A publication of Bureau of Land Management in California Issue 660-2/6/2015- Visit us on Facebook -- Follow us on Twitter -- Share us with friends and colleagues! THIS WEEK IN NEWS.BYTES: - Discover the Coast - Discover the Desert - Headlines and Highlights - Wildlife Trivia Question of the Week - BLM and Department of the Interior Highlights If this message does not show up properly in your email, you can see it online at: http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,25elq,3xn3,4jne,ktow,1bct,ijo3 DISCOVER THE COAST Peak at the Past: 140th Birthday Celebration Trinidad Lighthouse (BLM Website) The first order light at Piedras Blancas was first lit on February 15, 1875. This year we will be celebrating the 140th birthday of the lighthouse on Saturday, February 14. A special living history tour,"Peek at the Past", will feature guides in period attire and enactors portraying life at the light station in the 1890s. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,25elq,3xn3,4x01,au3l,1bct,ijo3 BLM Guided Hike (BLM Website) Join BLM, rain or shine for a moderate 4.2 mile hike from Hwy 1 up coastal terraces, through redwood groves and down to Liddell Creek. Please wear sturdy footwear, weather-appropriate clothing and bring water/snacks. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,25elq,3xn3,7do2,9gdm,1bct,ijo3 Discover the Coast (BLM Website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,25elq,3xn3,jksk,gqng,1bct,ijo3 DISCOVER THE DESERT Plank Road Centennial Celebration (BLM Facebook) Mark your calendars on Feb. 21 for the Plank Road Centennial Celebration 1915-2015. Nearly 100 years ago, visionaries cobbled together a road of planks to traverse the nearly impassable Algodones Dunes, now commonly known as the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,25elq,3xn3,8ebm,jdkx,1bct,ijo3 Discover the Desert and Explore the Arches at Alabama Hills (BLM Facebook) Learn about the geologic processes that shaped the Alabama Hills this Saturday, Feb. 7. The hike includes Mobius, Heart and Eye of the Alabama Arches. You'll also discover that there's more to the Alabama Hills than just Movie Flat. The hike includes scenic vistas of the Sierra, Inyo Mountains and Owens Lake, plus a visit to a riparian zone in the heart of the hills. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,25elq,3xn3,deiv,4d9u,1bct,ijo3 Film History at Alabama Hills (BLM Facebook) Are you a filmbuff? This hike if for you. A "Film History in the Alabama Hills" interpretive walk will be held this Sunday, Feb. 8.There have been 400+ movies and countless commercials filmed in the Alabama Hills. This walk covers an area of Movie Flat that includes locations from films such as Gunga Din, Bad Day at Black Rock, Tremors and Django Unchained. This is a relatively easy walk covering less than a mile and mostly on level ground. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,25elq,3xn3,dy2k,gyyl,1bct,ijo3 Discover The Desert: Climber Atop Hercules Finger (BLM Facebook) "On a very cold and windy day, we set out with ropes, harnesses, and confidence; everything we would need to climb this strange rock feature. A smooth drive along a maintained road led us right to the base of our destination, the finger. Seemingly with the strength of Hercules himself, we pulled ourselves up on crimpy hand holds, using tiny rock nubs to balance our feet on, and made it victoriously to the top. The view is absolutely worth it. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,25elq,3xn3,4qgj,gjvq,1bct,ijo3 A Fiery Sunset Over Lucerne Valley (BLM Facebook) According to photographer Dan Maus, from time to time the desert will throw a sunset at you that will absolutely knock you off your feet. This was one of the sunsets. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,25elq,3xn3,4vtt,ah50,1bct,ijo3 RELATED: Discover The Desert (BLM Website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,25elq,3xn3,ehnu,aie3,1bct,ijo3 Discover the Desert Story Maps (BLM Website) Take an online tour of the California desert! http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,25elq,3xn3,gr21,dabi,1bct,ijo3 OTHER CALIFORNIA HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS Galt Winter Bird Festival (BLM Facebook) There will be tours of the Cosumnes River Preserve and much more! The Galt Winter Bird Festival is almost here, Feb 7th! - There are just a few seats left on our noted Cosumnes River Preserve tours. Register now to not miss out! http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,25elq,3xn3,bwxb,bqjo,1bct,ijo3 Inyo Mountain Wilderness (BLM Facebook) Managed by the BLM and U.S. Forest Service - Inyo National Forest, this wilderness encompasses a large portion of the Inyo Mountains, which rise to 11,000 feet at Keynot Peak and separates the Owens Valley on the west and Saline Valley on the east. These mountains have maintained most of their pristine character due to the sheer ruggedness of the terrain. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,25elq,3xn3,ccus,fexl,1bct,ijo3 Did you know? (BLM Tumblr) The BLM delivers significant economic benefits for communities across the Nation. Each year, lands under the BLM's management contribute over $100 billion in local economic activity and support more than 440,000 jobs. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,25elq,3xn3,1fhh,j6q8,1bct,ijo3 President Proposes $1.2 Billion for BLM (BLM Facebook) President Barack Obama requested $1.2 billion for the Bureau of Land Management for Fiscal Year 2016. The proposal includes strategic investments for improving management of increased energy production, conserving sagegrouse habitat in the West, strengthening BLM's National Conservation Lands, and establishing a BLM Foundation to foster public partnerships that support BLM's mission. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,25elq,3xn3,k2u0,9rsd,1bct,ijo3 RELATED: President Proposes $1.2 Billion for BLM in Fiscal Year 2016 (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,25elq,3xn3,fwe0,gxxo,1bct,ijo3 OHV Grant Proposals (BLM Facebook) BLM announced several public meetings this February to provide input in the development of off-highway vehicle (OHV) grant proposals for submission to the California State Parks, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division (OHMVR). http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,25elq,3xn3,k2d,foa9,1bct,ijo3 RELEATED: Public Invited to Provide for OHV Grant Proposals (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,25elq,3xn3,5pcq,3glh,1bct,ijo3 California Parks, Wildlife Areas Would Benefit in Obama's Budget (Sun Herald, 2/2/2015) California gets its share, and then some, from the Obama administration's $4 trillion budget proposal delivered Monday to a skeptical, Republican-controlled Congress. There's money for restoring the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, likely to survive congressional winnowing. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,25elq,3xn3,laod,ktge,1bct,ijo3 Park District Plans New Hiking Trails this Year (Napa Valley Register, 2/2/2015) Kirkland Ranch in south Napa County has a ridge with sweeping views of vineyards, wetlands, San Pablo Bay and beyond, which the local park district wants the public to experience. "I think that would certainly be a draw for a lot of people," Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District General Manager John Woodbury said Monday. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,25elq,3xn3,7wex,b3fi,1bct,ijo3 Federal Fracking Rules Due Out Soon (The Hill, 2/2/2015) Rules for hydraulic fracturing on federal land will be made final within weeks, Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said. Jewell told reporters Monday that the rules from Interior's Bureau of Land Management are "very close" and can be expected in the coming weeks. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,25elq,3xn3,bpn9,fl2i,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE TRIVIA QUESTION of the WEEK Sand Hill Cranes are known for their? a. low quiet sound b. long neck c. graceful dancing display d. colored flume e. diet of mainly plants & herbs ------> See answer near the end of this issue of News.bytes. BLM and DEPARTMENT of the INTERIOR Highlights This Week at Interior (Video): February 6, 2015 (DOI Youtube) President Obama unveils his fiscal year 2016 budget, which includes $13.2 billion to fund the Department of the Interior and its core missions of managing public lands and waters, responsible energy development, sound science, and honoring its trust responsibilities to Native Americans .http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,25elq,3xn3,878y,fz6a,1bct,ijo3 UPCOMING EVENTS Jan 31-Feb 14: BLM Bald Eagle Hike. (BLM Facebook) BLM will host free guided hikes to look for wintering bald eagles in the Cache Creek Natural Area in Lake County on Saturdays, Jan. 31 and Feb. 7 and 14.Those interested in participating should reserve space for a specific date by calling the BLM Ukiah Field Office, (707) 468-4000. Early reservations are requested for the popular hikes, which are limited to 25 participants each and fill quickly. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,25elq,3xn3,bbec,7h6l,1bct,ijo3 Jan 30- Feb 1: Pomona Horse Expo (BLM Facebook ) .Visit us at the Pomona Horse Expo on Jan 30-Feb 1. We will have several halter-trained yearlings available at Expo. Stop by the BLM booth in the Breed Revelation area, meet the yearlings, get more information, or just say hello! http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,25elq,3xn3,2w06,eawu,1bct,ijo3 Feb 7: Galt Winter Bird Festival Cosumnes River Preserve http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,25elq,3xn3,ayiu,4vfd,1bct,ijo3 Feb 8:Coast Dairies Hike http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,25elq,3xn3,bvco,b4v0,1bct,ijo3 Feb 14-15: Wild Horses and Burros Adoption in Ferndale http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,25elq,3xn3,1krv,ihz2,1bct,ijo3 Feb 23: Draft Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan End of Public Comment Period http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,25elq,3xn3,khro,axr2,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE TRIVIA ANSWER Answer: Sandhill Cranes (Grus Canadensis) are known for their dancing skills. Courting cranes stretch thier wings, pump their heads, bow and leap into the air in a graceful and energetic dance. SOURCE:Sandhill Crane(All About Birds.org) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,25elq,3xn3,7w6i,j6os,1bct,ijo3 -------------------- - 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.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,25elq,3xn3,4h2h,jgx0,1bct,ijo3 We appreciate feedback. 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