Day 8: Cougars are powerful predators that help keep deer and other prey populations in balance. They need large, connected wild places to roam, hunt, and raise their young. Protecting cougars also protects the many plants and animals that share their habitat.

#BiodiversityWeek

Day 7: Red-tailed hawks soar over open spaces, watching for small mammals, reptiles, and other prey. By hunting rodents, they help keep ecosystems in balance. Their broad wings and rusty-red tail make them one of California’s most recognizable birds of prey.

#BiodiversityWeek

Day 6: Red-tailed hawks soar over open spaces, watching for small mammals, reptiles, and other prey. By hunting rodents, they help keep ecosystems in balance. Their broad wings and rusty-red tail make them one of California’s most recognizable birds of prey.

#BiodiversityWeek

Day 5: Tarantulas are large, shy spiders that help control insects and other small animals. They are an important food source for birds, reptiles, and mammals. Despite their scary look, tarantulas usually avoid people and rarely bite unless handled.

#BiodiversityWeek

Fun Fact: Ochre Sea Stars use a water vascular system instead of blood to pump nutrients through their bodies and move their hundreds of tiny tube feet, these little stars can be found in coastal parks like Año Nuevo State Park!

#BiodiversityWeek #ProtectNature #CaliforniaStateParks

Day 4: Cabbage white butterflies are small, pale butterflies often seen in gardens, fields, and open spaces. They drink nectar from flowers and can help with pollination. Their caterpillars eat plants in the mustard family, including cabbage and broccoli.

#BiodiversityWeek

Day 3: Desert stink beetles are tough insects that live in dry places and help clean up dead plants and animals. They provide food for birds, lizards, and other wildlife. When threatened, they release a strong smell to discourage predators.

#BiodiversityWeek

Day 2: Oak trees provide food and shelter for birds, mammals, insects, and other wildlife. Their deep roots help hold soil in place and protect nearby creeks from erosion. Native oaks also offer shade and help keep California’s landscapes healthy and resilient.

#BiodiversityWeek

Day 1: California poppies provide protein-rich pollen for pollinator insects. Their seeds and foliage help feed wildlife, supporting a richer, healthier native habitat. As drought-tolerant native plants, they add color and resilience to California’s grasslands and hillsides.

#BiodiversityWeek