BioBlitz Participant Roles
Each of our flagship Ontario BioBlitz events has an army of volunteers and participants who help make the Blitz happen. Below is an infographic that breaks down the three different levels or components of participation. Below that is a detailed breakdown of roles within the Intensive Survey and Guided Blitz, as well as a description of our BioBlitz Support team.
Intensive Survey
TAXONOMIC SPECIALIST, ECOLOGIST, PROFESSIONAL BIOLOGIST OR NATURALIST
Level of Expertise – High level of knowledge of one or more taxonomic groups.
Skills required – a solid working knowledge of the taxonomic group with years of experience in surveying, collecting (if appropriate) and identification.
Tasks involved:
• Serve as Survey crew team leaders or be a part of a team
• Collect specimens and document site records
• Identify specimens in field and in lab
• Submit data to taxon coordinator
Time Commitment – all weekend
Skills required – a solid working knowledge of the taxonomic group with years of experience in surveying, collecting (if appropriate) and identification.
Tasks involved:
• Serve as Survey crew team leaders or be a part of a team
• Collect specimens and document site records
• Identify specimens in field and in lab
• Submit data to taxon coordinator
Time Commitment – all weekend
SKILLED NATURALIST OR STUDENT SPECIALIST
Level of Expertise – Intermediate level of knowledge of a taxonomic group. Upper level university students and experienced or intermediate level naturalists would fit into this category.
Skills required – some knowledge of the taxonomic group with some experience in surveying and identification in field or lab, or experience using field guides. Enthusiasm and willingness to help out are important here.
Tasks involved:
• Participate as members of survey teams
• Assist with record keeping and specimen sorting
• Lead nature walks or conduct taxonomic demonstrations
Time Commitment – all or most of weekend
Skills required – some knowledge of the taxonomic group with some experience in surveying and identification in field or lab, or experience using field guides. Enthusiasm and willingness to help out are important here.
Tasks involved:
• Participate as members of survey teams
• Assist with record keeping and specimen sorting
• Lead nature walks or conduct taxonomic demonstrations
Time Commitment – all or most of weekend
SKILLED INTERPRETER OR NATURE HIKE LEADER
Level of Expertise – General knowledge of natural history or ecology and/or some expertise in a taxon group.
Skills required – Previous experience leading nature walks required. Experience working with the general public including children. Familiarity with site(s) would be useful.
Tasks involved:
• Leading and supervising nature hikes
• Assisting taxon experts with workshops and demonstrations
Time commitment – as required by schedule.
NOTE: Experienced naturalists with time constraints that prevent them from committing to the entire weekend are encouraged to register in this category.
Skills required – Previous experience leading nature walks required. Experience working with the general public including children. Familiarity with site(s) would be useful.
Tasks involved:
• Leading and supervising nature hikes
• Assisting taxon experts with workshops and demonstrations
Time commitment – as required by schedule.
NOTE: Experienced naturalists with time constraints that prevent them from committing to the entire weekend are encouraged to register in this category.
Guided BioBlitz
NOVICE NATURALIST OR NATURE ENTHUSIASTS
Description – these individuals like nature and want to learn more about bioblitzing and to gain some survey and identification skills.
Skills required – enthusiasm and willingness to learn, minimal prior knowledge necessary.
Tasks involved:
• Participate in guided bioblitz teams
• For individuals who want to work on more than one taxonomic group
Time commitment – as desired – there will be different sessions spread across Saturday and Sunday.
Skills required – enthusiasm and willingness to learn, minimal prior knowledge necessary.
Tasks involved:
• Participate in guided bioblitz teams
• For individuals who want to work on more than one taxonomic group
Time commitment – as desired – there will be different sessions spread across Saturday and Sunday.
YOUNG NATURALISTS (under the age of 16)
Description – for young people who want to learn more about nature and bioblitzing. Must be accompanied by an adult.
Skills required – enthusiasm and willingness to learn, minimal prior knowledge necessary.
Tasks involved:
• Participate in guided bioblitz teams
Time commitment – as desired.
Skills required – enthusiasm and willingness to learn, minimal prior knowledge necessary.
Tasks involved:
• Participate in guided bioblitz teams
Time commitment – as desired.
BioBlitz Support
It takes a lot of people behind the scenes to run a Bioblitz! The program would not function without the dedication and hard work of our volunteers.
Some perks of being a volunteer at an Ontario BioBlitz flagship event:
Skills and abilities requested of volunteers*:
Volunteers are needed in the following areas:
Some perks of being a volunteer at an Ontario BioBlitz flagship event:
- Free Ontario BioBlitz t-shirt
- Overnight camping with Scientists and Researchers participating in the BioBlitz
- Volunteer hours for high school students
- Special keepsake button JUST for volunteers
- Invitation to the Ontario BioBlitz BBQ on Sunday
Skills and abilities requested of volunteers*:
- Comfortable talking to new people
- Good customer service
- Able to sit or stand for stretches of time 1+ hours
- Work well as part of a team
- Able to walk on uneven terrain for 10-30 minutes
- Able to comfortably lift 25lbs (setting up tables, carrying boxes of t-shirts) is strongly recommended
- Able to adapt and work in both fast-paced and quiet environments
- Knowledge of or willingness to learn about the ins and outs of the Ontario BioBlitz program
- Access to a vehicle is a strong asset for volunteers working at satellite Guided Blitz sites
Volunteers are needed in the following areas:
BASE CAMP REGISTRATION AND LOGISTICS SUPPORT
Description – general support, may help with anything from serving food to running between locations, to registering participants on the day.
Tasks involved:
• A range of support tasks to keep the whole show running
• Registration and check-in tables
• Parking assistance and directions
• Runners for taxon groups or organizers
• Wayfinding and Info Booth near registration
Time commitment – variable, please indicate availability. Volunteers are asked to sign up for at least one 6-hour shift
Tasks involved:
• A range of support tasks to keep the whole show running
• Registration and check-in tables
- Waiver signing
- Greeting + info for participants
- Lineup management
- Distribution of t-shirts at registration
• Parking assistance and directions
• Runners for taxon groups or organizers
• Wayfinding and Info Booth near registration
- Provide help and directions to incoming participants, and to the general public who are wondering what’s going on
Time commitment – variable, please indicate availability. Volunteers are asked to sign up for at least one 6-hour shift
FESTIVAL AND PROGRAMS SUPPORT
Description – these individuals will help with the Base Camp Festival and educational activities that will take place around the BioBlitz Base Camp.
Tasks involved:
• Assist with set-up and take-down of tables and displays if needed
• Supervise and help facilitate activities, games and crafts for the general public
• Provide wayfinding and information to the public at the Festival, answering questions
Time commitment – depends on activity and availability of individual. Volunteers are asked to sign up for at least one 6-hour shift
Tasks involved:
• Assist with set-up and take-down of tables and displays if needed
• Supervise and help facilitate activities, games and crafts for the general public
• Provide wayfinding and information to the public at the Festival, answering questions
Time commitment – depends on activity and availability of individual. Volunteers are asked to sign up for at least one 6-hour shift
GUIDED BLITZ CHECK-IN
Description – these individuals will help Guided Blitz leaders with check-in and registration for the Guided Blitz sessions.
Tasks involved:
Time commitment – depends on activity and availability of individual. Volunteers are asked to sign up for at least one 6-hour shift
Tasks involved:
- Facilitate Guided Blitz check-in by ensuring all names are checked off the list for each session - even if participants have already registered earlier in the day.
- Greeting + info for participants
- Directions, wayfinding, and crowd control at the Guided Blitz meeting spot
- Satellite sites will require access to a vehicle or carpooling with other volunteers
Time commitment – depends on activity and availability of individual. Volunteers are asked to sign up for at least one 6-hour shift
TENT CITY CAMPSITE SECURITY
Description – these volunteers will help BioBlitzers to begin their camping setup, and watch over the camp site during the event, as the camp site is publicly accessible.
(Volunteers for this role must be at least 18 years of age)
Tasks involved:
Time commitment – depends on activity and availability of individual. Volunteers are asked to sign up for at least one 6-hour shift
(Volunteers for this role must be at least 18 years of age)
Tasks involved:
- Oversee and secure tents and equipment at the overnight camp site, "Tent City"
- Assist campers with unloading vehicles as required
- Provide information and directions to participants
Time commitment – depends on activity and availability of individual. Volunteers are asked to sign up for at least one 6-hour shift