projects' tab on the app and searching for "Bol Park Winter 2020 BioBlitz".

Waivers/Registration: All attendees must be registered individually and have approved the online waiver through this Eventbrite page. Youth under 18 must have their legal guardian approve the waiver on their behalf. Attendees age 12 and under require an accompanying adult.

Parking: Street parking is available on Laguna Ave.

Alternate Transportation:

By Bus: Routes 22 and 522 stop at El Camino and California Ave. Then walk 1.3 miles to the park.

By human-powered wheels: Bike rack parking is available

Meeting Space: Lawn area between native garden area and Bol Park Bike Path near Laguna Ave.

Prepare for Working Outdoors:

• No restrooms available on site. The nearest public facilities are located at Mayfield Soccer Complex (1.4 miles away)
• Phone (with iNaturalist app)
• Camera (optional, if you want to take high resolution photos)
• Face mask for COVID-19 safety
• Reusable water bottle (filled with water)
• Snacks, if desired
• Long pants, long sleeves recommended
• Sturdy closed-toed shoes that can get dirty
• Hat/sunscreen or rain gear/boots
• Epi-Pen or allergy medicine, if applicable
• Plan for potential exposure to sun, poison oak, ticks, prickly plants

Grassroots Ecology will provide binoculars and other tools for observing wildlife.

COVID-19 Safety

We feel it is especially important for people to connect with nature during these challenging times, and our staff will carefully adhere to the social distancing and safety protocols we have developed in compliance with public health guidelines. Safety is our number one priority for all of our programs! View our COVID-19 safety protocols here.

Event Cancellations:

We are committed to the safety of our staff and community. In the event that we must cancel an event due to extreme weather conditions or poor air quality, a Grassroots Ecology staff person will reach out via email no later than 5:00 PM the day prior to this event.

Join Us!

Grassroots Ecology encourages people from all identities and backgrounds to participate in our programs. Many of our programs are outdoors and involve moving and working in a variety of landscapes. If you have accessibility concerns (e.g. allergies, limited mobility, learning differences), our projects are flexible and we are happy to work with you. Please reach out to the event facilitator so we can prepare for your participation.

Accessibility concerns? Questions? Cancellations? Email [email protected]

Host or Publisher Grassroots Ecology