Rebecca Boger and John
Marra of Brooklyn College, City
University of New York (CUNY), along with the National Park Service
(NPS) and Gateway Research Learning Center (previously the Jamaica Bay Institute), organizied a Bioblitz of Jamaica Bay from 3pm Friday, June 11th through 3pm Saturday,
June 12th 2010. Briefly, a Bioblitz is a 24 hour event aimed at cataloguing the diversity of organisms in a particular
area. This Bioblitz was part contest (racing against the 24 hour clock), part educational event, and part scientific
endeavor. We hope it increased the public’s awareness of the diversity of their own “backyard,” while
highlighting the need to protect sensitive ecosystems like Jamaica Bay (postcard).
 Jamaica Bay has been protected since 1972 with the formation of the Gateway National Recreation Area. Because of its unique location and rich resources, Jamaica Bay provides habitat for many terrestrial, marine, estuarine, and migratory organisms including approximately 200 species of special emphasis or protection. This event was an opportunity to show that biodiversity flourishes in a highly-impacted urban park. Unfortunately, for example, about 49 of the 65 square kilometers of wetlands have been filled in or are disappearing, and the water quality of Jamaica Bay has been impacted by sewage treatment plants, JFK airport, and urban, commercial, and industrial development. This BioBlitz was an effort to highlight the involvement of Brooklyn College and the CUNY system in local environmental action, develop and strengthen relationships with local and national scientific organizations, and provide both media and political coverage on the importance of biodiversity in mega-cities like New York City.
Participating Institutions & Organizations
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Media Coverage
Details
- Place
The Aviator Center [layout, directions] located on Floyd Bennett Field is the "Base Camp" where registration and all public activities will take place. Here we will have the scientist tent, tally board, and serve water and refreshments throughout the 24 hours. From here, groups will go out to survey various locations within the Gateway National Recreation Area in the vicinity of Floyd Bennett Field.
- Date & Time
Friday June 11, 3:00pm - Saturday June 12, 3:00pm
- Opening Ceremonies
Friday June 11 at 2:00pm
- Closing Ceremonies
Saturday June 12 at 4:00pm. Experts will describe their findings.
- Participants
We will have a group of Experts in their fields to lead taxon groups, but we are looking for Amateur Naturalists and Volunteers to help with the surveys and registration. All Experts, Amateur Naturalists and Volunteers must register via the registration form. Also, you must fill out volunteer service agreement forms #1 and #2, along with a photo release form. You need to bring the registration, volunteer service agreement and photo release forms with you to the registration table at the "Base Camp" in order to participate in the BioBlitz.
- On-line registration is closed. You can still register by downloading the registration form [PDF] and emailing it to the contact below, or bringing the form to the registration table at the "Base Camp". For those who registered via on-line registration submission, check the Participant Survey Schedule for updated names and assignments. If you do not see your name listed, contact jbrmin@ciesin.columbia.edu.
- BioBlitz Products
- Species Discovery Locations (mapped on Google Earth)
- BioBlitz Zones (mapped on Google Earth)
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