Stevens Trail
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Fire Safety and Restoration
- Wild horse and Burro
- Youth
- Off- Highway Vehicle Recreation
- Headlines and Highlights
- BLM and DOI Highlights
- Wildlife Question of the Week
- Upcoming Events
|
|
|
|
FIRE SAFETY AND FIRE RESTORATION |
 |
Visitors would have been greeted by slopes covered with blackened brush late last summer over thousands of acres managed by the Ukiah Field Office. This spring, those slopes have
been covered with green grasses and wildflowers. “Fire is a part of this ecosystem. We are seeing the natural recovery process at work,” said Molly Nilsson, environmental protection specialist in the field office.(News.Bytes Story)
|
 |
The Sacramento Bee, May 14, 2016
The 638-acre Stebbins Reserve, part of the University of California Natural Reserve System and operated by UC Davis, is a jackpot for both wildlife researchers and hikers in search of soaring Lake Berryessa views. When the Wragg Fire tore through Stebbins and 7,500
acres of surrounding terrain in July, the reserve’s staff closed the
area to the public to assess the damage and rebuild. Read full story
|
|
Learn more about new Executive Order, “Mitigating the Risk of Wildfires in the Wildland-Urban
Interface. (The White House)
|
 |
Great reminder from our friends at CAL FIRE – #OneLessSpark means one less wildfire. (CAL Fire Facebook)
|
|
WILD HORSE AND BURRO |
 |
What do Santa Rosa, Sacramento and Valley Center have in common? On June 11 and 12 wild horses and burros will be available
for adoption in these towns! For more information about the adoptions visit Wild Horse and Adoption Schedule (BLM Website)
|
 |
Coming up this Saturday, May 21 in Temecula, California — a wild horse and burro adoption! See the full list of
upcoming adoption opportunities in California here: Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Schedule (BLM Website)
|
Thirty wild horses, two of them halter gentled and 10 burros will be offered for adoption Saturday and Sunday, June 11 and 12, at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds Chris Beck Arena,
1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa. (BLM News Release)
Related Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Schedule (BLM Website)
|
 |
Visalia Times Delta, May 17, 2016
The head of the U.S. Bureau of Land Managementsaid it’s time to admit his agency has a $1 billion problem. Agency Director Neil Kornze announced this week that the BLM can’t afford to wage an increasingly uphill battle to protect the ecological health of federal rangeland
across the West while at the same time properly managing tens of thousands of wild horses and burros in 10 western states, along with caring for tens of thousands more already rounded up in government corrals. Read full story
Related: Wild Horse and Burros on Public Rangelands Now 2.5 times Greater then 1971 when protection Law Was Passed
|
|
YOUTH |
 |
“I was impressed at how much knowledge these kids already had of our Public Land System, but now they have the
opportunity to go out and truly experience those lands.” Laura Brodhead, BLM Forest Ecologist. Laura and special guest, Seymour Antelope, made an appearance at Happy Valley Primary School just outside of Redding, California today. (BLM California Facebook)
|
The month of April was filled with outdoor fun for fourth and fifth-grade students in Lassen County. Each elementary school was invited to participate in two educational events
centered around outdoor adventure and recreation on their public lands. Both events, coordinated by the Lassen County Environmental Education Collaborative (LCEEC), occurred over the course of two weeks: Fun and Discovery in Lassen National Forest, April 12 – 14, and Day in the Desert, April
19 – 21. (BLM News Release)
|
 |
On May 14, families being assisted by Jack’s Helping Hand descended on the Piedras Blancas Light Station for a fun-filled nature day. BLM staff and volunteers,
along with partners like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and California State Parks, teamed up to give the families a wonderful day to observe and learn about the nature of our beautiful Central Coast. (News.Bytes Story)
Related: Piedras Blancas Light Station (BLM Website)
|
|
OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE RECREATION |
 |
The El Trial de España motorcycle trials were held last month 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.Motorcycle trials are a specialized test of technical skill which involves navigating through a small obstacle course such as boulders, logs, or other natural features. Trials bikes are
lightweight, have a wide back tire, and lots of suspension in order to maneuver. (BLM California
Facebook)
|
 |
Enjoy views from Osborne Overlook at Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, California. Photos by N. Yearsley, BLM (BLM California
Facebook)
|
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Barstow Field Office, has scheduled three tour rides of the Rasor Road Off-Highway Vehicle Area OHV area to
identify locations used for riding, camping, as well as to assess use habits and general conditions of the area. The California Desert Conservation Area Plan of 1980 mandated a recreation plan to address the intensive OHV activity of the Rasor Off-Highway Vehicle
Area. (BLM News Release)
|
|
HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS |
 |
Stevens Trail
Great weekend weather for a hike! The Stevens Trail is a popular year-round hiking trail in the lower elevations of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Historically, the
trail connected the town of Iowa Hill with the city of Colfax, both in Placer County, California. The current trail extends 4.5 miles along the northwestern slope of the North Fork of the American River Canyon. It begins at the trailhead in Colfax and ends at the confluence of Secret Ravine and the
North Fork of the American River. Did you know, the Stevens Trail is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (BLM California Facebook)
|
 |
Last month, Shelley Ellis, retired BLM Wildlife Biologist passed away. Shelley served as Biologist for
the BLM Ridgecrest Field Office for 10 years working tirelessly to educate the public about sensitive resources on our local public lands through field trips and presentations. She assisted in everything from grazing projects to ensuring the Sand Canyon Environmental Education Program was
active and on-course. (News.Bytes Story)
|
 |
Mojave Trails National Monument Recreation Opportunities
The Mojave Trails National Monument is a stunning mosaic of rugged mountain ranges, ancient lava flows, and spectacular sand dunes. Protection of this area will preserve its
natural, cultural and historic legacy while preserving traditional uses of the area.The Presidential proclamation that designated the Monument provides latitude for
existing uses and activities and does not limit or prohibit rock hunting. Rockhounders are welcome to continue collecting limited amounts of rocks, minerals, and gemstones in the Monument in accordance with the Bureau of Land Management's rock collecting
guidelines. (BLM website)
Related: A llost gem? New Mojave Trails monument rules appear to bar rock hunting (LA Times)
|
 |
The San Bernardino Sun, May 13, 2016
Stand among Joshua trees and creosote bushes in the California desert and you will be connected to thousands of years of Native American history.
You’ll experience what inspired local tribes to chronicle the desert’s special qualities in song and art, from its marvelous flora and fauna to its rich cultural history. Read full story
|
 |
News Mirror, May 13, 2016
Cheers, tears and smiles were plentiful as several hundred people attended the long anticipated National Desert Monuments designation celebration on Thursday, May
5, at the Whitewater Preserve. Read full story
|
 |
The Arcata Field Office and Redding Field Office are in the initial stages of developing a new Resource
Management Plan that will guide future management of public lands for both Field Offices. The Northwest California Integrated Resource Management Plan (NCIP) covers approximately 400,000 acres across eight northern California counties. The planning process includes new opportunities for public
involvement that are part of the BLM’s Planning 2.0 initiative. (News.Bytes Story)
|
 |
The San Bernardino Sun, May 18,2016
Reports that “officials from small towns in New Mexico and Illinois on Wednesday shared their experiences on the economic development potential of Route 66 at the High
Desert’s first Route 66 Tourism & Economic Development Symposium.” Wednesday’s event is a “critical component of our ongoing partnerships as we work together to protect and preserve historic Route 66,” according to
Jerome Perez, California director of the BLM. (Read full story)
|
The next field trip and meeting of the Bureau of Land Management’s California Desert Advisory Council will be held May 20-21, 2016 in Barstow, California. The public is
invited to participate in the Friday field tour but must provide their transportation and meals. (BLM
News Release)
|
The Bureau of Land Management is taking public comments until June 13 on a draft plan that covers dog use on the Fort Ord National Monument. Interim dog leash requirements
went into effect last year to keep visitors and their pets outside areas where the Army is performing munitions cleanup. These interim requirements are also designed to protect the sheep that graze in the area from dog attacks and reduce conflicts between off-leash dogs and the growing number of
visitors. (BLM News Release)
|
|
BLM AND DOI HIGHLIGHTS |
|
This week: preserving one of the nation’s most iconic LGBT sites; honoring public service, and officers
who’ve fallen in the line of duty; powering ahead with a proposed transmission line in Wyoming and Utah; mapping the planet Mercury; introducing the winners of the Ivory Crush Design Challenge; naming the American Bison the national mammal; turning Hoover Dam turquoise in the name of
women’s lung health. (DOI YouTube)
|
 |
Grand Junction Field Office, Bureau of Land Management – Colorado Ranger, Frank Stepleton is recognized for
his efforts in building multi-agency working relationships, as well as enhancing the protection of public lands and visitor safety through proactive enforcement. “Frank is a valuable member of our organization, and this recognition is a testament to his dedication and service,” said Ruth
Welch, State Director for BLM Colorado. (BLM California
Facebook)
|
 |
With the 2016 wildfire season already underway, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today led a discussion with
federal family firefighting agencies at the White House regarding the increasing danger to communities in wildland-urban interface (WUI) areas as fire seasons become hotter, drier and longer. Jewell also highlighted the need for greater collaborative action to enhance community resilience against
these risks and strengthen federal firefighter safety and preparedness. (DOI News
Release)
|
 |
A #WildlifeWin can come in any shape or size. It could be pulling an entire species back from the brink of extinction.
It can be a partnership that helps stabilize a species’ population — allowing it to grow. It can be the removal of a species from federal protection under the Endangered Species Act because it is recovered. Or it can be when a bear dribbles a ball in for a winning layup as time expires at the Forest Basketball finals (wait, scratch that last one). (DOI News
Release)
|
|
|
|
WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK |
 |
What is a butterfly instar?
a) A small star-shaped area on an insect’s head.
b) The location on a butterfly host plant where eggs are deposited.
c) The developmental stages of a butterfly.
d) A mark made on well used plants to recognize the most attractive and entertaining butterflies.
Keep reading for answer
below |
|
|
|
|
|
UPCOMING EVENTS |
|
May 21: Trinidad Seabird Citizen Science
Project
Contribute to North Coast seabird conservation while learning about their biology. Humboldt State University professor Dan Barton and graduate student Shannon Murphy will help involve you in seabird
monitoring in the California Coastal National Monument this summer at the Trinidad Coastal Land Trust Office (Behind the Trinidad Library) on May 19 at 5:30 pm OR May 21 at 1:00 p.m. Visitwww.northcoastseabirds.org for more information or contact HSU at 826-3584 or Ben Morehead at 677-2501, north.coast.seabirds@xxxxxxxxx.
|
May 20-21: Desert District Advisory Council
The next field trip and meeting of the BLM’s California Desert Advisory Council (DAC) will be held May 20-21 in Barstow. The council will participate in a field tour of BLM-managed public lands
on Friday, May 20 at 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and will meet in formal session on
Saturday, May 21 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Final agendas for the Friday field trip, the Saturday business meeting and the Saturday business meeting
location will be posted on the BLM California state website. The public is invited to participate in the Friday field tour but must provide their own transportation and meals. (BLM website)
|
 |
May 21: La Quinta Nature Walks –“Explore Our National Monument: Celebrating 15 Years
|
 |
June 3: Free Nighttime Photography Workshop -
June 3
A free workshop entitled, "Nighttime Photography: Tips and Tricks," will be presented Friday, June 3 at
7:00 p.m., in the King Range National Conservation Area. Participants will meet at the King Range Project Office, 768 Shelter Cove Rd., in Whitethorn to carpool to the workshop site. Participants will return to the office by 12:30 a.m. All are welcome; however, the focus will be for intermediate photographers with a digital single lens reflex (SLR) camera. Pre-registration is not required. Participants should also bring a headlamp or flashlight,
warm clothing, and water. (BLM News Release)
|
|
WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK ANSWER |
|
What is a butterfly instar?
Answer: c) The developmental stages of a butterfly.
A stage in the life of an arthropod (as an insect) between two successive molts; also : an individual in a specified instar
RELATED: Definition of Instar in the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
More information about the Painted Lady butterfly in North America and Central California (UC Davis Butterfly Site)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bureau of Land Management
California State Office
2800 Cottage Way, Suite W1623
Sacramento, Ca 95825
(916) 978-4600
|
|
