Fire Followers
Explore the CNPS Fire Followers community science observations
The California Fire Followers campaign recorded plant regrowth in areas burned in 2020 and 2021. With the help of volunteers, we collected data and compared plants observed pre- and post-fire. This valuable data will help inform research and conservation efforts.
Severe wildfires, sparked by human actions, can cause considerable harm. But fire is also a natural component of California’s ecosystem. It’s critical to change the conversation and perspective around California’s wildfires. We can learn about the positive effects of fires on California’s ecosystems and native plants. 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.
The CNPS Fire Followers project on iNaturalist recorded the response of plants in areas burned in the 2020 and 2021 historic fire seasons. These projects are now closed, but you can click the buttons to explore the observations made by community scientists.
Using Crowdsourced Data to Track Post-fire Biodiversity Trends
