BLM California News.bytes Issue 686

Title: Untitled Document

BLM Folsom Lake Veterans Fire Crew

ISSUE 686 - AUGUST 6, 2015

 -Fire
- Youth
- Headlines and Highlights
- BLM and DOI Highlights
- Wildlife Question of the Week
- Upcoming Events

FIRE

BLM’s Fire Program

The BLM, a leader in our nation’s wildland fire management efforts, undertakes a broad range of activities to safely protect the public, the natural landscape, wildlife habitat and recreational areas for our country’s citizens. (Newsbytes Extra)

Saving Sagebrush to Protect Sage-Grouse

Now more than ever, protecting Greater Sage-Grouse habitat is of the utmost importance.  That is why it’s now the BLM’s number one natural resource priority. The loss of sagebrush steppe to wildfire and invasive weeds in the last 20-40 years is one of the primary threats to the Greater Sage-Grouse. The increased frequency and impact of rangeland fires necessitate an enhanced approach to address the situation. (Newsbytes Extra)

Folsom Veterans Crew

BLM Firefighters are aiding in the wildfire efforts across the state. Check the latest fire updates here: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/state/5/ or CAL FIRE Incident Information. (BLM Facebook)

Popular UC Davis-Run Wildlife Reserve Closed Due To Wragg Fire

The Sacramento Bee, 8/1/2015
The Wragg fire has forced the closure of Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve, a trail popular among local hikers for its nature-gazing opportunities and views of Lake Berryessa in close proximity to Davis and Sacramento. Smoke still smolders along the charred landscape at the spot run by the University of California, Davis, with fallen trees blocking many points along the 7 miles of trails. Read full story

Lower Lake Fire Jumps Containment Line; Grows to 65,000 Acres

Monterey Herald, 8/4/2015
As firefighters battled a massive Northern California wild land blaze threatening numerous homes, some of the 13,000 people urged to flee their residences were spending what may be just one of many nights in evacuation shelters. The blaze that has charred nearly 103 square miles of brush and timber, jumped a highway Monday that had served as a containment line. Its rapid growth caught firefighters off guard and shocked residents. Read full story

Rocky Fire: By The Numbers

Los Angeles Times, 8/5/2015
The Rocky fire started July 29 near Clearlake, Calif., in a rugged region north of Napa. As of Wednesday morning, the blaze had grown to 68,300 acres and was 20% contained. The cause of the massive blaze is under investigation, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection….Agencies involved: At least 19, including the South Lake Fire Protection District, Northshore Fire Protection District, California Highway Patrol, Bureau of Land Management and California Conservation Corps. Read full story

RELATED: Los Angeles Times Twitter Rocky Fire Spread

YOUTH

Hands on Lands

Students get their “Hands On The Lands” at the Clear Creek Greenway in Redding, CA. Chrysalis Charter School, Western Shasta Resource Conservation District,Point Reyes Bird Observatory and the BLM Redding Field Office participated an annual outdoor education event at the Clear Creek Greenway, near the Gold Dredge Trailhead. (BLM Facebook)

Bishop Field Office Leads Two-Week Service Learning Project

The Bishop Field Office hosted a group of 14 motivated students taking part in a two-week Service-Learning Project organized by the Bodie Hills Conservation Partnership (BHCP) this summer.  The group consisted of thirteen undergrads and graduate students and one high school student.  All of the college students were majoring in a natural resources field. (Newsbytes Extra)

HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS

BLM Bat Fly-Out Inventory

Out in Loraine, California, the BLM Bakersfield Field Office conducted a night outing at one of the local mines that has seen an increase in wildlife activity. The crew headed to  the Amalie Mine where bats have been lurking deep inside the mine shaft. The mine was excavated in the early 1890’s for gold and silver and mines that are this old are typically designated to be collapsed for public safety precautions. (Newsbytes Extra)

World Class Fly Fishing

For world class fly fishing at Wild & Scenic Trinity River in California for more visit Trinity River and Recreation

Pupfish Habitat Maintenance Project

Thanks to everyone who participated in the pupfish habitat maintenance project at Fish Slough. We had a great time replacing the hypalon liner around the dam to prevent wood rot and damage to the area. The dam separates pupfish from the bass that eat them. (BLM Facebook)

A Special Bear for Special Olympics

With 6,500 athletes and 2,000 coaches representing 165 countries, along with 30,000 volunteers and an anticipated 500,000 spectators, the 2015 Special Olympics World Games – being staged in Los Angeles July 25-August 2, 2015 – will be the largest sports and humanitarian event anywhere in the world in 2015, and the single biggest event in Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympic Games. (Newsbytes Extra)

Osborne Overlook at Imperial Sand Dunes

Did you know that the BLM Imperial Sand Dunes is a popular spot for filming on Public Lands? Movies that have been filmed at the Imperial Sand Dunes include Road to Zanzibar, Fight of the Phoenix, Return of the Jedi. For more infromation on the Imperial Sand Dunes film history visit Discover the Desert webpage. (BLM Facebook)

Printable Coloring and Activity Books

Celebrate ‪‎National Coloring Book Day‬ with these printable coloring and activity books highlighting fun and educational BLM and U.S. Department of the Interior opportunities. (BLM Facebook)

To download the printable activity books visit Junior Explorer Activity Books webpage.

New Bill Would Include Coast Dairies in California Coastal National Monument

Santa Cruz Sentinel, 8/5/2015
Coast Dairies, a spectacular swath with ocean views near Davenport, could become part of the 1,100-mile California Coastal National Monument. U.S. Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, both D-Calif., on Wednesday introduced a bill that would expand the national monument, a protected stretch running offshore along the state’s rugged coast, to include 6,200 acres of federally owned lands in Santa Cruz, Humboldt and San Luis Obispo counties. Read full story

Desert Lands Deserve Permanent Protection

Daily Press, 8/3/2015
After living and working in the California desert for 20 years, with its breathtaking vistas, iconic wildlife and priceless cultural artifacts, I know that it’s a one-ofa- kind place. Residents and visitors to the desert can enjoy the oases in Big Morongo Canyon that draws migrating birds, hike around the striking 250-foot volcanic cone of Amboy Crater or hunt for fossils and geodes. Read full story

RELATED: DRECP website

Piedras Blancas Re-Enactors to Mark Lighthouse Day in Costume

The Cambrian, 8/4/2015 
People who take the Piedras Blancas Light Station tour Saturday, Aug. 8, will get special “Peek at the Past” glimpses of period-costumed volunteers portraying life at the scenic site during the 1890s. The re-enactment tour is in honor of National Lighthouse Day, which marks the signing of the Lighthouse Act by President George Washington on Aug. 7, 1789. The U.S. Congress designated Aug. 7, 1989 as National Lighthouse Day in recognition of the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Lighthouse Act by Washington. Read full story

Spark From Tree Harvesting Cause of Dodge Fire

KRCR News, August 5, 2015
Investigators have determined the cause of the Dodge Fire in Lassen County. According to the Public Affairs Officer, Jeff Fontana, investigators said the fire was caused by a spark from a tree harvesting saw. The Dodge Fire has burned 10,700 acres of sagebrush, grass and juniper trees in a remote part of the county. Fontana explained the Bureau of Land Management determined that the spinning blade in a “feller-buncher” machine caused a spark which set fire to dry grass. Workers were unable to quell the flames with available tools and equipment. The fire spread quickly into tall sagebrush and junipers. Read full story

BLM AND DOI HIGHLIGHTS

This Week at Interior

July 31, 2015, Secretary Jewell on hand to help celebrate the construction of the first offshore U.S. wind farm; the first in a series of planned listening session on the federal coal program; new controls proposed on the domestic ivory trade; a new USGS study looks at the threats to coral reefs and the islands they protect; and Chicago, Detroit and Philadelphia join the “50 Cities” initiative to re-connect young people to the great outdoors. (DOI YouTube)

Hike Scenic, Rugged Peaks in BLM Arizona Wilderness With My Public Lands Roadtrip

At a height of over 2,800 feet, Courthouse Rock rises abruptly from the desert floor, near the northern boundary of the Eagletail Mountains Wilderness in La Paz County, Arizona. The wilderness includes 15 miles of the Eagletail Mountains ridgeline, with natural arches, high spires, numerous washes and more to explore. (BLM Tumblr)

Travel With My Public Lands Roadtrip to Lake Havasu

Lake Havasu offers visitors 87 boat-access only campsites along the Lake Havasu shoreline, a handful of day-use areas and campgrounds along the Colorado River south of Parker Dam. (BLM Tumblr)

WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What newt is known to have the most toxic posion on earth?

a) California Newt (Taricha torosa)
b) Palmate Newt (Lissotriton helveticus)
c) Rough-skinned Newt (Taricha granulosa)
d) Smooth Newt (Lissotriton vulgaris)

Keep reading for answer below

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 8: Painting in Nature is the Next Event in King Range Summer Outing Series: Artists who love the great outdoors will have the opportunity to capture the beauty of the King Range National Conservation Area in “Painting in Nature,” a plein air water color painting outing, Saturday, Aug. 8, from 3 to 7 p.m., at Black Sands Beach in Shelter Cove. Laci Coelho, a local artist, will lead the session. Coelho studied studio art and painting at the University of Montana. She participates in art shows, teaches art through Imagine Studios and has been a coordinator in the “Youth Alive!” mural project in Redway. (BLM News Release)

August 9: Nature Stories

Paul Woodland, Storyteller and Naturalist, will present the whit, whimsy and wonders of nature stories. All ages encouraged. The event will be held at the Headwaters Education Center, Elk River Trail, Headwaters Forest Reserve. For more information visit Headwaters Education Center Website.

August 11: Public Meeting Scheduled Following Release of Route 66 Management Plan The California Historic Route 66 Association (CHR66A) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) California Desert District today released the Route 66 Final Draft Corridor Management Plan (CMP) for the section of Historic Route 66 between Needles and Barstow. (BLM News Release)

August 15: Falk History Walk

The Headwaters Education Center will have a history walk and talk about the history of Falk, a historic lumber mill town. The event will be held at the Headwaters Education Center, Elk River Trail, Headwaters Forest Reserve. For more information visit Headwaters Education Center Website. 

August 15: Learn about Forest Dynamics

Phillip Van Mantgem, USGS Research Ecologist, will discuss forest dynamics with an emphasis on climate change impacts, fire ecology and the management of forested ecosystems. The event will be held at the Headwaters Education Center, Elk River Trail, Headwaters Forest Reserve. For more information visit Headwaters Education Center Website.

WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK ANSWER

What newt is known to have the most toxic posion on earth?

Answer is c) Rough Skinned Newt (Taricha Granulosa)

The Rough-skinned Newt as evolved a defense mechanism utilizing both poison and bright colors. When in danger the newt curls its head and tail back towards each other. What this does is warn predators that the newt is poisonous and should not be eaten. During this time the newt also begins excreting toxins onto the surface of its own skin. The poison within the newt is known as a tetrodotoxin or TTX, this is a neurotoxin that will cause death in most animals, and including humans.

SOURCE: BioWeb Rough-skinned Newts

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