The 2nd Annual Delmarva BioBlitz will connect kids and families to nature through fun, semi-competitive nature exploration, while raising funds for non-profit organizations working on the Delmarva Peninsula. BioBlitz teams will conduct citizen-science inventories and help showcase Delmarva biodiversity in their local park, their watershed, or their region during the week of October 10 – 19, 2009.

Delmarva environmental organizations, youth groups, businesses, and educational institutions can sponsor a BioBlitz team of up to 10 people. $500 prizes will be awarded to youth and adult teams. Youth teams must include at least 50% kids under 18. All-adult teams are also welcome. Teams will register with Delmarva Low-Impact Tourism Experiences (DLITE). Once registered, teams will receive rules, pledge forms, and inventory lists from DLITE via email.

Prior to the week of October 10 – 19, 2009, BioBlitz teams will solicit pledges for the total number of species they will inventory during a 4-hour block (youth teams) or an 8-hour block (adult teams). All plant and animal species may be included, and total inventory could reach as high as 200-300 species (most likely less, maybe more). Donors can pledge the team per species, or contribute a lump sum. All proceeds raised will be shared 50/50 between DLITE and the designated partner organization. Teams without a sponsor organization must choose a non-profit, scout group, school or church to receive their portion of the funds raised. No private business or individual may receive funds earned during the BioBlitz.

Within the week of October 10 – 19, 2009, teams must choose a site to conduct a “bioblitz” inventory during a 4-hour (youth) or 8-hour (adult) period. Teams must stay together, and conduct the bio-blitz within a single block. Using this model, teams can “bioblitz” their park, watershed, or region (i.e. – Trap Pond State Park, Maryland’s Coastal Bays, Accomack County). All BioBlitz inventories must be conducted on the Delmarva Peninsula.

To be inventoried, team members must be in the presence of a wild plant or animal, or wildlife sign. Additional BioBlitz rules are available by contacting DLITE.

All inventory checklists, pledge forms and funds must be received by DLITE by Friday, November 13, 2009. A final “BioBlitz Tally Rally” and picnic will be held on Thursday, November 19, 2009, at the Hazel Outdoor Discovery Center in Eden, MD. Four prizes of $500 will be provided:

- $500 to the youth team that inventories the most total species, and $500 to the youth team that raises the most money
- $500 to the adult team that inventories the most total species, and $500 to the adult team that raises the most money

The inaugural Delmarva BioBlitz was held in August 2008. The Maryland Coastal Bays Program won $500 for most species inventoried, with 335 species tallied. The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art won $500 for most funds raised, with $2,733.70. There were no youth team prizes in 2008. Collectively, the 2008 BioBlitz teams spent 400 hours in the field, or 16.6 days, conducting bio-inventories. Total species tallied in 2008 was 934, and total funds raised were $8,302.52.

The Delmarva BioBlitz is sponsored by the Hazel Outdoor Discovery Center and Jolly Roger Amusement Park. The Delmarva BioBlitz is supported by the Delmarva Environmental Educators Network (DEEN) and the No Child Left Inside Coalition.

For registration information, please contact Jim Rapp at dlitedirector@comcast.net or 443-614-0261.

From interesting bird sightings to events sure to please the nature enthusiast, this is the place to find out what’s happening on the Delmarva Peninsula. For more about various attractions and things to do on Delmarva, also visit www.hostourcoast.com.