In an effort to forefront the Museum's research and conservation efforts, three new programs have been planned for Spring 2018: the State of Biodiversity Symposium and Nat Talk, the City Nature Challenge 2018: San Diego, and the 10th anniversary Balboa Park BioBlitz.

State of Biodiversity Symposium and Nat Talk (February 20)

Held on February 20, following the State of the Union, State of the State, and State of the City addresses, The Nat will host the inaugural State of Biodiversity Symposium, and its accompanying Nat Talk. The symposium will bring national and regional scientists together to discuss the latest conservation science, emerging threats, and management success stories. Together, the symposium and Nat Talk will provide a forum for environmentalists, land managers, and the public to explore the status of regional biodiversity conservation and research.

City Nature Challenge 2018: San Diego (April 27-30)

The City Nature Challenge 2018: San Diego is a global competition to see which city can record the greatest number of observations of their local flora and fauna over a 4-day period. From April 27-30, The Nat is spearheading a local effort to get San Diego residents and visitors to document as many species as possible using the iNaturalist app. City Nature Challenge begins Friday, April, 27 at 12 AM PT and ends Monday, April 30 at 11:59 PM PT. Results will be announced on Friday, May 4 by organizing institutions, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the California Academy of Sciences.

Balboa Park BioBlitz (April 27-28)

On April 27-28, in concert with the City Nature Challenge 2018: San Diego, is the Balboa Park BioBlitz, a 24-hour effort to use iNaturalist to document as many species of plants and animals as possible in Balboa Park. Our last Balboa Park BioBlitz occurred in 2008, making this year’s event the 10-year anniversary of the program. Both professional and community scientists are invited to join the Museum in documenting the species found in Balboa Park. 

The Balboa Park BioBlitz begins Friday, April 27 at 2 PM and ends on Saturday, April 28 at 2 PM. The Nat will have educators and scientists inside and outside the Museum on Saturday, April 28 from 11 AM to 3 PM to help participants get up to speed with the iNaturalist app and answer questions. There will be a species count reveal at 3 PM on the Museum’s south steps.

Posted by Public Relations and Social Media Manager April Green.