Celebrate California Biodiversity Day 2020 at a National Wildlife Refuge. Visit a National Wildlife Refuge in California from September 5-13 and record any animals or plants you observe using the iNaturalist app.

Founded by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903 and administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Wildlife Refuge System is a diverse network of lands and waters dedicated to conserving America’s rich fish and wildlife heritage. Within California, 40 refuges across the state provide habitat for wildlife and recreational opportunties for people. To locate a refuge near you, go to https://www.fws.gov/refuges/visit/.

Due to the COVID19 pandemic, this is a self-led bioblitz. Although most refuge and hatchery lands and outdoor spaces have remained open for the public to enjoy, we encourage you to:

Review our state-by-state update page and check local refuge and hatchery conditions before
visiting
Follow current CDC safe practices by maintaining a safe distance between yourself and other groups
Wear a cloth face mask/covering over the nose and mouth, especially when social distancing is
difficult
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
Most importantly, stay home if you feel sick

https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/california-biodiversity-day-2020-usfws-national-wildlife-refuges

Celebrate California’s Natural Beauty!

Join us and our partners for a weeklong celebration of California Biodiversity Day, September 5 – 13.

https://www.sdnhm.org/blog/blog_details/california-biodiversity-week-2020/154/

During the pandemic lockdown this spring, the background din quieted. A new study shows that, in just a matter of weeks, the sparrows’ songs recovered the acoustic quality of songs sung decades ago, when city life was less noisy.

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/09/when-covid-19-silenced-cities-birdsong-recaptured-its-former-glory

One of the most fundamental wonders of birds is that they fly. We earthbound creatures plod along with heavy steps, and occasionally take off in our imaginations or machines. But birds do this effortlessly, and constantly fill the air around us. This is cause enough for inexhaustible excitement at the marvels of the world.

https://www.marinij.com/2020/09/27/fall-migration-an-incredible-phenomenon/amp/

Saving Species Together, a joint project between the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries, illustrates how resource agencies, private landowners, non-profits and citizens have come together to help some of California’s vulnerable species. A half-hour program compiled from the videos will be airing on PBS starting in November as well.

https://cdfgnews.wordpress.com/2020/09/30/new-video-series-and-website-help-tell-the-story-of-californias-vulnerable-species/amp/