Scientists and volunteers have 24 hours to survey wetlands in the Quad Cities, that have become infested with invasive species. On Friday and Saturday, the River Bend Wildland Trust will hold an annual BioBlitz at the Wetlands of the Rock River Watershed in East Moline.
Bill Abel, on River Bend's board of directors, says this will be the third annual BioBlitz, to survey as many species as possible during a 24-hour period. This year, scientists from local universities and state agencies will survey the 58-acre wetlands, owned by the Quad Cities Conservation Alliance.
Abel says this will be the first scientific study of species on the land. Volunteers will survey and count birds, mammals, fish, insects, and plants during the day. Over night, a special group will survey bats in the area.
After the BioBlitz is completed, the Quad Cities Conservation Alliance will be able to move forward with plans to clean up the site and build a butterfly garden.
The public is invited to the Wetlands of the Rock River Watershed from 3 pm on Friday to 3 pm on Saturday. There will also be guided hikes and activities for kids.