Village Creek BioBlitz

This event has been postponed until May 1-3 due to flooding on Village Creek.

Village Creek State Park
May 1-3
Lumberton, TX
BioBlitz on iNaturalist

Goals

Document the biodiversity of Village Creek and Village Creek State Park. Share strategies for detecting and identifying species with experts. Raise awareness of local biodiversity and unique species. Demonstrate the power of Citizen Science.

Scope

The target of this bioblitz is Village Creek State Park, and parts of Village Creek in Hardin County. While any observation made in Hardin County May 1-3 will count, please respect park rules, do not trespass on private property, and always obtain permission before posting observations on private property.

How can you participate?

1. Download the Texas Nature Trackers App, or the iNaturalist App.
2. Sign up on the BioBlitz page (free!)
3. Make observations of as many species as you can between May 1-3.
4. Join one of the official bioblitz activities lead by an expert.
5. Monitor the BioBlitz feed and validate incoming observations.

Lodging

The best option for lodging is to camp at Village Creek State Park, or stay at La Quinta in Lumberton. You can reserve a campsite online through the online reservations page, or call (512) 389-8900 ; normal fees apply. The La Quinta in Lumberton, (409) 751-3999, is offering a 10% discount to participants of the bioblitz.

Experts

Sarah Robertson (fish), Melissa Casarez (fish), Ben Labay (fish), Adam Cohen (fish), Andy Gluesenkamp (reptiles and amphibians), Jason Singhurst (plants), Marsha May (mussels) and Michael Warriner (invertebrates). Kim Sorenson will lead the river team.

Contact

Cullen Hanks, 512-656-1222
Cullen.Hanks@tpwd.texas.gov

Agenda

All activities will meet at the pavilion in the state park unless otherwise noted.
Park Hours 8am-10pm.
Entry fee $3 per person (children 12 years and younger are free). Check in at park office to obtain permit each day.

May 1

• ALL DAY: Anyone can make observations on their own.
• 6:00 PM: Evening Introduction picnic (bring your own food).
• 8:00 PM: Evening hike for Reptiles and Amphibians.

May 2

• ALL DAY: Anyone can make observations on their own.
• 8:30 AM: Orientation and overview of the Bio-assessment (Robertson) and BioBlitz (Hanks).
• 9:00 AM: River team will paddle Baby Galvez to 96 in Big Thicket N.P. (birds, herps, fish, mussels, mammals, plants).
• - Plant walk/observation hike (NPSOT-Beaumont, Singhurst, 8:30AM-noon)
• - Fish team will survey sloughs in the park.
• 1:00 PM: Plant walk/observation hike (NPSOT-Beaumont, Singhurst, 1-5PM).
• 6:00 PM: Dinner meet up, identification workshop (BYO food).
• 8:00 PM: Evening hike for reptiles and amphibians.
• - Blacklight and photo stations start up near the Pavilion.
• - FoTX nocturnal fish survey (FoTX team).

May 3

• ALL DAY: Anyone can make observations on their own.
• 8:30 AM: Fish and Herp inventory of Mandy Lake by invitation only (Jerry Rashall, FoTX, 8AM-Noon)
• - Animal Tracks hike and training led by Jonah Evans.
• 2:00 PM: BioBlitz Recap and identification review at the pavilion.