Last Updated on January 30, 2024
The San Antonio River Authority (River Authority) staff is committed to safe, clean, and enjoyable creeks and rivers. Still, we need YOU to help us protect and preserve area natural resources for future generations. There are many ways you can get involved and Be River Proud!
We want to highlight your positive actions, so please share pictures or videos of you and your loved ones on social media using #BeRiverProud. Once a month, we will feature your stories on our blog. This month, we highlight a couple of participants in this year’s City Nature Challenge. Read along to learn more!
The City Nature Challenge (CNC) is a four-day annual global Bio-blitz held at the end of every April. During the Bio-blitz, citizen scientists worldwide participate in this challenge to observe and document the wildlife in their cities. The main goals of the CNC are 1) helping species of greatest conservation need (SGCN), 2) monitoring changes in the range of native species, and 3) possibly identifying new species. This family-friendly challenge encourages all ages to go outside and observe nature!
This year’s challenge was held from April 29 to May 2. The San Antonio CNC area boundary was also expanded to include Karnes and Goliad counties. Along with Bexar and Wilson counties, these counties comprise the River Authority’s four-county jurisdiction. This challenge is important to our San Antonio River Watershed for a few reasons. First, the CNC serves an essential role in educating the community about the vast biodiversity of species that rely on the creeks and rivers of our watershed. Second, it sheds light on the current health of our watershed, including the status of SCGN that live within it. Third, it helps with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) research and conservation efforts by contributing valuable data to the Texas Nature Trackers.
How many observations were made in the san antonio river watershed?
A map of many observations made in the San Antonio River Watershed during the 2022 CNC.
During the 2022 CNC, 11,714 observations of 1,976 different species by 681 citizen scientists were made in our watershed.
Check out some of the observations made in the River Authority Bio-Blitz during the 2022 CNC!
Photo Credit: peterjoseph (top left) Photo Credit: yukioz (top right) Photo Credit: johndickinson68 (bottom left) Photo Credit: donkirchoff (bottom right)
Over 60% of the observations made in the 2022 CNC River Authority Bio-blitz are now research-grade. Expert naturalists and scientists will continue identifying the documented species in this challenge to contribute further research-grade data. Visit the River Authority Bio-blitz page to learn more about the observations made in our watershed this year!
Minna Paul of the River Authority, Craig Hensley of the Texas Nature Trackers (a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department program), and Peter Joseph, an experienced citizen scientist, help identify species documented during the 2022 CNC.
SHOW US YOUR RIVER PRIDE FOR A CHANCE TO BE FEATURED!
How to #BeRiverProud in 5 easy steps:
- Engage in any activity showing river pride, such as: recreating along the San Antonio River, showing your stewardship for the San Antonio River, picking up trash as part of the Don’t Let Litter Trash Your River initiative, and using sustainability practices at your home.
- Read Show Your River Pride and What You Can Do for examples of activities you can do at your home and at River Authority parks.
- Post a picture of your activity on social media!
- Tag @sanantonioriver
- Include #BeRiverProud
The River Reach is back!
River Reach is a quarterly, 12-page newsletter that is designed to inform the San Antonio River Authority’s constituents about the agency’s many projects, serve as a communication vehicle for the board of directors and foster a sense of unity and identity among the residents of Bexar, Wilson, Karnes, and Goliad counties.
If you wish to be placed on the mailing list for River Reach, please contact us or complete the form below.
