Nature-Based Scavenger Hunt Coming To Hampton

HAMPTON, NH — Families and community members are invited to explore the Hampton Town Forest this Saturday during the BioBlitz nature-based scavenger hunt event being held this Saturday. This will be a chance to explore the forest's insects, birds, plants and other types of species in a short amount of time. The rain date for the event is Sunday.

"This will be an interactive and fun way to explore Hampton's Town Forest, learn what's out there and identify points of interest for trails we hope to build in the future," said Town Conservation Coordinator Rayann Dionne. "We encourage all the current users and those who have never visited the Forest to join us."

During this free event, experts will lead groups to discover and map the plants and animals found on the property. The teams will use the iNaturalist mobile app and expert advice to identify the species throughout the day. There are several options to volunteer during the following times: birding at 7 a.m., insects or shrubs and flowers from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., trees of fungi from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Registration is required, and interested volunteers are asked to sign up through Nature Groupie. For more information contact Dionne at rdionne@hamptonnh.gov or call 603-929-5808.

The Hampton Town Forest was established in 2015 and the town is currently working to expand the forest, increase public awareness and promote responsible wildlife and habitat-friendly activities, according to town officials. The BioBlitz event is being presented as the town's partnership with UNH Cooperative Extension and Nature Groupie as part of the New Hampshire BioBlitz Project— a project that helps communities learn about town-owned lands and is funded by the Landscape Scale Restoration Grant of the U.S. Forest Service. UNH Cooperative Extension is providing support to another eight towns for the project over the next two years.