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Contacts:
Alison Holloran, (307) 745-4848,
(307) 760-9105 (cell), email;
Mac Blewer, (307) 745-4848, email

AUDUBON WYOMING TO HOLD BIOBLITZ EVENT THIS SUMMER IN SHIRLEY BASIN

March 30, 2009—This summer, on June 20 and 21, Audubon Wyoming, along with Laramie Audubon, Murie Audubon, the University of Wyoming, the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database and a number of resource agencies and non-profit organizations will be hosting its first annual “BioBlitz event” in the Shirley Basin. A “bioblitz” is an event that brings together scientists and members of the public in a race against time to see how many species they can count in a 24-hour biological survey.

“The Shirley Basin is a large part of the west’s sagebrush sea, which is an imperiled ecosystem due to many factors. This area is an important place for Audubon Wyoming and the Cowboy State due to its healthy populations of Greater Sage-grouse, its numerous endemic species, world-class hunting and wide open scenic vistas,” says Alison Holloran, Deputy Director of Audubon Wyoming. “That said, this event not only highlights the biological diversity of this great place, but also gets the public interested in the ecosystem that is right out their front door. We (Audubon) believe that the conservation of our sagebrush sea depends on our ability to recognize its value to wildlife and our natural heritage as well as our resolve to conserve the ecosystem.”

Audubon Wyoming will be using the BioBlitz as a way for communities to learn about the biological diversity of the sagebrush steppe ecosystem and to better understand how to conserve it. This event will take place within the Shirley Basin/Bates Hole Important Bird Area.

Says Holloran, “We believe the BioBlitz event will give us an excellent base-line inventory within one of our high priority Important Bird Areas. This site provides habitat for several of Wyoming’s species of critical conservation and their related habitats, including Greater Sage-grouse, Sage Sparrow and Brewer’s Sparrow just to name a few of the birds.”

Chief objectives for the BioBlitz effort include:

• To collect baseline data on birds, plants, mammals and insects inhabiting the Shirley Basin area;
• Be able to use the baseline information to establish monitoring protocols to better track changes to specific wildlife or plant species;
• Build a volunteer base for future monitoring and restoration projects within the area;
• Create awareness in the local communities about the ecosystem that surrounds them and why we should be conserving the habitat and wildlife and
• Enhance interest in local schools concerning science programs and the importance of conservation of our natural resources.

In addition to establishing baseline information, the Bibelots event will be an opportunity for adults, children, and teens to join biologists in the field, participate in bona fide research expeditions, and learn from experts about inventorying and the importance of biodiversity.

This project is made possible by the Together Green Grant. Interested members of the public will rendezvous between 10AM and 12pm at the Shirley Basin Reservoir campsite on June 20 for the event. Participants are urged to contact Audubon Wyoming for more information and to sign up for the event.

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Audubon Wyoming Vision
Open spaces rich in birds and other wildlife, and citizens who value that richness.