Bioblitz Planned at GMF on June 7

Aton Forest and Great Mountain Forest invite volunteers of all ages and experience levels to join a Norfolk Conservation Coalition event on Saturday, June 7, from 8 to 11 a.m., at Yale Camp in GMF.
The event, planned in conjunction with Connecticut Trails Day 2025, involves a moderate hike through GMF, paired with a Bioblitz. A Bioblitz is a communal effort to record as many species as possible within a designated area and time period. It brings together both scientists and community members to identify and document a wide variety of life—from towering trees and colorful wildflowers to birds, insects, fungi and other wildlife. The observations collected will contribute valuable data to support scientific research and conservation initiatives.

There will be four expert leaders for the BioBlitz: Elizabeth Corrigan, trees and plants; Shelley Harms, birds; Mike Zarfos, trees and plants; and Fran Zygmont, birds. Participants will choose an expert to hike with and then set off to discover and document as many species as possible.

This free event is limited to 50 participants; organizers ask that hikers please download the iNaturalist app in advance. Full details and links to the app can be found at
atonforest.org.