BioBlitz at Meeman Biological Station

Meeman Biological Station hosted its 1st ever BioBlitz last weekend!  It was so much fun, we hope to make it an annual event!  We are grateful to Jonathan Carpenter (TN Geographic Alliance) who brought this National Geographic sponsored program to Memphis and the many local groups (Clean Memphis, Lichterman Nature Center, Overton Park Conservancy, Shelby Farms Park Lucius Burch Natural Area  and T.O. Fuller State Park) who hosted planning and strategizing meetings and brought organization and student groups to each of the five Memphis-wide venues.  Our biggest thanks and applause goes to our own volunteers, who came out for a few hours, a whole day, part of the night, and then came back for a second day.  Whether you provided your time, equipment or financial assistance, you and your organization helped make this event a success.  We Thank You!

• The University  of Memphis The Department of Biological Sciences (Dr. Randall Bayer)
• The McKenna Laboratory of Insect Biodiversity at the University of Memphis  and the US National Science Foundation 1K Weevil Project (Dr. Duane McKenna).
• The Mandel Lab (Dr. Jennifer Mandel). 
• The University of Memphis Botany Club.
• Christian Brothers University School of Sciences (Lynda Miller).
• Memphis Kids in Nature (Kate Friedman).
• West Tennessee Urban Forestry Council (Eric Bridges).
• The University of Memphis Center for Research and Innovation in Teaching and Learning (for financial assistance with bus transportation of students).
• Graduate students Chris Grow (mammals), Jerad Henson (birds), Kelsi Palmer and Denita Weeks (who provided frogs and tadpoles for the mini-zoo).
• Dr. Daniel Twedt (USGS Ornithologist who lead the bird walk)
• Debra Turner (who put the flyer and other information on University webpages) and Dr. Judith Cole (who put it on DBS Facebook page)
• Dr. Kimberly Terrell (The Memphis Zoo).
• And of course, our 9th and 10th grade students from Memphis Business Academy and Raleigh Egypt High School.