Niagara College will host its annual Spring Bioblitz on Saturday, April 11, bringing together students, faculty, and community members for a day of hands-on biodiversity exploration.
The free event will take place at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake, located within a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Participants can choose from expert-led sessions on birding, plants, aquatic organisms, biodiversity, and Indigenous knowledge. Lunch will be provided for those who register.
Sustainability Program and Outreach Coordinator Katie Bristow explains what makes the Niagara On The Lake campus such a good spot.
She says this year’s findings may reflect the effects of a colder, wetter winter, especially with forecasts predicting a hot, dry summer ahead. Seasonal timing shifts could impact insects and caterpillars, which are essential to bird populations.
The event will also highlight benthic organisms, small aquatic species found in wetlands and lagoons. With its location beside a restored wetland, the campus offers students direct access to a natural learning environment for studying these ecosystems.
A representative from WWF-Canada will be on site to discuss conservation programs, including the Living Planet Leader certification, which Niagara College has endorsed.
(Written by Brandon Warby)