LA BioBlitz Challenge

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LA BioBlitz Challenge

Join the fourth annual LA BioBlitz Challenge October 1-31 to photograph and map wild animals, insects and plants found in your neighborhood, local parks, off of hiking trails, and in other natural areas.

Los Angeles is located in a global biodiversity hot spot and has an incredible array of native animals, plants and ecosystems to explore. We need your help to better protect and understand where different species of plants and animals live across the City. Each time you upload an observation to iNaturalist, especially in observation cold spots on the map, you contribute to the knowledge about the City’s biodiversity that supports protecting and conserving local wildlife and their habitats.

The LA BioBlitz Challenge is an exciting collaboration between the Los Angeles Public Library’s Neighborhood Science Initiative, L.A. Sanitation and Environment’s Biodiversity Program, L.A. Recreation & Parks, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, and L.A. Department of Water and Power.

Get Started

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Download the iNaturalist app from Google Play or the App Store and create an account.

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Get outside! Observe the wildlife around you. Check the indicator and and invasive species cards and challenge yourself to observe three or more of these species in the wild.

Explore observation cold spots near you and log observations in these areas to help researchers understand which species live there.

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Upload your observations to the LA BioBlitz Challenge 2024 project.

Watch the video to learn how to record your first observation.


Questions? Read the FAQ

 





Bare black walnut trees with hanging nuts in a field in California.

Elephant Hill Community Nature Celebration and Habitat Survey

The Los Angeles Public Library is excited to join the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, along with the community, naturalists, local organizations, and natural science researchers at a nature hub and on guided nature walks to find and photograph wildlife using the iNaturalist app! Help protect Elephant Hill by participating in the Elephant Hill project.


Suggested Reading

  • Biodiversity

    Biodiversity

  • Biodiversity and Climate Change: Transforming the Biosphere

    Biodiversity and Climate Change: Transforming the Biosphere

  • Birds of the Los Angeles Region

    Birds of the Los Angeles Region

    Garrett, Kimball
  • Butterflies Belong Here

    Butterflies Belong Here

    Hopkinson, Deborah
  • Cactus Hotel

    Cactus Hotel

    Guiberson, Brenda Z.
  • Cheetahs: Biology and Conservation

    Cheetahs: Biology and Conservation

  • Climate Emergency Atlas

    Climate Emergency Atlas

    Hooke, Dan
  • Complexity: The Evolution of Earth's Biodiversity and the Future of Humanity

    Complexity: The Evolution of Earth's Biodiversity and the Future of Humanity

    Burger, William C.
  • Corridor Ecology: Linking Landscapes for Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Adaptation

    Corridor Ecology: Linking Landscapes for Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Adaptation

    Hilty, Jodi A
  • Cougar Crossing: How Hollywood's Celebrity Cougar Helped Build a Bridge for City Wildlife

    Cougar Crossing: How Hollywood's Celebrity Cougar Helped Build a Bridge for City Wildlife

    Pincus, Meeg
  • Discovering Griffith Park: A Local's Guide

    Discovering Griffith Park: A Local's Guide

    Schreiner, Casey
  • Don't Let Them Disappear: 12 Endangered Species Across the Globe

    Don't Let Them Disappear: 12 Endangered Species Across the Globe

    Clinton, Chelsea
  • Ecology Crafts for Kids: 50 Great Ways to Make Friends With Planet Earth

    Ecology Crafts for Kids: 50 Great Ways to Make Friends With Planet Earth

    Needham, Bobbe
  • Extinct: An Illustrated Exploration of Animals That Have Disappeared

    Extinct: An Illustrated Exploration of Animals That Have Disappeared

    Riera, Lucas
  • Half-Earth: Our Planet's Fight for Life

    Half-Earth: Our Planet's Fight for Life

    Wilson, Edward O
  • Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth

    Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth

    Jeffers, Oliver
  • Hike

    Hike

    Oswald, Pete
  • Insects of the Los Angeles Basin

    Insects of the Los Angeles Basin

    Hogue, Charles Leonard
  • Many: The Diversity of Life on Earth

    Many: The Diversity of Life on Earth

    Davies, Nicola
  • Mason Bee Revolution

    Mason Bee Revolution

    Hunter, Dave
  • Messages From Islands: A Global Biodiversity Tour

    Messages From Islands: A Global Biodiversity Tour

    Hanski, Ilkka
  • One Planet: A Celebration of Biodiversity

    One Planet: A Celebration of Biodiversity

    Hulot, Nicolas
  • Our Native Bees: North America's Endangered Pollinators

    Our Native Bees: North America's Endangered Pollinators

    Embry, Paige
  • Planet Ark: Preserving Earth's Biodiversity

    Planet Ark: Preserving Earth's Biodiversity

    Mason, Adrienne
  • Seeds on Ice: Svalbard and the Global Seed Vault

    Seeds on Ice: Svalbard and the Global Seed Vault

    Fowler, Cary
  • Shark Quest: Protecting the Ocean's Top Predators

    Shark Quest: Protecting the Ocean's Top Predators

    Young, Karen Romano
  • Sustaining Life: How Human Health Depends on Biodiversity

    Sustaining Life: How Human Health Depends on Biodiversity

  • The Boreal Forest: A Year in the World's Largest Land Biome

    The Boreal Forest: A Year in the World's Largest Land Biome

    Carmichael, L. E.
  • The Ecology Book

    The Ecology Book

  • The Monarch Butterfly: Biology & Conservation

    The Monarch Butterfly: Biology & Conservation

  • The Monarchs are Missing: A Butterfly Mystery

    The Monarchs are Missing: A Butterfly Mystery

    Hirsch, Rebecca E.
  • The Wondrous Workings of Planet Earth: Understanding Our World and its Ecosystems

    The Wondrous Workings of Planet Earth: Understanding Our World and its Ecosystems

    Ignotofsky, Rachel
  • Tree of Life: The Incredible Biodiversity of Life on Earth

    Tree of Life: The Incredible Biodiversity of Life on Earth

    Strauss, Rochelle
  • Who Needs a Swamp?: A Wetland Ecosystem

    Who Needs a Swamp?: A Wetland Ecosystem

    Patkau, Karen
  • Wild LA: Explore the Amazing Nature in and Around Los Angeles

    Wild LA: Explore the Amazing Nature in and Around Los Angeles

    Higgins, Lila M.
  • World Without Fish: How Could We Let This Happen?

    World Without Fish: How Could We Let This Happen?

    Kurlansky, Mark

Upcoming Events

By participating in the LA BioBlitz Challenge you will be part of the Neighborhood Science movement, a global crowd-sourced science initiative in which ordinary people of any age gather scientific information locally and share it with the global scientific community. Get involved and join us for these programs to begin your journey as a Neighborhood Scientist.


A black cat peeks through a bush of bright green leaves.
October 5, 2024 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
This crash course will introduce you to basic photography techniques needed to make beautiful images capturing the local flora and fauna...


headshots of two presenters and film reel featuring graphic from Wild Hope and  Vertical Meadows, with partner logos
October 5, 2024 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Kick off the 2024 LA BioBlitz Challenge and uncover the wild side of LA with interactive booths hosted by top environmental partners, and a...


Image of a hand holding a seed bomb
October 7, 2024 4:00 PM
Few things are as fun as getting your hands dirty, especially when the results are clay and compost seed bombs filled with California...


Row of small pots filled with dirt and small seedling sprout
October 7, 2024 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
In celebration of the 2024 LA BioBlitz Challenge, come get your hands dirty and make your own seed balls and decorate flower pots!


treepeople logo and saplings
October 8, 2024 10:30 AM
Meet TreePeople's "Dirt Doctor" just in time for LA BioBlitz Challenge!Learn all about the importance of healthy soil and hear a story...


person holding a reptile with green background
October 8, 2024 4:00 PM
Celebrate biodiversity and enjoy a hands-on entertaining and educational show featuring arthropods, amphibians and reptiles of all sizes....


Woman holding a Possum with audience in background
October 9, 2024 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Cheryl Rendes will present how our animals stay fit and healthy to endure the world they live in and survive.


Farmer Elliott Kuhn and green plants.
October 9, 2024 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Whether you are a first time gardener or a seasoned green thumb, join urban farmer and educator Elliott Kuhn for an in depth presentation...


Thor holds a lizard
October 11, 2024 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Celebrate biodiversity and enjoy a one hour hands-on entertaining and educational show featuring arthropods, amphibians and reptiles of all...


woman photographing out in nature
October 12, 2024 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Join Urban Ecologist Courtney for a BioBlitz to collect biodiversity data using the iNaturalist app.Please note, this program is offsite...


two children are leaning on a large window to an aquarium tank filled with sea animals
October 12, 2024 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
The Roundhouse Aquarium is bringing the aquarium to the Venice Branch Library for a hands-on learning experience about marine science and...


Male wearing a cowboy hat smiles as he holds a large python around his neck.
October 12, 2024 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Celebrate biodiversity and enjoy a hands-on entertaining and educational show featuring arthropods, amphibians and reptiles of all sizes....


person using binoculars to see nature
October 13, 2024 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Join Jr. Urban Ecologist Ryan Kinzel for a BioBlitz to collect biodiversity data on the iNaturalist app.Please note, this program will meet...


A manicured hand holding a seed bomb between thumb and forefinger.
October 15, 2024 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Join us at this companion program for the 2024 LA BioBlitz Challenge! Celebrate biodiversity and California-native plants by getting your...


young boy in a blue jacket looking at a butterfly on a branch
October 15, 2024 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Children will observe the traits and behavior of insects, birds, squirrels, and other wildlife in their community and make "binoculars" for...


jar of kombucha with sliced sourdough boule
October 15, 2024 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Learn the science behind fermented foods and understand why cultures have been fermenting for centuries. This hands-on class will focus on...


children hold up junior ranger badges
October 17, 2024 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Join author, educator, and national parks-enthusiast, Adalgisa Nico, to learn about how you can protect our parks by becoming a Junior...


Mother and son harvest tomatoes
October 19, 2024 3:30 PM to 4:15 PM
Learn how to convert your backyard space into an edible oasis that promotes biodiversity through organic practices. Participants will get...


A ladle of colorful small dumplings over a pot
October 21, 2024 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
In celebration of the 2024 LA BioBlitz Challenge, join Chef Jess Wang for a demo in preparing hand rolled sticky rice dumplings! Learn...


nature journal and beach background
October 22, 2024 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Westwood Library is celebrating the LA BioBlitz Challenge with a special nature program for scientists aged 5-11.Participants will engage...


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