Carden Alvar Dragonfly Count 2018
Event Details
July 27th, 2018, 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Carden Alvar Natural Area, Orillia, Ontario
Inventories and Monitoring
Do you have a need for speed? Dust off your fastest hiking shoes and spend the day with some of the insect-world’s swiftest fliers. Help monitor the dragonfly diversity in the globally rare habitat of the Carden Alvar during the 22nd annual Dragonfly Count.
Carpooling: If you’re interested in carpooling with other volunteers (driving, or catching a ride) please click here and add your car, or join a car. There’s also a wait list feature if there’s no car listed yet where you’re traveling from. Happy travels!
Please email the event contact to join the waiting list.
More Information
The Carden Alvar is an outstanding example of globally-threatened alvar habitat which is characterized by thin soils over limestone bedrock. The Carden Alvar NA has been identified as a key biodiversity area within the Great Lakes and is identified in both the terrestrial and aquatic Great Lakes Conservation Blueprints. The Carden Alvar’s grasslands, shrublands, forests and wetlands are home to 450 plant species, 142 butterfly and dragonfly species, 5 turtle species, 7 snake species, 15 amphibian species and a remarkable 238 bird species.
What you will be doingParticipants will be teamed up with an expert to learn about dragonfly identification, biology and conservation, and help to collect valuable data about the dragonfly diversity of the Carden Alvar. Teams will carpool to various sites within the count circle (some sites are within the alvar while others are beyond its boundaries) and then will hike approximately 2-3 km over variable terrain throughout the day. No previous experience is necessary.
Why you will love itLet’s count up the reasons to join the 2018 Carden Dragonfly Count: 1. Help collect valuable data about the dragonfly diversity of this globally rare habitat. 2. Get up close and personal with dragonflies 3. Learn from knowledgeable naturalists about dragonfly identification, biology and conservation. 4. Spend the day in the spectacular Carden Alvar, surrounded by wildflowers and birdsong 5. Did we mention dragonflies?
Questions?Contact Brittany Hope: brittany.hope@natureconservancy.ca
Each team will be assigned a count area, which may contain the heart of the alvar or nearby lands. Teams will carpool to multiple locations within their count area, and hike approximately 2-3 km over variable terrain (may be wet!) while observing spectacular dragonflies and damselflies.
Each team will be provided with several dragonfly nets, hand lenses, dragonfly ID guides and detailed maps identifying the count areas, however if you have your own, please bring them to ensure there are enough in each team.
Since dragonflies take cover in the rain and are most active and visible in sunshine, the event will only proceed if rain is unlikely in the forecast.
Children are welcome at this event but please note that this event is typically a long, hot day, and may not be suitable for some younger children.
NCC is pleased to be partnering again with naturalist Bob Bowles, the founding President of the Carden Field Naturalists and the Eastern Canada Coordinator for the North American Butterfly Association. Bob launched the Carden butterfly and dragonfly counts in the mid-1990s. Many thanks to our leaders for sharing their expertise with our volunteers.
NCC would like to thank the Couchiching Conservancy for their ongoing partnership in the Carden Alvar.
While we do our best to provide you with the tools you need to participate, please bring the following items if you have them:
- Close-toed footwear
- Long pants
- Long shirt
- Layers of clothing (light sweater and jacket)
- Sun hat
- Raingear
- Dragonfly nets (optional)
- Hand lenses (optional)
- Dragonfly ID guides (optional)
- binoculars (optional)
- 1 Litre of water in a reusable bottle
- Lunch