Event description
Join in the next event in our Spring Bioblitz series. Enjoy a social morning exploring and learning about our local biodiversity.
A bioblitz is a fun community event that focuses on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a specific area over a short period of time. At this event we will be exploring the beautiful bushland in the backyard of Lithgow's State Mine Heritage Park. Anyone with a smart phone can help us document what we find using the citizen science app iNaturalist, you don't need any particular level of knowledge or ability. How many species will we find?
We are lucky to have native bee specialist Megan Halcroft joining us to run a pollinator survey as part of this bioblitz. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the fascinating world of native bees. Participants will be taught how to search for, catch, and document native pollinators. We will use magnifying equipment to have a close-up look at the insects we find, before releasing them back to continue their important work.
Taking part in the pollinator survey is optional- if you're more interested in plants or other animals you can focus your time on those instead.
Morning tea will be provided. Bring your own water bottle.
All participants will also get free access to the State Mine Museum, and are welcome to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the grounds.
This is a free event however registration is essential. Please click on 'get tickets' to register both for catering purposes and to manage safety of the group.
Children are welcome, but all children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
About Megan Halcroft (Bees Business)
Megan completed a PhD in 2012 on Australian stingless bees, and since then has been concentrating on learning as much as possible about ‘the other’ native bees.
In 2015 she founded the Australian Pollinator Week, and has been working closely with the Wheen Bee Foundation, to increase awareness and promote the importance of our native bees and other insect pollinators. She regularly conducts seminars and hands-on workshops to engage community interest, with the aim of encouraging individuals to support naturally occurring native bee populations.
This project is being funded under the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program which is an initiative of the Commonwealth Government- National Recovery and Resilience Agency.
Photo- Carpenter Bee, by Megan Halcroft