BLM California News.Bytes Issue 723

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ISSUE 723 - MAY 6, 2016	Facebook Twitter Flickr YouTube tumblr Instagram

- Celebrating New Desert Monuments 
- Youth 
- Your Public Lands
- Headlines and Highlights
- BLM and DOI Highlights
- Wildlife Question of the Week
- Upcoming Events


CELEBRATING NEW DESERT MONUMENTS 
	
Secretary Jewell Joins Communities in Southern California to Celebrate Monument Designation

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell joined hundreds of community members and local leaders to celebrate the Mojave Trails, Sand to Snow and Castle Mountains National Monuments, which were designated by President Obama earlier this year. Located in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, about one hour from the Los Angeles metropolitan area, and one hour from the Las Vegas metropolitan area, the three desert monuments protect nearly 2 million acres of spectacular landscapes, fragile wildlife habitat, unique historic resources, and important cultural sites. (Department of Interior News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2je1t,3xn3,7jz1,ighu,1bct,ijo3

Related: Celebrating New Desert Monuments (BLM California Flickr) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2je1t,3xn3,e0s5,crbq,1bct,ijo3

	
New Mojave Trails National Monument Vintage Poster

Spanning 1.6 million acres, the Mojave Trails National Monument includes rugged mountain ranges, ancient lava flows and fossil beds, and spectacular sand dunes. Rare plants and many native animal species call this unique landscape home. The monument, a part of the BLM’s National Conservation Lands, also includes the longest-remaining undeveloped stretch of the iconic Route 66. (My Public Lands Tumblr) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2je1t,3xn3,hnui,5h7c,1bct,ijo3

Related: Secretary Jewell and BLM California State Director Jerry Perez reveal new vintage poster (Video: BLM California Twitter) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2je1t,3xn3,eu4z,m8z7,1bct,ijo3
	
Crowd celebrates desert national monuments

KESQ and CBS Local 2, May 5, 2016
Much like his flute, Brian Woodyard said he’s been in tune with Mother Nature for all his life. “It’s inspiration,” Woodyard said. “Everything in nature is an inspiration. There is nothing that cleanses the soul like being in a forest and feeling a light rain drop, or a dew falling off the canopy of the trees. There’s nothing more peaceful than that.” Thursday, hundreds came to usher in about 2 million acres of protected land in California. Read full story http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2je1t,3xn3,1kzo,aboq,1bct,ijo3
	
Whitewater: Three new California national monuments celebrated

The Press Enterprise, April 5 2016
“We are in the forever business,” U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell said Thursday morning to the audience at the celebration of the three new California desert national monuments. Read full story http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2je1t,3xn3,co9e,k0tn,1bct,ijo3

	
Formal celebration held for new California monuments

Route 66 News, May 5, 2016
The recent designation of three national monuments in California — including the Mojave Trails National Monument that includes Route 66 — was formally celebrated Thursday by conservationists and the Secretary of the Interior. Read full story http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2je1t,3xn3,f2qx,3hnc,1bct,ijo3

	
California desert residents join Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, elected officials and community leaders to dedicate new national monuments

The Wilderness Society is pleased to join California desert residents, local elected officials, tribal representatives and community leaders dedicating the newly designated Mojave Trails, Sand to Snow and Castle Mountains National Monuments. United States Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell; California Secretary for Natural Resources John Laird; Congressman Raul Ruiz (CA-36); Jody Noiron, Forest Supervisor, San Bernardino National Forest, U.S. Forest Service; and San Bernardino County Supervisor James Ramos will be among the honored guests during festivities at The Whitewater Preserve near Palm Springs, California. (The Wilderness Society Press Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2je1t,3xn3,ft5f,jfxb,1bct,ijo3
	

Sally Jewell, conservationists celebrate new monuments

The Desert Sun, May 6, 2016
For nearly two million acres of newly protected lands, “forever” starts now. California desert-lovers gathered at the Whitewater Preserve on Thursday to celebrate three new national monuments: Sand to Snow, Mojave Trails and Castle Mountains. President Barack Obama designated the monuments earlier this year, after Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s third attempt to protect the lands through legislation stalled in Congress. Read full story http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2je1t,3xn3,k1kr,920j,1bct,ijo3
YOUTH
	

Galt students participate in unique water learning program

Lodi News-Sentinel, May 2, 2016
Hundreds of Galt sixth-graders took the water last week to participate in Wilderness Inquiry’s Canoemobile program which delivers place-based education on rivers and waterways nationwide with a crew of outdoor educators in a fleet of 24-foot Voyageur canoes. Over four days, they participated in a series of land- and water-based activities in the Cosumnes River Preserve overseen by John Durand, the district’s service learning coordinator. Read full story http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2je1t,3xn3,i48o,4fz9,1bct,ijo3

Related: Canoemobile 2016 (BLM California Flickr) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2je1t,3xn3,2nog,lpj,1bct,ijo3

Sunburned and Flower Saturated

Chicago Botanical Gardens Intern, Kaleb Goff is working in the Arcata Field Office this spring. An avid user of iNaturalist , he documents all he sees. “Insatiably in awe of everything”, is the best way to describe him. His enthusiasm is contagious. (News.Bytes story) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2je1t,3xn3,kt11,i2ys,1bct,ijo3
	

Every Kid in the Park Goes to Trinidad Lighthouse

Laurel Tree Charter School 4th graders took a hike around Trinidad Head with Park Ranger, Julie Clark. On the hike students viewed Flatiron Rock and thousands of Common Murres. Common Murre’s are seabirds that spend most of their life at sea and only come close to shore when it is time to breed on the off shore rocks of the California Coastal National Monument. (News.Bytes story) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2je1t,3xn3,i1jd,hq14,1bct,ijo3

‘Stump the Scientist’ Open House Held

The BLM Central Coast Field Office and the California Coastal National Monument held a “Stump the Scientist” open house at the Pacific Grove Natural History Museum on April 30. The open house allowed the public to bring in plants, rocks, or other objects to have them identified or get more information from BLM specialists. The museum a partner organization with the BLM’s Central Coast Field Office and the California Coastal National Monument. (News.Bytes story) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2je1t,3xn3,35ew,cnj8,1bct,ijo3
	
Alabama Hills Day Celebrated

The Alabama Hills Stewardship Group and the BLM Bishop Field Office co-hosted the Alabama Hills Day events on April 9 and 10, bringing many visitors to the area despite rainy weather in Bishop. The fifth annual Alabama Hills Day began with a flag ceremony by Boy Scout Troop 82 at the Eastern Sierra InterAgency Visitor Center. (News.Bytes story) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2je1t,3xn3,a0u3,k116,1bct,ijo3

YOUR PUBLIC LANDS
	
Happy ‪Star Wars Day‬ - ‎May The 4th Be With You ‪


For years, Star Wars enthusiasts have ventured to the BLM’s Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area to visit the filming location of the opening scenes of Return of the Jedi. The Imperial Sand Dunes are the largest dune mass in California. Formed by windblown sands of ancient Lake Cahuilla, the dunes create an out-of-this-world landscape ideal for Hollywood film backdrops and are known as an off-roading mecca. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2je1t,3xn3,6bb9,500,1bct,ijo3
	
Happy ‪National Bike Month‬ from Paradise Royale Trail System!


The system currently includes 23 miles of trails with varying levels of difficulty. Highlights include; diverse scenic vistas, backcountry settings, and developed bike park features. Visitors will marvel at the backcountry riding experiences that have been skillfully melded with modernized trail construction techniques, resulting in a truly unique ride experience. The Paradise Royale Trail System is an amazing way to experience the Lost Coast of Northern California. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2je1t,3xn3,houd,7ksf,1bct,ijo3
	
Motorcycle Trials at Keysville

The El Trial de España motorcycle trials were held last April 16th-17th at the Keysville Special Recreation Management Area. Although the event has been running for 46 years, this year was the first time it has been held in Keysville. (News.Bytes story) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2je1t,3xn3,ym1,ir3m,1bct,ijo3
	

Tire Amnesty Gathers Thousands of Tires

Nearly 7,000 waste tires were collected at the 2016 Annual Waste Management Tire Amnesty Event in Nevada County.  This brings the total of the last three annual amnesty events to 18,800 tires collected. The Nevada County Environmental Health Department, Nevada County Public Works, Waste Management and BLM staff from the Mother Lode Field Office, California State Office and Washington Office participated in and coordinated this annual event. Dumping of tires and other waste is an ongoing problem. The event provides a way to help keep tires from being dumped on public lands and properly dispose of them. (News.Bytes story) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2je1t,3xn3,bqrh,9r8w,1bct,ijo3
	

Interagency Cooperation to Remove a Known Hazard

After the BLM Mother Lode Field Office because aware of a hazard for recreationalists, specifically kayakers in the Merced River Recreation Area they worked quickly to address the issue. “We posted a warning in about 10 locations on the ground about the hazardous log blocking the river and reached out to Yosemite National Park for assistance (the hazard was 1 mile from the park headquarters), said David Greenwood, Outdoor Recreation Planner and River Ranger. (News.Bytes story) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2je1t,3xn3,at1p,ccpo,1bct,ijo3

	
Public Access Improvement at Case Mountain

The BLM Bakersfield Office recently improved public access to the Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area by creating a new parking lot at the popular Skyline Drive Trailhead. Parking was previously extremely limited along a residential road allowing for only a handful of vehicles. The new parking lot opens the area up meet the demand for access to this prime recreation area. Work was completed in house with the help of Bakersfield’s fire program. (News.Bytes story) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2je1t,3xn3,a3ad,51rp,1bct,ijo3

HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS
	

Historic Drought Helps Predict How Climate Change Might Affect an Endangered Species

The BLM, the University of California at Santa Cruz, and The Nature Conservancy announce the release of a new study documenting the negative effects of the 2012-2014 drought, the most severe multi-year drought in southwestern North America in the past 1200 years, on an endangered lizard in the San Joaquin Desert of California. The results provide a unique glimpse into the potential effects of future droughts expected in California as a result of climate change, and provide guidance on how to buffer these negative effects to avoid species extinction. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2je1t,3xn3,euvj,4du8,1bct,ijo3

Related: Drought helps predict how climate change might affect an endangered species (University of California Santa Cruz) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2je1t,3xn3,55qo,asez,1bct,ijo3

Related: Blunt-nosed Leopard Lizard (BLM California Flickr) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2je1t,3xn3,g8si,lzvb,1bct,ijo3
	
Honoring Theodore A. "Ted" Klaseen 

Ted Klaseen was a long time employee of the BLM's Redding Field Office and a veteran of the US ARMY. Ted worked as a soil scientist for much of his career and retired in 1985. Ted had a significant role in the community throughout his career and after. He was one of the founding leaders of Shasta County's Habitat for Humanity and active in the Shasta County Citizens Against Racism (Shasta County Citizens Advocating Respect). Ted also was said to be, "Instrumental in the planning of the Redding trails system. He was one of the original trailblazers of the West Side Trail and a founding member of our Trails and Bikeways Council." (Record Searchlight Obituary) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2je1t,3xn3,fhqs,84e2,1bct,ijo3
	
Tree deaths rise steeply in Sierra; drought and insects to blame

Trees in California are dying at the highest rate in at least 15 years, raising the risk of faster-moving and more-intense forest fires, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Aerial surveys conducted by the service last year estimated a tenfold jump in tree mortality since 2014. According to results released last month, an estimated 27.6 million dead trees were found in the forest landscape last year. In 2014, an estimated 3.3 million dead trees were identified. The statewide aerial surveys date back to 2001. Read full story http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2je1t,3xn3,5t2d,hkfg,1bct,ijo3

	
Cal Fire blames PG&E for Butte Fire, will seek $90 million

The Sacramento Bee, April 28, 2016
A Cal Fire investigation has found Pacific Gas and Electric Co. responsible for the 2015 Butte Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in state history. The investigation determined that the fire was sparked by a PG&E power line that came into contact with a tree, resulting in a wildfire that spread to more than 70,000 acres in Amador and Calaveras counties, killed two people and burned more than 900 structures. The Butte Fire was the seventh-largest in state history. Poor tree maintenance by PG&E and its contractors led to a tree falling on a power line and starting the fire near Jackson, according to the 30-page Cal Fire investigative report. Read full story http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2je1t,3xn3,6dbg,3ppo,1bct,ijo3

BLM AND DOI HIGHLIGHTS
	

21st Century Conservation Service Corps Set to Receive More Than $3 Million to Put Young People to Work on Public Lands

As the summer outdoor recreation season is about to kick off,  U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Executive Director and CEO Jeff Trandahl today partnered to announce  that the  21st Century Conservation Service Corps is set to receive $3.16 million in grants to support conservation employment and mentoring opportunities for youth at 60 projects on public lands nationwide this summer. (Department of Interior News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2je1t,3xn3,52c7,3b3u,1bct,ijo3


Video: This Week at Interior May 6, 2016

The Blackfeet Nation joins the Land Buy-Back Program; millions of dollars in grants for the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps; celebrating three new national monuments in California; new names are added to the Indian Country Law Enforcement Memorial; an active wildfire season ahead for parts of the United States; and the East Coast’s longest river gets a boost in fish population. (Department of Interior YouTube) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2je1t,3xn3,16cp,audi,1bct,ijo3

WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK

In what year was the  Chukar Partridge introduced into California?
 
a) 1991
b) 2016
c) 1932
d) 1901

Keep reading for answer below

UPCOMING EVENTS

May 12: BLM Takes Comments on Proposed Vegetation Management Program

BLM Redding Field Office is requesting public comments regarding a proposed weed and vegetation management program. Comments on the environmental assessment will be accepted through May 12. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2je1t,3xn3,1110,3hhc,1bct,ijo3

May 17: Public Invited to Free Lecture on Marine Research

North coast residents and visitors are invited to learn about ongoing marine research in a lecture titled, "Changing Conditions in our Coastal Waters." Brian Tissot will be presenting Tuesday, May 17, at 7 p.m., at the Redwood Playhouse, 286 Sprowel Creek Rd., in Garberville. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2je1t,3xn3,fakj,c4b2,1bct,ijo3

May 18: Historic Route 66 Association to Host Economic Summit

The BLM California Desert District, in partnership with the California Historic Route 66 Association, will sponsor a Route 66 Economic Development Symposium on May 18, 2016 in Barstow. Experts from the tourism industry also will provide insight on how California communities can develop dynamic tourism portfolios to attract national and international visitors. Discussions also will recommend strategies how to promote Route 66 attractions, including museums, historic buildings and other community attractions to enhance economic tourism development opportunities. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2je1t,3xn3,lfkv,qu1,1bct,ijo3

WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK ANSWER

In what year was the  Chukar Partridge introduced into California?
c) 1932

The Chukar Partridge was introduced into California in 1932, this exotic game bird has rapidly filled an open niche within the desert ecology of southeastern California. It has continued to extend its range and increase its numbers over the years with apparently no conflict with other wildlife species.  This species inhabits the ruggedest mountain ranges, utilizing grasses and seeds where no other game bird exists. Its ability to range long distances from water sources is a very desirable characteristic where free water is a scarce commodity. Source: BLM website


News.Bytes is a publication of the Bureau of Land Management California.

Bureau of Land Management
California State Office
2800 Cottage Way, Suite W1623
Sacramento, Ca 95825
(916) 978-4600
www.blm.gov/ca/




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