Countdown to the BioBlitz!

Naturalists and nature lovers will be racing against time at the Lancashire BioBlitz on August 7 and 8.

They will have 24 hours to find as many species of plantlife and wildlife as possible.

The Lancashire BioBlitz takes place at Cuerden Valley Park beginning at 10am on Saturday and ending at 10am on Sunday.

It will be opened by TV naturalist Bill Oddie, who was born in Rochdale, a true Lancastrian.

Activities include:
 - Hedgerow surveys
 - Water surveys
 - Trapping – moths, small mammals, bats
 - Pond dipping
 - Leaf litter sampling
 - Fungal forays
 - Earthworm sampling
 - Mini-beast hunts
 - An aquarium of pondlife
 - Guided walks
 - Talks on wildlife and wildlife recording

There will be lots of activities for children as well as adults who will get the opportunity to get involved with recording nature and learning more about the environment.

Groups involved include:
 - The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside
 - Cuerden Valley Park Rangers
 - Lancashire BAP
 - The Environment Agency
 - Natural England
 - GeoLancashire
 - rECOrd
 - The Natural History Museum
 - OPAL
 - London and Bristol BioBlitzes
 - The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
 - South, West and East Lancs bat groups
 - Lancashire Badger Group
 - The Preston Society
 - North West Fungal Group
 - Top local botanists
 - Local Naturalists Groups

The BioBlitz also sees the launch of the Lancashire Environment Record Network and its associated website.

LERN collects, maintains and distributes records of wildlife, plantlife and landscapes within Lancashire. Information is available to anyone and is used to protect wildlife through district plans and planning advice.

LERN Communication Officer Alan Wright said: “The Lancashire BioBlitz will give people an idea of how our records protect the environment in the county.

“Hopefully it will encourage families and young people to get involved in recording because we can never have enough people providing records. The idea is to create a comprehensive picture of Lancashire’s environment and protect it for future generations.

“The BioBlitz will give naturalists a chance to get together as well as being fun for everyone who come along on the day."