BioBlitz (Annual Event)
Lead: Government of Yukon (Yukon Conservation Data Centre)
Timeframe: annual Summer event
Led by Bruce Bennett of the Yukon Conservation Data Centre, the bioblitz is an annual collaboration between a number of organizations, institutions and governments that brings together expert and citizen scientists on the land for a ‘biodiversity treasure hunt’. Bioblitzes are an important conservation tool used to search and identify species of a specific area over the span of one day. In this way, it offers a snapshot of the biodiversity and health of a region and is often where rare or “new to” the Yukon species are discovered. This information gets catalogued into a database that informs decision-making about land use, wildlife and habitat management and the impacts of threats such as climate change.
Recent Events:
July 15-21st, 2022 on the traditional territory of the White River First Nation in Beaver Creek
July 15-19th, 2021 on the traditional territory of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation around Dawson City
July 8-10th, 2020 at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve around Whitehorse
Jul 12-14th, 2019 in Watson Lake
Photos (below) property of Yukon Conservation Society
Sebastian jones catching Caddis Fly larvae (Bio blitz, 2021)
Juvenile Arctic Lamprey held by Sebastian Jones (Bio blitz, 2021)
Brett Pagacz (YG Habitat tech) and Nadele Flynn viewing moss (Bio blitz, 2021)
Gerry Blagoev (Spider expert - UGuelph) using an entomological sheet, Sylvie Binette (Whitehorse local) (Bio blitz, 2021)
Gerry Blagoev (Spider expert from UGuelph) and his findings (Bio blitz, 2021)
Glaucous Gentian (Bio blitz, 2021)
Maria Leung (independent naturalist) (Bio blitz, 2021)
Mikko Pentinasaari (Beetle expert from UGuelph) sifting through dirt to find beetles (Bio blitz, 2021)
Rhonda Kostelko (local lichen expert) (Bio blitz, 2021)
Minnow traps (Bio blitz, 2021)
Syd Cannings using iNaturalist (Bio blitz, 2021)
Resources
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All about Yukon bioblitz
A bioblitz is an attempt to document every living thing in a specific area. Since 2015 the Yukon Conservation Data Centre has been coordinating bioblitzes across Yukon and have discovered new species, new ranges, and and shared the wonders of the natural world with so many people. Learn about how bioblitzes work, some of the results over the past years, and how you can get involved next time!
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Yukon Biodiversity Colouring Page
A colouring page all about Yukon Biodiversity! Artist: Lucy Johnson
FUnders:
This project would not be possible without the generous support of the Government of Yukon and Environment and Climate Change Canada. We thank you!
