City Nature Challenge: Snaps! Apps! Explore the rare Oak/Heath Forest at Leesylvania State Park

Join us in the iNaturalist City Nature Challenge -BioBlitz at Leesylvania State Park, April 30th 8am to Noon. Meet your guides, the Merrimac Farm Master Naturalists, at the Visitor Center! (Allow 10 minutes to drive from the front gate.  There is a fee for parking at this park).

Do you like observing nature? Make your observations count! The City Nature Challenge is a friendly worldwide competition using iNaturalist among metro areas to see whose residents can spot and identify the most wildlife. We’ll be looking for signs of life in local parks, neighborhoods, and backyards to see what plants and animals share our environment. Join the City Nature Challenge and become a citizen scientist!

Did you know that there is a rare habitat at LSP?

We have the privilege to explore and make observations at the globally rare Coastal Plain River-Bluff Xeric Oak Forest! These forests occur in acidic soil glades atop high river bluffs along the Potomac River at Leesylvania State Park! They are filled with Oaks, Golden Rod and large Hairgrass (wavy!) not to mention a large variety of birds and other flora and fauna.

What is a BioBlitz? A bioblitz is a communal citizen-science effort to record as many species within a designated location and time period as possible. The data generated is useful for science and conservation. They are also an excuse for naturalists, scientists, and curious members of the public to meet in person in the great outdoors and are a lot of fun!

Learn how to use the iNaturalist app here: https://citynaturechallengedc.org/resources/

Why participate? It’s fun—and it’s a great reason to spend some time with nature. You’ll help scientists collect valuable information on urban biodiversity. And you’ll help the Washington DC metro area find as many species as possible!