Rowan BioBlitz
Rowan BioBlitz
What's a BioBlitz?
A BioBlitz is a race against the clock to record as much flora and fauna as possible within a set area in order to take a snapshot of its biodiversity at that time.
Rowan BioBlitz 2024
- Where: Rowan University's Glassboro Campus
- When: April 24th from 9:00am to 9:00pm (12 hours)
- Who: Anyone! Community members, Students, Nature lovers, Outdoor enthusiasts, Scientists, and Citizen Scientists.
- Why: The BioBlitz will allow people to redirect their focus to the natural elements of Rowan's campus, and the data collected will help our Facilities make improvements to campus by having a better understanding of the invasive and native species that live here. Data can also be used by students and researchers to better understand the biodiversity of our campus habitat.
- How: Using the App iNaturalist, participants will scan any plants or wild animals they find and enter any known information. The iNaturalist community will do the rest and can identify the species for you if you're not sure. Since you'll be participating as part of the Rowan BioBlitz 2024, all of the species collected will be entered into our group for us to access later!
join our BioBlitz
Rowan BioBlitz 2024 Itinerary
The day begins with check in at
BioBlitz Headquarters at Discovery Hall
9:00am-9:00pm:
join our BioBlitz
Self-guided Nature Walk of Rowan University Campus using iNaturalist & Map
Come to Discovery Hall any time between 9:00am-9:00pm to start your BioBlitz adventure. We'll have maps highlighting areas of focus on campus, info on how to use iNaturalist to collect data, and other fun things.
Check out the campus BioBlitz map here!
11:00am-12:00pm:
Native Plants of Discovery Hall and Stormwater Infrastructure with Linda Walczak
Discover how the native plants around Discovery Hall grow with the environment and how the building's design encourages better stormwater management practices.3:00pm-4:00pm:
Hydrophilic Water Walk Through Rowan Woods with Urban Geography Students
Join Megan Bucknum's Urban Geography students on a guided walk through Rowan Woods focusing on the importance of water for the area, and scan some of the plants and animals on your journey to contribute to the BioBlitz.
3:00pm-4:30pm:
BioBlitz Walking Tour: Historic Centennial Trees with Sara Wright
Register for Walk Here
Date: Wednesday, April 24, 3:00 - 4:30 pm (duration: 75-minutes):
Location: Meet at the gazebo between Memorial & Bunce Halls (weather permitting)
Faculty: Dr. Sara Wright from the Biological & Biomedical Sciences Department
Learning objectives:
-
Learn about the trees on Rowan's Glassboro Campus
-
Learn about the history of tree plantings at Rowan
-
Learn about the importance of native biodiversity for ecosystem health
-
Get your steps in!
Description: Take a break, stretch your legs, and join Sara Wright from the Rowan Biological & Biomedical Sciences Department for an immersive 75-minute walking tour featuring Rowan's magnificent campus trees. This tour will be a special Centennial edition. Dr. Wright will recreate a previous tour made by students and faculty in the late 1960s. Attendees will visit and learn about some of the oldest and largest trees on campus - our Centennial trees!
Skill levels for attendees: Novice, wear good walking shoes
Self-Guided:
Walk the SCENTennial Trail of the Westby Smell Garden
Pick up your Botanical Fragrance Field Guide at Discovery Hall or at the Westby Smell Garden and begin your journey. Your field guide includes a map of Westby Wilds, A Native Plant Smell Garden which will help you self navigate the many plants and their exotic smells located there. Remember to scan plants and animals you find along the way in your iNaturalist App on our BioBlitz Project!
How to use iNaturalist
From 9am to 9pm on April 24th, discover Rowan University's wild side and capture the flora & fauna hiding between the academic buildings on the Glassboro campus. Help us take a survey of the biodiversity of campus in order to better manage the invasive and native plant life for the animals that live here.
Discover more about Rowan University's trees by going to https://arboretum.rowan.edu/
Special thanks to: School of Earth & Environment; Rowan Landscape Architectural Services - Div. Facilities, Planning, & Operations; Rowan University Arboretum; College of Science & Mathematics; Rowan University Library; College of Communication & Creative Arts
Have questions or want to be a included as a presenter? Contact Jennifer Totora at totoraj@rowan.edu
