Hobson's Brook BioBlitz 2017

Hobson's Conduit Trust

A family friendly celebration of environmental conservation, good science and good healthy activity. Wildlife experts working with and informing the general public, creating a snapshot of the variety of wildlife in the area. 
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Where? 
The Hobson’s Brook corridor from Nine Wells Local Nature Reserve (south of Addenbrooke's Hospital) to Empty Common (near Brooklands Avenue). 
Why? 
The Hobson’s Conduit corridor is an important green lung of Cambridge and is under acute pressure as the city grows. This Bioblitz is the first in a series of events to take place over a 10 year span. 
What? 
The Hobson’s Brook Bioblitz is an umbrella for a range of academic, professional, naturalist, environmental, conservation, community, education and leisure interest groups.
The project involves setting up two BioBlitz sampling stations for 24 hours: 
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Southern Site – at Nine Wells 
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Northern Site – at Empty Common Community Garden and Allotments 
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On Saturday afternoon at Empty Common site there will be outdoor activities for residents, families and children related to Hobson’s Conduit. These will involve community arts in a wider green context. 
On Saturday afternoon at Nine Wells there will be bushcraft workshops, storytelling and a variety of outdoor activities for families available
When? 
Family oriented citizen science activities at Empty Common and Nine Wells will be held during the period 12 noon - 10pm on Saturday 10th June and 8am - 12 noon on Sunday 11th June. 
Our Aims 
The long term audit of the ecology of the riparian (bank-side) corridor over a ten year period to create base data of substance. The Bioblitz is a public facing event to launch this project. 
To engage with the people of Cambridge, to enthuse families and community groups in order to raise the profile and appreciation of bio-diversity in general and these important sites in particular. 
Currently we have committed specialist naturalist support from: The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire; Cambridge &amp; Peterborough Amphibian and Reptile Group; Cambridge Bat Group; Cambridgeshire Mammal Group; Cambs Natural History Society; Cambridge Past, Present &amp; Future; Cambs Valley Forum; and the Fish Preservation Society. Various university departments, individual ecologists, environmentalists, botanists, zoologists and birders and those who like wading around in mud, walking, listening and looking. 
The BioBlitz is a volunteer run and there is no charge for the events. We have Public Liability Insurance, local authority approval and all necessary permissions and licences. 
Visitors will be encouraged to book for specific sessions – especially if groups wish to attend. People who turn up on the day will be welcome to join in too. 
Key Elements 
Hobson’s Brook Bioblitz takes place along the length of Hobson’s Brook from Nine Wells Local Nature Reserve to Empty Common between 12 noon Saturday 10th June and 12 noon Sunday 11th June 2017. 
The BioBlitz will be based at two sites; Empty Common Allotments and Community Garden (south of Brooklands Avenue) and Nine Wells about three kilometres south of this and 200m from the roundabout at the junction of Dame Mary Archer Way and Addenbrookes Road. 
Activities will take place at both sites, and there will be guided walks along the brook, which links them. Please note it takes about an hour to walk the length of the Brook, so bear this in mind when planning your day. A minibus transfer service between Nine Wells and Empty Common will be provided on Saturday. 
 
Please note: The Programme of Events has several distinct sections:
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Saturday 12 noon-6pm at Empty Common: Environment and conservation activities. Book for this as a single event. This entitles you to join a range of activities (some of which are listed below). Most of these events are family focussed. A time table of these events will be available at registration. 
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Saturday 12 noon–5pm at Nine Wells: Fenland Bushcraft and Earthkind Education present Native Skills, Story telling, Games and Outdoors Activities. Book for this as a single event. Once registered you may join any of the sessions. A time table of these events will be available at registration. 
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Saturday guided walks from Empty Common to Nine Wells departing at 1.30pm &amp; 2.30pm. Each walk is bookable in advance. 
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Saturday evening core science BioBlitz activities at Nine Wells after 5pm and Sunday morning 8am–12 noon. 
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Saturday evening core science BioBlitz activities at Empty Common after 6.30pm and Sunday morning activities from 8am-12 noon. 
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Each core science BioBlitz activity on the chart above must be booked separately. 
Children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult/carer. 
Those who book in advance will have priority if there is heavy demand. However they are open to those who wish to turn up at the time BUT PLEASE realise that this depends on availability of spaces. 
Only those who have registered will be eligible to join in events. (This is important for parents and carers for all under 16s): We encourage visitors to arrive on two feet or two wheels although car parking will be signposted at both sites. A minibus will be available to transport people from Empty Common to Nine Wells. 
The weather can be fickle. Take note of the weather forecast. Be prepared for heat, rain and wind. Please dress appropriately for the conditions at the time. If you are intending to take part in activities please wear appropriate clothing. Children should have wellies and/or stout shoes/boots. 
In case of severe weather (including the threat of lightning) or other unforeseen circumstances the Trustees reserve the right to cancel all or part of the event. 
Refreshments will be available at Empty common. Please bring your own food and picnic if you wish. 
We aim to incorporate best green practice to make this event environmentally friendly. Please dispose of rubbish in the appropriate bins provided or take it home with you. The entire Bioblitz is alcohol free and smoke free. Please respect our neighbours and do not stray from the designated paths. 
We are working with a range of local residents and organisations who, by being involved in this Bioblitz, are demonstrating commitment to our precious environment. 
The Environment and conservation activities at Empty Common on Saturday afternoon (12 noon – 6 pm) will include walks, talks and activities related to the Brook and the immediate surroundings looking at birds, mammals, insects, trees, plants, grasses, fungi, fish and invertebrates. Experts will be on hand to help with identification. There will be nature-based arts and crafts as well as continuous open access creative activities and story-telling. 
There will be visits at Empty Common during the afternoon by Marion Leeper, the Cambridge Bard, who is creating a new poem based on the story of the Conduit. Story teller Malcolm Busby will entertain as well. Whilst at the Community Garden creative hub there are plenty of opportunities to make things and share creatively. 
The Trustees of Hobson’s Conduit have organised a series of walks from Empty Common along the Conduit to Nine Wells recounting the history and current significance of the waterway as it flows through various suburban and urban environments. The challenges of caring for this special place will be more fully understood. These walks are bookable in advance. 
Fenland Bushcraft and Earth Kind Education will lead a range of creative activities at Nine Wells on Saturday afternoon 12 noon -5pm. Events will include Native Skills, Story telling, Games and Outdoors Activities. 
Join Fenland Bushcraft for fire and water workshops. Geoff Preen will run demonstrations on how our ancestors made fire using natural materials and tribal knowledge. Fire is a crucial element that modern humans sometimes take for granted. It provides warmth for cooking, protection and heat for purifying water. Members of the public will be encouraged to get hands-on experience with these native skills. 
Join Earth Kind Education on a magical journey into the wonder of Nine Wells and open your awareness to the animals that call it home, and to your own powerful animal senses. Are you ready to tune in to nature's frequency? Do you feel called to deepen your connection to natural spaces and remember the human animal inside of you? If the answer is yes, come down to Nine Wells and hear Kelsey Boast tell a story about the site, participate in nature-based activities and discover the adventure that awaits you.

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Hobson's Brook BioBlitz 2017

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