This year’s event lineup includes a wide variety of in-person and virtual experiences across the state. Clockwise from top left: Dive into an underwater bioblitz at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, take on the 30 Species Challenge Hike at Mount Tamalpais State Park, tune in to a virtual elephant seal livecast from Hearst San Simeon State Park, learn about tarantulas at Bethany Reservoir State Recreation Area and help remove invasive plants during a climate resilience workday at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. California State Parks photos
SACRAMENTO — The California Natural Resources Agency, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), California State Parks, California Academy of Sciences (CAS) and California Volunteers invite the public to join the celebration for California Biodiversity Day 2026. With more than 180 events taking place across the state from September 5-13, the nine-day celebration will offer opportunities for all to connect with nature and learn simple ways to help protect and steward the environment.
“California Biodiversity Day provides an opportunity to get outside, learn more about the remarkable nature around us, and discover how we can protect it and help it thrive,” said California Secretary for Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot. “In California, we often celebrate our cultural diversity, but less so our biological diversity. The fact is our state is one of three dozen ‘biodiversity hotspots’ in the world, home to a richness of plants, animals and other life almost unparalleled across our planet. That's something worth celebrating, and something we all have a role in protecting for generations to come.”
“California is a biodiversity hotspot well worth a celebration,” said CDFW Director Meghan Hertel. “California Biodiversity Day gives us not just one day for this celebration but nine days to explore, appreciate and put a spotlight on the incredible natural diversity found across our state. Whether you go somewhere new or visit a familiar place, as part of a California Biodiversity Day event or out on your own, this week is all about taking a closer look at our varied landscape and the vast number of species that call the Golden State home.”
“From the smallest tidepool creature to towering redwoods, every piece of California’s remarkable biodiversity is worth cherishing and understanding,” said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “California Biodiversity Day gives people of all ages an opportunity to experience that richness firsthand. I invite everyone to take this opportunity to explore one of their 280-plus state parks and come celebrate California’s unparalleled plants and wildlife with us.”
“California Biodiversity Day is a great reminder to slow down, notice, and appreciate the incredible nature of our state,” said California Academy of Sciences Director of Community Science Rebecca Johnson, PhD. “Nature observations made and shared by Californians and visitors to California on iNaturalist not only help us learn about plants and animals all around us, but they are how we gather critical biodiversity data at scale. The California Biodiversity Data Exchange, a partnership with CDFW, iNaturalist, and Cal Academy, provides 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.”
“On California Biodiversity Day, we celebrate the power of service to protect the places and ecosystems that make our state so extraordinary, said Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement Director Josh Fryday. “Across the state, California Service Corps members and volunteers are restoring habitats, planting native species and ensuring California’s diverse landscapes and wildlife continue to thrive. Through Climate Action Counts, every Californian can take meaningful steps to help protect the communities we call home.”
“University of California Agriculture and Natural Resource recognizes the intrinsic value of biodiversity as well as its essential role in generating food and fiber, and providing invaluable environmental services,” said UC Environmental Stewards Director Greg Ira. “Through our programs — including our new statewide Biodiversity Conservation and Stewardship Program Team — we embrace our role as part of this vast community of life that sustains us all.”
This year’s event lineup includes a wide variety of in-person and virtual experiences, from mountain hikes and underwater dives to paint parties and cozy campfires. Find an event near you using our interactive California Biodiversity Day events page. Here are some picks to get you started:
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Love to hit the trails? Take on the 30 Species Challenge Hike at Mount Tamalpais State Park, explore the rare pygmy forest at Van Damme State Park, search for glowing nighttime wonders on a biofluorescence walk at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area or join a bilingual (English and Spanish) bioblitz in Oakland.
- Fascinated by wildlife? Learn all about tarantulas at Bethany Reservoir State Recreation Area, glimpse sea stars and hermit crabs during sunset tidepooling at MacKerricher State Park, or go birdwatching at the California State Capitol.
- Feeling artsy, lyrical or curious? Pick up a paintbrush at Los Angeles State Historic Park, enjoy live poetry at Monterey State Historic Park or join trivia night around a campfire at Mount Tamalpais State Park.
- Looking to make a difference? Help restore habitat for native wildlife at Año Nuevo State Park or join a climate resilience workday at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. Scuba divers can join an underwater bioblitz to document biodiversity at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.
- Interested in the intersection of nature, culture and community? Join our special Elkhorn Slough Reserve event honoring California Biodiversity Day and Latino Conservation Week or learn about native birds and their cultural significance to the Wilton Rancheria's Miwok and Nisenan people.
- Curious about the science behind a biodiversity hotspot? Tune in to a virtual talk to learn what makes Santa Barbara County an incredible hub that has led to national environmental protections.
- Ready to take action at home? Get outside, discover California’s natural wonders and volunteer to help protect the communities we call home. Explore simple ways to take action with Climate Action Counts, because every action counts.
- We’ve got virtual adventures too! Watch elephant seals live at Hearst San Simeon State Park, catch up with beavers at Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park or learn how jellyfish thrive at San Elijo State Beach from wherever you are.
Can’t make it to an event? You can take part in California Biodiversity Day no matter where you are! Simply join the Find 30 Species for California Biodiversity Day project on iNaturalist and record 30 wild species between September 5 and 13. Every observation adds to a statewide picture of California’s amazing biodiversity, and the information we gather together helps inform the California 30x30 Initiative.
California is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world and is home to more species of plants and animals than any other state. California Biodiversity Day, observed annually on September 7, was established in 2018 to safeguard the state's natural heritage. Since then, several executive orders and other actions by the Newsom Administration – such as the Pathways to 30x30 strategy – have built on this foundation to understand and protect the state’s unique natural resources.
State Parks offers programs and events year-round, with opportunities to explore, learn and connect at parks across the state. Discover more upcoming events this fall using the new statewide event calendar and interactive map at parks.ca.gov/events.
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Media Contacts
Alicia de la Garza, CDFW Communications
Newsroom@parks.ca.gov, California State Parks
Megan Ely, Cal Academy Communications