City Nature Challenge SLO County

San Luis Obispo County is joining hundreds of cities worldwide for the City Nature Challenge, a four-day citizen science event where anyone with a smartphone can help document local wildlife. Download the free iNaturalist app and photograph plants, animals, fungi, and more — every observation becomes a permanent scientific record accessible to researchers and land managers across the region.

In-person events include an Earth Day celebration at the Pismo Beach Pier (April 25, 12–2 PM), a fire scar hike led by the California Native Plant Society (April 25), and two guided bioblitzes in Paso Robles and at Santa Rita Ranch (April 26–27). All skill levels welcome.

Last year, SLO County participants logged 5,261 observations across 1,345 species. This year, organizers are aiming higher.

For event details and updates, visit the SLO County CNC project journal page on iNaturalist.