BioBlitz: Oregon Marine Reserves & MPAs
Join us this August for a month-long celebration of Oregon’s Marine Reserves and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
From the rugged cliffs of Cape Falcon in the north to the dramatic islands of Redfish Rocks in the south, Oregon’s five marine reserves are areas dedicated to conservation and scientific research. These "no-take" zones serve as vital sanctuaries for marine life and are now yours to explore and document.
How to Participate: Grab your camera or smartphone and head to any and/or all of the five reserve sites or their adjacent Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Use the iNaturalist app to record every plant and animal you find—from the tiniest tidepool snail to the majestic seabirds soaring above.
Be sure to:
Need a little help on how to participate? Watch a short Zoom training and become an expert. Download the presentation slides.
What to Look For: Each of our five sites offers a unique window into the Pacific:
Cape Falcon: Search for mussels and sea anemones in the rocky intertidal areas near Short Sand Beach.
Cascade Head: Look for the limpets, chitons, and vibrant sea stars along the shore.
Otter Rock: Explore the tidepools of Oregon’s smallest reserve and keep an eye out for seals hauled out on the rocks.
Cape Perpetua: Visit the largest reserve to see some of the most biologically diverse rocky shores in the Northwest. Don’t forget to look up for the Marbled Murrelet, a threatened seabird that links the old-growth forest to the sea.
Redfish Rocks: Discover the lush kelp beds and diverse fish communities thriving around the five iconic islands south of Port Orford.
Why Your Observations Matter: By participating, you aren’t just competing for prizes—you are contributing to coastal science. Your data helps the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and partners like the Oregon Marine Reserves Partnership gain a "deeper understanding" of these ecosystems and how to best protect them for the future.
Awards & Recognition:
The Wide-eyed Observer: Most total observations.
The Biodiversity Pro: Highest species count.
The Coast-To-Coast Champion: For those who document life across all five marine reserve sites!
Register your Username to be eligible for prizes:bit.ly/2026mpabioblitz
Top finishers will be notified by email, so please register at the link above, so we can contact you.
Ready to dive in? Let's see what we can find beneath the surface! Head to iNaturalist.