A publication of Bureau of Land Management in California Issue 665-3/13/2015- Visit us on Facebook -- Follow us on Twitter -- Share us with friends and colleagues! THIS WEEK IN NEWS.BYTES: - Wildflowers - Renewable Energy - Discover the Desert - Discover the Coast - Headlines and Highlights - Wildlife 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,26jn8,3xn3,8uk4,lt15,1bct,ijo3 WILDFLOWERS Why Plan a Visit to Your Public Lands? (BLM Facebook) Because wildflowers are beginning to bloom in the Alabama Hills in southern part of the Bishop Field Office! There are no big carpets of wildflowers yet, but some things to keep an eye out for are; yellow-throats (Phacelia fremontii), apricot mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua), desert paintbrush (Castilleja chromosa) and the very showy scarlet milk-vetch (Astragalus coccineus). http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,mc1c,9t8w,1bct,ijo3 A is for Abronia (BLM Facebook) Abronia villosa, or sand verbena, in the Four O-Clock family, can be found on lower elevation sand dunes in the Mojave Desert of the Needles Field Office. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,42zn,d607,1bct,ijo3 B is for Beavertail (BLM Facebook) The beavertail cactus, otherwise known as Opuntia basilaris, grows on uplands throughout the Mojave. Don't let its spineless appearance fool you -it has tiny barbed spikes at each auricle that are almost impossible to remove! http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,fl1z,h16,1bct,ijo3 C is for Camissonia (BLM Facebook) Camissonia spp., or California suncups are in the Evening Primrose family. Tortoises love to munch on these, and they are blooming all over the desert right now! http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,fl6j,ihko,1bct,ijo3 D is for Desert Needles (Palafoxia arida) (BLM Facebook) No need to search far and wide for this pretty plant - you can find it out in the desert, or on sandy roadsides! http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,6xx0,7ucq,1bct,ijo3 E is for Encelia farinosa (brittlebush) (BLM Facebook) Brittlebush, as you may have already guessed, is in the sunflower family. These are great because they bloom throughout the year, but they are especially plentiful right now! http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,h5wx,alwy,1bct,ijo3 Wildflowers (BLM Facebook) The hills bordering the western edge of the San Joaquin Valley in Central California can be great places to view wildflowers. According to the Hollister Field Office botanist, this year has been one of the most productive years for wildflowers since 2010. Photos by Ryan O'Dell, BLM http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,fof9,d1wg,1bct,ijo3 RELATED: Wildflower Viewing Areas (BLM Website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,5s9d,bq20,1bct,ijo3 RENEWABLE ENERGY Public Input Drives Next Steps for Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (BLM News Release) The Bureau of Land Management , U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service , California Energy Commission and California Department of Fish and Wildlife today outlined next steps in moving forward with the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,m5lm,bkoe,1bct,ijo3 What is the Desert Renewable Energy Plan? (The Desert Sun, 3/3/2015) The Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan can seem complicated, but Sammy Roth and Richard Lui explain why this plan is so important to the desert. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,2kpj,on2,1bct,ijo3 Desert Renewable Energy Plan is Altered to Win Counties' Support (LA Times, 3/11/2015) The California desert may be a green energy developer's dream, but county officials have serious concerns about a plan to manage renewable energy projects on 22 million acres of the state's sunniest public and private lands. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,a1ht,dj8s,1bct,ijo3 Major Changes In Store for Desert Renewable Energy Plan (The Desert Sun, 5/10/2015) Officials are putting the brakes on parts of the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan, in response to serious objections from county governments that could undermine the unprecedented clean energy plan. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,9f0f,1kde,1bct,ijo3 Public Opposition Forces Retooling for California Desert Renewable Energy Plan (KPCC Radio, NPR affiliate, 3/11/2015) A barrage of criticism has forced federal and state officials to redirect the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan, a multiyear effort to balance big renewable energy projects with protections for California wildlands and their inhabitants. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,g4pq,iaa9,1bct,ijo3 Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (BLM Website)The Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Planis an innovative, landscape-level renewable energy and conservation planning effort covering more than 22 million acres in the California desert http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,7ww1,319p,1bct,ijo3 DISCOVER THE DESERT Fun in the Sun at the Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival (Newsbytes Extra) Wildflowers and giant sculptures were part of Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival held Saturday, March 7, in Palm Desert, CA. It was a great opportunity for communities to "Discover the Desert " through arts, sciences, tourism and recreation. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,dhyf,1p5a,1bct,ijo3 Discover the Desert with the Needles Field Office (Newsbytes Extra) The BLM Needles Field Office hosted the first Route 66 Public Land Cruise and Poker run on February 27, 2015. The event was held in conjunction with the City of Needles and Needles Chamber of Commerce's 7th annual Hot Boat and Custom Car Show, February 27th and 28th 2015. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,fnvb,d1yj,1bct,ijo3 Sand Guys, Hikes Featured at Wildflower Festival (The Desert Sun, 3/7/2015) Desert Wildflowers Festival The Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival held at the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto National Monument Visitor Center in Palm Desert on March 7, 2015 What began as talks and a bus tour has blossomed into an all-day affair with 18 exhibitors and 16 vendors - Friends of the Desert Mountains' "gift to the community that supports" it every first Saturday in March, Purcell said. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,b6ob,dklz,1bct,ijo3 Colorful Sunsets Over Granite Mountain Wilderness in California (BLM Tumblr) The 31,000 acre Granite Mountain Wilderness, a part of the BLM's National Conservation Lands, is located in the eastern Sierra. The area has a varied landscape of open alluvial basins, basaltic plateaus and granite ridges, and sagebrush steppe - with archaeological sites are scattered throughout. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,ekw8,2wb4,1bct,ijo3 Plank Road (Santa Clarita Valley Signal, 3/12/2015) One hundred years ago, construction began on a new road dubbed the Plank Road. It was built to cross the Imperial Sand Dunes and provided the first direct route for motorists traveling between San Diego and Arizona. The road became a reality due to a San Diego man by the name of Col. Ed Fletcher. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,gqp0,jqvk,1bct,ijo3 RELATED: Discover the Desert (BLM Website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,ehnu,aie3,1bct,ijo3 DISCOVER THE COAST Happy First Birthday Point Arena-Stornetta! (BLM Facebook) One year ago, President Obama designated Point Arena as the first onshore addition to the California Coastal National Monument. The 1,665-acre addition not only features incredible vistas, but is perfect for, hiking, bird watching, fishing, and kayaking. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,gy5f,dpx8,1bct,ijo3 The California Coastal National Monument (BLM Tumblr) A part of the BLM's National Conservation Lands - includes more than 20,000 rocks, islands, exposed reefs, and pinnacles along the 1,100 miles of California's coast. Originally established by presidential proclamation in 2000, the Monument was expanded on March 11, 2014, to include Point Arena-Stornetta, a habitat for endangered, rare, and endemic species as well as significant artifacts. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,j9he,kh5s,1bct,ijo3 Weekend Getaway-Hike California Coastal Trails (BLM Tumblr) Last weekend I hiked in the King Range and neighboring Sinkyone Wilderness State Park, located just south of the King Range National Conservation Area. Sinkyone Wilderness State Park affords fantastic views of the California Coastal National Monument. Several trails lead to area beaches where you can soak up the sun and watch the wave's crash. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,266p,7rnp,1bct,ijo3 Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area (BLM Facebook) This week we thought we'd visit one of the Bureau of Land Management's other Outstanding Natural Areas - there's only three in the National Conservation Lands. The Piedras Blancas Light Station ONA is on the central California coast. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,afrh,l7qf,1bct,ijo3 RELATED: Discover the Coast (BLM Website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,jksk,gqng,1bct,ijo3 CALIFORNIA HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS Say No to Trigger Trash - Responsible Shooters Set Sights On Cleaning Up Public Lands (Newsbytes Extra) Public Lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management are used for a variety of recreation activities, including target shooting. In Southern California, and in areas near large urbanized areas, there are a few popular destinations where recreation "plinking" and target practice is popular. One area in particular is known by many locals as Steele Peak. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,8lpa,4kni,1bct,ijo3 Desert Anglers Enjoying Improvements at Boulder Reservoir (Newsbytes Extra) Remote, rugged and dry, Northwest Nevada's high desert would probably not be the first location imagined in a discussion about trout fishing. But a group of fly fishers, mostly from Reno, knows that looks can be deceiving, and that Boulder Reservoir in northwest Washoe County is a great place to cast a fly. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,93uz,engs,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK What happens to Salmon after they spawn ? ------> See answer near the end of this issue of News.bytes. BLM and DEPARTMENT of the INTERIOR Highlights This Week at Interior (Video): March 6, 2015 (DOI Youtube) Interior is now closer to its goal of one million volunteers on public lands, thanks to a $5m donation from American Express; Secretary Jewell releases the 2015 fire season strategy to protect and restore sagebrush lands in the west; and bat researchers at USGS, the National Park Service, and the Fish and Wildlife Service are honored for their conservation efforts http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,hlqe,8pke,1bct,ijo3 UPCOMING EVENTS March 14 & 15: Halter-Gentled Mustangs, Burros Available for Adoption in Angels Camp http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,8z8k,81q4,1bct,ijo3 March 14 &15:BLM to host 'Discover the Desert' Interpretive Hikes in the Alabama Hills this March http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,gqp6,8egb,1bct,ijo3 March 18: Wildflower Walks Join BLM-CA every Wednesday morning during the month of March for a guided, one mile interpretive walk featuring wildflowers of the San Joaquin River Gorge. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,dgte,dgso,1bct,ijo3 March 18 & 21: Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area Public Meetings http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,i4mf,fpij,1bct,ijo3 March 21 - Fish Slough Clean-Up The BLM Bishop Field Office and Friends of the Inyo host clean-up at the Fish Slough Area of Critical Environmental Concern on March 21 to pick up trash and help restore the area.http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,fbb1,chfk,1bct,ijo3 March 31: BLM Advisory Council to Meet by Video Teleconference http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,lsik,sfr,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE TRIVIA ANSWER What happens to Salmon after they spawn ? Answer: Most salmon are anadromous fish, meaning they are born in freshwater (rivers or streams), travel to and live much of their lives in salt water and return to freshwater to spawn. After spawning, all Pacific salmon and up to 50% of other species die within a few weeks. The salmon that do not die can spawn two or three more times. There are a few species and subspecies of salmon, like the Danube salmon and the kokanee salmon, that spend their entire lives in fresh water and never migrate to the ocean. SOURCE:Basic Facts About Salmon (Defenders.org) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26jn8,3xn3,ie3d,22op,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,26jn8,3xn3,4h2h,jgx0,1bct,ijo3
