Do you like bugs? Birds? Fish? Mushrooms?

Wannabe biologists are encouraged to join professional scientists and researchers as they converge on Rapids Lake Education and Visitor Center in mid-June in a race to collect as many plant and animal species as possible in a 24-hour time period.

It’s called a BioBlitz and in its fifth year of operation in Minnesota, the event is targeting the newest addition to the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge near Carver.

“They have this great new piece of land here that they have no data for,” explained Jennifer Menken, wildlife interpreter for the Bell Museum and lead organizer of this year’s BioBlitz.

After they’re done, Menken hopes that the refuge will have a lot more information about what exactly they have on their property.

“Identification is the main goal,” she said, adding that the BioBlitz will give the refuge a baseline count for species on their lands.

But part of the fun is also seeing how many species can be found in a small, but intense, amount of time.

Last year’s BioBlitz unearthed nearly 1,100 species at the Warner Nature Center near Marine on St. Croix.

“We’re going to shoot for beating that,” said Vicki Sherry, wildlife biologist for the refuge.

The event draws researchers from a host of organizations around the state of Minnesota, providing a chance for the public to work alongside professional biologists to find out what they do and how they do it. They’ll start counting species at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 13 and will wrap up at 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 14.

During that time, several expert-led programs will be scheduled, including a bird hike and banding; wetland sampling; mammals, reptiles and amphibians survey; a fish survey and a night survey.

“It’s a lot of fun,” said Menken. “Except that last 20 minutes trying to count what you’ve found.”

Each year the BioBlitz alternates among suburban, rural and urban sites. This year, the Rapids Lake refuge provided a good opportunity to get some buzz going about the new visitor and education center.

“It’s a great event to get people out here to explore,” said Menken.

The BioBlitz will provide everyone a “license to explore off-trail,” Sherry said.

Even Sherry is looking forward to having an excuse to check out their land.

“I don’t have a lot of time to go walk 14,000 acres,” she said. Many of the refuge’s employees are still trying to get a handle on the site that lays along the Minnesota River just south of downtown Carver. Though their building opened last year, they won’t be set to celebrate their grand opening for the new visitor and education center until Oct. 19. Until then, events like the BioBlitz should give area residents a good excuse to come out and see what the refuge has to offer.

“I’m confident we’re going to find some really cool stuff,” Sherry added.

Menken said that she expects around 100 researchers and advanced volunteers to attend this year’s BioBlitz. They’ll use sonar detectors, bug lights, live traps and the like to find creatures which will then be counted and catalogued.

In past years, the event has attracted hundreds of attendees as well.

“It depends on the weather,” said Sherry.

Those interested in participating should dress appropriately for being outdoors and hiking in uneven terrain. Attendees can come for as little or as long as they like with programs being held throughout the day and night.

Menken said it’s a rewarding experience for participants.

“Most people don’t stop and take a look,” she said. “What’s exciting for me is showing the diversity in your own backyard.”

-Mollee Francisco, staff writer

What: A 24-hour survey to find all of the plants and animals in one location

When: 5 p.m. Friday, June 13 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 14

Where: Rapids Lake Educator and Visitor Center, Carver

Who: Open to the public

Cost: Free

More info: www.bellmuseum.org/BioBlitz

TELL US: Have you participated in a BioBlitz before?