Prepare to BioBlitz like Never Before!
This Saturday, May 22, join us from 8 a.m. to noon and explore wild Florida! Get an exclusive first-look at D Ranch Preserve while walking trails with experts and learning how to use iNaturalist to count and identify as many species as possible.
Schedule
8 - 9 a.m.: guided hike options: Bright & Early Birding / Go Gopher Tortoise Spotting
9 - 10 a.m.: guided hike options: Search for Reptiles and Amphibians / Identify Plants on the Property
10 - 11 a.m.: Hike the Habitats of D Ranch Preserve
11 a.m. - noon: Explore and Chat with Conservation Florida Staff
Meet your guides!
8 - 9 a.m.
Bright & Early Birding
Join our experts, Deborah Green, Peter Kleinhenz, and Heather Levy for an exciting bird walk! On this hike, you will learn about Florida’s many beautiful birds and listen for their songs!
Deborah Green is president of Orange Audubon Society, a birder, and native plant gardener. She worked six years as an entomologist, including three years in Puerto Rico, and then turned to science teaching in Central Florida — mostly environmental science at the community college level. Her final job before retirement was as Valencia College’s founding Sustainability Director. As a volunteer through Orange Audubon, she chairs the North Shore Birding Festival committee and enjoys teaching and learning.
Peter Kleinhenz works as the Aucilla Watershed Coalition Coordinator for Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy. He also teaches part-time at Thomas University and hosts/co-produces the online video series, Wild Wander. Outside of these jobs, he has served on the board of Apalachee Audubon Society for five years and is currently the chair of the Conservation Committee. Peter earned a B.A. in both Zoology and Mass Communications from Miami University, and earned a Master's of Science in Environmental Education from Southern Oregon University. In his free time, Peter enjoys traveling around Florida, around the country, and around the world to search for plants and animals. Birds, reptiles, amphibians, and carnivorous plants are his specialties here in the U.S. but he is most interested in rhinos, small cats, freshwater dolphins, and island-endemic birds.
Heather Levy is an avid birder and works as an avian biologist for Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy. She studies endemic and endangered southeastern bird species from the pines to the coastal marshes. She received her B.S. in environmental science at Florida State University and graduated with a M.S. in wildlife ecology from the University of Georgia last year. She volunteers on the board of Apalachee Audubon Society and the Florida Ornithological Society. In her free time, she is probably birding and looking for critters!
Go Gopher Tortoise Spotting
Explore D Ranch Preserve with Neal Halstead while in search of gopher tortoises. Be on the lookout for these slow movers and their burrows, which can provide habitat for over 350 other species!
Neal Halstead is Research Director and a Senior Ecologist with Wildlands Conservation in Tampa. He has 18 years of research and field experience in Florida. His primary focus is on conservation issues associated with Florida native species and habitats, with an emphasis on experimental design and analysis of research studies. He is the lead instructor for Wildlands’ FWC-approved Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent training curriculum, and is currently conducting a range-wide study on the federally threatened Florida sand skink and blue-tailed mole skink. Neal completed his B.S. in Biology from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Integrative Biology from the University of South Florida.
9 - 10 a.m.
Search for Reptiles and Amphibians
Hike alongside Marc Behrendt in search of some of D Ranch Preserve’s reptiles and amphibians. You may come across eastern indigo snakes and a variety of frogs/toads!
Dr. Marc Behrendt’s first love is herpetology, which inspired him to move to central Florida in 2017 to become involved with the region’s reptiles and amphibians. He teaches anatomy at Celebration High School in and is an adjunct professor with Ohio University. A certified naturalist and active conservationist, Marc is an expert in Herpetology and Entomology, and is an avid birder. During his free time, Marc enjoys spending time outdoors, experiencing and learning Florida’s wild side.
Identify Plants on the Property
Learn about the many unique plants of D Ranch Preserve with Marcie Clutter as you walk a trail on the property. You will be able to identify trees, shrubs, wildflowers and more!
Marcie Clutter is a retired educator and naturalist who has devoted most of her adult years to preserving and studying endangered plants, animals, and birds. Marcie is a past member of the Chassahowitzka Black Bear Working Group, current member of the Big Bend Black Bear Shareholders Group, and volunteered for Defenders of Wildlife for 11 years as the education chairperson for Defenders’ Habitat for Bears Campaign. Marcie has volunteered with the Florida Forest Service for more than 20 years focusing on removing invasive plants from forestry land. Marcie participated in a summer long research project to document avian nests in the Coolville River Delta, AK in 1987, and monitored an RCW cluster for six years in the Croom Tract of Withlacoochee State Forest. Marcie is an active member and former board member and President of Hernando Audubon Society of Florida. She is currently assisting ARCI’s Ken Meyer with erecting and monitoring kestrel nest boxes near forestry land in the southwestern part of Citrus County and assisting with short-tailed hawk surveys in south Florida.
10 - 11 a.m.
Hike the Habitats of D Ranch Preserve
Follow Conservation Florida staff Adam Bass, director of conservation, and Lillian Dinkins, conservation programs fellow, through the many ecosystems of D Ranch Preserve. Learn about the property’s habitats and history on a walk through wild Florida.
Adam Bass is a multigenerational Floridian with experience in real estate, agriculture, and art. Before joining us as Director of Conservation, Adam managed a 2000-acre farm and cattle operation, and founded a successful wildlife photography business. Adam also served as a Corporal in the Marine Corps with two tours in Iraq. Adam is looking forward to leading our statewide efforts to protect Florida’s natural and agricultural landscapes for future generations.
Lillian Dinkins is a recent graduate of Tuskegee University where she majored in Environmental, Natural Resources, and Plant Sciences with a focus in Forestry and Wildlife. She is from Atlanta, Georgia and although she is a city girl, she has a love for the outdoors and a passion for wildlife. She has grown to understand that conservation is important for future generations as well as for people today. Her biggest goal is to help people learn and understand why conservation is important and get people back in nature to see the benefit of being outdoors. While working with Conservation Florida, Lillian hopes to learn about the unique ecosystem of Florida and take photos of wildlife to share what she sees and learns with others.
11 a.m. - Noon
Explore and Chat with Conservation Florida staff
Learn about our current conservation projects, hear more about D Ranch Preserve, and explore more of the property!
We hope that you will join us at our annual Bioblitz this Saturday, May 22, to explore wild Florida and help us identify the species of D Ranch Preserve.
Learn more and register through the link below.
FAQ:
What's a bioblitz?
Participants come together to find, COUNT, and identify as many species of plants, animals, microbes, fungi, and other organisms as they can spot! You can learn more by watching this short video.
Where is this event taking place?
Our bioblitz is being hosted at Conservation Florida's D Ranch Preserve in Volusia County across from the Lake Monroe Conservation Area.
2655 Reed Ellis Rd.
Osteen, FL 32764
Who should attend?
Everyone! We will have activities throughout the day that are designed to be fun and informative for families, community groups, and people of all ages and abilities. A smartphone is required to participate in the species cataloging activities but not needed to enjoy learning about and experiencing natural Florida.
How much does it cost?
Tickets for adults are $5. Children under 18 are free to attend. Purchasing tickets directly supports our important stewardship work at D Ranch Preserve. With the generous gifts from our friends & neighbors like you, our efforts will continue to be successful. Please consider making an additional donation today.
How is COVID-19 affecting this event?
We are following recommended guidelines from the CDC to provide a safe and enjoyable bioblitz!
How should I prepare?
Plan as you would for any daylong adventure in the great outdoors. Some of the activities are guided hikes that require a considerable amount of walking on trails that might be difficult to navigate. You may encounter a variety of wildlife, including: snakes, mosquitoes, ticks, spiders, tortoises, birds, and butterflies. You should wear comfortable walking shoes and bring sunscreen, bug spray, protective clothing, and water. You will also want to check the weather and download a map to your location ahead of time in case cell service is not available along your route.
Please bring your cameras, binoculars, and cell phones - you won't want to miss the opportunity to observe some of Florida's amazing species!
How do I record what I see?
If you haven't already done so, please download the iNaturalist app to your smartphone. This app allows you to record your observations directly to Conservation Florida's bioblitz project. Please visit the iNaturalist tutorials for more information and join our iNaturalist project. Select the location where you plan to participate and record your findings on the day of the event! You can also share your experience on social media using #flbioblitz.
What if I have more questions?
We're here for you. Reach out to us at info@conserveflorida.org. We will also call you and email you periodically as the event date approaches.
