BioBlitz: Downtown San Jose

Join us as we document the biodiversity of parks and green spaces within walking distance of the San Jose Convention Center. How many species can we find in downtown San Jose? With careful observation and documentation who... [ view full abstract ]

Join us as we document the biodiversity of parks and green spaces within walking distance of the San Jose Convention Center. How many species can we find in downtown San Jose? With careful observation and documentation who knows what we can discover together. Participants only need to bring a smartphone (or a camera) and their powers of observation to help catalog the plants and animals surrounding the hustle and bustle of Silicon Valley.

Bioblitzing is an excellent way to build current knowledge of biodiversity, detect invasive species, build coalitions of local stakeholders, engage people of all ages with biodiversity and strengthen sense of place, stewardship ethic and build community. The California Academy of Sciences, iNaturalist.org and Nerds for Nature will hold a short BioBlitz in the natural areas around downtown San Jose. Depending on interest and logistics areas may include: Guadalupe River Park, the Discovery Meadow, San Jose State University, William Street Park and Saint James Park.

iNaturalist powered grassroots bioblitzes gather scientists, citizen scientists, land managers, and more, all working together to find and identify as many different species as possible—everything from ants to redwoods! Bioblitzes not only help land managers build a species list and atlas for their parks, they also highlight the incredible biodiversity in these urban oases.

Participants use the iNaturalist app to document their plant and animal observations, and we end each bioblitz with a “wrap session” that allows the group to see what everyone found and help each other with identifications. We look forward getting out in nature and Bioblitzing with all of you!