Snapshot Cal Coast
Snapshot Cal Coast is in Summer 2024! Help us document California's incredible biodiversity on your own or at a bioblitz event near you.
For two weeks every year, the California Academy of Sciences—with support from the California Ocean Protection Council, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and 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 California Marine Protected Areas.
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:
- Download the iNaturalist app for iOS or Android.
- Create an account to start making observations.
- Join the Snapshot Cal Coast 2023 iNaturalist project
- 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).
- Observe during low tide. See NOAA's tide table to find exact times for low tides near you.
- Spread the word with hashtag #SnapshotCalCoast!
Keep tidepool etiquette top of mind
- Observe things where you find them. Never remove animals, rocks, shells, seaweeds, or plants from the tidepools.
- Walk gently, taking care to avoid stepping on animals or seaweeds.
- Do not “roll” rocks. Animals living on the underside of rocks can only survive there.
- Be aware of the wildlife around you and try to minimize disturbances.
- Be careful! Tidepools and rocky shorelines are slippery, and tides and waves can catch you off guard. Never turn your back on the ocean.
Most-wanted species
In addition to documenting as many species as possible from as many places as possible, we are also interested in learning more about a handful of “most-wanted” species and groups. These include introduced species for which we have limited data on their ranges, species whose ranges are affected by changing oceanic conditions and habitat modification, and species that are affected by emerging diseases.
Check out the iNaturalist Most Wanted Species Guide for more information.
Native rocky intertidal species
Anemones
- Anthopleura artemisia (Moonglow Anemone)
- Anthopleura buttermeieri
- Anthopleura elegantissima (Aggregating Anemone)
- Anthopleura mariae
- Anthopleura sola (Sunburst Anemone)
- Anthopleura xanthagrammica (Giant Green Anemone)
Abalone
- Haliotis cracherodii (Black Abalone)
- Haliotis kamtschatkana (Pinto Abalone)
- Haliotis fulgens (Green Abalone)
- Haliotis rufescens (Red Abalone)
Snails in the genus Nucella
- Nucella canaliculata (Channeled Dogwinkle)
- Nucella emarginata (Emarginate Dogwinkle)
- Nucella lamellosa (Wrinkled Purple)
- Nucella ostrina (Striped Dogwinkle)
Snails in the genus Tegula
- Tegula aureotincta (Gilded Tegula)
- Tegula brunnea (Brown Tegula)
- Tegula eiseni (Western Banded Tegula)
- Tegula funebralis (Black Tegula)
- Tegula gallina (Speckled Tegula)
- Tegula montereyi (Monterey Tegula)
- Tegula pulligo (Dusky Tegula)
Chitons
- Lepidozona spp.
- Mopalia spp.
Lottia gigantea (Owl Limpet)
Nudibranchs
- Acanthodoris nanaimoensis (Nanaimo Horned Dorid)
- Felimare californiensis (California Blue Dorid)
Strongylocentrtus purpurartus (Pacific Purple Sea Urchin)
Kelps
- Alaria marginata (Winged Kelp)
- Egregia menziesii (Feather-boa Kelp)
- Hedophyllum sessile (Sea Cabbage)
- Laminaria setchelli and Laminaria sinclairii
- Macrocystis pyrifera (Giant Kelp)
- Nereocystis luetkana (Bull Kelp)
- Postelsia palmaeformis (Sea Palm)
Non-native species
Seaweeds
- Sargassum horneri (Devil Weed)
- Sargassum muticum (Japanese Wireweed)
- Undaria pinnatifida (Wakame)
Watersipora Bryozoans
Tunicates
- Botrylloides giganteum
- Botrylloides violaceus (Chain Tunicate)
- Botryllus schlosseri (Star Tunicate)
- Didemnum vexillum (Sea Vomit)
Crabs
- Carcinus maenas (European Green Crab)
- Eriocheir sinensis (Chinese Mitten Crab)
Mud Snails
- Batillaria attramentaria (Japanese False Cerith)
- Tritia obsoleta (Eastern Mudsnail)
- Urosalpinx cinerea (Eastern Oyster Drill)
Worms
- Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Australian Tubeworm)
Join Upcoming Bioblitz Events
Interested in helping plan events for summer 2024? Reach out to our team at communityscience@calacademy.org