Wheatbelt. Bi Blitz. Volunteer Team Leader Information Pack. September 2016 BioBlitz

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1 Wheatbelt Bi Blitz Volunteer Team Leader Information Pack September 2016 BioBlitz

2 This project is supported by Wheatbelt NRM through funding from the Australian Government s National Landcare Programme. Front page photos courtesy (top left to bottom right): Kate Raston, Shannon Murphy and Wayne Clarke.

3 Wheatbelt Bi Blitz Volunteer Team Leader Information Pack September 2016 BioBlitz Send applications to: Leigh Whisson Regional Landcare Facilitator, Wheatbelt NRM Post Wheatbelt NRM PO Box 311 Northam WA Hand deliver Wheatbelt NRM 269 Fitzgerald Northam WA 6401 Register your interest by: Tuesday 26 April 2016, 5pm Background: Wheatbelt NRM will be conducting a 24 hour BioBlitz in the Avon River Basin during September We are seeking Volunteer Team Leaders with expertise in environmental science, ecology, natural history, agriculture, education and biodiversity to help out during during the event. A potential school-oriented BioBlitz is also planned for the preceding Friday and any assistance with leading small school groups would be welcomed. These Volunteer Team Leader positions are voluntary, unpaid positions. Wheatbelt NRM has invited local Landcare groups, grower groups and community groups to co-host and help coordinate the event, with the exact location and date yet to be set. What is a BioBlitz? A BioBlitz is a 24 hour citizen science event that aims to discover and record as many different living things as possible, within a set location, over a limited time period. BioBlitzes allow community members to work alongside environmental science experts as they identify and log details of an area s biodiversity. Results from the BioBlitz are then collated to form a snapshot of the area which can assist with future environmental management of the region. The 2016 BioBlitz in will be conducted over 24 hours (from noon on Saturday, to noon on Sunday), over a mixture of reserves and adjacent/nearby private properties. Ideally, this will include a wide range of environments, covering natural vegetation, agricultural systems, revegetation areas, and waterways. The extent of information collected will depend upon the experience and knowledge of team leaders, experts and volunteers at the event.

4 Purpose of a BioBlitz: A BioBlitz is a fun and informative way of engaging the local community and landholders while raising their awareness of the links between agricultural systems and the natural environment. A BioBlitz also lets Wheatbelt NRM support its local community by building their capacity to take part in natural resource management activities. A typical BioBlitz: increases the skills and knowledge of community participants to undertake future projects in the area increases interest in the environment, science and agriculture amongst the local community and wider public develops important links between people from science and agricultural backgrounds by having them work alongside each other attracts participants from outside the region and shows them local environmental attractions raises awareness of local groups and fosters a strong network of individuals and groups for future projects. What we provide: Wheatbelt NRM will provide staff for administration of the 2016 BioBlitz, including Regional Landcare Facilitator Leigh Whisson who will handle overall coordination and provide logistical support for the Volunteer Team Leaders. Projectors, screens, computers and digital microscopes will be available for Volunteer Team Leaders to use on the day, as well as 240 volt power for computers, fridges and lighting. Wheatbelt NRM will fund the event and be responsible for managing the budget and all expenditure of these funds. Wheatbelt NRM will provide promotional materials and services including flyers, posters, advertising, data collation, production of a final report, and general support. What you should bring: Your knowledge and enthusiasm and any specialised equipment for collecting data in your field of expertise, plus any permits required to collect field data. All Team Leaders will help present a short summary of the weekend s findings to attendees. Plus, on Saturday night there is the option for a 15 minute presentation to attendees. You will need to bring personal camping equipment, your own lunch for Saturday, and snacks. BioBlitz further reading: View results from the 2015 BioBlitz in Toodyay: View further information on running a BioBlitz:

5 BioBlitz site attributes: Wheatbelt NRM is currently seeking Expressions of Interest from community groups to co-host the 2016 BioBlitz. As a result, the exact types of ecosystems that will be surveyed will not be known until the co-hosting organisaton and location have been chosen. It is proposed that the survey area will incorporate as many as possible of the following: natural bush agricultural land with various crops and/or pasture revegetation and/or agroforestry water resources (creeks, lakes, dams, etc.) and associated vegetation communities. Contact: For further information, please contact: Leigh Whisson, Wheatbelt NRM, Regional Landcare Facilitator Ph: (08) or lwhisson@wheatbeltnrm.org.au

6 Volunteer Team Leader Registration Form: Contact details: Contact person: Group name: Position: Postal address: Phone: Mobile: How would you prefer us to contact you? Your skills: Personal skills, knowledge and area of expertise: Equipment you can provide:

7 Declaration: I, (name) of: (group or organisation) Declare that the information provided in this application is complete and correct. I have also read and understand the guidelines for this application. Date: Post Wheatbelt NRM PO Box 311 Northam WA lwhisson@wheatbeltnrm.org.au Hand deliver Wheatbelt NRM 269 Fitzgerald Northam WA 6401 What s next? Once exact site and date have been determined, Wheatbelt NRM will contact you confirm whether you will be taking part as a Voluntary Team Leader for the 2016 Wheatbelt BioBlitz. Please note that this is voluntary, unpaid position. Thank-you for your interest!

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