Voyageurs National Park is highlighting its incredible ecological diversity during its annual BioBlitz event. Between August 1-9, everyone who visits the park is encouraged to document as many species as possible using the app iNaturalist. The goal of the project is to provide opportunities for the public to contribute to the scientific knowledge of the area, helping to inform park management and conservation efforts.
Observations benefit conservation
During the week of August 1-9, Voyageurs National Park and Voyageurs Conservancy are hosting their annual event, BioBlitz. They created this event to help expand scientific knowledge of the park and to encourage visitors to connect with the landscape more deeply. Anyone who visits is encouraged to document all kinds of living organisms, including animals, plants, fungi, insects, and birds, just to name a few.
“Every observation contributes to ongoing scientific research and helps deepen our understanding of Voyageurs’ unique ecosystems,” the Voyageurs Conservancy said.
Event coordinators hope it will also encourage people to explore the park’s many different habitats. By inviting visitors to document what they see, the project gives people of all ages a chance to develop their observation and identification skills.
The park is predominantly accessed by water and is popular with anglers, boaters, canoeists, and kayakers. However, there are over 50 miles of hiking trails and areas near the visitor centers to explore as well. The 218,000-acre park is located a little west of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. It is a similar landscape, filled with boreal and mixed hardwood forest dotted with lakes and other waterways.
Many types of large mammals live within the park, including black bears, moose, cougars, and wolves. Smaller mammals, though often elusive, can also be seen, such as beavers, otters, and mink. Every season, many species of birds and waterfowl migrate from other regions to raise their young in the park. With such a wide variety of wildlife, visitors are likely to spot at least one of these animals.
Everyone can participate
To help record their findings, visitors are being asked to download iNaturalist, which is free. The app provides a platform for users to share observations of plants, fungi, and animals and collaborate on species identification.
Documentation is pretty simple: Take a photo or record a sound; note what you observed and when you saw it. Then, share where you spotted the plant, animal, or other organism. You can record an observation using your phone, tablet, or computer. Once uploaded, anyone, including researchers, can access the information. The data collected will help park staff and scientists support ongoing park management, conservation practices, and stewardship efforts.
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The national park will also be offering guided hikes and presentations throughout BioBlitz week. Information on these events can be found online or at one of the four visitor centers. For example, one of the guided hikes begins with information about the park’s wildlife. Afterward, you’ll head out with park staff and use iNaturalist to document the plants and animals you discover.
BioBlitz is a collaboration between the park and Voyageurs Conservancy. Voyageurs Conservancy is the nonprofit partner that has supported and collaborated with Voyageurs National Park since 1965. Their work focuses on conservation, protection, and preservation while also providing educational programs and opportunities for the public.
Planning on visiting? Check out our handy planning guide and learn more about BioBlitz at the conservancy’s website.
