Cheverly Biodiversity Day Bioblitz (Saturday)

When
05/16/2015
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location
Cheverly community parks

Sponsoring Organization: Cheverly Green Infrastructure Science Committee

Help experts inventory as many animal or plant species as possible in specified areas in the course of the day.

MORNING HIKES 8:00 to 10:00 AM

Native Plant Walk

Board member of Maryland Native Plant Society and expert on native plants will lead a walk to identify local native plants and explain what distinguishes them from alien invasive species, ornamentals and cultivars, and why a diversity of native plants have special value for us. Karyn Molines, Calvert County Natural Resources Division Chief.

Wildlife

Learn about the diversity of animal life all around you in Cheverly. Lifelong wildlife observer will show you how to locate birds, find various mammals by the signs they leave, and describe the various habitats they frequent. Matt T. Salo, Cheverly naturalist and Chair of the Green Infrastructure Science Committee.

10:00 AM to 12 Noon

Invasive Plants Identification

Learn to identify the most common and worst invasive plants in Cheverly and learn about the problems they cause for native plant biodiversity. Marc Imlay, an invasive plants specialist, and conservation biologist at M-NCPPC Park Ranger Office.

Reptile and Amphibian Survey

Discover what snakes, turtles, lizards, frogs, salamanders and other reptiles and amphibians lurk in our grass, creeks, ponds, under logs and other hideouts. Team will be led by Fred Abbott, herpetologist, Ecological Society of America.

AFTERNOON HIKES

12:30 to 2:00 PM

For Future Scientists: Children’s Nature Walk

Cheverly naturalist will introduce children to wonders of nature. Observations will be recorded by the leader and added to those obtained in other sessions. Elaine Friebele, recently retired from her position as a naturalist at the Jug Bay Wetland Sanctuary, will lead the group.

Insects About one hundred thousand insect species inhabit North America. Although they are everywhere, we know most of them only by their generic names, such as ants, bees, beetles, butterflies, dragonflies or grasshoppers, and not as individual species. Peter Touhey, an entomologist, will introduce you to the diverse and fascinating world of these ubiquitous creatures and explain their diverse roles in supporting our Green Infrastructure.

1:30 PM to 3:00 PM

Cheverly Trees and Shrubs

Woody plant walk at the top part of Woodworth Park, identifying as many trees, shrubs and perhaps a few of the most notable herbaceous species that can be encountered next to, or near the trail. Marla McIntosh, Professor of Urban Forestry, UMD.

Location: Cheverly Community Center, 6401 Forest Rd. Approach Cheverly from either south or north on BW Parkway, take the exit for Cheverly onto Rte. 202 (Landover Rd), head east a few hundred feet and turn right onto Cheverly Ave heading south. Continue for six blocks to Forest Rd, after a small park on your left, turn left on Forest Rd, follow it for about 4 blocks; on your right you will see the Community Center at the end of a long entrance drive (opposite 64th Ave). Because the Center parking lot will be used to set up Cheverly day exhibits and vendors’ stalls, please park on the town streets. Parking should be easy to find in the morning; in the afternoon you might have to go a little further out.

Meet at the Green Infrastructure command post table in front of the Cheverly Community Center/ Town Hall, where your team leader will provide necessary instructions on what to expect and what you will be doing.

Please arrive 15 minutes before the designated starting time.

Registration is not required.

FREE

For Further Information: http://www.greencheverly.org

©Maryland Native Plant Society
PO Box 4877, Silver Spring, MD 20914
MNPS is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization incorporated in Maryland.