Community Comes Together for Successful Hoople Creek BioBlitz
INGLESIDE, ONTARIO – Despite challenging weather that included thunderstorms and hail on Friday, community spirit and a shared passion for nature helped make the inaugural Hoople Creek BioBlitz a tremendous success.
Held May 29–30 at the Hoople Creek Wildlife Area on Wales Road near Ingleside, the event brought together 41 participants, including naturalists, scientists, birders, photographers, conservationists, and local residents, all working toward a common goal: documenting the biodiversity of one of South Stormont’s most important natural areas.
The BioBlitz was jointly organized by the Friends of Hoople Creek Society (FOHC) and the Citizens for Marshland Conservation (CMC) to increase public awareness of the Hoople Creek Wildlife Area, encourage participation in citizen science, and gather valuable ecological information about the site.
“The turnout exceeded our expectations,” said John Sliter, President of the Friends of Hoople Creek Society. “Even with severe weather on Friday, people still came out to participate. Saturday brought much better conditions and a remarkable level of enthusiasm from everyone involved.”
Throughout the weekend, participants attended presentations and field sessions led by several respected naturalists and experts, including:
- Michel Lalonde – Snakes
- Al Quinsey – Birds and Plants
- Kate Schwartz – Fish
- Fred Schueler and Aleta Karstad – Mussels and Snails
- Nicole Truesdell – Turtles
- Alanna Akkermans – Frogs
Participants explored forests, marshes, ponds, and shoreline habitats while recording observations using citizen science platforms that will contribute to long-term biodiversity monitoring efforts.
Although all observations are still being reviewed and compiled, several noteworthy discoveries have already emerged. These include the Bobolink, a federally threatened grassland bird species, and Northern Arrowwood, a shrub previously recorded in Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Counties only at Cooper Marsh. Participants also documented young-of-the-year Northern Pike, evidence that the species is successfully spawning within the area, and Blackchin Shiner, a fish species widely recognized as an indicator of good environmental quality.
Organizers believe these findings highlight the ecological importance of the Hoople Creek Wildlife Area and reinforce the need to continue documenting and protecting its natural resources.
One of the most encouraging outcomes of the event was the interest generated among naturalists and field experts, many of whom indicated they plan to return to continue exploring the property. Organizers are particularly interested in future surveys of marsh birds, as high winds during portions of the BioBlitz likely reduced the ability of participants to detect species calling deep within the marsh.
Located at 5316 Wales Road (County Road 12), the Hoople Creek Wildlife Area is Crown land administered by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and remains open to the public. The trails have become an increasingly popular destination for hikers, birdwatchers, photographers, and nature enthusiasts throughout the region.
Given the overwhelming positive feedback received from participants, organizers are hopeful the BioBlitz will become an annual event.
The Friends of Hoople Creek Society and Citizens for Marshland Conservation extend sincere thanks to everyone who participated, regardless of the weather conditions. Special appreciation is extended to the Cornwall and Area Birding Club for providing many knowledgeable participants, to all of the expert activity leaders who shared their time and knowledge, and to the volunteers whose efforts helped organize and support the event.
Organizers also wish to recognize Al Quinsey of the Citizens for Marshland Conservation, whose leadership, planning, and dedication were instrumental in making the BioBlitz a success.
The Hoople Creek BioBlitz demonstrated not only the ecological significance of this unique wetland and forest complex, but also the tremendous enthusiasm that exists within the community for learning about and protecting local natural areas.
Friends of Hoople Creek 
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