We wish to thank everyone who participated in the Second Annual Biodiversity Days Weekend at the Millers River Environmental Center. The weather cooperated with 3 beautiful sunshine filled days. Reports coming from the dozens of trip leaders indicate we had over 600 species identified in our region of 19 towns.
All volunteers who kept lists should complete identifications and get their lists, contact information for participants, any photos from the field, and maps of where they went to their Town Organizers or to the Club by June 17th.
EOEA Biodiversity Objectives
To reconnect people to the natural world and build public support for protecting biodiversity in our backyards, neighborhoods, communities, and watersheds.
To protect and restore ecosystems in support of wildlife and people, through land protection and ecological restoration projects.
To promote the inclusion of biological conservation and ecosystem protection considerations in citizen, land use, and government decision making.
Biodiversity Days is a challenge to citizens to familiarize themselves with the wealth of animal and plant species with which we share our communities and to identify in each participating city/town at least 200 species in backyards, schoolyards, conservation land, and other open space by permission. Participants will find, record and learn about the component species of flora and fauna in their home cities/towns.
Biodiversity is the variety of life and its processes. It includes the variety of living organisms, the genetic differences among them, the communities and ecosystems in which they occur, and the ecological and evolutionary processes that keep them functioning, yet ever changing and adapting.”
There is a growing understanding of biodiversity, but mostly as an issue that pertains to rain forests. Did you know that conserving biodiversity is a critical need here in Massachusetts?
Look out your window at home. What do you see? If you are in the city, you may see a butterfly or a chickadee. In the the suburbs, you may see a red squirrel or bumble bees. In the rural areas, you might see a dragon fly or a ladyslipper. The diversity of life abounds, in your own backyard!
Sunday Celebration Supper
Sharon McGregor, Assistant Secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, joined us at our Biodiversity Days Celebration on Sunday afternoon at the Millers River Environmental Center. Sharon described how our regional efforts were valued by Secretary Bob Durand, that the data collected would help us understand the rich biodiversity of many sites and would be used to assist us as we prioritized sites needing protection. After a delicious supper at the Center, Sharon joined us on a field trip into Cass Meadow where our expert local naturalists were seen in action identifying birds, butterflies, mushrooms and wildflowers.
Please join us for a continuation of the Biodiversity theme Wednesday, June 13, 7 PM – 9 PM at the Millers River Environmental Center as Noah Segal presents a slide presentation “Introduction to Mushroom Identification”