Scientists Wanted

Scientists of all ages are needed to study biodiversity in and around Big Parker’s Pit

Big Parker’s Pit is a quarry pond in Rockport, Massachusetts surrounded by forest. The area is a habitat for many species of mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs, fish, worms, snails, insects, trees, bushes, plants, flowers, fungi, and other fauna and flora.

In 1992, the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team studied and certified several vernal ponds. Other vernal ponds were certified in 2006 in support of the landowners’ application for a conservation easement. There have been no other studies of the biodiversity at Big Parker’s Pit.

So except for a few birds and trees that we know the names of,

We’re surrounded by living things and we have no idea what they are!



Your mission, should you choose to accept it, will be to:

1. Observe and collect examples of living things and the things they leave behind, like feathers, nests, eggs, skat, tracks, leaves, etc.
2. Record your observations using appropriate media: written descriptions, drawings, scanned images, photographs, sound recordings, flower pressings, etc.
3. Use printed and online research materials to identify the living things you observe, for example, the University of Michigan's Biokids website.
   
4. Present your findings to other scientists: what it is, what you learned about it from research.
5. Publish your findings on this blog.

This is a big project. It will not be completed in one summer or one year or perhaps in the lifetimes of its older participants. But let us begin.

Room and board will be provided, but no pay.

To apply, please post a comment here.