The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders are looking for volunteer scientists and knowledgeable experts to join the 2017 Union County Bio-Blitz. This annual, around the clock survey of flora and fauna in County parks will be conducted in two sessions over a two-day period in Warinanco Park, also known as “Central Park of Union County”. The main area of focus this year will be a stream daylighting project. The project originally dates back several years ago when an underground piped stream in Warinanco Park was rehabilitated and exposed to the open air.

“Bio-Blitz is a wonderful opportunity to participate in environmental stewardship,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “It is our signature event for raising public awareness about nature conservation in our County parks, and it could not happen without scores of volunteer researchers who lend their time to the effort each year.”

Union County has held a Bio-Blitz in various parts of its park system every year since 2004. The event is designed to engage the public in nature conservation while providing researchers with valuable information about biodiversity in urban and suburban communities. The first session is scheduled for Friday, June 16 from 5 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. The second session is scheduled for Saturday, June 17 from 6 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Professional scientists, naturalists and knowledgeable amateurs can register online to join a field team or perform other volunteer activities at the Bio-Blitz web page, ucnj.org/bio-blitz.

The registration deadline is June 1, but participating team members and volunteers are advised to sign up early. All participants on research teams and other volunteer assignments will receive a Bio-Blitz t-shirt and meals provided at the “Bio-Blitz Central” staging area, which will be located in the newly renovated Warinanco Ice Skating Center. Bio-Blitz is also open for public observation throughout the event. “Bio-Blitz Central” will be the hub for nature themed activities and programs that bring visitors to different parts of the park. All public activities are free and no pre-registration is required.

If you have any questions or need more information about volunteering for Bio-Blitz 2017, contact Betty Ann Kelly, Union County Department of Parks and Recreation, at bkelly@ucnj.org.

To watch a recap of last year’s Bio Blitz, please visit ucnj.org/2016-bio-blitz.