Volunteers will work alongside experienced naturalists and scientists to help identify and record as many plant and animal species as possible during this 12-hour event. No prior experience with species identification is required—just a willingness to learn and use smartphone apps and field guides.
Volunteers are not required to stay for the entire event but should be able to commit to at least a 2-hour shift. Shift times are flexible. For example, if you are available from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., you may participate in two different survey sessions during that time.
If you have questions about volunteer shifts or scheduling, please contact Melinda Huett at mhuett@peoriaparks.org.
Data Entry Volunteers Needed: Data entry opportunities are available throughout the event, 11:30am-4:40pm, and can be scheduled around your availability.
Species Identification Experts:
If you have experience identifying plants, animals, insects, birds, or other wildlife and would be interested in leading a volunteer group, please contact Cassie Sheehan at csheehan@peoriaparks.org.
Schedule:
9:30am-11:30am: BIRD IDENTIFICATION
11:30am-1:30pm: PRAIRIE PLANT IDENTIFICATION
1:30pm-3:30pm: TREE IDENTIFICATION
3:30pm-5:30pm: FUNGUS IDENTIFICATION
5:30pm-7:30pm: REPTILE IDENTIFICATION
7:30pm-9:30pm: NOCTURNAL INSECT IDENTIFICATION
11:30am-5:30pm: Data Entry, assist staff in entering in the collection data. Only 1 person needed at a time.