CDFW News

CDFW and Partners Celebrate California Biodiversity Day with More Than 200 Events Statewide

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 13:15:32 GMT

Wildflowers at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in 2023. Photo from California State Parks.

California Biodiversity Day is a time to celebrate our state’s remarkable nature while encouraging actions to protect and steward it for future generations. Originally designated on September 7, 2018, this annual event has expanded into a weeklong celebration, with this year’s events taking place September 6-14 throughout the state.

“The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is excited to continue leading the collaborative effort to plan for California Biodiversity Day, shining a spotlight on the incredible natural diversity found across our state,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “The varied landscape of California is home to about one third of all species found in the United States, more than any other state in the country. I encourage Californians to check out one of the many events planned next week to discover our state’s bountiful nature and learn ways that they can help conserve it.”

"The California Academy of Sciences is thrilled to celebrate California Biodiversity Day for the seventh consecutive year," says Academy Director of Community Science Rebecca Johnson, PhD. "This year, we’re especially excited to launch the California Biodiversity Data Exchange, developed in partnership with iNaturalist and CDFW. Through this initiative, the Academy will provide the state with critical iNaturalist data to inform and strengthen conservation decision-making throughout California. Every observation shared on iNaturalist—during California Biodiversity Day events and beyond—directly supports our efforts to protect the species and places that make our state extraordinary.”

California is one of 36 global biodiversity hotspots – areas with exceptional concentrations of plant and animal species found nowhere else on the planet. At the same time, many California species are at risk of extinction due to threats from habitat loss and climate change.

“California’s state parks are living classrooms and vital sanctuaries for the plants and animals that make our state one of the most biodiverse places on the planet,” said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “California Biodiversity Day is not only a chance to celebrate that richness, but also to inspire the next generation of stewards to protect it. I invite all Californians to join one of the many events statewide and be part of the effort to protect our natural resources for generations to come.”

During the week of September 6-14, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California State Parks, the California Academy of Sciences and numerous other partner organizations will be hosting more than 200 events statewide to celebrate California Biodiversity Day. From webinars to restoration projects to bioblitzes, there are a variety of virtual and in-person events being offered. The California Biodiversity Day website has a map showing the location of all events, which include:

Community Celebration and Bioblitz at Camp Pollock, September 6, 9 a.m. to noon, 1501 Northgate Blvd., Sacramento (95815). Kick off California Biodiversity Day celebrations with a variety of family-friendly activities at Camp Pollock! Participate in a fun day of searching and learning as we get to know our plant and animal neighbors and connect with local conservation organizations. There will be a bioblitz (tutorials and hike guides provided), a volunteer service project, partner booths from over 20 local environmental organizations, and plenty of activities for the whole family. Admission is free but space is limited. Visit sacramentovalleyconservancy.org/events to register.
La Jolla Tidepools Bioblitz, September 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., La Jolla Cove, Coast Blvd., La Jolla (92037). Join CDFW and City of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department for a day of tidepool exploration! Learn how to use the free iNaturalist app to help collect biodiversity data while exploring the tidepools and enjoy a day out on our coast to celebrate biodiversity week. Visit the California Biodiversity Day website for more information.
Mysteries of the Octopus PORTScast Virtual Event, September 10, 9:00 a.m.-9:45 a.m., Crystal Cove State Park PORTScast on Zoom. Celebrate California Biodiversity Day with an engaging virtual field trip to Crystal Cove State Park’s Marine Protected Area and discover the fascinating Mysteries of the Octopus! This program is designed for students grades 3-5. Spend part of the morning learning about the adaptations and life cycle of this curious marine invertebrate with a backdrop of the crashing waves in the park. Visit the registration page to sign up.
Lake Merced Watershed California Bioblitz, September 13, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., 1 Harding Road, San Francisco (94132). Join a fun day of hiking, birdwatching and documenting biodiversity using the free iNaturalist app in the Lake Merced Watershed with the Center for Biodiversity and Community Science at the California Academy of Sciences. Groups will enjoy walks around Lake Merced and trails at the north end of Fort Funston. A delicious lunch will be provided along with a wrap-up session at the Lake Merced Boathouse. For more information and to register, visit www.calacademy.org/community-science/california-biodiversity-day.

Another easy way to participate in California Biodiversity Day is to join the Find 30 Species for California Biodiversity Day 2025 project on the iNaturalist app. Find and document 30 wild species any time September 6-14 from anywhere in California and submit your observations through the app. You can also check out the California Biodiversity Day bioblitz tracker, which shows all the communities participating in nature discovery events throughout the week and the species they observe. Tag your own nature adventures and follow along on social media at #CABiodiversityDay.

We hope to see you out there enjoying the biodiverse beauty of California!

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Media Contacts:
Steve Gonzalez, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714
newsroom@parks.ca.gov, California State Parks
Megan Ely, Cal Academy Communications

The California Department of Parks and Recreation, popularly known as State Parks, and the programs supported by its Office of Historic Preservation and divisions of Boating and Waterways and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at parks.ca.gov.
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The California Academy of Sciences is a renowned scientific and educational institution with a mission to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. Based in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, it is home to a world-class aquarium, planetarium, and natural history museum, as well as innovative programs in scientific research and environmental education—all under one living roof. Museum hours are 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday – Saturday, and 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Admission includes all exhibits, programs, and shows. For daily ticket prices, please visit www.calacademy.org or call (415) 379-8000 for more information.

CDFW Seeks Hunter Recommendations for Northern San Joaquin Valley Wildlife Areas

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 14:00:36 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Central Region, along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), will hold an online outreach meeting to take comments and recommendations from licensed hunters regarding hunting programs in the northern San Joaquin Valley. The meeting will include updates on habitat conditions and the availability of water for wetlands.

The meeting will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, using Microsoft Teams. Email Lara Sparks at Lara.Sparks@Wildlife.ca.gov for a link to attend and instructions on how to submit comments and questions.

State lands to be discussed are the Mendota, Los Banos, Volta and North Grasslands wildlife areas, including the Salt Slough, China Island, Gadwall, Widell/Ramaciotti and Mud Slough units. USFWS personnel will be available to speak about the Merced National Wildlife Refuge, including the Lone Tree Unit, as well as the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge, including the Kesterson, Blue Goose, East and West Bear Creek, the Freitas units and the Kern National Wildlife Refuge.

CDFW annually provides opportunity through public meetings and outreach for licensed hunters to comment and make recommendations on hunting programs, including anticipated habitat conditions in the hunting areas on Type A wildlife areas. A wildlife area designated as Type A is a wildlife area with restricted hunter access during waterfowl season.

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Media Contacts:
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120
Lara Sparks, CDFW Los Banos Wildlife Area, (209) 826-0463

Hunters Invited to Share Input on Yolo Bypass, Grizzly Island Hunting Programs

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 10:31:17 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will hold an online outreach meeting to take comments and recommendations from licensed hunters regarding hunting programs on the Yolo Bypass and Grizzly Island wildlife areas.

The meeting will be held virtually Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. using Microsoft Teams.

CDFW will provide updates on habitat conditions, availability of water for wetlands and hunting access opportunities. Email Grizzly Island Wildlife Area at grizzlyisland@wildlife.ca.gov for a link to the meeting and instructions for submitting comments and questions.

CDFW annually provides an opportunity for licensed hunters to comment and make recommendations on public hunting programs, including anticipated habitat conditions in the hunting areas on Type A wildlife areas through public meetings and outreach. A wildlife area designated as Type A is a wildlife area with restricted hunter access during waterfowl season.

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Media Contacts:
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120
Orlando Rocha, CDFW Grizzly Island Wildlife Area, (707) 425-3828
Garrett Spaan, CDVW Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, (530) 757-2461

CDFW Launching Pilot Effort to Reduce Gray Wolf Attacks on Livestock

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 13:31:46 GMT

Working with local agencies, law enforcement and agricultural partners, the department will implement the effort in Sierra, Plumas and Siskiyou counties

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced today that it is launching a summer strike team in partnership with federal and local agencies to combat livestock depredations by gray wolves in Siskiyou County and the Sierra Valley (spanning both Sierra and Plumas counties). With landowner permission, the task force will provide round-the-clock CDFW staff support seven days a week for livestock producers experiencing frequent conflicts with wolves, among other program benefits.

“Today’s announcement showcases the power of collaboration in effectively and safely managing California’s growing gray wolf population,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “This strike force allows CDFW to work more closely with our key partners and impacted ranchers and provide new tools to protect cattle and other livestock from harm. Together, we are doing everything we can to keep both livestock and wolves safe. Thank you to our partners in this effort for making this strike team possible.”

Recent depredation of livestock in the Sierra Valley and Siskiyou County signals the need for additional and increased support for livestock producers during the summer and fall of 2025. Interested producers are encouraged to participate in the program. The summer strike team will take a multifaceted approach to combat livestock depredations, including through:

In-person, on-the-ground support from CDFW staff. Working both day and night seven days a week, CDFW staff will be available to support ranchers facing livestock depredations. The strike team will use a combination of radio telemetry and real-time information from local ranchers to locate wolves (collared and uncollared) to proactively push them away from livestock.
Developing conflict risk management plans for participating ranchers. Livestock producers who volunteer to participate in the program and take any necessary training will have a plan tailored to their unique property and livestock needs to help mitigate future conflict through nonlethal methods. These plans may include a variety of tools, including livestock management, additional barriers, predator aversion devices or injurious harassment
Outreach, education and training. In partnership with experts in livestock production and management like the University of California Cooperative Extension, training and outreach events will be held in Sierra Valley to help provide producers techniques and strategies ranchers can take to reduce wolf-livestock conflicts through nonlethal practices.

CDFW is also working in conjunction with Sierra and Plumas counties to create a county agricultural protection position that will support depredation investigations and capture and collar methods, as well as develop carcass removal programs to mitigate wolf attraction to ranch properties.

The task force will be led by CDFW’s law enforcement and scientific staff and will increase CDFW presence in communities to effectively implement these measures. The program begins today (Monday, June 9) and is anticipated to run through the summer.

“This program is still in its early stages, so there will be a need to learn by doing together. More details will be shared as it progresses. But this is a good start, and I appreciate that,” said Plumas County Supervisor Dwight Ceresola.

Sierra Valley, which spans both Plumas and Sierra counties, has had higher-than-normal levels of livestock depredations by gray wolves in the Beyem Seyo pack over the past year. As ranchers move their cattle to the valley floor for summer grazing, additional support from this pilot program will be needed to protect livestock from wolves.

“I am thankful the state and county can do something together. We are hopeful that this additional presence will reduce the immediate losses and provide CDFW with a clear understanding of the day-to-day challenges ranchers have faced for months,” said Sierra County Supervisor Paul Roen.

Siskiyou County also has a higher level of livestock depredations compared to other counties, in relation to the Whaleback pack in particular. The county has made significant efforts in slowing depredations and working collaboratively with CDFW staff, including the hiring of a county wolf liaison, but the need for additional support remains. As part of this task force, CDFW will be providing enhanced information on wolf data to Siskiyou County staff, and Siskiyou will assist the department in investigating and collecting additional data.

"This pilot effort in all three counties is made possible through sustained coordination between county supervisors, county sheriffs, local ranchers and state and federal agencies. Importantly, it also reflects the growing calls from local sheriffs calling for CDFW to step up and help,” said Director Bonham. “I thank Sheriffs Mike Fisher, Todd Johns and Jeremiah LaRue for their help to get going on our efforts this summer. I also thank all the Northern California sheriffs and county supervisors who have been key voices for their communities.”

If you are a livestock producer in Plumas, Sierra or Siskiyou counties and are interested in learning more about the program or how to participate, please contact:

Morgan Kilgour, Region 2 Manager, CDFW — Morgan.Kilgour@wildlife.ca.gov
Tracy Schohr, UC Cooperative Extension Livestock and Natural Resources Advisor — tkschohr@ucanr.edu/916-716-2643
Paul Roen, Sierra County Supervisor — supervisor3@sierracounty.ca.gov
Dwight Ceresola, Plumas County Supervisor — ceresolasuper1@yahoo.com
Patrick Griffin, Siskiyou County Wolf Liaison — 530-598-6950

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Media Contact:
Katie Talbot, CDFW Communications, Kaitlin.talbot@wildlife.ca.gov

Join in Protecting California’s Biodiversity During Invasive Species Action Week

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 15:23:57 GMT

California Invasive Species Action Week (CISAW), happening June 7-15, 2025, calls for all Californians to get involved to help prevent the harmful impacts of non-native plants and animals that threaten the Golden State’s natural resources, ecology and economy.

CDFW Invasive Species Program environmental scientists urge all Californians to get involved as invasive species reduce the biodiversity that is so important to our landscape.

During Invasive Species Action week, volunteers across the state will have the opportunity to help remove invasive plants, participate in interactive activities and have lunch with University of California experts as they share how to help stop a variety of invasive species.

Virtual and in-person opportunities to participate in CISAW include:

Meet up with the Cosumnes River Preserve Habitat Restoration Team Saturday, June 7, at the Cosumnes River Preserve in Galt for a day of environmental stewardship that will center around protecting valley oak riparian habitat along the Cosumnes watershed.
Join Friends of Ballona Wetlands Saturday, June 7, on a tour of the Ballona Freshwater Marsh. Learn about invasive and native species and the history of the marsh and the surrounding areas.
Volunteer to help members of the Milo Baker Chapter of the California Native Plant Society as they work in Bodega Bay Sunday, June 8, and Wednesday, June 11, to remove South African ice plant that was once used for erosion control along California’s coast.
Tune in to the UC Cooperative Extension’s Lunchtime Talks webinar series, where each weekday experts will take on invasive species topics such as the proper way to use snap traps for the ongoing and increasing threats posed by rats and the latest information on California’s newest and potentially most economically and environmentally significant invader — the golden mussel.
Join the Putah Creek Council for its Invasive Species Workshop Wednesday, June 11. This workshop will cover what makes a species invasive, common invasive species in the Putah Creek region, best removal methods and native plant alternatives for gardeners.
Take the League to Save Lake Tahoe’s Eyes on the Lake Training Wednesday, June 11, where participants will learn to identify native versus non-native aquatic plants and how to report aquatic invaders that damage Lake Tahoe’s ecosystem.
Participate in a bioblitz at Coyote Creek in Santa Clara on Saturday, June 14.

Further details and a full list of CISAW events (PDF) can be found online, some which require participants to register in advance.

Be a part of the effort to remove invasive species and restore wildlife habitat throughout the year by volunteering through the California State Parks Foundation and other local organizations, or by using CDFW’s Invasive Species App (through EDDMaps) to record invasive species on Apple or Android smart phones as a citizen scientist.

Californians can also help stop the spread of invasive species by taking small, everyday actions, such as landscaping with native plants, not releasing unwanted pets into the wild and cleaning and draining and drying gear when recreating in bodies of water. The CISAW page lists simple actions Californians can take all year long while visiting natural areas, boating, fishing and even at home.

The mission of CDFW’s Invasive Species Program is to reduce the impacts of invasive species on the wildlands and waterways of California. The program is involved in efforts to prevent the introduction of these species into the state, detect and respond to introductions when they occur and prevent the spread of those species that have established.

Invasive species threaten the abundance of native species through competition for resources, predation, disease transmission or by causing physical changes to the invaded habitat. Impacts of invasive species on natural ecosystems, agricultural and other developed lands, water delivery and flood protection systems, may also negatively affect human health and the economy.

For questions or more information about CISAW contact invasives@wildlife.ca.gov.

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Media Contacts:
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120
Daydre Roser, CDFW Invasive Species Program, (916) 720-1226