Balboa Park BioBlitz

Thank you for helping us record 10 years of change in Balboa Park

RESULTS

Check back in over the coming days. The species count will continue to increase as our scientists identify observations.

2,133 total observations

555 total species:

  • 384 plants
  • 4 snails
  • 87 insects
  • 3 amphibians
  • 9 reptiles
  • 28 birds
  • 16 mammals

What is a BioBlitz?

A BioBlitz is a 24-hour effort to document as many species of wild plants and animals in a given area at a time, in this case, Balboa Park. Both scientists and citizen scientists join in on the fun collectively gallivanting around the Park in search of birds, mammals, spiders, insects, plants, reptiles, amphibians, and even fossils!

When did this event taking place?

Friday, April 27, 2 PM until Saturday, April 28 at 2 PM. The Nat will had tables set up 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. Participants interacted with working scientists, trained naturalists, and environmental educators. The will species count reveal was at 3 PM on the Museum’s south steps.

Events
  • Bat Spotting at the Balboa Park Lily Pond| The Nat | Friday, April 27 dusk
  • Canyoneer hike in Florida Canyon | Saturday, April 28 at 8:30 AM
  • Species ID and iNaturalist with Nat staff | The Nat | Saturday, 11 AM – 3 PM
  • Paleontoligst Fossil Hike in Florida Canyon | Saturday, April 28 at 1 PM
  • Species count reveal | Saturday, April 28 at 3 PM

How you can participate

All species accounts will be tracked using iNaturalist, a platform dedicated to recording what you see in nature, allowing you to meet other nature lovers, and learn about the natural world. You can upload observations on your desktop computer, or via the app.

Not familiar with the iNaturalist app? Not to worry, it’s super user-friendly. All you have to do is:

  1. Download the free iNaturalist app to your Android or iPhone
  2. Join the 2018 Balboa Park BioBlitz iNaturalist project
  3. Take photos from April 27-28 to make observations of wild plants and animals in Balboa Park
  4. Upload your photos to iNaturalist
  5. Learn more as the iNaturalist community helps identify your observations

This event is a part of the larger City Nature Challenge, a worldwide competition to see which city can make the most observations of their local plants and animals over a 4-day period. Observations submitted to this BioBlitz iNaturalist project will contribute to San Diego’s chances of winning the 2018 City Nature Challenge.

Don’t forget, for your safety and the safety of wildlife, please stay on the trails within the Park.

The Balboa Park BioBlitz is generously supported by SDG&E.