Summary:
– The 12-hour California Nature Extravaganza is a unique and fascinating event that celebrates the biodiversity of California.
– The livestream event features nearly 50 nature experts and enthusiasts who read out the scientific names of various California plants, animals, and fungi groups.
– The event highlights the incredible diversity of California’s nature and showcases the passion of individuals dedicated to conserving wildlife and ecosystems.
– The event is a fun, chaotic, and beautiful homage to California’s nature, providing viewers with an engaging and educational experience.
– The event aims to raise awareness and support for protecting California’s biodiversity through the Thriving California programs.
What an incredible journey it has been! The 12-hour California Nature Extravaganza at the California Academy of Sciences was an event With nearly 50 nature experts and enthusiasts coming together; this Livestream celebration of California’s biodiversity was an absolute rollercoaster of fascinating discoveries and heartwarming moments. From scientific names being recited with confidence (or not so much) to live art, nature poetry, bird calls, and even some spirited banjo playing, the extravaganza was a whirlwind of nature-inspired creativity and education.
The event, which took place on California Biodiversity Day, sought to honor and bring attention to the incredible diversity of California’s wildlife and natural landscapes. It was a labor of love as the participants, each with unique expertise and passion, embarked on the monumental task of reciting the scientific names of as many groups of California plants, animals, and fungi as humanly possible within two hours. It was a daunting task, to say the least – but undertaken with boundless enthusiasm and a spirit of adventure.
As the clock struck 12, the extravaganza began with an impressive lineup of individuals ready to take on the challenge. From Arya Natarajan with her easel to Luigie Alequín speed-reading about moths, from Darien Fiorino showing some love to lost birds to Laura Fong, an adult Chinook, and a fry featuring in the segment about fish – the sheer variety and creativity on display were as diverse as California’s natural beauty.
The extravaganza wasn’t just a jumble of scientific names and educational exercises. It was a celebration – of nature in all its chaotic, strange, and stunningly beautiful glory. The participants brought their flair to the event – whether it was confidently terrible Latin pronunciations, live painting, or singing about shells. It’s fair to say that viewers experienced something truly unique and, dare I say it, special.
But what was the ultimate takeaway from this 12-hour extravaganza? It was perhaps the unyielding dedication and passion of the individuals involved. Everyone, from the nature experts to the enthusiastic enthusiasts, demonstrated an unwavering commitment to conserving and preserving California’s biodiversity. Their collective efforts served as a poignant reminder of the significance of protecting and celebrating the natural world around us.
As the event drew to a close, it was clear that the California Nature Extravaganza had achieved its goal of raising awareness and support for protecting California’s biodiversity. The event was eye-opening and educational and a source of joy and inspiration for all who tuned in. It served as a reminder of the beauty and wonder of the natural world and the urgent need for its preservation.
In conclusion, the California Nature Extravaganza was an immersive and captivating showcase of the remarkable diversity of California’s nature. It was a testament to the tireless work of individuals dedicated to safeguarding the natural world and an invitation for us to appreciate, respect, and protect the biodiversity surrounding us. Let’s join hands and continue to support programs like Thriving California, which aim to preserve and celebrate the incredible wildlife and ecosystems that make California truly extraordinary. Together, we can ensure a thriving and sustainable future for our planet and all its inhabitants.
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Source Description
This is a recording of a (12-hour-long) live stream from September 7, 2023.
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We’ve embarked on a task *almost* as monumental as California nature itself: In honor of California Biodiversity Day, we’ve lined up nearly 50 nature experts and enthusiasts to help us read out the scientific names of as many groups of California plants, animals, and fungi as humanly possible … in 12 HOURS. (Yes, you read that right.)
Who knows whether we’ll make it through our list of 7,200+ names *SPOILER, we do* (a giant number that still doesn’t encompass the true scale of CA nature), but we’re bringing animal costumes, live painting, nature poetry, confidently terrible Latin pronunciations, and so much more to the effort.
It’s colossal, chaotic, strange, beautiful, fascinating, and more than a little overwhelming, but in all the best ways — a.k .a. a perfect homage to California’s incredible nature. Join us in celebrating California Biodiversity Day in a way no one ever has before … possibly for a good reason.
Intro and Land Acknowledgement 00:00
Arya Natarajan & her easel 08:50
Jen Norris & Madeline Drake 29:03
Mauna Dasari cross-stitching 44:11
Luigie Alequín moths speed-read 1:05:20
José G. González reads foxes & fungi 1:12:52
Nicha Leaser slays pronunciation 1:25:07
Jack Dumbacher does bird calls 1:35:34
Chrissy Piotrowski teaches Worms 101 1:49:20
Alex Astras helps with beetles 2:09:54
Darien Fiorino reads bats & (true) bugs 2:22:33
Elora López-Nandam takes on sponges & anemones 2:36:22
Darien’s back with some misc. animals 2:45:12
Sadie Samuels lists some mollusks 2:50:35
Melissa Felder chips away at insects 3:04:23
Sue Pemberton pronounces isopods & pinnipeds 3:19:03
Paul Holman-Kursky guesses common names 3:33:02
Sadie Samuels speed-draws 3:55:49
Alison Gould reads Glowing Creatures 4:13:39
Adriana Hernandez lists Liliopsids 4:24:35
Rebecca Albright names cnidarians 4:35:43
Moe Flannery gives a mammals & birds masterclass at 4:48:40
Darien Fiorino shows lost birds some love 5:10:31
Los Tenorio reads Flies and Flowers 5:25:04
Arya Natarajan takes on cartilaginous fish 5:39:23
Alison Young sings about shells 5:53:25
Sydney Davenport is up counting her worms 6:08:09
Gregg Castro & Shannon Tushingham 6:23:27
Patrick Sysiong pronounces procellariformes 6:42:00
Rebecca Johnson talks tidepool critters 6:54:08
Iris MacMillan, a sequoia, & a caterpillar review lichens 7:09:20
Avery Hill plays banjo over plant names 7:22:42
Mindee Kashiwagi helps out with more insects 7:38:53
Lauren Esposito shares all things arachnid 7:50:53
Sadie Samuels says some ‘shrooms 8:10:06
Laura Fong, an adult Chinook, & a fry feature fish 8:24:51
Gabby Farrer makes steady insect progress 8:38:54
Olivia Van Damme reads poetry & plants 8:53:44
Shannon Bennet takes on a spelling bee (with mosquitoes) 9:08:48
Ayanna Browne breezes through reptiles 9:26:24
Sterling Balice covers California plants 9:39:55
Sarah Jacobs discusses more CA plants 9:53:43
Nat Kramm buzzes through bees 10:10:45
Grace Kim continues to name insects & plants 10:23:17
Jacob Gorneau (mothman) speaks on spiders 10:38:07
Mitch Ashley annunciates arthropod names 10:55:46
Luana Melnek dos Anjos reads (still more) moths & fungi 11:08:21
Sea Starya Natarajan goes over echinoderms 11:21:35
Spin for Beetles! 11:41:33
A mad dash through the names we missed 11:48:14
Thank you & GOOD NIGHT 11:52:44
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We’re dedicated to celebrating and protecting our state’s biodiversity through our mission, including Thriving California programs just like this one. Every donation will help us reach our $15,000 goal! https://bit.ly/3sIKbVt
