News.Bytes A publication of Bureau of Land Management in California Issue 647-10/23/14- Visit us on Facebook -- Follow us on Twitter -- Share us with friends and colleagues! THIS WEEK IN NEWS.BYTES: - Discover the Desert - Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan - Headlines and Highlights - Wildlife Trivia Question of the Week - BLM and Department of Interior Highlights - Upcoming BLM California Events If this message does not show up properly in your email, you can see it online at: www.blm.gov/ca/news/newsbytes/2014/647.html DISCOVER THE DESERT It's a Great Time of Year to #DiscoverTheDesert (BLM Facebook) The BLM managed Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument has upcoming hikes and other activities with Friends of the Desert Mountains. You might even catch a glimpse of desert bighorn sheep. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,224gk,3xn3,lcng,9q8s,1bct,ijo3 Wilderness Is... Inspiration For Our Children (BLM Facebook) Wilderness inspires music, art, and movement, and so much more. This has been celebrated year-round at the Desert Discovery Center. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,224gk,3xn3,iyic,itkc,1bct,ijo3 Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Project (BLM Facebook) BLM biologists and firefighters joined with the Inyo National Forest, the Bristlecone Chapter, CNPS, and the The Bodie Hills Conservation Partnership to improve greater sage-grouse habitat in the 2012 Indian Fire burned area. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,224gk,3xn3,ltoq,9b7b,1bct,ijo3 The Pacific Crest Trail on BLM Public Lands (BLM Facebook) The BLM manages 180-miles of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, primarily in the south half of the state. This trail boasts some of the greatest elevation changes in the National Scenic Trail System and is popular with thousands of hiker and equestrian users. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,224gk,3xn3,6f22,dnmj,1bct,ijo3 RELATED: Pacific Crest Trail Photo Contest (Pacific Crest Trail Association Website) The Pacific Crest Trail is stunningly beautiful. Every year thousands of fantastic photos are taken of the trail. Many of the pictures we'll publish in 2015 will be selected from those entered in the PCTA's annual photo contest. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,224gk,3xn3,ifw3,i2yz,1bct,ijo3 Discover the Desert (BLM Website) BLM's Discover the Desert website focuses on connecting people with spectacular places and resources in the California desert by working with gateway communities and partners to identify opportunities for education and interpretation through the arts, sciences, tourism and recreation. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,224gk,3xn3,rcj,3vbx,1bct,ijo3 DESERT RENEWABLE ENERGY CONSERVATION PLAN Opposition to Renewable Energy Brews in Imperial Valley (The Desert Sun, 10/21/14) Renewable energy development could disrupt productive farmland and kill agriculture jobs in the Imperial Valley, farmers and conservationists argued at a public meeting on the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,224gk,3xn3,blti,fdoy,1bct,ijo3 The DRECP -- What Is It? (Epoch Times, 10/20/14) ...The speakers touted the draft plan as a landmark federal-state partnership and a huge step forward for both renewable energy development and land and wildlife conservation. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,224gk,3xn3,72hs,bufj,1bct,ijo3 RELATED: Federal and State Agencies Announce Public Meetings for Draft Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (BLM News Release) The BLM, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California Energy Commission, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today the dates and locations of several public meetings for the draft Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,224gk,3xn3,mfoj,fmag,1bct,ijo3 OTHER CALIFORNIA HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS Wild Horses Settling in at Rio Cosumnes Correctional Facility (News.Bytes Extra) Wild horses are settling in nicely at the Rio Cosumnes Correctional Facility south of Sacramento as finishing touches are being completed at the corrals and inmates are being selected to participate in the horse training program, a partnership of the BLM and the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,224gk,3xn3,3pir,8b8b,1bct,ijo3 BLM Hosts Entomology Club at Monvero Dunes (BLM Facebook) BLM California Hosts U.C. Davis Faculty and Entomology Club at Monvero Dunes. This habitat is a residual sand ecosystem dominated by plant species that typically occur in sandy areas in the Mojave desert, over 100 miles away. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,224gk,3xn3,k5it,5g9l,1bct,ijo3 No End to Lovely Local Hike Destinations For the Fall (Merced Sun-Star, 10/21/14) To complete the list of great local hikes for anytime it isn't too hot or too wet, here are some more good choices: Red Hills -- The BLM offers 17 miles of trails at Red Hills near Chinese Camp. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,224gk,3xn3,4y2u,88wr,1bct,ijo3 Fall Colors Along the Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail in Northeast California (BLM Facebook) You can see them from the saddle of your mountain bike Saturday, Oct. 25, and use a low-cost bus and shuttle service to set up a one-way, downhill ride of 7, 18 or 30 miles. Call the BLM office in Susanville for more information or to reserve space. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,224gk,3xn3,4a4r,hthk,1bct,ijo3 College Ad-hoc Supports Compromise for Pt. Arena Field Station (Ukiah Daily Journal, 10/21/14) An ad-hoc committee tasked with exploring options for the Point Arena Field Station recommended last week that the Mendocino College Board of Trustees consider a compromise: sell the property, but not the buildings. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,224gk,3xn3,7oe0,b7i0,1bct,ijo3 Susanville Students Visit BLM's Hobo Camp (BLM Facebook) Second graders from Susanville enjoyed a field trip to the Hobo Camp area along the Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail... http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,224gk,3xn3,dn1p,2jbn,1bct,ijo3 BLM Extends Nomination Deadline for Northern Calif. Advisory Council (YubaNet, 10/16/14) Individuals may nominate themselves or others. Nominees should demonstrate a commitment to collaborative decision making on natural resource issues and knowledge of the RAC's geographic area of interest, which is northern California and far northwest Nevada. Nominations must include letters of support. The RAC works closely with BLM managers in Alturas, Arcata, Cedarville, Redding and Susanville, providing guidance on the full range of the BLM's responsibilities. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,224gk,3xn3,fiz4,8dau,1bct,ijo3 RELATED: BLM Extends Nomination Deadline for Northern Calif. Advisory Council (BLM News Release) The BLM has extended until Monday, Nov. 10, the nomination deadline for membership on the Northern California Advisory Council, a citizen group that advises the agency on management of public lands. There are 15 vacancies for terms of one, two and three years. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,224gk,3xn3,gxa3,6b1r,1bct,ijo3 BLM Announces Plans for Fall Prescribed Burning (BLM News Release) With the arrival of cooler fall weather and some precipitation, the BLM has announced plans for prescribed burning projects on northern California public lands in Shasta and Trinity counties. Fires will be ignited only on days when weather conditions allow for safe and successful burning and smoke management. The projects are designed to improve forest health and habitat, and to reduce wildfire danger by removing fuel buildup. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,224gk,3xn3,d2fi,3rt8,1bct,ijo3 BLM Hollister Field Office Lifts Fire Restrictions, Reopens Routes with Seasonal Restrictions (BLM News Release) With the onset of cooler temperatures, increased humidity and shorter days, the BLM has lifted fire restrictions on public lands within the Hollister Field Office effective today. This includes the Tumey, Griswold, Ciervo and Panoche hills. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,224gk,3xn3,8tha,i7q6,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE TRIVIA QUESTION of the WEEK As in the famous Merriam's Kangaroo rat TV show, this is posed as an answer -- you supply the question. And the answer is, "Merriam's kangaroo rat and Fresno kangaroo rat." (Okay, here it is as a question, after all: "What distinction do these two share, among kangaroo rats on BLM California-managed lands?") ------> See answer near the end of this issue of News.bytes. BLM and DEPARTMENT of the INTERIOR Highlights Last Week at the BLM, Oct. 13-17, 2014 (BLM Tumblr) Last week, the Federal land management agencies that make up the National Wilderness Preservation System signed an agreement that will guide interagency collaboration and vision to ensure the continued preservation of nearly 110 million acres of the most primitive of public lands... http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,224gk,3xn3,7pn4,cexb,1bct,ijo3 RELATED: Federal Agencies Offer Vision to Ensure Future Generations Can Enjoy Wilderness (BLM News Release) The Federal land management agencies that make up the National Wilderness Preservation System signed an agreement that will guide interagency collaboration and vision to ensure the continued preservation of nearly 110 million acres of the most primitive of public lands. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,224gk,3xn3,jg0k,74b8,1bct,ijo3 This Week at Interior (VIDEO): October 17, 2014 (DOI YouTube) Secretary Jewell in Idaho and Wyoming for a first-hand look at sagebrush conservation efforts; then it's a trip to New Mexico to mark the 50th anniversary of The Wilderness Act; the worldwide earthquake drill called the Great ShakeOut brings in some 25 million participants... http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,224gk,3xn3,f1zi,8nib,1bct,ijo3 SELECTED UPCOMING EVENTS Oct. 25: Volunteers Welcome at Fort Ord Habitat Improvement Project (BLM News Release) Volunteers are welcome to help improve habitat on the Fort Ord National Monument in the 12th annual observance of National Public Lands Day/Make a Difference Day. Participants in the family-friendly event will spread seed and straw on a habitat restoration site, collect native seed for use in future restoration projects and pull out non-native weeds that degrade habitat for native plants and wildlife. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,224gk,3xn3,f1so,bvrp,1bct,ijo3 Oct. 25: Join the Desert Discovery Center Saturday October 25th for the Route 66 Mural Tour & Bicycle Ride (BLM Facebook)The tour starts at 10am & meets at the DHOP book store next to the Treasure House Mall. Come #DiscoverTheDesert in Barstow, Calif. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,224gk,3xn3,45yk,bxzv,1bct,ijo3 Oct. 25: Fall Colors on the Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail in Northeast California (BLM Facebook) You can see them from the saddle of your mountain bike Saturday, Oct. 25, and use a low-cost bus and shuttle service to set up a one-way, downhill ride of 7, 18 or 30 miles. Call the BLM office in Susanville for more information or to reserve space. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,224gk,3xn3,2kyi,egui,1bct,ijo3 Oct. 20-Nov.: Federal and State Agencies Announce Public Meetings for Draft Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (BLM News Release) The BLM, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California Energy Commission, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today the dates and locations of several public meetings for the draft Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,224gk,3xn3,lkzq,22qp,1bct,ijo3 Sept.-Oct: BLM National Public Lands Day Events (BLM Webpage) NPLD is the largest volunteer event for America's public lands. It is held on a Saturday in late September when thousands of Americans volunteer to improve and enhance our nation's public lands. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,224gk,3xn3,ce4q,fn98,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE TRIVIA ANSWER and Related Information What distinction do these two share, among kangaroo rats on BLM California-managed lands? ANSWER: The Merriam's kangaroo rat and Fresno kangaroo rat are the two smallest kangaroo rats found on BLM California lands. SOURCE: Fresno kangaroo rat (BLM Wildlife Database) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,224gk,3xn3,lz7a,krcm,1bct,ijo3 -------------------- News.bytes published by Bureau of Land Management California State Office 2800 Cottage Way, Suite W-1834 Sacramento, Ca 95825 (916) 978-4600
