Biodiversity of Lake Sonoma的日誌

Hello everyone! Thank you for adding your observations while visiting Lake Sonoma! Just a reminder that observations can be however you experience the property -- by foot, bike, horse, boat, whatever! Let's continue to document throughout the seasons. Don't be afraid to document species that you know you have already documented, like a different individual (for example, if you documented a pine on No Name Trail, go ahead and document the same species on Half-A-Canoe Trail).

It's always helpful to add NOTES to your observations. For example, to note that there was an exceptional number of a particular species in one area, especially compared to your previous observations (whether or not you documented them previously on iNat). Or, if you have noticed a plethora of a particular species in an area but this year around the same time you see only one, that is important information too. Note if the area was burned especially if you know which year or which named fire it was. In addition, you could add comments related to human disturbance, like if there is a new user trail and how it has impacted a particular species you are documenting.

Just because it is now dry dry dry summer/fall, it's equally as important to document species that are fruiting, nutting, or going to seed. AND, some species BLOOM this time of year, too!

Another way you can help with your observations is to note if the habitat is specifically SERPENTINE. Just type it in the NOTES. There are researchers following noted serpentine area plant species, so simply typing in the word on your notes can help flag these observations for them. You can also note other habitat designations (like chaparral, grassland, meadow, marsh, conifer forest, oak woodland, etc).

Have fun with it! Look out, you might learn something!
Happy Trails,
Sarah the Admin

For many years we conditioned horses on the trails at Lake Sonoma enjoying the variety of habitats and diversity as we roamed the parkland. At that time, I was not yet participating in iNaturalist. Now, as an "iNaturalist Addict" and interested in furthering my experience and knowledge of this diverse property, I offer up this biodiversity project for all to enjoy and learn from. On Saturday, February 10, 2024, I attended the 15th Annual Lake Sonoma Fish Hatchery "Steelhead Festival" for my very first time. Though I had toured the hatchery as a kid growing up in Sonoma County, had toured the visitor center and know the history about the process of the creation of the lake, I had not provided observations for iNaturalist before. When I returned home from my hike after the festival, I searched for a project to collect observations for the property and came up with nothing. I like to participate in iNat projects, and I like that we can search for a project for a place we visit or an event we attend, and see what others observe. We can learn from what we each download as observations, and help create a data set for future reference. I invite you to join me in celebrating the diversity of living things in this amazing place. I plan to get back out there on the trails later this spring to document the rainbow of wildflowers I remember seeing earlier in the 2000's on those fantastic rides. Things have changed in portions of the property from the wildfires of several years ago, so it is more important than ever to create a lasting collection of what was before and what is now for the future. Thank you for participating!