BioBlitz! OK 2021 – BioBitz Schedule

BioBitz are small, in-person activities that will be held at parks across the state during BioBlitz! weekend.

Social distancing and masks are required for attendance.

Click the SIGN UP link to send an email to the activity leader that you will be attending.  Please let them know which activity and what time you want to attend.  After you sign up, the leader will email you details on the time and location for the activity.

Dates and times are tentative and weather dependent.  Be sure to sign up with the leader so that you get updates.

Deadline to sign up for a BioBit is Thursday Sept. 30, but activities may fill before that date.

Friday, Oct. 1

Activity: Crosstimbers Trail
Leader: Lynn Michael, Oklahoma Native Plant Society
Location: Tulsa Botanic Garden, 3900 Tulsa Botanic Drive, Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Meet at the Visitor Center.  BioBit attendees get free admission.
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Description: Plants at the edge of the Crosstimbers woods and the prairie wildflowers and grasses.
Attendance Limit: 15
Activity: Pollinators & Plants
Leader: Priscilla Crawford, Oklahoma Biological Survey
Location: Saxon Park, Norman
Time: 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Description: Take an easy stroll through a natural city park to observe the pollinators visiting the native plants.
Attendance Limit: 15
SIGN UP
Activity: Lakeside Herpetology Talk & Walk
Leader: Jessa Watters, Sam Noble Museum
Location: Northeast Lions Park, Norman (meet at picnic shelter near the bridge)
Time: 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Description: Learn about reptiles and amphibians (including capture techniques and frog call identification) and about the infectious diseases affecting them. Family friendly! All ages welcome!
Bring with you/wear: long pants, shoes/boots that can get wet/muddy, flashlight (or headlamp, if you have one), dipnet (if you have one), bugspray
Attendance Limit: 15

Saturday, Oct. 2

Activity: Sunrise Walk – CANCELLED DUE TO STORMS
Leader: Vonceil Harmon, Oklahoma Biological Survey
Location: Eastwood Park, Norman
Time: 7:00-9:00 a.m.
Description: Exploring the early morning biodiversity
Attendance Limit: 15
SIGN UP

Activity: Birding by Ear
Leader: Josh Smith, Oxley Nature Center
Location: Oxley Nature Center, Tulsa
Time: 8:30-10:00 a.m.
Description: Walking the trails listening for the early birds
Attendance Limit: 10
SIGN UP 

Activity: Animal tracks & signs
Leader: Nick Czaplewski, Oklahoma Museum of Natural History
Location: Sutton Nature Park, Norman
Time: 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Description: Learn to recognize indications of wildlife without needing to see or disturb them, from the signs they leave.
Attendance limit: 10

Activity: Tour of Redbud Valley Nature Preserve
Leaders: Mary Seabourn, Redbud Valley Nature Preserve, and Lynn Michel, Oklahoma Native Plant Society
Description: learn more about Redbud Valley Nature Preserve’s history, its environments, and why nature preserves matter in this guided 1.5 mi hike through forest, limestone cliff face, and prairie/savanna. Participants should be prepared for a 1.5 mi hike through rugged terrain with some elevation changes.
Location:  Redbud Valley Nature Preserve, Catoosa, OK
Time: 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Attendance Limit: 10
SIGN UP

Activity: Invertebrate Inventory
Leader: Vonceil Harmon, Oklahoma Biological Survey
Location: Eastwood Park, Norman
Time: 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
Description: Counting the terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates
Attendance Limit: 15
SIGN UP

Activity: Roman Nose Plant Walk
Leader: Abby Moore, OU Bebb Herbarium and Oklahoma Biological Survey
Location: Meet at the trailhead at the lodge parking lot, Roman Nose State Park
Time: 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Description: We will look at trees and wildflowers at Roman Nose State Park.  This will be a relatively slow walk but will be on trails.
Bring/wear: hiking shoes, water, and snacks
Attendance limit: 15
SIGN UP

Activity: Using the “Lichen Field Guide” to identify lichens
Leader: Sheila Strawn, Lichenologist, Visiting Scholar, University of Central Oklahoma
Location: Sutton Urban Wilderness, Norman
Time: 1:30 -3:00 p.m.
Description: Lichen hike
Attendance Limit: 12
Activity: Herp Hike
Leaders: Derek Bateman, Sammi Todd
Description: Hike through woods with small elevation shifts. Looking under cover for reptiles, amphibians, and other small animals.
Location: Robbers Cave State Park
Time: 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Attendance Limit: 20
SIGN UP

Activity: Aquatic Macro Invertebrates
Leader: Rickey Cothran, SWOSU Biology
Location: Roman Nose State Park, Watonga
Time: 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Description: Exploring the aquatic macro inverts that live in the springs, stream, and lake of the park.
Bring/wear: Field clothes, bug spray, water bottle, hat
Attendance Limit: 8
SIGN UP

Activity: Small Mammal Survey, Animal Tracks, & Fluorescent Dusting
Leader: Tony Stancampiano, Oklahoma City University
Location: Roman Nose State Park, Watonga
Time: 5:30 p.m. until dark
Description: Discussion of mammal sampling strategies and techniques.  Set out live traps Saturday evening and collect/check Sunday morning.  Set out track stations and track powder coated mammal using UV lights.  Moderate off trail walking and carrying of equipment.
Bring/wear: Weather appropriate long pants and shirt.
Attendance Limit: 10
SIGN UP

Activity: Moth Night
Leader: Zach DuFran
Location: NEW LOCATION!!  Saxon Park, Norman
Time: 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Description: We will have multiple lights and sheets setup to attract moths and other nocturnal insects. Knowledgeable volunteers and field guides will be available to help identify all of the critters. This is a family friendly event. Feel free to bring a flashlight and camera. Some headlamps will be available for use.
Attendance Limit: 25

Sunday, Oct. 3

Activity: Morning at Blackbird Marsh
Leader: Amy Morris, Oxley Nature Center
Location: Oxley Nature Center, Tulsa
Time: 7:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m.
Description: What is a wetland, and what special adaptations are needed to live here?  We will explore the wonders of plants and animals that make this area their home. You will need sturdy shoes, bug repellent, and curiosity!
Attendance Limit: 8
SIGN UP

Activity: Small Mammal Survey, Animal Tracks, & Fluorescent Dusting
Leader: Tony Stancampiano, Oklahoma City University
Location: Roman Nose State Park, Watonga
Time: 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Description: Discussion of mammal sampling strategies and techniques.  Set out live traps Saturday evening and collect/check Sunday morning.  Set out track stations and track powder coated mammal using UV lights.  Moderate off trail walking and carrying of equipment.
Bring/wear: Weather appropriate long pants and shirt.
Attendance Limit: 10
SIGN UP

Activity: Discovery Walk
Leader: Rusty Grimpe, retired zoo curator, Oxley Nature Center Volunteer
Location: Oxley Nature Center, Tulsa
Time: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Description: What can you see in October?  Plenty!!  We will walk and talk about all the things we see!
Bring/Wear: long pants, sturdy shoes, binoculars, bug repellent, and no fear of mud!
Attendance Limit: 12
SIGN UP

Activity: Blossoms, Birds and Bugs
Leader: Lynn Michael, Oklahoma Native Plant Society
Location: Claremore Lake
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 pm
Description: Walk the trail for plant species, then add shoreline plants and the birds and insects that accompany them.
Attendance Limit: 15

Activity: Pond Investigation
Leader: Julie Monnot, Oxley Nature Center
Location: Oxley Nature Center, Tulsa
Time: 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Description: Learn about the importance of clean water while netting the small critters in the Oxley ponds.
Attendance Limit: 10
SIGN UP

Activity: The Natural World at Night
Leaders:  Eddie Reese and Mary Seabourn, Oxley Nature Center
Location: Oxley Nature Center, Tulsa
Time: 6:30 – 8:30p.m.
Description: a guided hike through the forest at night, looking for tracks and learning about various nocturnal species, especially mammals, bats, and owls.  Participants should be prepared to walk a mile outdoors on natural surface trails across uneven ground.  Flashlights/cell phone use is discouraged (but please bring one if you need it). Dark clothing is preferred to help blend in with the night.
Attendance Limit: 12 (2 groups of 6)
SIGN UP