BioBlitz! Oklahoma's Rapid Biodiversity Inventory


	BioBlitz! Oklahoma October 3-5, 2014 Black Kettle National Grasslands, Washita Battlefield National Historic Site, and City of Cheyenne, OK
	The BioBlitz! inventory will begin on Friday October 3rd and end on Saturday October 4th - but the fun doesn't end there! Plan to stay another night and enjoy the region after the biodiversity rush! For 2014, BioBlitz! Oklahoma will explore the extensive lands of the Black Kettle National Grassland and Washita Battlefield National Historic Site with Base Camp located in the heart of Cheyenne, Oklahoma at the Memorial Park. The Black Kettle NG is over 30,000 acres across approximately 100 tracts of land. Our inventory will focus on only a few of the tracks, covering the wide variety of habitats. From shortgrass flats to bottomlands, along the Washita River, from the rough broken country of the red plains to the steep canyon sides, the diverse terrain creates a fascinating heterogeneous landscape for us to investigate in 2014. You'll find shinnery oak mottes, wetlands surrounded by buttonbush, grasses mixed with sagebrush, and more at BioBlitz! 2014. Included in the inventory will be the 315 acres of the Washita Battlefield NHS and the small acreage of Cheyenne's Memorial Park. Memorial Park will be the site of the BioBlitz! 2014 Base Camp. Located adjacent to a large tract of National Grassland, the park will be a great starting point for many walking activities. Here we will have the registration and information table, free tent camping, snacks, and identification areas. However, you will need a vehicle to travel to the Washita Battlefield and other interesting habitats within the Black Kettle Grasslands. Expect that several scheduled activities will require transportation to another location. In addition to the biological inventory, you can take advantage of some of the cultural resources in Cheyenne. Interpreters from the Washita Battlefield NHS will provide a special historical program for BioBlitz! attendees. Also, Memorial Park is the site of several local museums which you can visit during the weekend. And kids can be kept active at the park's playground. Changes in this Year's Event This year the Friday night meal is not included in the registration fee. We are currently exploring options with local groups who may want to offer a simple meal as a fundraiser. However, there are two restaurants and several convenience stores within a couple miles of Base Camp. Saturday light breakfast will be provided. More activities after the inventory! On Saturday evening, there will be a guided walk covering the history of the Washita Battlefield and an Night Sky Program with telescope viewing. This year's BioBlitz! t-shirts will be made in the USA with 100% organic cotton. Choosing this more responsibly manufactured shirt has increased the cost. However, you may opt out of receiving a shirt and thus be given a discount. The t-shirt design is not finalized, but will feature a dragonfly, the Flame Skimmer.T-shirts will be guaranteed only to those who register before September 5th and to the first 300 people registered. So register early! The official BioBlitz! tent camping site will be at Memorial Park in Cheyenne, also the site of Base Camp. Alcohol consumption is prohibited on City of Cheyenne park grounds, including the Base Camp area. Participants may also choose to camp at the recreation areas on the National Grassland. See their mapfor information. One of the sites within the inventory is the Washita Battlefield National Historic Site. The site protects and interprets the setting along the Washita River where Lt. Col. George A. Custer led the 7th U.S. Cavalry on a surprise dawn attack against the Southern Cheyenne village of Peace Chief Black Kettle on November 27, 1868. The attack was an important event in the tragic clash of cultures of the Indian Wars era. The nature of this sacred site influences the type of BioBlitz! activities held at this location. At the Battlefield, BioBlitz! participants should remain on marked trails, not physically collect any specimens, limit inventory activities to observations and pictures, and visit only during daytime. BioBlitz! and National Park Service staff thank you for respecting the moving story of this important historic place. map What should I bring to BioBlitz!? While we can't list all things you might need, here is a list of suggested items that you might want while attending BioBlitz! Remember you are responsible for your own camping and personal equipment. Camping equipment, including: tent and bedding camp chair flashlight or headlamp Food, mug, and bottle for water. Clothing and personal items, including Sturdy shoes Hat Long pants Towel and toiletries Mug, water bottle, cup Sunscreen Insect repellent Be sure to check the weather forecast and be prepared for a variety of conditions. BioBlitz! has seen day time highs in the 90s and night time lows in the 40s, fierce winds and rain, and hot sun to grey skys. Equipment to observe, collect, and identify organisms, including: Binoculars Handlens or magnifying glass Identification guides and taxonomic keys Nets for terrestrial and aquatic organisms Camera Notebook, clipboard and paper, and writing utensils And, of course, bring your enthusiasm for learning more about Oklahoma's biodiversity!	Subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates on BioBlitz! plans. Registration is Closed Important Registration Information Highlighted Locations Participant Guidelines Safety Information Schedule of Events For More Information follow these links: Black Kettle National Grassland Washita Battlefield National Historic Site City of Cheyenne, Oklahoma Mesonet Weather for Cheyenne Taxa Lists Reptiles and Amphibians (Oklahoma) Birds (Oklahoma) Fish (Oklahoma) Mammals (Oklahoma) Plants (Roger Mills Co.) Butterfly (Black Kettle Grassland) Moth (Black Kettle Grassland) Odonata (Roger Mills Co.) Reptiles & Amphibians (Records from Roger Mills Co. of specimens at the SNO Museum of Natural History)



BioBlitz! is a project of the Oklahoma Biological Survey and the University of Oklahoma. For more information contact the BioBlitz! Committee at prill@ou.edu or 405-325-7658.

Taxa Lists Reptiles and Amphibians (Oklahoma) Birds (Oklahoma) Fish (Oklahoma) Mammals (Oklahoma)

Taxa Lists

Reptiles and Amphibians (Oklahoma)
Birds (Oklahoma)
Fish (Oklahoma)
Mammals (Oklahoma)