Why Have a Bio Blitz at Peace and Plenty Community Garden?
That may have been a question the 17 people had on their minds as they huddled together in the bustling 30-some degree cold on April 12. If it were any other group. But this eclectic, excited group (including Melissa Guillet of 15 Minute Field Trips, The Audubon, The Wheeler School, Providence Urban Wildlife Conservation, RI Wildplant Society, and other gardeners, artists, and musicians) knew exactly why there is a series of Bio Blitz’s in Peace and Plenty Community Garden.
A Bio Blitz is “an intense biological survey in an attempt to record all of the living species within a designated area.” With 72 recorded species (found and identified) on this rain-sweeping Saturday, everyone knew why they were there and what they were doing. Because the more information we have, and the more we understand how it all works together to invigorate and reinvigorate, the more green space we can grow. Says Peace and Plenty Community Garden, “A Bio Blitz helps gardeners better understand who their wild neighbors are, from common ‘weeds,’ to invertebrates who live in the soil, to the visiting grey squirrel.”
The Peace and Plenty Community Garden, like most gardens, is a microcosm of humanity. So the more we know about pollinator pathways throughout the neighborhood, the more lush the garden will be. “All weeds are not horrible,” says Doug Victor, the knowledgeable keeper of the garden. We want to bring more pollinators, be aware of species, and get people in the know. It is important for people to understand how they grow food and support the other things in the garden.
Should you attend the next Bio Blitzes on July 12 and October 11, from 9am – noon, you don’t need to be an expert. You might rub elbows with the Providence Urban Wildlife Conservation, and a very cool mix of people from high school to age 76 or so. It is a bit of an orientation to community naturalists, citizen scientists, and eventually it will extend beyond Peace and Plenty Community Garden. Mike Hudson might be on the guitar, and the weather will definitely be better than in April. It’s educational, inspiring, and downright fun. One can also experience the Talking Tree Project, the Food Corridor, the Outdoor Classroom, and the Outdoor Gallery of art and poetry.
Special thanks to Bloom RI and the Partnership for Providence Parks.
For interest in becoming a Citizen Scientist or starting your own community garden, please contact Doug at doug.crimewatch@gmail.com or Andrew at andrew@southsideclt.org
Photo credit: Sally Bozzuto. sallybozzuto.com