Dig for Conservation at San Timoteo Nature Sanctuary in Redlands on 4/21
April 21 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Conservation nonprofit Adventure Scientists and the Sierra Club’s Military Outdoors program are teaming up to host a volunteer citizen science event at San Timoteo Nature Sanctuary on April 21st to protect and document California’s thousands of species, including some that are likely undiscovered. Volunteers are invited to join in and collect soil samples, which will inform vital conservation plans for California’s 30X30 initiative to protect 30 percent of California lands and coastal waters by 2030.
The event is part of Adventure Scientists’ year-long California Biodiversity project in partnership with Stillwater Sciences and the California Institute for Biodiversity. With the help of volunteers, the project is able to collect vast quantities of biodiversity data across a wide geographic region that would otherwise be too challenging or cost-prohibitive for scientists to collect on their own.
California is one of 36 global biodiversity hotspots: places that are rich in biodiversity, but also under high threats to species. As the effects of climate change, wildfires, and other factors rapidly transform existing ecosystems, records of plants, fungi, and animals are critical as they help inform conservation priorities and actions across the state.
During the three-hour event, volunteers will receive brief training on soil sample collection, then head out with guides in the sanctuary to collect samples. At the end of the collection, volunteers will submit their samples for analysis. Labs at the University of California Santa Cruz process the samples for environmental DNA (eDNA) that reveal which organisms are present in the soil. No prior experience is necessary and sample collection toolkits will be provided.
Adventure Scientists’ California Biodiversity project runs through August 2025. For those interested in participating outside this event, more information about how to get involved can be found at the project page.
Date: Monday, April 21st
Time: 1-4pm
Location: San Timoteo Nature Sanctuary, Carriage Trail, Redlands, CA 92373
Activity: guided hike and soil sample collection
About Adventure Scientists
Adventure Scientists is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that mobilizes the outdoor community to collect data for conservation. For more information on projects, areas of focus, and how to get involved, visit its website.
About Sierra Club’s Military Outdoors
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person’s right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.
