As part of the TOPS 20th Celebration, each of several TOPS properties was the focus of a community Bioblitz. A BioBlitz is an intense 24-hour look at a particular ecosystem. Plants and animals are observed and counted. Citizen scientists work shoulder to shoulder with trained naturalists/scientists and help collect data. The results:
Blodgett Peak:

  • 19 participants
  • 445 observations
  • 292 species
  • Species included 36 different kinds of birds, 52 plants, 189 species of insects, 2 reptiles

Jimmy Camp Creek: (not open to the public)

  • 400 participants (6 guided hikes)
  • 653 observations
  • 421 species
  • Species included 9 species of mammals (including pronghorn), 108 species plants, 178 species insects,
  • 9 different kinds of reptiles and amphibians

Bluestem Prairie OS:
(bioblitz not open to the public)

  • 717 observations
  • 321 species including
  • 6 species of mammals,
  • 53 species birds,
  • 55 species plants,
  • 2 species reptiles,
  • 200 insects

Ute Valley Park:

  • 604 observations
  • 360 species including
  • 8 mammals,
  • 50 birds,
  • 106 plants,
  • 191 insects,
  • 3 species reptiles
  • 70 participants

General comments: plenty of indicators of healthy ecosystems. , invasive weeds not a problem in Jimmy Camp and Bluestem. More of a problem at Ute and Blodgett. Organizers hope to repeat the events in the future, compare data and get even more public involvement.

Translate »