Echo Lake BIODIVERSITY BLITZ! Sat May 31 – Sun June 1, 2014

THIS WEEKEND, join the Ancient Forest Alliance along with a group of biologists and environmental experts for a weekend of biodiversity surveys, a guided walk and nature talks at Echo Lake. Located between Mission and Agassiz east of Vancouver, Echo Lake is a spectacular and endangered lowland old-growth forest. Come out to experience and learn about this unique ecosystem and find out more about the birds, amphibians, mammals, plants, fungi, and other living things that make Echo Lake their home!

SCHEDULE:

Saturday, May 31st, 1:30pm-5pm: Citizens Science Day – Join one of the biologists to learn how to survey and identify different species found in Echo Lake’s old-growth forest!
• Searching for Amphibians! with Barb Beasley
• Fungi Walks! with Erin Feldman, and Adolf & Oluna Ceska
• Mossome Mosses and other Awesome Plants! 
**To attend Saturday’s activities, please meet at 12:30pm at Kermode Winery from where we'll go in a car convoy (see directions below).**

Sunday, June 1st, 1:30pm-5pm: Biodiversity Nature Walk & Talks – Join Ancient Forest Alliance organizers Ken Wu, TJ Watt, and Hannah Carpendale, biologist David Cook, naturalist Rich mably, and other biodiversity experts on a nature walk in Echo Lake Ancient Forest.  Learn about old-growth forest characteristics, ecology, plant ID, and forest creatures along the way!
NEW!  Participants will also get a chance to learn about low-impact forest canopy research from Matthew Beatty and Tiger Devine of the Arboreal Collective, who will be ascending one of the giant old-growth trees at Echo Lake on Sunday!
**To attend Sunday’s activities, please meet at 12:30pm at Kermode Winery from where we'll go in a car convoy (see directions below).**

** PLEASE NOTE: Participants should pre-register for either or both days by sending an email to [email protected] and indicate which day (either or both) they would like to attend. **

LOCATION & DIRECTIONS: For each day’s activities, please meet at 12:30 pm at the Kermode Wild Berry Winery (8457 River Road, South Dewdney) about 10 minutes east of Mission just off Highway 7. To get there, turn right just before crossing the bridge off Lougheed Highway 7 at Dewdney when heading east, and follow the River Road South for a couple minutes until you see the winery facilities down on the right. From there, we will head in a convoy to Echo Lake, to begin the tours about 1:30 pm.

**Echo Lake Ancient Forest is home to bears, cougars, bobcats, deer, bald eagles and many other wildlife species. Please note that NO DOGS will be permitted at the Bio Blitz for the sake of the wildlife.**

**Note that this site is only accessible across the private lands of local landowners who have given us permission to cross their property to access the old-growth on the Crown lands. This is also the unceded territory of the Sts'ailes First Nation people. Anyone showing any disrespect will be asked to leave.**

DIFFICULTY: The hike is an easy-moderate level of difficulty.

WHAT TO BRING: Please bring raingear, appropriate footwear and clothing, snacks, water, any medical requirements, and a wonderful respectful attitude for the day’s activities!

SAFETY: All participants are responsible for their own safety and will be required to sign a waiver form.

** For more info and to PRE-REGISTER, please contact [email protected] **