BioBlitz Volunteer Event - Appleton Farms

Overview:
The Trustees are hosting a bioblitz on Saturday April 11, 9am-12pm, at Appleton Farms, (Ipswich MA). We are seeking biodiversity monitoring volunteers to assist us in censusing the plants and animals at this beautiful property.

Biodiversity monitoring volunteers will meet Trustees Education staff & volunteers at 9am at Appleton Farms. After a brief introduction to the property, the project, and to iNaturalist, volunteers will spend 2+ hours in the forested trails and habitats of the property, taking photos of the plants and animals they see along the way, and uploading their observations into iNaturalist. 

Volunteers are welcome to come for the 9-10:30am shift, the 10:30-12:00pm shift, or both! 

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 Appleton Farms, park and meet at the farmhouse/offices.

• Shifts: 9am-10:30am, 10:30am-12pm or both

• Arrive at the start of your shift to get oriented and link up with fellow volunteers to head out on the trails

• If you can't arrive at the start of your shift, it's ok to arrive anytime in the event window

   

Directions & Parking:

• Navigate to 219 County Road/Route 1A, Ipswich, MA 01938​

• Turn off 1A at yellow Appleton Farms sign​

• Take a right at fork/gate house to follow signs to "Farmhouse/Offices"​

• Park at white farmhouse or along the road before the farmhouse​ if the lot is full

• You are welcome to park at other entrances, but no staff will be there to greet/orient

What to wear/bring:

• Dress for the weather - Saturdays forecast is sunny and breezy with a high of 55, the wind will make it feel colder on the farm, so please dress warmly!

• Trails are muddy - boots are recommended

• Bring: binoculars, your favorite field guides/ID books, snacks, water, extra layers

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

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 volunteer@thetrustees.org

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.