OTTAWA (September 10, 2013) ― Nature Canada and naturalist experts from across the National Capital Region are gathering this weekend to host a fall “BioBlitz” in Ottawa’s Mud Lake area near Britannia Park. The event is open to the general public and is part of a larger effort to learn more about the state of local biodiversity and catalogue changes over time in population patterns. The event runs over a 24 hour period from 3pm on Friday to 3pm on Saturday and includes guided tours for the general public focussing on how to identify plants, birds, amphibians and reptiles.

“Our goal is to involve the general public in the scientific process and to have fun while doing it,” said Alex MacDonald, Nature Canada’s Manager of Protected Areas. MacDonald continued, “our hope is that lots of people join us for a fun, engaging day at this unique urban wilderness site”. MacDonald and other Ottawa-area naturalist experts are aiming to locate, identify and photograph as many different species as possible around the site in a 24 hour period.

For more information including a full schedule of events and directions to the site, members of the general public are encouraged to visit https://naturecanada.ca/bioblitz/ . Visit our website to download this press release.

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Paul Jorgenson, Senior Communications Manager, 613-562-3447 ext. 248, pjorgenson@naturecanada.ca

Sarah Kirkpatrick-Wahl, Conservation Coordinator, 613-562-3447 ext 252, skirkpatrick-wahl@naturecanada.ca

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