2015 Ontario BioBlitz - Don River Watershed | June 13-14

On June 13-14, The Ontario BioBlitz saw its largest turnout yet, with over 700 registered participants. Blitzers spread out to survey 19 different sites across the Don River watershed, including 4 sites that were surveyed by our Guided Blitz participants. Base camp was hosted at the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto, Ontario. Easily the most urban watershed that had been surveyed to date, the Don River still had loads of biodiversity for us, with at least 1038 species catalogued across the animal, plant, and fungi kingdoms. 

Highlights:

• over 700 registered participants
• 1128 species identified (and counting!)
• Of those identified, 10 are Federally-listed Species At Risk, including the butternut tree (endangered), Blanding's turtle (threatened), and chimney swift (threatened)
• The intensive Blitz teams surveyed 19 different sites across the Don River Watershed
• The guided Blitz took place at 4 different sites within the watershed
• Participants used the newly-launched iNaturalist Canada to record some of their sightings and species photos right on their smartphones 

Opening ceremonies at the Ontario Science Centre. Photo by Brennan Caverhill

Species records - now via smartphone! Photo by Danielle Bengall

Overview maps - click the map on the left for a larger view; click the "Don River BioBlitz" title for the map on the right to view it in google maps!

2015 Host

2015 Partners