California contains some of the most varied landscapes in the country. Over 800 miles of coastline climbs in elevation as you move east toward the Sierra Nevada’s, crossing dense forests and misty mountains before hitting the vast Mojave Desert – home to unique plants and animals that you can’t find anywhere else on earth.
Today is California Biodiversity Day and the start of Biodiversity Week – an initiative to help encourage the discovery and protection of our state’s flora and fauna. The day was established in 2018 and is part of the California 30×30 Executive Order, which aims to protect 30% of California’s lands and waters by 2030.
The first step in protecting nature is to educate folks about why its important. State Parks all across California are holding special events like nature walks, info sessions, cultural demonstrations, and restoration events that aim to help visitors connect with the outdoors and continue giving residents equitable access to nature.
the largest unit in the State Parks System and an excellent example of our desert ecosystem.
Photo and Caption: parks.ca.gov
Our closest State Park is down the hill in the beautiful Mount San Jacinto State Park, and they will be holding an event today (9/6) on the biodiversity of the Idyllwild campground and meadow. However, next Saturday (9/14), the Salton Sea Recreation Area will be holding a “bioblitz” nature walk that will highlight the botany, birds and beautiful views of the Salton Sea.
There are also some activities you can do right here in the basin for biodiversity week. If you like getting outside and exploring the different plants and animals around the hi-desert, download the iNaturalist app and join the biodiversity week challenge! Use the free app to identify and submit 30 species of plant or animal. Nature can be found anywhere, and taking time to slow down and see what’s around you is a great way to understand the amount of biodiversity we have here in the basin, and it also does some good by providing data to conservationists and nature lovers.
