Hi Everyone!

     Thank you all for your ongoing support.  To help highlight both the known existing diversity and increase our understanding of what exists there, Insect Sciences Museum of CA will be hosting their Bug Camp/Bioblitz at Del Puerto Canyon from July 14-17th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/del-puerto-canyon-bug-camp-tickets-375016483397

     ISMC is a citizen science group based in Oakland, CA which aims to increase awareness and appreciation for pollinators and other insects.  For more info about the group and its founder: https://baynature.org/article/oaklands-bug-guy-wants-you-to-like-bugs-too/.  They hope to encourage people to record and upload observations to public databases like iNaturalist and to create their own publicly-available field guides for Del Puerto.  They used a similar strategy for their partnership with Save Our Point Molate, which recently had a major victory against proposed luxury development on SF Bay Area wetlands.

     Those interested in attending in-person should register on the eventbrite page so the organizers have an idea of how many people are planning to show up.  Those who wish to stay for multiple days are encouraged to reserve spaces at Frank Raines Park or seek hotel lodging in Patterson.  Vaccination checks and other COVID-19 precautions will be in effect for everyone's safety.  Those who can't make it in-person can still help identify photos of plants, animals, and other features submitted to the iNaturalist project page.

     Supporters of the dams have downplayed the importance of the rich examples of natural and cultural history that can be found in the canyon.  Bringing attention to what might be lost is crucial for the fight to save Del Puerto Canyon!