Thanks to everyone who contributed to making the 19th Whistler BioBlitz another species-filled success! Over the course of five days, BioBlitz scientists presented to almost every elementary school class and blitzed forests and wetlands throughout Whistler.
BioBlitz is an event that celebrates biodiversity through education and scientific research. The goal for our June event is to provide an annual opportunity to reach students about all the fascinating animals, plants, and fungi, as well as other organisms (like slime moulds!) that make Whistler home.
This year’s BioBlitz presented to 27 classes and 600 students at Spring Creek, Myrtle Philip, École la Passerelle, and Whistler Waldorf. This year’s topics included pollinators, fish, reptiles and amphibians, plant-fungus relationships, food chains, and animal tracks. Thanks to the visiting and local scientists who volunteered their time to present.
For the second year, we focused our biodiversity on slime moulds, a fascinating group of organisms that have not been studied much in B.C. We again welcomed three of the authors of the upcoming field guide on slime moulds combing under logs and in the soil for tiny specimens. Thanks to Tyson Ehlers, Ryan Durand, and Andy MacKinnon for making the long trip, as well as co-author Pam Janszen.
A huge thank you to the Whistler Community Foundation, the Resort Municipality of Whistler Community Enrichment Program, and BC Nature for providing the funding that makes BioBlitz possible. Huge thanks to Vanessa Stark for the inspiring logo that adorned our bright pink shirts and to Tia Blunden and Jane Millen for organizing the school schedule. We are also incredibly lucky to have such generous local suppliers who provided in-kind support, including Toad Hall Studios, Creekside Market, Nesters Market, Whistler Blackcomb, Tantalus Lodge, Whistler Museum, Creekbread, Splitz Grill, and BC Parks.
