A BioBlitz of the Bega River is one of the highlights of Bega Valley Science Week. Photo: Supplied.
The revitalised Bega River is again one of the town’s treasures. There is more repair work to be done in this precious environment but the animals, plants, birds, and bugs that rely on this ecosystem have responded to the work of many in recent times.
National Science Week will prove it – with the help of local citizen scientists, that’s you!
After six successful ‘BioBlitzs’ in the region, The Atlas of Life in the Coastal Wilderness is partnering with the Sapphire Coast Regional Science Hub and Bega Valley Shire Council to co-ordinate a BioBitz along the Bega River and nearby habitats.
You never know what we are going to find at a bioblitz. Photo: Supplied.
“The many people who walk, run or cycle along the river have seen this environment be reborn, and now we want to put some data behind that,” says Libby Hepburn from The Atlas of Life.
Everyone is invited to come and enjoy this FREE, family-friendly, all-ages, nature-inspired event from Friday, August 16 to Sunday, August 18.
“A BioBlitz is a citizen science event, with scientists, naturalists and the community working together to explore their local area with the aim of recording as many species as possible – no science skill is needed, just an interest in the world around us,” Libby says.
“You never know what we are going to find, new species have been discovered, in 2016 at the Four Winds site near Bermagui we discovered a new Peacock Spider.”
A bioblitz is a citizen science event, with scientists, naturalists and the community working together to explore their local area. Photo: Supplied.
It all starts at Bega Valley Science Week Basecamp – the Susan Harris Hall at Mumbulla School, not far from the water’s edge of the Bega River, on Bega Street, Bega.
Outside of the BioBlitz sessions, basecamp will be full of great things to see and do between August 16 and 18:
Submerged: Stories of Australia’s Shipwrecks, Australian National Maritime Museum
This panel display highlights shipwrecks of national, regional and local importance. Australia has over 11,000 shipwrecks – that’s roughly one wreck for every three kilometres of coastline.
Exploring and Mapping our Living World, Bournda Environment Education Centre
Created by Bournda EEC teacher Julie Donne, this wonderful teaching resource will introduce you to the wonderful world of citizen science, where you can play an important role in mapping the biodiversity of our local region. Has that spider ever been sighted before? Is that bird out of its normal range? Has anyone sighted that butterfly at this time of the year? So many great scientific questions that could be answered through the sightings that you make in your backyard, local national park, on your farm – ANYWHERE!
Crazy Critters, Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre
A great hands on and interactive marine exhibit with live sea creatures on display.
Save our Species, National Parks and Wildlife Service
Discover a world of local shorebirds with Ranger Karl and the discovery trailer.
Be Game, 2Pi Software
Interactive display based on augmented reality and virtual reality. Create your own virtual sculpture in VR that you can then take home with you and view using 2Pi’s AR platform on your mobile devices.
End Game, Eden Game Development Centre
Explore the capabilities of virtual reality and video games. Learn about game development, coding, graphics/art, music and many more employable digital skills!
And lots more including the ‘Museum in a Box’ from the Australian Museum.
Science Week in the Bega Valley is a collaboration between a number of organisations including The Atlas of Life in the Coastal Wilderness is partnering with the Sapphire Coast Regional Science Hub and Bega Valley Shire Council. Photo: Supplied.
The BioBlitz timetable, from Friday to Sunday will offer locals a chance to walk with experts in their field – flora walks, reptile hunts, water bugs, spiders, night-time moth and possum surveys, motion-sensitive camera traps and many more.
“We are blessed to live in a community with so much skill and knowledge of the natural and scientific world. I love seeing people leave these events full of wonder for the world around us,” says Doug Record, Principal of Bournda Environmental Education Centre.
Taking part in the Bega Valley Science Week BioBlitz is FREE, there are a range of times and surveys to take part in, take a look and register now via Eventbrite.
But wait there’s more…
All Things Arachnid, with the Atlas of Life in the Coastal Wilderness, Saturday, August 10, 2 pm -5 pm, Tura – Marrang Library.
Tilting Towards Windmills and Solar Farms, Tathra Hotel, Thursday, August 15, 6 pm
Keep an eye on the Bega Valley Shire Library, Sapphire Coast Regional Science Hub, and Atlas of Life Facebook pages.
“This is a great opportunity to learn about the vast world of science and what’s happening in our backyard and have the opportunity to help grow this knowledge and passion in our community,” says Scott Baker from Bega Valley Shire Library.
What to know more? Click play…
LIVE at Bega River for the launch of Science Week in the Bega Valley chatting to Scott Baker from Bega Valley Shire Library. A packed program has been pulled together with Sapphire Coast Regional Science Hub and Sustainability Education Network, Atlas of Life in the Coastal Wilderness, Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre, Bournda Environmental Education Centre – check the library's Facebook page for full details – https://www.facebook.com/events/2058122484495328/
Posted by About Regional on Sunday, August 4, 2019
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