Fall 2005

Table of Contents

First “BioBlitz” counts species, helps landowners

Fifty scientists and local citizens conducted a 24-hour count of animal and plant species across 800 acres of Gig Harbor’s Crescent Valley area this summer in Washington’s first “BioBlitz.”

“BioBlitzing is a citizen survey technique sweeping the country,” explained Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) biologist Michelle Tirhi. “It’s a concentrated effort to collect wildlife data within a biologically rich area to help landowners learn how to maintain that richness and save taxes at the same time.”

Pierce County offers a tax break to those who dedicate portions of their property to wildlife habitat preservation. The property must qualify for the tax break with a wildlife assessment, like the BioBlitz.

Tirhi noted that Crescent Valley is one of 16 areas Pierce County recognizes as habitats for healthy populations of fish, mammals, birds, insects, reptiles and amphibians. From the outlet of Crescent Creek at the Gig Harbor estuary to its headwaters at Crescent Lake, the area provides a variety of habitats that support a diversity of wildlife.

“We’ve known for sometime that everything from butterflies to salmon call this place home”, said Tirhi. “But until the BioBlitz, there wasn’t a clear picture of exactly what lives here. This snapshot inventory confirmed that wildlife we predicted to be living in this area actually does.”

The BioBlitz turned up 66 birds,15 mammals, six amphibians, three fish, two reptiles,148 invertebrates (everything from insects to mollusks), and 123 plants. The information is being entered into the state Nature Mapping database coordinated by the University of Washington (UW) and WDFW.

At an open house following the BioBlitz, local landowners discussed what biodiversity means to them and how to use the tax reduction program.

The Pierce County Biodiversity Alliance (the Alliance) spearheaded the project, bringing scientists and volunteers together from WDFW, UW, Audubon, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Tacoma Nature Center, Friends of Pierce County, Pierce County and University of California-Berkeley. Tacoma’s Zoo Society and Pierce Conservation District paid the $8,200 price tag.

Scouring 800 acres in 24 hours was definitely intense, but Tirhi says everyone agreed it was also a lot of fun and most are willing to help with another BioBlitz.

The Alliance is currently planning nine community planning workshops in Crescent Creek focused on biodiversity and a second BioBlitz in the Puyallup River area for 2006.

Tirhi says other areas of the state could also be “bioblitzed” with local support.
WDFW’s August 2005 “Wild About Washington” cable TV show featured the BioBlitz and can be viewed by clicking here.