Become a Fire Follower
California's biodiversity is forged in fire. Help us capture this fleeting phenomenon.
With your help, we can compare plants seen before and after fires, increase understanding of fire followers, and provide crucial information on species of concern to aid in recovery and conservation efforts.
California experienced the largest fire season in 2020. Severe wildfires, sparked by human actions, can cause considerable harm. But fire is also a natural component of California’s ecosystem. We can learn about the positive impacts of fires to California’s ecosystems and native plants together. Fire often awakens sleeping seeds, and a light blanket of ash can nurture fresh growth. Plants dependent on fire are an important part of California's natural diversity. It is critical to change the conversation and perspective around California’s wildfires. The California Fire Followers campaign seeks to record the response of plants in areas burned in 2020. Together, we can collect data via iNaturalist and compare plants observed pre-and post-fire, increase understanding of California's biodiversity and collect valuable information to aid future conservation efforts.
How to be a Fire Follower:
- Know before you go
- Visit open sites safely
- Take a picture
- Share