Join the North & South Santiam Bioblitz!

Do you love the great outdoors? Are you curious about the natural world around you? Have you ever spotted a fascinating insect and wondered, “What kind of bug is this?” If so, we have the perfect event for you!

From May 3rd to May 10th, the North and South Santiam Watershed Councils are hosting a week-long Bioblitz, featuring two in-person events!

🌿 Kickoff Event – Saturday, May 3rd at Cheadle Lake from 10am – 12pm

Join us for a day of discovery, where beginner naturalists and seasoned experts alike will explore the rich biodiversity of our region using the app iNaturalist. We’ll provide field guides, observation tools, and plenty of opportunities to learn about Oregon’s unique flora and fauna.

📷 Community Bioblitz – May 4th–9th

After the kickoff, venture out on your own and record as many observations as possible using iNaturalist!

🎉 Closing Celebration – Friday, May 10th at Riverfront Park, Stayton 10am –  12pm

After six days of exploration, we’ll come together once more to reflect on our findings, share our experiences, and celebrate the incredible wildlife of our watersheds.

What’s a Bioblitz?

A Bioblitz is a community-driven effort to identify and document as many species of plants, animals, and fungi as possible within a designated area. Our Bioblitz covers the North and South Santiam Watersheds, spanning nearly 1.5 million acres—imagine all the amazing organisms we can discover together!

How to Participate

To log your observations, simply use iNaturalist to snap a photo and upload it. The app automatically tags your location, helping experts and fellow participants identify species and contribute to scientific research. To join the project, use the link below! 

https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/where-the-wild-things-grow-spring-bioblitz

🔍 Already know what you found? Your observations are still valuable! Every entry contributes to a growing database that helps scientists and researchers better understand local ecosystems.

Get Ready to Explore!

Lace up your walking shoes, grab a camera or smartphone, and join us in celebrating the wonders of Oregon’s natural world!

For questions, contact:

📩 Alex Shoulders – a.shoulders@sswc.org

📩 Marie Heuberger – Marie.Heuberger@northsantiam.org