The 2026 Border BioBlitz took place throughout April and May and focused on a 15-kilometer-wide area on either side of the U.S.–Mexico border, encouraging participants to document biodiversity across the binational region. Similarly, the 2026 City Nature Challenge took place April 24–27 and was coordinated locally by the San Diego Natural History Museum, the San Diego State University Biodiversity Museum, and the UC San Diego Natural Reserve System. During both BioBlitzes, community members and scientists went out into our parks and neighborhoods to record observations of local wildlife, contributing valuable data that helps document and better understand regional biodiversity.
San Diego Bird Alliance proudly participated in both projects while also hosting the SDBA 2026 South Bay BioBlitz, a two-month community science effort that ran from April 1 through May 31, 2026. Throughout the season, volunteers contributed observations through iNaturalist and joined the BioBlitz events across the South Bay and San Diego region.
Results:
- 9,913 observations recorded
- 1,284 species documented
- 412 participants engaged
- 17 community science events hosted
For the past six years, San Diego Bird Alliance has organized BioBlitz events focused on restoration sites where we conduct conservation work, allowing us to document and compare biodiversity over time and better understand how species respond to habitat restoration. Over the past two years, we have expanded the project beyond restoration sites to include locations where we regularly host public events. This broader approach not only helps us gather biodiversity data from additional areas but also encourages more community members to participate, fostering curiosity about local wildlife and increasing engagement in conservation.
Through the SDBA 2026 South Bay BioBlitz, San Diego Bird Alliance hosted 17 community science events, including several bilingual programs offered in both English and Spanish. These events provided opportunities for participants of diverse backgrounds to explore local habitats, document biodiversity, and contribute valuable observations while making community science more accessible and inclusive. As part of this expanded effort, SDBA participated in a binational Border BioBlitz and joined the BioBlitz at Rancho de la Fortuna (a nature reserve near Valle de Guadalupe, Ensenada, Baja California). This marked the first time a BioBlitz was held at the Rancho de la Fortuna, bringing together students, researchers, conservation organizations, and volunteers from both sides of the border to discover and document local biodiversity. These events provided a unique opportunity to connect people with nature while contributing valuable community science data. Through the SDBA 2026 South Bay BioBlitz and our participation in regional and binational BioBlitz efforts, participants helped increase our understanding of biodiversity across the region while strengthening connections between communities and the natural areas we work to protect and restore. Stay tuned for more community science events, including the California Bird Atlas, in which San Diego Bird Alliance is a founding partner, contributing as a Sponsored Species: The California Least Tern!
iNaturalist project: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/sdba-2026-south-bay-bioblitz
