On Sunday 28 April, we held a thoroughly enjoyable and hopefully, informative and educational, Mini Bioblitz at the Mahoe Reserve. The weather cooperated and over 60 people of all ages searched the trails of the reserve identifying the flora and fauna and registering their findings on iNaturalist as part of the City to Nature Challenge.
At the Mahoe Blitz a total of 194 observations were uploaded to iNaturalist made up of 108 species. These formed part of the City to Nature Challenge Ōtautahi/Christchurch Project that recorded over 20,000 observations during the challenge!
Very grateful thanks to Mark and Hamish – Mark from Canterbury Museum who at short notice explained to everyone what the challenge involved and provided the various containers, nets etc. which proved to be essential. Hamish from Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research was on hand to identify the numerous plant types in the reserve.
Lincoln University student volunteers were kept very busy all afternoon identifying and helping people with the technology – there is no doubt that the various processes could not have run so smoothly without them and everyone had such an enjoyable experience. Thanks also to our own volunteers who set up and kept everyone engaged and happy.
Kia ora rawa atu!
The success of the event was such that we have undertaken to run another in spring as various plants flower and we will give some emphasis to these as well as the other exciting life forms to be found.
