NewsBytes A publication of Bureau of Land Management in California Issue 650-11/13/14- Visit us on Facebook -- Follow us on Twitter -- Share us with friends and colleagues! THIS WEEK IN NEWS.BYTES: - Veterans Still Serving - Discover the Desert - Discover the Coast - 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/2014/650.html VETERANS STILL SERVIING Veterans Enjoying America's Public Lands (DOI YouTube) Every year, our nation's public lands welcome thousands of veterans and active-duty servicemen and women who find places to recreate, recover and help restore mind and body. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,2pe9,7t5h,1bct,ijo3 Meet Veterans Still Serving Public Lands with BLM California: David Moffett (BLM Facebook) One of the many BLM employees "Still Proudly Serving." David, Law Enforcement Ranger for the BLM-California Needles Field Office served four years in the U.S. Navy as a Gunners Mate. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,18r4,anzm,1bct,ijo3 Stephanie Clark (BLM Facebook) One of the many BLM employees "Still Proudly Serving." Stephanie, Chief Law Enforcement Ranger for the BLM-California El Centro Field Office served ten years in the U.S. Coast Guard. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,1s76,h02g,1bct,ijo3 Bryan Hellett (BLM Facebook) One of the many BLM employees "Still Proudly Serving." Bryan, Prescribed Fire and Fuels Supervisor for the BLM-California Hollister Field Office served eight years in the U.S. Navy as a Damage Controlman on USS John Paul Jones DDG53. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,4nxb,hbwc,1bct,ijo3 Elizabeth R. Easley (BLM Facebook) One of the many BLM employees "Still Proudly Serving." Elizabeth, Realty Specialist for the BLM-California State Office served 16 years in the United States Air Force as a Jet Engine Mechanic and Crew Chief. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,ho4b,29km,1bct,ijo3 George Garcia (BLM Facebook)- One of the many BLM employees "Still Proudly Serving." George, Chief Inspection & Enforcement Supervisor for the BLM-California Bakersfield Field Office served three years in the U.S. Army as a Medical Specialist. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,igtz,bii5,1bct,ijo3 Alonzo Barajas (BLM Facebook) Alonzo is one of the many BLM employees "Still Proudly Serving." Alonzo, Forestry Technician (#BLMfire) for the BLM-California, Palm Springs Field Office served four years in the U.S. Navy as a Aviation Electricians Mate. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,7wbv,au5i,1bct,ijo3 Veterans of Fort Ord (BLM Facebook) In honor of #VeteransDay we remember the more than 400 military families, cyclists, hikers and other community members joined in a dedication event for the 14,560 acre Fort Ord National Monument near Monterey, California.http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,7f5y,35ay,1bct,ijo3 Veterans Still Serving Their Country (BLM Facebook) POSTER: The BLM is proud to recognize and honor all veterans, but especially those who are still proudly serving their country by working for the BLM as stewards of our nation's public lands. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,z9k,exul,1bct,ijo3 DISCOVER THE DESERT: The Desert Shapes America Discover The Desert (BLM Facebook) find yourself within the history, heritage and culture of California's desert.#DidYouKnow, in the earliest days of World War II the Desert Training Center California-Arizona Maneuver Area was created in 1942. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,2rig,7aqj,1bct,ijo3 Veterans Day Celebration (BLM Facebook) On a picture prefect California desert day, the General Patton Museum at Chiriaco Summit hosted their annual Veterans Day Celebration. The program included a WWII War Bird Flyover and participation of military units from the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and United States Marine Corps. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,6cs1,l9m1,1bct,ijo3 The Desert Training Center (BLM Facebook) As Veterans Day approaches we invite you to take a trip back in time to 1942 when 18,000 desert square miles from Pomona, California to Phoenix, Arizona were used as a training center for 1 million young Americans. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,6sst,7a99,1bct,ijo3 Word War II Veteran's Letter about the Desert Training Center (BLM Facebook) In honor of Veterans Day we would like to share a letter from Robert Cowley, a World War II Veteran who trained at the Desert Training Center. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,5g8j,5iyv,1bct,ijo3 RELATED: Discover the Desert (BLM Website) The BLM in California manages 11 million acres of unique and diverse desert landscapes rich with recreational, environmental, cultural, historical and archaeological resources. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,9w8w,6zhx,1bct,ijo3 DISCOVER THE COAST BLM Guided Hike November 22, 2014, 9:00 am Davenport (BLM Website) Join BLM "rain or shine" for a 2-hour guided, interpretive hike through our newly acquired Coast Dairies property. The hike is a moderate walk up to a coastal terrace. Participants will learn about the history of the working landscape on this property for the thousands of years of human habitation. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,7do2,9gdm,1bct,ijo3 RENEWABLE ENERGY Our Voice: Protect the Desert (The Desert Sun, 11/08/14) The DRECP is a wise approach for reaching compromises between competing interests in California's vast desert. The Desert Sun hopes it will set a standard for the rest of the nation. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,40r1,2obi,1bct,ijo3 A Plan to Shape the Energy Future in the Vast Desert (The Desert Sun, 11/08/14) The plan [DRECP] is one part of California's comprehensive strategy for addressing climate change and meeting the energy needs of residents and businesses. In the electricity sector, this strategy includes energy efficiency...http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,36g7,icge,1bct,ijo3 Will Renewable Energy Ruin an 'Irreplaceable' Mojave Desert Oasis? (LA Times, 11/08/14) Iberdrola Renewables wants to build a 200-megawatt wind farm that would sprout as many as 133 turbines reaching heights of 480 feet. Next door would be a 200-megawatt solar facility with 400 pairs of photovoltaic panels. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,1as8,3i9y,1bct,ijo3 Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan Has Holes, Groups Say (The Sun, 11/09/14) Environmental groups and residents are finding what they call discrepancies, omissions and reasons for concern in the 8,000-page Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,afjm,ab03,1bct,ijo3 OTHER CALIFORNIA HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS Dianne Feinstein Proposes California National Monuments (Desert Sun, 11/06/14) Sen. Dianne Feinstein relaunched a proposal to create two national monuments on more than 1 million acres across the California desert... http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,bktm,1ytb,1bct,ijo3 RELATED: BLM California National Monuments (BLM Website) National Monuments are special areas of public land designated by public proclamation by the President or by Congress, to protect historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, or other objects of historic or scientific interest. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,d7l5,3bb9,1bct,ijo3 California Desert Protection Act -- 20 Years Later, There are Still Threats: Guest Commentary (San Bernardino Sun, 11/06/14) I reside in Twentynine Palms, which is a short drive from the Mojave National Preserve-- that means with a free day I can grab my backpack with water and food and hop in the car and I am on my way to the Mojave National Preserve to experience... http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,ktzn,4rsg,1bct,ijo3 Supervisors Endorse Making Lake Berryessa a National Monument (Napa Valley Register, 11/06/14) Napa County is advising President Barack Obama to create a sprawling, 550-square-mile Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. The Napa County Board of Supervisors voted to support national monument status. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,14fb,ldiz,1bct,ijo3 Joaquin Rocks Area of Critical Environmental Concern (BLM Facebook) this area is known for it's rugged and remote, three 300-foot high sandstone monoliths.http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,71rb,je4g,1bct,ijo3 Mendocino College Board Backs Off Sale of Point Arena Field Station (Willits News, 11/06/14) The Mendocino College Board of Trustees Wednesday voted to not immediately sell the Point Arena Field Station and instead explore the possibility of forging an agreement with the Bureau of Land Management that will both protect the land and allow the college to retain ownership. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,e4t4,5k8j,1bct,ijo3 RELATED: Point Arena-Stornetta (BLM website) A Unit of the California Coastal National Monument http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,e8s7,96pk,1bct,ijo3 Take It Outside is BLM's Flagship Youth Engagement Program.(BLM Facebook) It was established to help ensure that young people from all backgrounds have access to outdoor recreational opportunities on public lands while fostering future generations of public land steward. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,i0m0,drbq,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE TRIVIA QUESTION of the WEEK Can you guess the weight of the bullfrog? a) 22g b) 50g c) 67g d) 30g e) 1lb ------> See answer near the end of this issue of News.bytes. BLM and DEPARTMENT of the INTERIOR Highlights This Week at Interior (VIDEO): November 7, 2014 (DOI YouTube) This week: a three day conference in Idaho bringing together Interior leaders, scientists, tribal leaders, fire managers and other stakeholders, in the name of sagebrush habitat conservation; USGS scientists test a model that could eventually restore water flow in Florida's Everglades... http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,81ew,jkb7,1bct,ijo3 Area of Critical of Environmental Concern(BLM Tumblr) are special management areas designated by BLM to protect significant historic, cultural, or scenic values...check out our tumblr post to learn more. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,ljhc,i84w,1bct,ijo3 SELECTED UPCOMING EVENTS Nov. 15: Education Collaborative Partners, Public will Work to Restore Habitat (BLM News Release) Young people involved with the Lassen County Educational Collaborative will be planting bitterbrush seedlings in areas burned in the Rush Fire, in a habitat restoration project open to the public on Saturday, Nov. 15. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,fmf0,5lfw,1bct,ijo3 Nov.22: Coast Daires Guided Hike (BLM Website) Join BLM "rain or shine" for a 2-hour guided, interpretive hike through our newly acquired Coast Dairies property. The hike is a moderate walk up to a coastal terrace. Participants will learn about the history of the working landscape on this property for the thousands of years of human habitation. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,h1yz,dbzz,1bct,ijo3 Oct. 20-Nov.13: 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,22u8g,3xn3,mfoj,fmag,1bct,ijo3 Dec. 13: Carrizo Plain National Monument Advisory Committee Plans December Meeting. (BLM News Release) The BLM's Carrizo Plain National Monument Advisory Committee will meet Dec. 13, 2014 to discuss scoping of a proposed travel management plan for the monument. Monument staff will present the proposed plan and provide an update on the implementation of the area's resource management plan during the meeting. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,i5yy,6bse,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE TRIVIA ANSWER and Related Information Can you guess the weight of the bullfrog? ANSWER: (e.) The bullfrog is the largest native frog in north america weighing up to 1 pound and measuring up to 8 inches in length. SOURCE: American Bullfrog(National Aquarium Website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,22u8g,3xn3,3q0f,7n2x,1bct,ijo3
