The May wildlife inventory project is a way for ambitious citizen scientists and nature enthusiasts to provide information on the state of biodiversity in Red Deer.
The Central Alberta May Species Count is information that will be provided to the Red Deer River Naturalists and then makes its way to Nature Alberta, said Todd Nivens, programs co-ordinator for the Waskasoo Environmental Education Society.
“The idea is people who are interested in animals, insects, birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, go out and pick an area and they inventory everything they find,” he said on Wednesday.
The official dates of the count are on May 26 and 27 but people can start counting species, mostly birds at this time of year, three days before and three days after.
Nivens says the region or the place people decide to do their count also has to be logged.
“People can do anything as small as their backyards or their neighbourhood or park but they need to report where they were counting,” he said.
Species count pamphlets are available to be picked up before May 26 at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre at 6300 45th Ave. Following the count, the tally sheets can be mailed to the Red Deer River Naturalists’ office (Box 785, Red Deer, Alberta, T4N 5H2) or by email at judy.boyd@shaw.ca by June 15.
On May 27, the Red Deer River Naturalists will host a potluck at 6 p.m. at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre. Organizers suggest bringing your own plates, cutlery and cup. There is a short program to follow. People should contact Judy at 403-342-4150 to confirm their attendance.
jjones@www.reddeeradvocate.com