The Flathead Valley Community College biology and natural resources departments invite the community to participate in FVCC's first BioBlitz. In an effort to survey the biological diversity of the college campus, FVCC biology and natural resources faculty and students will partner with community members to identify as many plants, birds, amphibians, insects, fish, mammals, fungi and other species as possible in a given time period. The college campus consists of over 200 acres, with much of it immediately adjacent to the Stillwater River.

The FVCC BioBlitz will be combination of scientific discovery, celebration and fun as participants observe and record the biological diversity on the college campus. The events scheduled for the FVCC BioBlitz include observations of birds, trees, plants, fungi and collection and identification of insects and aquatic invertebrates. Participants will be supplied with equipment needed for observations, including binoculars, field guides and field checklists. The BioBlitz tent will provide a work area for specimen identification using dissecting and compound microscopes.

In addition, FVCC biotechnology students will demonstrate how organisms can be identified using DNA barcoding. Other activities will include tours of the campus farm, demonstrations of mapping using geographic information systems (GIS) technology, DNA barcoding demonstrations and polarization demonstrations. Event parking will take place between the Early Childhood Center and Arts & Technology building on campus. Upon arrival, participants should report to the BioBlitz check-in tent. Participants can arrive and depart at any time during the event. Participants are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather, wear comfortable shoes and supply their own water bottles.