Calumet BioBlitz - What is a BioBlitz?


	A Biodiversity Blitz, or BioBlitz, is a rapid assessment of what lives in a particular area at a given point in time. Biodiversity, the variety of living things, is often discussed in terms of the rain forest or the ocean, not somewhere familiar or local. However, Illinois’ second BioBlitz was held in Chicago when scientists and the public came together for a 24-hour blitz on August 23 and 24, 2002. Organized teams converged on Calumet to conduct an extensive inventory of the surprising biodiversity living within the industrial landscape of landfills, refineries, and abandoned steel mills. Beyond those doing the field work were many community organizations that ensured meaningful participation for the public. A BioBlitz gets people involved in their own communities and promotes a positive awareness of resources and local conservation. While scientists and volunteers were challenged with identifying hundreds of species of plants and animals before the clock stopped, the public experienced first-hand how real science is put to work. One could view the bustle in the science tent as insects were pinned, fungi sorted, and pond water examined. Interactive programs, displays, and field trips educated the public on the diversity of the human and ecological communities of the Calumet region. Use the Interactive Map to explore the three sites and see how scientists sampled everything from insects and fish to fungi. The BioBlitz Database reveals an astonishing diversity of over 2,200 species recorded in 24 hours – an average of 15 species every ten minutes. The scientists found new state and county records and documented rare and threatened plants and animals. The data collected through the BioBlitz is the first step toward monitoring change to the region over time. Once scientists know what is there, they have a baseline to measure the impact of the conservation action that is taken as part of the region's environmental management plan.

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