Today I set out to document some of the plant and wildlife species I encountered surrounding my dorm at University Heights.
- What areas of Greater Burlington did you explore during this four-day urban BioBlitz?
I explored the area surrounding my dorm, specifically documenting some plant species near the entrance to the tunnel to the Davis Center.
- How was your experience using iNaturalist?
I found iNaturalist to be user friendly. I really enjoyed being able to use it in the area surrounding my dorm because it allowed me to notice and appreciate some of the plant species I did not know were present in my proximity.
- How many species did you encounter?
I documented five plant species. I noticed a forsythias, some species of willow that I was unable to identify specifically, a northern red oak, a paper birch, and common box.
- What did you find interesting about reports coming in from other cities participating globally?
I found it really interesting to look at the species that exist in other cities and how much they differ in different regions and to be able to appreciate the biodiversity that is present on this planet. I looked at a candlenut tree sent in from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, which was my second choice for college, a moss sprintale from Magdalen College in England, and a European starling from Italy. It made me feel apart of a larger community and relates to the interconnectedness I have been learning about and feeling a lot of gratitude towards this semester.