Special free public programs will be offered
Hillsborough, N.J. (June 10, 2010) – Teams of experts on local flora and fauna will gather on the morning of Sunday, June 27, as Duke Farms hosts its first BioBlitz, a one-day treasure hunt to identify and record species of plants and animals found on the property. Members of the public are invited to share in the spirit of discovery by participating in several special programs being held that day.
“The benefits of holding a bioblitz are two-fold,” said Timothy M. Taylor, executive director of Duke Farms. “The experts will assist us in compiling a list of species found on the property. At the same time, this event helps to create a greater awareness of and appreciation for the biodiversity of species found in our area, as well as the need to provide proper habitat for their continued existence.”
The public is invited to visit a staging area for the researchers that will be set up near the Visitors Center between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to view the work that is going on and to learn about the latest discoveries as teams report in. There will be a special focus on birds, amphibians, plants, mushrooms and fungi, and pond invertebrates, with several organizations taking part including the New Jersey Mycological Association, South Branch Watershed Association, North Jersey Chapter of the North American Butterfly Association, and New Jersey Audubon, which organized the event for Duke Farms.
In addition, visitors may participate in several special programs being held in conjunction with the BioBlitz:
- Beginner Bird Walk, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.: Designated an Important Bird Area by New Jersey Audubon, a total of 226 species of birds have been identified at Duke Farms. On this naturalist-led walk, learn about the basics of bird identification and see some of the species being recorded during the BioBlitz.
- Exploration of Dragonfly Pond, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Join our naturalists on a short expedition to Dragonfly Pond to look for amphibians, reptiles and other pond life – including dragonflies. Learn about the species of amphibians found in our area and how to identify them.
- Butterfly Meadow Walk, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.: Join the experts on a walk through native wildflower meadows to search for several of the species of butterflies found at Duke Farms and the plants on which they rely.
- Fungus Foray, 3 to 4 p.m.: Learn where to look for varieties of mushrooms and fungi and how to identify them, and learn about their important role in the ecosystem.
These programs are free and no advance registration is required. Participants should wear sturdy walking shoes and may wish to bring binoculars, sunscreen and insect repellant.
The “Walk on the Wild Side,” a 1.25-mile self-guided nature trail that winds through woodlands and native meadows, will remain open for visitors during the BioBlitz. Results of the BioBlitz will be posted following the event on the Duke Farms Website at www.dukefarms.org.
Duke Farms is located at 80 Route 206 South in Hillsborough, approximately 1.75 miles south of the Somerville traffic circle. Enter via the gate at Dukes Parkway East.
About Duke Farms
For nearly 100 years, Duke Farms, a 2,700-acre property in Hillsborough, N.J., has been a destination for the residents of The Garden State and beyond. As one of the largest privately-owned parcels of undeveloped land in the state, it is rich in agricultural, horticultural and ecological resources. The mission of Duke Farms is to be a model of environmental stewardship in the 21st Century and inspire visitors to become informed stewards of the land.