New Hanover County Parks and Gardens is hosting a pair of BioBlitz events during the month of September to highlight the importance of pollinating animals in the Earth’s ecosystem. The first will be September 11 at 1:30 p.m. at the Cape Fear Museum Park and the second will take place on September 25 at 9 a.m. at Smith Creek Park.
These events are part of the Parks for Pollinators national campaign, which is aimed at raising public awareness about the importance of pollinators and positioning parks as leaders in advancing pollinator health and native habitats. The event is being organized by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation.
“Pollinators are important to our entire ecosystem, so taking steps to protect them is critical for the health and wellbeing of our community,” said Tara Duckworth, New Hanover County Parks and Gardens director. “These BioBlitz events will help us understand how we can all better protect pollinators and other important wildlife in our community, and they will engage more citizens in this effort. We also want people to explore parks they haven’t been to before and we hope this fun and interactive program will allow them to do that.”
Pollinators are a vital component of the world’s ecosystem and an essential link in the global food supply. According to the White House’s Pollinators Health Task Force, during the last 30 years, the United States has seen a steady decline of pollinators, such as bees, bats and butterflies, at an alarming rate of 30 percent annually — making it crucial to take action on pollinator protection.
Participants may join the New Hanover County Parks and Gardens team on the INaturalist app and then upload photos taken on their own of plants, insects and animals during the month of September as well as at the BioBlitz events.
The BioBlitz programs are free and suitable for all ages. Registration is not required, but recommended and the event details are below:
- Sunday, September 11: 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cape Fear Museum Park (814 Market Street) – Learn more and register here
- Sunday, September 25: 9 a.m.-noon
Smith Creek Park (633 Shenandoah Street) – Learn more and register here
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up