AAAS-Pacific Division Meeting BioBlitz

Join us as we document the biodiversity of the San Francisco State University Campus and adjacent Lake Merced. We will be encouraging nature observations during the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Pacific Division Meeting (14-17 June 2015). We will also be hosting a mini-bioblitz on Monday June15th as part of our Symposium, Science from Citizen Science.

How many species can we find in on campus and along the shore of the lake?

With careful observation and documentation who knows what we can discover together. Participants only need to bring a smartphone (or a camera) and their powers of observation to help catalog the plants and animals surrounding the hustle and bustle of San Francisco. Bioblitzing is an excellent way to build current knowledge of biodiversity, detect invasive species, build coalitions of local stakeholders, engage people of all ages with biodiversity and strengthen sense of place, stewardship ethic and build community. This mini-bioblitz will be organized by the California Academy of Sciences and iNaturalist.org.

iNaturalist powered grassroots bioblitzes gather scientists, citizen scientists, land managers, and more, all working together to find and identify as many different species as possible—everything from ants to redwoods! Bioblitzes not only help land managers build a species list and atlas for their parks, they also highlight the incredible biodiversity in these urban oases.

Participants use the iNaturalist app to document their plant and animal observations, and we end each bioblitz with a “wrap session” that allows the group to see what everyone found and help each other with identifications. We look forward getting out in nature and Bioblitzing with all of you! less ↑