KFN BioBlitz 2025

The Kingston Field Naturalists invite you to join us for our 27th BioBlitz at Back 40 Forest near Verona 13 to 14 June 2025.

This will be the Kingston Field Naturalists’ 27th BioBlitz with a goal to record 1000 species in a 24-hour period. We hope that everyone will find it a fun and educational event.

BioBlitzes originated in 1996 in the United States. The first KFN BioBlitz took place in 1997 and has since, with the exception of 2001, become an annual event. Our BioBlitz aims to inventory as many living things as can be identified within a 24-hour period within a defined area. Specialists and experts from diverse disciplines will explore the chosen site. Guided walks and social time are important components of our BioBlitzes.

The BioBlitz takes place from 3:00 pm on Friday 13 June to 3:00 pm on Saturday 14 June 2025, rain or shine. Scroll down to see the full schedule.

The Site: Michael Johnson and Carolyn Bonta welcome you to Back 40 Forest, which has not previously been BioBlitzed! This 58 ha (143 ac) parcel, located ~40 km north of Kingston, is primarily second growth mixed forest; interspersed within are regenerating meadow, a former sandpit, marsh, maple swamp, mature hemlock woods, a year-round stream, small granite outcrops, and an old homestead site. Approximately 1.5 km of gentle trail passes through or near most habitat types. Lots to explore!

Registration: Participants should register at the BioBlitz base site between 2:30 pm and 9:00 pm on Friday or between 8:00 am and 2:00 pm on Saturday.

Directions to Back 40 Forest: From Hwy 401, follow Road 38 north for 30.5 km, through Verona and past Rivendell Golf Club. After passing Snider Road on your left, take the next left onto Piccadilly Road and, as you approach the cemetery, turn left (west) on Arena Boundary Road. For those who are able, we encourage you to park at the Frontenac Community Arena (4299 Arena Boundary Road) and walk 850 m to the site. Otherwise, proceed toward Beattie Road; the entrance to Back 40 Forest is directly opposite (south of) Beattie Road. Park along the road shoulder but please do not block the laneway.

Accommodation: Tent camping on-site is available with permission. Nearby roofed accommodation may be limited – book early! Contact Michael (Bonta.Johnson@sympatico.ca or 613-531-4578) with inquiries or for suggestions on local accommodation.

Species observed: For all observations, please record species name, observer, date, location observed (ideally GPS coordinates) and trail should be recorded. Applicable notes should be added. Upon registration, a tally sheet and a site map will be provided. A tally will also be kept at the BioBlitz base site notice board so you may look at species already recorded and note those that may yet be found. Please also tell us if you would like to be paired with another expert for your recording.

No collecting or wildlife handling is allowed unless preauthorized (which all group leaders will be). Photographs should be used wherever possible. We are requesting that all qualified observers prepare NHIC species occurrence forms for rare and declining species observed during this event. Forms will be available on request.

There are two options for submitting your 2025 BioBlitz species observations:

1. Written records: A written record with your name must be handed in for species to be included in the final tally. Please return your final tally sheets and field notes to the base site before departure. Tally sheets will be copied and returned upon request. A reward will be offered for checking out and returning tally sheets. Any species of note should be photographed and the site of observation GPS’d if possible.
2. Digital submissions through eBird (for birds only) or iNaturalist: You may submit observations digitally through eBird.ca (please share your checklists with the username Kingston FN), and/or with iNaturalist.ca. Both are free and easy to use but you will need to set up your own personal accounts. With iNaturalist, please join our main project at https://inaturalist.ca/projects/kingston-field-naturalists-2025-bioblitz.

What to bring:

• Meals and snacks, including supper on Friday. There will be a BBQ lunch on Saturday at noon – donations
• appreciated. Coffee will be available at the base site at 8:00 am on Saturday. Please bring your own mug.
• Sunscreen, insect repellant, hat, and a flashlight or headlamp for night activities.
• Good walking boots are advised. Wear long pants to protect against Poison Ivy, mosquitoes, deerflies, and ticks. Long boots, gaiters, and/or 30% DEET further help protect against ticks.
• Please bring your own clipboard, checklist(s) and field guides, binoculars and magnifiers.
• Cameras and GPS units are useful (but not required) to record rare species and species needing identification.
• A whistle for emergencies is always a good idea.

What’s available:

• There is excellent cell phone coverage. Contact phone numbers will be posted at the base site.
• Some potable water will be available at the base site; please bring your own water bottle.
• A portable toilet will be available at the base site.
• The nearest stores are the Godfrey General Store (3.5 km north) and Food Less Traveled (6.5 km south).

What to know:

• KFN encourages a zero-waste approach. Pack out what you bring in or, better yet, bring no garbage at all.
• Pets are not permitted at this BioBlitz.
• Back 40 Forest is managed akin to a nature reserve. Minimize your impact: leave things as found.

If you have expertise, please come and educate us! Also let us know if there is anything you might need that we might supply. We look forward to this event and hope you do as well. We encourage you to share this information with others who might be interested.

BioBlitz 2025 Program

Friday

Saturday

Contact us:

Anne: n8ture.anne@sympatico.ca or (h) 613-389-6742, (c) 613-985-8967

Erwin: simbat@bell.net or (h) 613-389-0144

Yours truly,

Anne Robertson, Coordinator