Local event co-hosted by members of the DuPage Monarch Project
(Sept. 3, 2020) — The DuPage Forest Preserve District and members of the DuPage Monarch Project invite nature fans to join the “Parks for Pollinators Bioblitz" Sept. 12 – 20 as part of a national campaign to raise public awareness of these important animals.
To participate, people simply need to take photos Sept. 12 – 20 of any pollinators they see — hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, etc. — in a DuPage County forest preserve or park and upload them to the free iNaturalist app. Ecologists with the DuPage Monarch Project will then review the images to get a better idea of what’s going on in wild DuPage.
“About 75% of the planet’s 250,000 species of flowering plants could not produce seeds or fruits without animal pollinators,” said Lonnie Morris, coordinator at the DuPage Monarch Project. “In fact, researchers estimate that one in every three bites of food we eat exists because of them.
“But our native pollinators face threats from habitat loss, invasive species and insecticides,” Morris said.
To participate:
1. Download the iNaturalist app to your smartphone, and create an account. Make sure to let the app use your location so it can record where you take each photo.
2. When you’re ready, select “Observe” under the camera icon at the bottom, and snap your photo.
3. Select “Next” and then “Share.” Once your photo uploads, you’re done!
During the past 30 years populations of pollinators have steadily declined nationwide at an alarming annual rate of 30%, according to the White House’s Pollinators Health Task Force.
Organized by the National Recreation and Park Association and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation, the “Parks for Pollinators Bioblitz” also positions parks as national leaders in advancing pollinator health.
To learn more about the “Parks for Pollinators Bioblitz,” visit www.nrpa.org/parks4pollinators.
To learn more about NRPA, visit www.nrpa.org.
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About the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has been connecting people to nature for more than 100 years. More than 4 million people visit its 60+ forest preserves, 166 miles of trails, six education centers and scores of programs each year. For information, call 630-933-7200 or visit dupageforest.org, where you can also link to the District’s e-newsletter, blog, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has been connecting people to nature for more than 100 years. More than 4 million people visit its 60+ forest preserves, 166 miles of trails, six education centers and scores of programs each year. For information, call 630-933-7200 or visit dupageforest.org, where you can also link to the District’s e-newsletter, blog, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.
About the National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all people have access to parks and recreation for health, conservation and social equity. Through its network of 60,000 recreation and park professionals and advocates, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all people have access to parks and recreation for health, conservation and social equity. Through its network of 60,000 recreation and park professionals and advocates, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.