The University Center of the Coast (CUCosta) is inviting the public to participate in the Home River BioBlitz 2025, a global citizen science initiative aimed at documenting the rich biodiversity of the Río Pitillal. From September 19 to 21, community members will join scientists and students in exploring and photographing the plants, animals, and fungi that inhabit the urban river.
This is Puerto Vallarta’s fourth year participating in the event, and the numbers have grown significantly. In 2024, participants recorded a total of 1,547 observations, identifying 413 species of plants, animals, and fungi. This year’s activities will include birdwatching, photography routes, water quality monitoring, and nighttime explorations for amphibians, with all observations uploaded to the iNaturalist platform to contribute to the global database.
The Río Pitillal, which originates in the Sierra Occidental of Jalisco and flows through the urban area of Puerto Vallarta before reaching the sea, is home to a diverse array of species. Scientists have identified a variety of animals including crocodiles, iguanas, and raccoons, as well as plants like the paperbark and parota trees. However, the river’s habitat faces challenges from urban stress and environmental issues such as deforestation in the upper basin, which affects water flow and puts the ecosystem at risk.
Source: Universidad de Guadalajara
