Kingston, Ontario, 1998,1999, 2000

In both 1998 and 1999, the Kingston Field Naturalist Club organized a Bio-Blitz, with the help of several community organizations including the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority, Wetlands Working Group, City of Kingston, Kingston Humane Society, and cadets from the Princess of Wales Own Regiment in Kingston. In both years, part of the Little Cataraqui Creek near highway 401, was blitzed.

Over 120 people participated in the two years, including specialists from Queen's University who provided the scientific component, and members of the Kingston Junior and Teen Naturalists. A 'Discovery Tent' was set up with biodiversity exhibits on display, as well as some of the insect and wetland species found in the Blitz. Guided tours were offered for the public to learn more about the local biodiversity. In the two Blitzes, 365 species of plants, invertebrates, fish, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and birds were identified greatly increasing the knowledge of this creek ecosystem. All of the local Kingston newspapers gave good coverage to the event, raising the profile for biodiversity and the field naturalists' club. In 2000, the Field Naturalist's Club did their Bio-Blitz in a new area.

About 30 adults from the Club and Queen's University Biosciences were involved, as well as several of the Kingston Junior and Teen Naturalists. In all, 32 species of plants, birds, amphibians, fish and mammals were found. A suprising result was the diversity of species found in a gravel pit in the area.