After six successful Bioblitzes in the region, for this year's National Science Week celebrations in the Valley, the Atlas of Life is this year partnering with the Sapphire Coast Science Hub and Bega Valley Shire Council to co-ordinate a BioBlitz along the Bega River and in nearby habitats.

Everyone is invited to come and enjoy this free, family-friendly, all-ages, nature-inspired festival.

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.

Visit our Basecamp at Mumbulla School which will be full of great things to see and do. With a chance to see what local organisations have to offer, the Museum in a Box from the Australian Museum, Eden Gamer, robotics and 3D prrinter fun, view the marvels of the micro world - the scales of a moth’s wing, identify soil and water bugs, or the gills on a fungus. Bring your own minibugs, feathers or soil sample for Microeye inspection. We offer a program of presentations from experts, on subjects from worms to wasps, the history of the Bega River and the secrets of Camera Trapping and much more. There will also be great short science films, a video on cultural burning in the Valley and the BioBlitz will include a schools program run in partnership with the Bournda Environmental Education Centre,

The Survey timetable, from Friday to Sunday morning will offer you the chance to walk with the experts and learn about and see many species by joining any of the surveys ranging from flora walks, to reptile hunts, waterbugs and searches for peacock spiders, night time moth and possum surveys, motion sensitive camera traps and many more.

This is a great opportunity to see and enjoy your Bega River, its wildlife and habitats, from different perspectives, learn about what's living in our backyard and have the opportunity to help grow its future biodiversity for our community and children.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• Surveys will be running from 9:00am Friday 16th to late morning Sunday 18th August
• This is an all ages event. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
• Participants need to sign on at the BioBlitz Base Camp (Mumbulla School Hall) at least 15 minutes prior to joining the surveys that are booked for. Please note some of the surveys require driving/walking to the location after you have registered at Base Camp.
• For your safety and comfort during all surveys please bring or wear the following: enclosed shoes, long pants, socks to tuck into, a long sleeve shirt, wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, wet and cool weather clothing (if chance of rain), water bottle, food for the event, sunscreen, insect repellent, torch or headlamp (for night time surveys), binoculars, gardening gloves, smart phone or tablet or camera. Individual surveys may also have additional recommended items to wear or bring in their survey description.
• Unsure if a survey is age-appropriate? Email the event coordinator Paul Whittock whittock1@bigpond.com for further details.
• The email address you provide to us will be used in circulation of BioBlitz updates, and you may also receive information from the Atlas of Life about future events.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a BioBlitz?

A BioBlitz comprises a group of scientists, naturalists and other members of the public working together to discover, identify and record as many kinds of plants and animals as possible within a chosen area. The mixture of wildlife experts and the wider community is central to the BioBlitz concept. This creates an event which is both enjoyable and meaningful to scientists and the community, helping to achieve a deeper knowledge of the chosen area.

The Bega River BioBlitz is the main science festival in the 2019 National Science week in Bega Valley

Where is the BioBlitz?

The Bega River Bioblitz, is mostly in the middle of Bega town along the river and the walkways. A few surveys will take place upstraeam and down to Mogareeka, so that we cover a good range of habitats. The Basecamp which is the ‘hub’ for all surveys and information, will be located in the Mumbulla School Hall

I have booked my surveys, what happens next?

On the day you will be attending the BioBlitz, you will be required to register for your first survey at the Basecamp at the Mumbulla School, at least 15 minutes prior to the survey start. This way the organisers can confirm your spot on the surveys and confirm with the survey leaders how many participants are attending each survey.

What is the waiver that needs to be signed upon registration?

All participants should be aware of the following Conditions of Participation before agreeing to this form. This is for insurance purposes and we thank you for your help.

All participants must complete a standard participant registration form at the basecamp prior to participating in any surveys.

Conditions of Participation

I agree to comply with the following terms that refer to my participation

• I will provide appropriate clothing, equipment and protective gear as advised on my ticket at the time of booking.
• I will notify base camp of all relevant medical conditions and pre-existing injuries that may affect my participation.
• I consent to authorise and take full responsibility for medical treatment and associated costs that may arise from withholding any vital medical information.
• I will follow the advice of my survey leader and ensure my actions do not endanger the safety and welfare of others, and ask to clarify any directions that are unclear.
• I will report all safety hazards, injuries or accidents to management immediately.
• I will comply with conservation laws that exists within the National Park.
• I agree to the use and publication of images of me and by me, taken during the Bega River BioBlitz by Atlas of Life in the Coastal Wilderness. Please notify organisers during the registration process if you do not wish to be photographed.

Base Camp

Mumbulla School Hall will be the Basecamp for the BioBlitz. Here you will be able to register for surveys, have your questions answered and rest between surveys throughout the day. There will be reference materials to help identify species, exhibitions, presentations and ‘Museum in a Box’ from the Australian Museum and our Microeye microscope to explorethe small stuff.

Organisers will have sunscreen and insect repellent available for participants.

Please bring your own food and water supplies to the event. Water bottle refills will be available throughout the event.

Parking

Parking will be available on the road near the School and down by the river near the Racecourse. Please follow signs and directions and drive slowly at all times near the site.

Is there a fee?

No. The Bega River BioBlitz is an all ages, free event. There are no entry fees to the site or the surveys.

Are there ID requirements or an age limit to enter the event?

Some surveys may be age restricted, and others require a certain level of fitness. So please read the survey description before participating. Please note, children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult or legal guardian. Young people between 15 – 18 years of age must provide parental consent.

What is the best way to get to the survey sites?

Not all surveys will occur around the Mumbulla School site. A number of surveys will occur in sites a little way away. Note the travelling times from Basecamp and allow for this when you book your surveys so you give yourself enough time.

Glebe Lagoon 7 minutes

Mogareeka 15 - 20 minutes

Bega Cheese Factory 7 minutes

Kiss's Lagoon 5 minutes

Bega River, Bega Racecourse and Bike track 5 minutes

Participants will still need to register for their surveys at Basecamp at the Mumbulla School prior to making their way to the survey site.

What should I bring to the event?

It may well be cold so participants are advised to have warm clothing and bring a bottle of water (refills are available on site). Please also bring your food for the event, as there will be no food available for purchase on site. Smart phones, tablets and cameras will all be used for identifying and recording species seen during the event (see below for details). Refer also to the more detailed list of gear to bring and wear provided in 'Important Information' above. The description of your selected survey will also notify you of any additional items, specific to your survey, that you should bring.

Do I need a smart phone or tablet?

At the Bega River BioBlitz we will be recording species data via the NatureMapr app and adding sightings and photographs via computers to our Naturemapr database. We encourage participants to download NatureMapr to their smart phone or tablet before they arrive, where possible. There will be volunteers at the event to assist participants to familiarise themselves with the app and use it in the field. You will be able to continue using NatureMapr to record ongoing sightings after the event. For those who don't have a smart phone or tablet, a camera is a helpful tool for capturing sightings for later identification.

Will the BioBlitz still be on if it is raining?

While we are hoping for good weather on the day, the BioBlitz will still go ahead if it is raining. Participants will be notified if extreme weather prevents the BioBlitz from going ahead.

Where can I contact the organiser with any questions?

If you are no longer able to attend the Bega River BioBlitz or you have made a mistake with your booking follow the prompts to cancel your ticket. For any questions in regard to the Bega River BioBlitz surveys, please contact Paul Whittock: whittock1@bigpond.com