(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - UAS Ketchikan is hosting a Marine Invasive Species Bioblitz for a day of learning and fun. The goal of the Bioblitz is to engage and educate the public about invasive species that threaten Alaskan coastal waters. Participants will learn about the targeted invasive species in the morning and then go out to look for these invasive species around Ketchikan.

Hosted by the University of Alaska Southeast, the Bioblitz is a collaboration of several local and federal agencies, including the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program, NOAA, Alaska Fish and Game, and San Francisco State University’s Romberg Tiburon Center.

Several invasive species will be targeted including: the solitary tunicates Ciona intestinalis and Ciona savignyi; the club tunicate Styela clava; the colonian tunicates Didemnum vexillum, Botryllus schlosseri and Botrylloides violaceous; the bryozoans Watersipora subtorquata and Bugula neritina; and the sea weed Undaria pinnatifida - all species that have recently invaded the West Coast.

The Bioblitz begins with a pre-training workshop on Saturday, September 28, from 9:00-12:00, with a lecture and hands-on microscope work to help familiarize participants with the targeted marine invertebrates and similar native species. At noon, participants will have lunch with their fellow ‘Blitzers’. From 1:00-4:00, volunteers head out to sites around the Ketchikan area to survey for invasive species. At 4:00, volunteers return to the university to share what they’ve found.

The day’s activities will establish critical baseline data for future research, invasive species management and conservation initiatives.

The Bioblitz will take place on Saturday, September 28, 2013 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This event will be held at the UAS Ketchikan Technical Center (Robertston Building, Room 115) at 600 Stedman Street.

The community is invited to participate.

Edited by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News: 

University of Alaska Southeast Ketchikan
www.ketch.alaska.edu

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