Issue 614

Title: News.bytes, Issue 614 - BLM California - 02-28-13

A publication of Bureau of Land Management in California

Issue 614-03/06/14- Visit us on Facebook -- Follow us on Twitter -- Share us with friends and colleagues!

THIS WEEK IN NEWS.BYTES:

- Outdoor Education
- Headlines and Highlights
- Renewable Energy
- Wildlife Trivia Question of the Week
- Discover the Coast
- Upcoming Events
- Department of the Interior Video

If this message does not show up properly in your email, you can see it online at:
www.blm.gov/ca/news/newsbytes/2014/614.html

OUTDOOR EDUCATION

Public Lands Education Project Will Expose East Coachella Valley Kids to Nature
(My Desert, 03/02/14)
A new pilot program called the Public Lands Education Project is expanding the organization's reach into the eastern Coachella Valley, where some kids are unfamiliar with the nature that surrounds them. BLM, the U.S. Forest Service, Friends of the Desert Mountains and Building Healthy Communities of Coachella will collaborate to roll out the program in phases.
http://ow.ly/uewya

RELATED: Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument
(BLM Website) http://ow.ly/ujpnH

Photos from February Public Lands Education Project Events
(BLM Facebook)
The project will build a bridge from diverse communities to public lands through a three-day "Learn and Earn" program for 48 youth who will earn a stipend while learning how to monitor and restore natural habitats significant to California's landscape legacy on BLM lands in or near the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto National Monuments. http://ow.ly/uk7ul

February Fan Hill Hike
(BLM Facebook)
A dozen visitors were led on a tour of the Fan Hill landscape and the Joshua Tree National park Wilderness, just north of Sky Valley, California.
http://ow.ly/uhDxE

HEADLINES and HIGHLIGHTS

Interior Dept.'s Budget Would Increase to $11.7 Billion
(The Washington Post, 03/04/14)
President Obama requested $11.7 billion for the Interior Department in fiscal 2015, a slight increase from the year before. http://ow.ly/uk2jg

President Proposes $1.1 Billion for BLM in Fiscal Year 2015
(BLM News Release)
President Obama today requested $1.1 billion for the BLM in Fiscal Year 2015, which will enable the BLM to continue to responsibly manage the development of conventional and renewable energy on public lands, conserve valuable wildlife habitat and cultural and historic resources, and implement innovative landscape scale management approaches.
http://ow.ly/ujX2q

RELATED: BLM California Energy Resources
(BLM Website) http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/prog/energy.html

Mono County Resident Sentenced in Archaeological Case
(BLM News Release)
In a plea agreement with the Mono County District Attorney's Office, a Mono County resident pled guilty to one charge of misdemeanor vandalism and was ordered to pay $3,823 in restitution to the BLM. http://ow.ly/ujkEo

RELATED: The Curse of the Stolen Artifacts
(BLM YouTube)
A FunnyBytes video- Protectors of ancient artifacts reach across the centuries -- to the dismay of modern-day plunderers. Based on a true story.
http://youtu.be/qA3_TBLi1HY

Basket Weaving at the San Joaquin River Gorge Management Area
(BLM Facebook)
Students in a Native American basket weaving class (led by the California Indian Basketweavers Association) learn how to gather natural materials and create traditional baskets. http://ow.ly/ujNET



Artwork Used for the Fort Sage OHV Area
(BLM Facebook)
When we were looking for a unique way to share resource conservation messages with visitors to the Fort Sage Off-Highway Vehicle Area, we turned to Susanville Artist Janet Fraser-Dickman. http://ow.ly/ujzIG

More About the BLM Folsom Lake Hand Crew
(BLM Tumblr)
The crew began in 2012 and was comprised of U.S. military veterans. This ongoing program helps to build exceptional wildland firefighting forces and employs qualified veterans. http://ow.ly/ueAw9

Roads, Trails in Dry Valley Area Used for Motorcycle Races
(BLM News Release)
Weekend back country explorers planning to visit the Dry Valley area east of Susanville the weekend of April 5 and 6 will encounter more people than usual, as a two-day motorcycle race is scheduled on public land. Competitors will begin arriving Friday, April 4.
http://ow.ly/uhg6n

Public Invited to Comment on BLM OHV Grant Proposals
(BLM News Releases)
A number of news releases have announced public comment opportunties for BLM OHV grant proposals in different areas around the state. See our list of news releases.
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/newsroom.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Huge Ivanpah Solar Power Plant, Owned by Google and Oakland Company, Opens As Industry Booms
(San Jose Mercury News, 02/13/14)
Ivanpah can be seen as a success story and a cautionary tale, highlighting the inevitable trade-offs between the need for cleaner power and the loss of fragile, open land. http://ow.ly/uf6Vh

This is What the World's Largest Solar Plant Looks Like When It's Catching Rays
(The Verge, 02/13/14)
The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System is said to be ready to generate nearly 30 percent of all solar thermal energy produced in the United States. While regulators are continuing to look into the plant's environmental impact, it's still a big moment for clean energy in California. http://ow.ly/uf6rM

RELATED: Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System
(BLM Website) http://ow.ly/ujmhH

Fossil Falls- The Value of This Desert Landscape
(BLM Facebook)
Thanks to The Wilderness Society for this blog story about our stunning desert lands and why they are important. "California's Fossil Falls is a remarkable place -- ancient and almost indescribable. It is also relatively easy for travelers to visit." - Sally Miller, TWS http://ow.ly/ujeWS


Public Comments Due for Draft Environmental Review of Blythe Solar Power Project
(BLM M News Release)
The publication by the Environmental Protection Agency Federal Register initiates a 45-day public review and comment period. The BLM will soon publish a more detailed Federal Register Notice for the Draft EIS. Comments are due March 24, 2014.
http://ow.ly/twDeE

RELATED: BLM Blythe Solar Power Project
(BLM Webpage) http://ow.ly/twD5H

WILDLIFE TRIVIA QUESTION of the WEEK

What is the rarest pocket mouse species in North America? See answer - and more information near the end of this News.bytes.

DISCOVER THE COAST

Sunset Whale Watching Tour
(BLM Website)
On March 15th, the Piedras Blancas Light Station will offer an opportunity to watch for whales and enjoy the sunset. The tour meets at 5:30. Reservations are required! Call 805-924-1807 to reserve space for this once a year opportunity. Fee: $15 for adults. Details will be given when reservations are made. http://ow.ly/uhGF0

Meet One of Our Fantastic Partners Along the North Coast- Friends of the Dunes
(BLM Facebook)
This photo is from the Ma-le'l Dunes Cooperative Management Area. A beautiful place managed through a successful partnership. Come #DiscoverTheCoast http://ow.ly/ujxmN

Nature Journaling Workhsop
(BLM Facebook)
BLM Park Ranger Julie Clark partnered with Friends of the Dunes to hold a workshop on creating nature journals.
http://ow.ly/uhHLK

SELECTED UPCOMING EVENTS

Mar. 15: North Algodones Dunes Night Hike
(BLM Facebook)
Join a park ranger for a fun night hike roaming the sand hills (dogs permitted). This moderately easy hike follows sandy washes and climbs the short dunes. http://ow.ly/uhldh

Feb - Mar: Wildflower Walks- San Joaquin River Gorge Special Recreation Management Area
(BLM Facebook)
Every Wednesday Morning in February and March. http://ow.ly/uhlJR

Mar. 15- May 24 (Saturdays): Soda Lake and Painted Rock Guided Tours at Carrizo Plain National Monument
(BLM Facebook)
Come join us for our Soda Lake/Painted Rock Guided Tour. Reservations are required and can be made at http://www.recreation.gov/
http://ow.ly/twOiX

March 21-23: BLM Wild Horse and Burro Adoptions in Norco, CA
(BLM Facebook)
About 30 wild horses and 10 burros will be available for adoption at the Backcountry Horsemen's Rendezvous in Norco, CA. From 9 am to 5 pm you can visit the animals, learn about the adoption process...
http://ow.ly/uhto3

Apr. 16: Project Archaeology- Teacher Workshop at the San Joaquin River Gorge
(BLM Facebook)
The workshop includes everything you will need to teach archaeology in grades 3-5. It is inquiry-based, includes performance based assessments, and allows students to seamlessly integrate science and social studies.
http://ow.ly/uhmtQ

DEPARTMENT of the INTERIOR VIDEO

DOI Weekly Video: February 28, 2014
(DOI YouTube)
Here's what happened this week at Interior: The Senate confirms Mike Connor to be the next Deputy Secretary of the Interior; and Secretary Jewell welcomes four youth essay winners to her office, as they represent the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts. http://youtu.be/rEiDkwiMaJk

WILDLIFE TRIVIA ANSWER and related information

What is the rarest pocket mouse species in North America?"

ANSWER: White-eared pocket mouse. They are the rarest pocket mouse species in North America. They are found in the area managed by BLM California's Ridgecrest Field Office, and very little is known about their habits.

RELATED: White-eared Pocket Mouse
(Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Website) http://ow.ly/ujF7q

RELATED: Tehachapi Pocket Mouse (DRECP Website) Information about the Tehachapi Pocket Mouse and other desert species profiles. http://ow.ly/ujXSG

      --------------------
      
      - If your e-mail program does not allow you to click on the above links to visit that Web page, copy and paste the URL into your browser's "Location" or "Address" bar.
      - Some online news sites require free registration to view their content online. Some news sites remove news stories from the Web soon after publication. If you plan to keep a story, you should print a copy or save the Web page to your computer.
      DISCLAIMER: By linking to Web sites, the BLM does not imply endorsement of those sites, or of products or advertisements on those sites.
      
      News.bytes published by
      Bureau of Land Management
      California State Office
      2800 Cottage Way, Suite W-1834
      Sacramento, Ca 95825
      (916) 978-4600
      http://www.blm.gov/ca/
      
      We appreciate feedback. Send comments to the News.bytes team at:
      mailto:canewsbytes@xxxxxxx