California Biodiversity Day: Celebrating Our Coast and Ocean Heritage

California Biodiversity Day is coming up on Saturday, September 7, 2024, offering a fantastic opportunity to celebrate and protect the incredible amount of life that thrives along the California coastline. Established in 2018 as part of California’s first Biodiversity Initiative, this special day highlights our state’s commitment to safeguarding its natural heritage in response to the growing biodiversity loss. In 2020, a groundbreaking Executive Order (N-82-20) was signed to protect 30% of California’s lands and waters by 2030, known as California 30×30. Together, these initiatives aim to protect biodiversity, build resilience to climate change, and ensure equitable access to nature for all Californians.

Protecting biodiversity is essential because it underpins ecosystem health and resilience. Healthy and diverse California ecosystems are home to millions of organisms and thousands of unique plant and animal species. These ecosystems also critically support clean air, clean water, and sustainable food sources, while also helping to stabilize our climate. Broadly, biodiversity refers to the variety of life, ranging from genes to species to entire ecosystems. Biodiversity ensures that wildlife can adapt to environmental changes and disturbances. Beyond its ecological role, biodiversity also offers cultural, recreational, and economic benefits, supporting industries like fishing, medicine, and tourism. By safeguarding and preventing biodiversity loss, we are ensuring that these functions continue, benefiting both nature and people alike.

California is a global hot spot for biodiversity and a treasure trove of coast and ocean ecosystems that support a variety of life. California Biodiversity Day invites us all to connect with and help preserve these natural wonders for future generations to enjoy.

The Ocean Protection Council’s Role in Protecting Biodiversity

Through our strategic efforts, the Ocean Protection Council (OPC) works with and helps coordinate broader state initiatives to sustain the health of our coast and ocean ecosystems. OPC’s Strategic Plan, particularly Goal 3 (Enhance Coastal and Marine Biodiversity), focuses on enhancing and restoring biodiversity in our coast and ocean ecosystems. Whether working to improve water quality, supporting climate-resilient fisheries, managing California’s unique marine protected area (MPA) network, or advancing marine restoration, OPC’s work is critical to preserving the natural heritage of California’s coast and marine ecosystems. Learn more about OPC’s biodiversity-focused goals and actions by visiting our Biodiversity webpage.

OPC is also leading California’s 30×30 initiative for the state’s ocean and coastal waters, implementing a variety of strategies, including adaptively managing the state’s MPA network, strengthening protections in California’s National Marine Sanctuaries, exploring the role of spatial management measures beyond MPAs and Sanctuaries in conserving biodiversity, and supporting tribally-led stewardship, including through Indigenous Marine Stewardship Areas. Learn more about OPC’s work to meet California’s 30×30 goals by visiting our 30×30 webpage.

Get Involved: Hands-on with Biodiversity

Protecting California’s biodiversity isn’t just the job of scientists or policymakers—it’s something everyone can be a part of. California is celebrating Biodiversity Day with activities between September 5-15 that you can get involved in and connect with the state’s coast and ocean! Here are some fun and engaging ways to take part:

Participate in Event Throughout the Week: Explore the Biodiversity Week calendar for bioblitzes, guided nature walks, art and family-friendly games, cultural demonstrations, restoration efforts, and more.
Become a Citizen Scientist: Your observations can help scientists monitor and protect biodiversity. Join the CA Biodiversity Week Challenge 2024: Find 30 Species in iNaturalist. Track species from your favorite beach or even your own backyard!
Just Get Outside: Pack a picnic, bring along friends, and spend the day appreciating the beauty and diversity of California’s sandy beaches, rugged shorelines, or winding wetlands. Whether you’re exploring tide pools, bird watching, spotting dolphins, or simply soaking in the views, this week is all about connecting with our state’s biodiversity bounty!

To explore all these options and more, visit the California Biodiversity Day website, a California Natural Resources Agency project.

Working Together for a Better Future

By staying informed and getting involved, you’re playing a necessary role in ensuring that our coast and ocean are healthy and full of life. So, dive in, get involved, and let’s celebrate California’s biodiversity together!