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Snapshot Cal Coast

Snapshot Cal Coast 2024 is June 1-30! Help us document California's incredible biodiversity on your own or at a bioblitz event near you.

Every summer, the California Academy of Sciences—with support from the California Ocean Protection Council, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the MPA (Marine Protected Area) Collaborative Network, and many other partners—mobilizes communities from Del Norte to San Diego to make and share observations of plants, animals, and seaweeds along the California coast using the iNaturalist app.

By creating a real-time, statewide snapshot of current species ranges, we're building a community of observers that provides valuable data for scientists at local, regional, and state levels, and answering targeted research questions in support of the California Coast. We focus on the rocky intertidal, but we are interested in data from any coastal-influenced habitats along the California Coast, including sandy beaches, bays, wetlands, and docks. 

We look forward to seeing you on the coast soon!

Getting started is a snap!

Participating in Snapshot Cal Coast is as easy and fun as a day at the beach. Get started in six easy steps:

  1. Download the iNaturalist app for iOS or Android.

  2. Create an account to start making observations.

  3. Join the Snapshot Cal Coast 2024 iNaturalist project 

  4. Head to the coast on your own time or during a bioblitz to make and share observations of plants and animals you see, especially species on our "most wanted" list (see below).

  5. Observe during low tide. You can use this tool made by our team to find lowtides anywhere in California. Or you can use NOAA's tide table to find exact times for low tides near you.

  6. Spread the word with hashtag #SnapshotCalCoast!