[Sust-mar] BioBlitz comes to Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes June 6

[Cathy McCarthy]

BioBlitz comes to Blue Mountain - Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness Area on June 
6.

Learn more about one of Nova Scotia's newest wilderness areas by attending 
BioBlitz 2009 events on June 5 and 6.  Sponsored by Saint Mary's University 
and its community partners, BioBlitz is designed to increase awareness of 
biodiversity and the valuable service that animal and plant species provide 
to improve the quality of our lives.

BioBlitz will provide a biodiversity snapshot of Blue Mountain-Birch Cove 
Lakes Wilderness Area as more than 80 scientists converge on this unique 
protected area to survey the plant and animal species. The public is invited 
to take part in several BioBlitz activities.

On Friday June 5 at 7 p.m. learn more about BioBlitz at a presentation at 
the Cornerstone Wesleyan Church located at 1215 Hammonds Plains Road.  Dr. 
Hugh Broders, a biology professor at Saint Mary's will reveal the secrets of 
Nova Scotian bats, and Oliver Maass of the Nova Scotia Department of 
Environment and Chris Miller of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society 
will provide insight into the ecological riches of the Blue Mountain - Birch 
Cove Lakes Wilderness Area.

Then on Saturday June 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the public is invited to 
participate in activities sponsored by local community groups, talk to 
scientists about their discoveries, and take part in guided hikes and 
geocaching hunts in the wilderness area. All activities will be centered at 
the Lebanese Cultural Centre and Maskwa Aquatic Club, located off Kearney 
Lake Road, 10 km from downtown Halifax.

For more information about how to get involved, visit www.smu.ca/bioblitz or 
call 902-491-6276.


Catherine McCarthy
Public Affairs Officer
Saint Mary's University
www.smu.ca
catherine.mccarthy at smu.ca
Phone: 902-420-5513
Fax:     902-420-5511