Bioblitz Virgin River Watershed Fall 25

This event originally planned for two days is now set for Saturday, 18 OCT 2025 only. The second day (Sunday) was cancelled due to low participation.

Friends of Gold Butte (FoGB) is partnering with the Virgin River Coalition (VRC) and hosting a bioblitz focused on the Virgin River Watershed. Help document the organisms and contribute to the body of scientific data that will promote the understanding of the local ecology and the changing environment.

We will meet at the Kiosk near Riverside at 8:30 AM for sign in and a safety briefing. Participants will form into two small teams. They will be guided by Jim Boone and Frank Golden. Jim's team will drive to several riparian areas along the Virgin River. Although there will be some walking involved, the distances are expected to be short and easy. This group has a high probability of sighting birds so binoculars will be helpful. For those experiencing physical difficulties with standing for longer times, a camp chair may be helpful too. Frank's team will hike 2 miles upstream in Nickle Creek Wash just south of the Kiosk. Then, the team will turn around and hike two miles back to the Kiosk. The elevation change is about 450 feet.

At 3:30 PM, the event concludes for the day. Participants are asked to download their observations prior to leaving. All logistical requirements must be met by the participants. Please notify/check with the event host or your team leader that you are leaving so that we may collect your observations and account for you.

The phone app we will use to collect the data is called iNaturalist. Participants must download the free app and create a free user profile prior to the event. A class is scheduled for (TBD) at Hafen Park. Please sign up via MEETUP. There are also numerous tutorial videos on using the app on the iNaturalist website and on Youtube. You can download the app for android phones at:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.inaturalist.android&hl=en_US

or for iphones at:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/inaturalist/id421397028

Travel to some of the trailheads include gravel roads. AWD high clearance vehicles are recommended.

Also, please "join" the project on iNaturalist through the following link. It will automatically consolidate the observations you've collected during this even onto our "Project" page.
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/bioblitz-virgin-river-watershed-fall-25

Please wear sturdy shoes, breathable clothes, and a hat. Don't forget to bring sunscreen, water, lunch, and snacks. There are no stores or facilities near the data collection areas; be prepared to pee in the bushes. We practice Leave No Trace ethics so be prepared to carry out everything you bring in.
If you register for this hike and find you are unable to attend, please be courteous and remove yourself from the "going" list. If you are unable to do this, please email or call to let us know, so someone from the waitlist is able to attend. When signing up, please provide your phone number and please confirm that you have downloaded iNaturalist on your phone.
The data collection areas are semi-primitive. Cell phone service may have a weak signal at best. Participants must bring and carry their own water, food, sunscreen, basic first-aid items, any medications (e.g., EpiPen or asthma inhalers, etc.) a participant may need, and any other supplies they may want while participating in the event. Participants must wear appropriate footwear. Closed-toe shoes or boots would be appropriate. Participants are strongly encouraged to wear broad-brimmed hats and dress in weather-appropriate clothing. Participants are reminded to be plant and animal aware at all times. Finally, if the event necessitates, participants are strongly encouraged to provide their medical information (pre-existing conditions, medications, etc.) and their Emergency Contact information (name and phone number) on a card or piece of paper in a sealed envelope with their name on the outside. The volunteer organizer will collect and hold the envelopes during the event and return them, unopened, at the conclusion of the event if they are not needed; and the assumption of risk statement found at In-person Assumption of Risk