BioBlitz Volunteer Event - Crane Estate

Overview:
The Trustees are hosting a bioblitz on Saturday June 6, 10am-1pm, at Crane Beach, (Ipswich MA) to celebrate World Ocean Day! We are seeking biodiversity monitoring volunteers to assist us in censusing the plants and animals at this beautiful property. There will be a site Cleanup occuring simultaneously, so please join us to document biodiversity and help keep our beach clean!

Biodiversity monitoring volunteers will meet Trustees Education staff & volunteers at 9am at Crane Beach. After a brief introduction to the property, the project, and to iNaturalist, volunteers will spend 2+ hours exploring the beach and marsh, taking photos of the plants and animals they see along the way, and uploading their observations into iNaturalist.

Qualifications  
We invite naturalists of all ages and abilities to join us! No previous plant/animal ID experience is required. All we ask is that participants have an interest in biodiversity and being outdoors. Biodiversity monitoring volunteers should:  

• Have access to a smartphone and have iNaturalist downloaded and an account created prior to the BioBlitz event (training on how to use iNaturalist will be provided on-site).   
• Familiarity with eBird will also be a bonus!
• Be able to traverse uneven terrain and be comfortable being outdoors in variable weather conditions.   
• Have reliable transportation to the event site and come prepared for the day, bringing a fully charged smartphone, snacks and water as needed, and wearing closed-toed shoes and long pants. 

Arrival & Check in:

• The event takes place at Crane Beach, park and meet at the front pavillion

• Arrive to get oriented and link up with fellow volunteers and receive cleanup equipment if desired

• It's ok to arrive anytime in the event window

Directions & Parking:

• Navigate to Crane Beach, 310 Argilla Road, Ipswich, MA 02138 

• There is driveway with a large parkinig lot with a parking kiosk. You DO NOT need to pay to park-- simply let them know that you are here to volunteer with The Trustees​

• Meet at the large builidng in the parking lot that is next to the beach entrances

What to wear/bring:

• Dress for the beach weather: bring sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses as needed, along with comfortbale shoes and extra layers

• Items to bring: water, snacks, Smart phone

• Optional: binoculars, field guide ID books, notebook, gloves

Monitoring Apps:

Please download the iNaturalist & eBird apps in advance, make an account, and try out using them. Attached is more information on the apps. 

A Community for Naturalists · iNaturalist

eBird - Discover a new world of birding...

Orientation meeting recording: if you are new to biodiversity monitoring, we recommend you watch the recording to prepare for the event. Orientation/information will also be provided at the start of your shift.

https://thetrustees.zoom.us/rec/share/Dd_84gzcqQ0GogF9Jnz0m9CFPcmxXfr_hHbNcfQmsgHzdH439mibT_VdQxhpzeq1.SV-12Uyf6N-xjHD9?startTime=1775599394000 
Passcode: J?zH#2j7

For questions about this event, please email: [email protected]
 

What's in our nature? Resiliency. Community. Discovery. Creativity.

Join The Trustees as a volunteer to help protect and take care of the Commonwealth’s greatest treasures and to make nature and the outdoors accessible for all, forever.

For more information Contact the Volunteer Services Team at [email protected]

To explore other volunteer opportunities, visit our volunteer page at http://volunteer.thetrustees.org/
 
More about The Trustees
Founded by landscape architect Charles Eliot in 1891, The Trustees has, for more than 125 years, been a catalyst for important ideas, endeavors, and progress in Massachusetts. As a steward of distinctive and dynamic places of both historic and cultural value, The Trustees is the nation’s first preservation and conservation organization, and its landscapes and landmarks continue to inspire discussion, innovation, and action today as they did in the past. We are a nonprofit, supported by members, friends and donors and our 116 sites are destinations for residents, members, and visitors alike, welcoming millions of guests annually. www.thetrustees.org.

Inclusive Spaces for All
We are committed to providing a welcoming environment for all. Together, alongside our partners and volunteers we are creating inclusive spaces of community for people of all backgrounds to enjoy and preserving these open spaces for everyone, forever. We are committed to inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, identity, ability, and experience.

The Trustees is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal employment opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, military service, application for military service, veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law. The Trustees makes reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.