Are you ready to Celebrate CA Biodiversity Week?
Read more to see how you can get involved with regional bioblitz’, nature walks, and more!
The Challenge:
Using the iNaturalist app, observe 30 species in the Mount Shasta Bioregion between September 6th and 14th. Observations and exploration can be made at any park, wilderness area, or neighborhood in the bioregion! If 30 species feels like too much, any amount will help! Click here to join the project via iNaturalist. Keep reading to learn more!
Why it matters:
This statewide biodiversity challenge creates a snapshot of the state’s incredible biodiversity and contributes to the California 30×30 Initiative. Not only does a bioblitz celebrate natural spaces, but it empowers “citizens to better understand and protect biodiversity,” according to the National Geographic Society’s website.
According to the Natural Resources Defence Council (NRDC), “Thriving biodiversity is necessary for healthy ecosystems, without which we wouldn’t have a secure food supply, clean water, essential medicines, or, ultimately, a habitable climate.” The more diverse an ecosystem, the more abundant its resources, and the more likely it will be able to withstand stress related to climate change, such as drought, disease, flooding, etc. Every ecosystem contains species that rely on each other for shelter, food, water, etc. Biodiversity is critical for these codependencies.
Check out the Bioblitz Opportunities tab above for more info!
Bioblitz Opportunities
This year, we are offering 3 Bioblitz’!
Bioregion Bioblitz: The first will take place over the entire CA Biodiversity Week – September 6-14th. Observations and exploration can be made at any park, forest or neighborhood in the Mt. Shasta Bioregion – Siskiyou County, Shasta County, Jackson County, Del Norte County, Humboldt County, and beyond. See event below and register for more information.
Register here: https://mountshastaecology.org/upcoming-community-events-2/
For more info about CA Biodiversity Week and upcoming bioblitz, visit https://mountshastaecology.org/ca-biodiversity-week-2025/
Sáttítla Highlands National Monument: Saturday, September 6th from 10am-2pm. See event below and register for more information.
Register here: https://mountshastaecology.org/upcoming-community-events-2/
For more info about CA Biodiversity Week and upcoming bioblitz, visit https://mountshastaecology.org/ca-biodiversity-week-2025/
Luginbuhl Ranch Bioblitz: Saturday, September 13th from 9am to 12pm See event below and register for more information.
Register here: https://mountshastaecology.org/upcoming-community-events-2/
For more info about CA Biodiversity Week and upcoming bioblitz, visit https://mountshastaecology.org/ca-biodiversity-week-2025/
Unfamiliar with iNaturalist?
How to sign up for an account: https://inaturalist.freshdesk.com/en/support/solutions/articles/151000195690-how-to-sign-up-for-an-inaturalist-account
How to make an observation: https://inaturalist.freshdesk.com/en/support/solutions/articles/151000192921-how-to-make-an-observation
How to use the Identify Page:
Here is a video on how to make sure your photos are identifiable: https://help.inaturalist.org/en/support/solutions/articles/151000170787
Cultivated/Captured VS Wild Observations: https://help.inaturalist.org/en/support/solutions/articles/151000169932

2025 CA Biodiversity Week Programs
Citizen Science Workshop
Thursday, September 4th from 6:00-7pm | Mount Shasta Public Library
Join the Mount Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center (MSBEC) and the Siskiyou Land Trust (SLT) for a citizen science workshop on how to use field guides, iNaturalist and CalScape. This workshop will be held on Thursday, September 4th from 6-7pm at the Mount Shasta Public Library. We'll lead a presentation inside the library and then explore using books and apps outside in Sisson Meadow. You'll learn everything you need to know to start exploring our beautiful landscapes and to be ready for California's Biodiversity Week and our upcoming bioblitz'! Bring your smart phone and if you'd like, your favorite field guides for the area. We will have some field guides available for use during the program.
Please register for more information: https://mountshastaecology.org/upcoming-community-events-2/

Friends and Family Nature Walk: CA Biodiversity Day
Sensing the Seasons Summer Edition & Bioblitz
Saturday, September 6th from 10:30-2pm | Sáttítla Highlands National Monument | Medicine Lake Highlands | Little Mount Hoffman | Medicine Lake | Payne's Spring
Join the Mount Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center (MSBEC) and the Siskiyou Land Trust (SLT) for a day of exploration in the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument. We'll start at Little Mount Hoffman with a sensory nature walk and nature journaling at the top and on the way down, we'll begin our bioblitz, cataloging species on iNaturalist. Then we'll stop for lunch and an optional swim at Medicine Lake, before ending with a bioblitz and final nature walk at Payne Springs. Carpooling and caravaning from McCloud available.
Please register for more information: https://mountshastaecology.org/upcoming-community-events-2/

SCA Biodiversity Week Wrap Up & Celebration
Bioblitz & BBQ
Saturday, September 13th from 9am-12pm | Luginbuhl Ranch, 2100 Deetz Rd. Mount Shasta
Join Siskiyou Land Trust (SLT) and the Mount Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center (MSBEC) for a day of exploration at SLT's Luginbuhl Ranch Preserve, a 320-acre property at the intersection of the Upper Sacramento and Shasta River headwaters. This headwaters forest is not just a piece of property though – it is a living legacy of local conservation and stewardship. We'll enjoy guided walks by SLT staff and interpreters followed by a continuation of our bioblitz, cataloging species on iNaturalist. At noon, we'll meet back at the Luginbuhl Cottage for a small BBQ (hot dogs/burgers/veggie options and their fixings).
Please register for more information: https://mountshastaecology.org/upcoming-community-events-2/
