BIOBLITZ 2023

year. Glencoe Golf Club, Illinois and University of Maryland Golf Course, Maryland came in second and third place, respectively, for Community Engagement.

The award for Best Photograph went to the University of Maryland Golf Course for their photograph of a Dolichopus comatus (long-legged fly).

Laura Russell,

University of Maryland’s General Assistant, said, “Using the golf course in this way had many educational and environmental benefits. Students were able to practice wildlife identification skills they had only read about in the classroom. Professionals from the community shared techniques and strategies they have learned over their careers. We all learned the immense value the golf course provides as a home to such a diversity of species. Who knew that it was home to a Keeled Treehopper, Versute Sharpshooter or a Mile-a-minute Weevil, not to mention a beautiful Baltimore Oriole or Pileated Woodpecker? With knowledge gained we will be better equipped to take protective actions needed to keep and further develop a healthy, diverse ecosystem on this beautiful UMD green property.With this first event completed, we are now developing ways to run smaller versions of the BioBlitz for our PGA kids and local high schools.”

Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club in Florida received this year’s Biodiversity Award, with 607 species identified on their course. Mary Hutchinson, 2023 BioBlitz Co-Coordinator, sent the following report:

“Having a well-organized, sortable and comprehensive master species list was likely one of the keys to our success at Harbour Ridge. We had participated in two previous BioBlitz’s prior to this year’s event, so ahead of June 6 we spent some time improving upon our 2018 master species list. We first moved the list from a Word document to a spreadsheet, refined the species categories and added several missing categories. For example, instead of Plants, we broke this into Flowering Shrubs, Evergreen Shrubs, Succulents, Groundcovers, Vines/Climbers, etc. Within each of the categories we used common names for species that were also sorted alphabetically, helping to identify any missing or duplicate species on the master check list. It further allowed participants to locate a species on the list and check it off. Some participants used the iNaturalist and Merlin BirdID app to help with species identification.

“Getting the word out early was important and done through different communication methods. We used direct emails to groups and to the general membership via club emails, the club newsletter and the Community Facebook page. We also prepared a BioBlitz pamphlet and scorecards and distributed hard copies at various locations around the community and also in digital form on-line. Having a central drop-off location for the completed score cards and lists also helped.

“We sought to engage a wide variety of participants, not only golfers and homeowners, but also the birding group, nature lovers, walkers, cyclists and those who fish in the golf course ponds and along the river. We also targeted key individuals and naturalists who were knowledgeable with wildlife, plants, birds, reptile, and mammals. Some dedicated participants even went out in the early morning, then again late on the afternoon/ early evening to observe different species at different times of the day.

Our members had a blast participating in the 2023 BioBlitz and it helped to showcase the rich and diverse ecosystem that we all call our golf community home.”

Second and third place for Biodiversity went to Meadow Club in California with 444 species sighted, and Ironwood Golf Course, in Michigan, reporting 405 species.

For information on this year’s BioBlitz or to get in on next year’s event, visit https://auduboninternational.org/bioblitz/