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Butterfly Blitz

Join us for second annual Butterfly Blitz. This summer-long citizen science program is creating a watershed-wide inventory of butterflies in the Credit River Watershed. Participating in the program is a great way to connect with nature and spend time outdoors. You’ll have new experiences and contribute to a fun and interactive project.

You’ll learn how to identify butterfly species in your backyard and neighbourhood, and contribute important data to the program. You can take part on your own time and join our training webinars.

Data collected helps us learn about local butterfly populations and identify trends. Over time, the Butterfly Blitz database will provide valuable insight to help protect and restore wildlife habitat in the Credit River Watershed.

Please note: Due to COVID-19, Butterfly Blitz participants should only make observations from their own property and where it is safe and reasonable to do so during social distancing.

GET INVOLVED

Become a citizen scientist and join the 2020 Butterfly Blitz.

Not an expert? Not a problem! Anyone can contribute to Butterfly Blitz, and it’s a great way to learn. If you already know a bit about butterflies or want to commit more time to the project, we’ve got options for that, too. Everyone is welcome!

Participation Opportunities

Join our iNaturalist project:

  • Stept 1: Register for iNaturalist. Create a profile using your email address, Facebook account or Google account.
  • Step 2: Click on Community.
  • Step 3: Select Projects. Search “CVC Butterfly Blitz 2020”.
  • Step 4: Click Join.

Sign-up for an upcoming training webinar:

 

Wrap-up Event  – Online

Location: Online
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2020 
Time: 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Free!

Join us to to celebrate the end of our second summer-long Butterfly Blitz!

Thanks to everyone that contributed to Butterfly Blitz this year! Your observations helped expand our knowledge of butterfly species and their distribution in the Credit River Watershed. Together we observed over 64 different butterfly species and submitted over 1,700 observations.

We will provide an overview of the project results, discuss exciting field finds, marvel at some fantastic butterfly shots, share fun video footage, and have time for sharing your experiences. Prizes will be awarded for the following categories: most species, rarest find, most observations, the lucky day prize best photo and most participation.

Note: we’ll follow up by email with instructions on how to join.

Register Online

Training Webinar – Watch recorded training sessions

How to find and identify butterflies: HERE

How to use iNaturalist and insect photography: HERE

How to conduct timed surveys: HERE

 About the program: Due to COVID-19, we’re now delivering this training as a webinar. Our recorded online training sessions provide information on how to find and identify butterflies, as well as other helpful tips for your adventures ahead. Registration packages containing useful resources such as checklists and maps will be available online.

iNaturalist Project 

Location: Anywhere in the Credit River Watershed
Date: May 30 to September 26, 2020
Time: Self-directed (any-time)

 iNaturalist is the world’s most popular online citizen science platform. Join our iNaturalist Project and submit photo observations of butterflies in the Credit River Watershed on your own time. Observations are welcome between May 30 and September 26 from your backyard and where it is safe and reasonable to do so in the watershed. Our project is fun and engaging for all ages and experience levels! We will provide training via webinar on how to use iNaturalist on May 23.

Timed Surveys on eButterfly

Location: Anywhere in the Credit River Watershed
Date: May 30 to September 26, 2020
Time: Self-directed (any time)

 To participate in this option, you’ll commit to completing four 15-minute butterfly surveys, on your own, time throughout the summer. You’ll submit your observations to CVC and through the online platform eButterfly. We will provide training webinar on how to do timed surveys and submit data to eButterfly.

BENEFITS OF JOINING BUTTERFLY BLITZ

  • Learn about butterflies in our area – their biology, identification and habits – while spending time enjoying nature.
  • Contribute data to help guide the protection and restoration of habitat in the Credit River Watershed.
  • Receive links to registration  package full of great stuff, including:
    • Local butterfly species checklist
    • Butterfly identification resources
    • CVC landowner resources for supporting native butterflies and other pollinators
    • Receive weekly updates in the iNaturalist project, with the change of having your observation featured as the Observation of the Week.
  • Compete for prizes in the following categories on iNaturalist:
    • Most observations submitted
    • Most species seen
    • Rarest species seen
    • Best photo
    • Greatest involvement across all participation opportunities
    • Lucky day prize given to a participant who submitted an observation on a randomly drawn day.

 


iNaturalist app:

Identification and biology:


Local insect and naturalist groups:


Insect conservation:

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