Want to help scientists learn more about the California coast? Join this weekends bioblitz at Lake Merritt

The California Academy of Sciences is calling for volunteers to join “Snapshot Cal Coast,” a community science project focused on documenting coastal organisms throughout June. This Saturday, June 14, participants can meet at Lake Merritt to help monitor local biodiversity. The initiative began ten years ago in response to environmental issues like the die-off of sea stars and the effects of “The Blob. ” Rebecca Johnson, who oversees the program, seeks to engage communities in assessing California's diverse coastal ecosystems. Last year, nearly 7,000 people contributed to the project by using the iNaturalist app to document various species.

The data collected will inform state environmental decisions and contribute to an early warning forecasting tool expected to launch in September. This tool will help predict changes to California's coastal ecosystems due to climate change. Johnson's team aims to leverage community involvement for a comprehensive understanding of coastal biodiversity and its challenges.