You are invited to participate in a 24 hour bioblitz that brings together citizens, expert naturalists, and taxonomic scientists to inventory as many species as possible. The event will run from noon Friday, June 16 to noon Saturday, June 17 at the Trout River Natural Area. See the attached poster for the details and schedule of activities.
Sunday, June 11th is Canadian Rivers Day. The Hillsborough River Association encourages all Islanders with an interest in river conservation to spend some time on this day enjoying the beauty and tranquility that our rivers provide to us. It’s a great day to implement a wildlife conservation project such as planting a wildlife food or cover tree or shrub.
For further information on, to discuss or contribute to the Hillsborough River Association ‘s Canadian Heritage Rivers’ Canada 150 “ALL AROUND THE HILLSBOROUGH ‘ celebrations or related activities please contact the Association at pisquidwatershed@gmail.com or see us on our Facebook site search-HRA-Watershed-Management. For the canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding, it would be helpful if you register with us beforehand so that we have sufficient provisions on site but last minute participants will be accepted .
For more information contact:
Dan McAskill Email jdmcaskill@pei.sympatico.ca Phone cell 902 393 4385
Angela Douglas Email pisquidwatershed@gmail.com Phone cell 902 218 2594
The Hillsbrough Canoeing, Kayaking, and Paddle Boarding event at Pigot’s Trail Boat Landing in Mount Stewart on June 10th (see attached poster below)
Cycling Around the Hillsborough – Cycling Road Ride May 9 2017
At our next meeting of Nature PEI, join local birders Rosemary Curley and Dan McAskill as they take us on a photo journey of their birding adventure with other naturalist friends in southeastern Arizona in 2016. “It was a very different birding experience” emphasizes Rosemary ” seeing mainly new birds, including some very exciting rarities”. “The variation in landscape was phenomenal” notes Dan “from desert, lakes and wetlands, to grasslands and canyon walls”. We were sucking air at 6600 feet as we sought the spotted owl”. The group sighted about 120 species of birds, a “pretty impressive list including the state bird” notes Rosemary. The evening promises to be full of photos of the spectacular landscape, exotic finds, maybe a few tall tales, and no mountains to climb.
Rosemary Curley is a longtime member of Nature PEI who enjoys birding and botanizing.
Dan McAskill is a birder and naturalist who naturally keeps track of birds wherever he is.
All are welcome to join us Tuesday June 6, 7:30 pm at Beaconsfield, the Carriage House in Charlottetown where Dan and Rosemary will share highlights of their trip.
Update – Date Changed – Nature PEI’s Bain Bird Count – now on Sunday May 28, 2017. Due to weather forecasts (wind and rain) the Saturday activities have been moved to Sunday. Results from Saturday can still be submitted and adjusted for a 24 hour period but contact Dan for more details.
For more information, please contact Dan McAskill at 902-569-4351 or by email at jdmcaskill@pei.sympatico.ca
Nature PEI to host a workshop on Flowerflies, Slugs & Snails
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island – May 13, 2017 – Nature PEI is beginning collections of flower flies, snail and slugs this month and will be hosting a workshop about these insects and molluscs. This workshop is being held as part of a nation-wide project to help connect Canadians with nature and showcase the wealth of our biodiversity. This special event is a BioBlitz Canada 150 project. It is supported by the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) and the Prince Edward Island Wildlife Conservation Fund (WCF) in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Confederation.
WHEN: May 13, 2017 at 1pm
WHAT: Biologists will discuss the lifestyles of the groups and will demonstrate proper techniques for preparation and preservation of specimens for identification and storage. Weather permitting, there will be an outdoor component to look for the beasts in question.
WHERE: 183 Upton Road, at the Forest, Fish and Wildlife Office
WHY: Key goals include:
WHO: This event is open to all members of the public
For more information visit BioBlitzCanada.ca.
About BioBlitz Canada:
BioBlitz Canada is a national partnership of leading conservation, education and research organizations. The goal is to document Canada’s biodiversity by connecting the public with nature in a scientist-led participatory surveys of life. The vision is to help Canadians learn about and connect with nature, be it in one’s own backyard or the most important ecological sites in Canada. Visit BioblitzCanada.ca for more information.
About the Canadian Wildlife Federation:
The Canadian Wildlife Federation is a national, not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to fostering awareness and appreciation of our natural world. By spreading knowledge of human impacts on the environment, carrying out research, developing and delivering education programs, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, recommending changes to policy and co-operating with like-minded partners, CWF encourages a future in which Canadians can live in harmony with nature. For more information visit CanadianWildlifeFederation.ca.
Contacts:
Stay Connected
Twitter: @BioBlitzCanada, @CWF_FCF, @canada150th
Hashtags: #Canada150 #Bioblitz150
Websites: BioblitzCanada.ca, iNaturalist.ca
Join us at Nature PEI’s monthly meeting where Kami Harris will introduce us to the 5 Ws of Lyme disease, a bacterial infection that is transmitted to people and animals through a tick bite. “The risk of Lyme disease is rapidly increasing in Canada as the climate changes and tick populations expand” notes Ms. Harris, adding that “due to the many waterways in our region, which are favorite haunts of tick-carrying birds, the Maritimes have an increasing density of ticks”. Her presentation will provide an overview of what Lyme disease is, how it can be contracted and diagnosed, and ways to prevent the infection. Ms. Harris will also describe the current research underway including the spread of ticks and infection among people and animals of New Brunswick, as well as problems with effective diagnosis and treatment.
Kami Harris completed both her BSc Honours and MSc in Biology at Mount Allison University and is currently a PhD candidate at the Atlantic Veterinary College, UPEI, under the supervision of Dr. Vett Lloyd (MTA) and Dr. Pierre-Yves Daoust (AVC). Her research focuses on the genetic diversity of the Lyme-causing bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi in our region, the prevalence of this diversity among ticks, animals and people, and the impact this diversity may be having on serological response.
All are welcome to join us Tuesday May 2, 7:30 pm at Beaconsfield, the Carriage House in Charlottetown to learn more about Lyme disease and how to prevent it.
