Snapshot CalCoast 2017

Ever want to be a scientist? Now is your chance! Heal the Bay is teaming up with The California Academy of Sciences and the Marine Protected Area Collaborative Network for the statewide event, Snapshot CalCoast 2017!

From June 23rd-July 2nd, teams across California will head to tide pools and the ocean to discover, photograph, and identify as many marine species as possible, including sea stars, mussels, crabs, octopuses, and many more. Put your smartphone to good use, download the iNaturalist app, and become not only a citizen scientist, but a conservation superhero today! Sharing your observations will help both researchers and policy makers better understand and protect marine life in California.

Why Care About Biodiversity?

Biodiversity is at the heart of ecosystem balance. By better understanding and protecting biodiversity, we are taking action toward more effective conservation. Ecosystems that have a higher level of biodiversity are more robust, can more easily bounce back from environmental changes and are generally more sustainable. MPAs in particular have been identified to successfully increase biodiversity, which, in turn, boosts productivity, increases resilience and establishes overall healthier ecosystems.

What is a BioBlitz?

A Bioblitz is a community event in which many people come together to document biodiversity by observing and recording as many species as they can in one area at one time. Bioblitzes are not only fantastic opportunities to get involved in the community, but also to connect you to both nature and science in a positive and rewarding way. Snapshot CalCoast uses the iNaturalist platform to bridge the gap between technology and outdoor nature, connecting social media to conservation and enabling you to share your discoveries through a fun, inspiring, and easy-to-use medium.

Event Details

We will be using the iNaturalist app to record our observations, and highly recommend installing this FREE app to your smartphone or tablet prior to the event. Once installed you will need to create your own account (username and password). You can also use a digital camera to record your observations and then upload them to the iNaturalist website from your home computer after the bioblitz.

MPA Watch and Community Lunch: After the bioblitz, you are welcome to join the MPA Watch volunteers for an MPA Watch survey and an opportunity to learn more about the MPA Watch program. Then, join other volunteers from LA Waterkeeper for lunch afterwards to discuss your bioblitz observations and make lasting community connections. Exact time and location TBD.

RSVP here!

Meeting Location: Meet at the Point Dume Westward Beach parking lot at 7:30 a.m. (at the restrooms at the end of the lot by the cliff), and we will walk over to the tide pools as a group.

Remember to:
Bring your smartphone (with iNat app) or camera and notebook.
Bring plenty of water!
Wear shoes appropriate for the rocky intertidal.
Protect yourself from the sun: sunscreen, hat, etc.
Dress in layers.

We will go over how to use the iNaturalist app onsite, but feel free to familiarize yourself with the following resources:

iNaturalist Video Tutorial - Tidepools
iNaturalist Video Tutorial - Making an iNat Observation
iNaturalist Tutorial
California Tidepools App (free - very useful to help identify species)

For more information, please contact: alidressel@healthebay.net (505) 377-1139

See you there! less ↑