Chemise Mountain News.bytes, Bureau of Land Management California ISSUE 739 - August 25, 2015 Facebook Twitter Flickr YouTube tumblr Instagram - Find Your Park - Wildfire and Tree Mortality - Youth - Headlines and Highlights - BLM and DOI Highlights - Wildlife Question of the Week - Upcoming Events FIND YOUR PARK Welcome to #mypubliclandsroadtrip 2016, Week 11 Search for Solitude Last week, #mypubliclandsroadtrip featured a few of our favorite family-friendly places on America’s public lands. From August 23-28, #mypubliclandsroadtrip visits some of the most remote and scenic public lands managed by the BLM. (My Public Lands Tumblr)http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,afg5,b1nd,1bct,ijo3 Related: From our family to yours - mom and BLMer Rachel Sowards Thompson shares one of her family favorites! (My Public Lands Tumblr) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,l6ig,96k2,1bct,ijo3 Related: New story books that recap roadtrip stops (Steller) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,jxfp,44c,1bct,ijo3 Related: Extreme Public Lands (Esri storymap journal) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,8gt5,efy0,1bct,ijo3 Turning 100: Major Milestones in the National Park Service For a century, the National Park Service has protected our nation’s treasures. Every day, it works to ensure that current and future generations can enjoy national parks — places that belong to all Americans. As we celebrate the National Park Service’s 100th birthday, check out the top moments in the National Park Service’s history. (Department of Interior News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,covm,1tyu,1bct,ijo3 Related: Secretary Jewell, Deputy Secretary Connor to Embark on Nationwide Tour to Commemorate 100th Anniversary of National Park Service (Department of Interior News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,5hi0,oxn,1bct,ijo3 Related: Find Your Park Twitter Chat (Twitter) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,2d1o,1925,1bct,ijo3 Secretary Jewell Applauds President’s Designation of the First National Monument to Preserve Landscape, History & Culture of Maine’s North Woods On the eve of the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis applauded President Obama’s designation of the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, the first national monument to preserve the landscape and honor the history and culture of Maine’s North Woods. The President’s use of the Antiquities Act to make this designation permanently protects 87,500 acres of lands donated to the National Park Service earlier this week by the Elliottsville Plantation, Inc., including the East Branch of the Penobscot River and its tributaries, one of the most pristine watersheds in the Northeast. (Department of Interior News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,ej8d,hkw7,1bct,ijo3 WILDFIRE AND TREE MORTALITY BLM Fuel Break Helps Save Homes in Cameron Park A review of fire behavior concluded the Bureau of Land Management’s fuels management program helped firefighters contain a fire that threatened homes in Cameron Park. The BLM Mother Lode Field Office attributes the small size of the August 15 #ParkFire off of Meder Road to the quick response of CAL FIRE and a fuels management program that established a 100- foot- wide fuelbreak two years ago. Read more: BLM News Release on.doi.gov/2bnw7p8 Related: Tree Mortality and Dynamic Forests (BLM California Flickr) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,euft,655e,1bct,ijo3 CAL FIRE announces fire prevention & tree mortality grants CAL FIRE announced it will be awarding nearly $16 million for fire prevention grants to local fire departments and fire safe councils to reduce the threat of large wildfires. The 2016-2017 State Responsibility Area Fire Prevention Fund and tree mortality grants are aimed at reducing the threat wildfires as well as dead and dying trees in and around communities within the State Responsibility Area. (CAL FIRE News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,uml,5out,1bct,ijo3 Related: Fuel Reduction Projects (CAL FIRE Flickr) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,i987,4lmb,1bct,ijo3 California wildfires: Experts weigh wildlife impact Fox News, August 19, 2016 As authorities in California battle devastating wildfires across the state, experts are weighing the infernos’ effects on wildlife. The weeks-long Soberanes Fire near Big Sur, for example, has been burning through areas of sagebrush, an important animal habitat. Read full story http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,glu5,9h19,1bct,ijo3 YOUTH 2 Boy Scouts Get Their Eagles on Fort Ord National Monument during Summer 2016 On June 25-26 and August 13-14, 2016, two Boy Scout Eagle Scout Projects were completed at the Creekside Parking Lot on Fort Ord National Monument. The June project was led by Eagle Candidate Spencer Chaney and the August project was led by Eagle Candidate Conner Seuss. Both projects involved planting hundreds of native plants grown from seed harvested on Fort Ord National Monument and grown with BLM Native Plant Materials funding at the CSU-Monterey Bay Return of the Natives Program’s greenhouse facilities. A total of 287 volunteer hours were logged over the two weekends including 38 youth volunteers donating 236 hours. (BLM Tumblr) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,lpud,2bv4,1bct,ijo3 http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,emh9,99pk,1bct,ijo3 Cosumnes River Preserve Summer Day Camp Youth from Galt schools spent part of their summer learning, exploring, hiking, canoeing, and working on the Cosumnes River Preserve! During the week long summer camps, fourth through sixth grade youth explored oak forests and woodlands and discovered areas of the Preserve not open to the general public. The day campers learned important wilderness safety and survival skills. Each day youth practiced Leave No Trace principles for future use when camping, fishing, hiking, or visiting local parks. News.Bytes Story http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,6h45,lgnz,1bct,ijo3 Everything Humboldt takes over the Fair’ KIEM TV (NBC), August 23, 2016 It wasn’t your typical day at the Humboldt County Fair. Dozens gravitated towards the grandstands for Everything Humboldt Day. Herbs and vegetables, Rover’s Choice dog bones, dog clothing, jewelry and clothing made by moms, modern botanicals, and music. Read full story http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,etbq,38sf,1bct,ijo3 Related: Welcome to Redwood EdVentures! (Redwood EdVentures website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,8sra,9wag,1bct,ijo3 The Tulare Lake Native American Cultural Festival On Thursday, August 18, in celebration of the full moon, the Bureau of Land Management came together with the Tachi-Yokut Tribe and the Tulare Basin Wildlife Partners to host an evening around the campfire at the Ton Tache Wetlands, Atwell Island Project. News.bytes Story http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,d8f8,6jnh,1bct,ijo3 HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS Wild Horses, Burros Find New Homes in Grass Valley A dozen wild horses and eight burros found homes with families in the Sierra Nevada foothills, and six mustangs went home with volunteers who will gentle and train them, when the BLM brought its Wild Horse and Burro Program to the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley over the weekend of Aug. 20. There was a good turnout of interested adopters at the preview for the event, and plenty of enthusiasm for the good looks and calm nature of the animals offered. News.Bytes Story http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,jdmr,3ls,1bct,ijo3 Related: Bureau of Land Management auctioning animals (ABC10) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,11tr,h5z2,1bct,ijo3 Consider the vole, endangered and adorable High Country News, August 18, 2016 For Amargosa voles, existence has always been tenuous. They were first discovered in Shoshone, California, and formally described as a species in 1900. But before it was even of legal age, the vole was deemed extinct in 1917. Twenty years later, they were rediscovered a few miles south, near Tecopa, on about 75 acres of marshland habitat. Unfortunately, those 75 acres are divided into about 55 individual patches that connect only marginally. In 1980, habitat degradation and the animal’s small population led to its listing as an endangered species by the state of California. Four years later, the federal government also declared the Amargosa vole an endangered species. Read full story http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,7zed,5ev2,1bct,ijo3 Related: Join The Re-vole-ution (The Desert Report) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,fryy,fraf,1bct,ijo3 Related: Research Update on Saving the Amargosa Vole (UC Davis) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,1uw5,l2do,1bct,ijo3 San Bernardino County rejects a controversial solar power plant proposed for the Mojave Desert Los Angeles Times, August 25, 2016 The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors has rejected a controversial solar plant proposed for the Mojave Desert’s Soda Mountains, citing concerns that the project would destroy habitat and block ancient trails used by bighorn sheep for thousands of years. In a 3-2 vote, the board on Tuesday declined to certify documents required under state law in order to issue county permits for the project on public land along Interstate 15 near the entrances to Joshua Tree National Park and Death Valley National Park, and less than a mile from the Mojave National Preserve. Read full story www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-soda-mountain-solar-20160824-snap-story.html Stewardship on the Desert Conservation Lands Retrospective: Tamarisk Removal In coming weeks, we expect the Bureau of Land Management to finalize the Desert Renewable Energy and Conservation Plan, in which the public lands of the Amargosa Basin are likely to be designated at California Desert Conservation Lands. Over the next few weeks we will be highlighting the decade-long partnership between the Amargosa Conservancy and the BLM to engage in stewardship on these lands, highlighting why it is so important that they be protected, and showcasing the value of their designation as California Desert Conservation Lands… The Amargosa Conservancy and the Bureau of Land Management Barstow Field Office have been in partnership for a decade on a long-term, river-wide tamarisk removal project. Partnering with The Nature Conservancy, and numerous grant-making agencies, the AC and BLM have removed hundreds of acres worth of tamarisk from the river. (Amargosa Conservancy website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,8xia,595r,1bct,ijo3 Related: Desert Renewable Conservation Energy Plan (DRECP website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,bnts,2vl9,1bct,ijo3 Welcome back, kids! Juvenile seals return to Piedras Blancas Small seals are joining the big, mature bulls on the beach at Piedras Blancas in August. It’s time for the adults to move back into the ocean and youngsters to surf in. As different as they look, they are all the same species. Young male seals don’t have that distinctive trunk-like nose, and females never grow one. The males start growing their nose when they are about 5. The bulls need to shove off and get back to bulking up. Their food is north, along the Canada and Alaska coasts. Read full story http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,3m36,b2pp,1bct,ijo3 Related: Piedras Blancas Light Station BLM Redding Field Office Moving to New Location After more than a quarter century in an office building on Hemsted Drive in Redding, the Bureau of Land Management Redding Field Office will be moving to new quarters at 6640 Lockheed Dr., near the Redding Airport. The last business day in the office at 355 Hemsted Dr. will be Friday, Sept. 2. The new office will open Tuesday, Sept. 6. Because moving will be underway, some services may be limited during the week of Aug. 29. Maps and campfire permits will be available. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,17bb,5ikr,1bct,ijo3 BLM and DOI HIGHLIGHTS Dollars in the wind The Economist, August 13, 2016 There is more than one way to achieve dreadful public policies. Committees of bureaucrats have crafted real stinkers over the years. Other duff laws are the work of deep-pocketed special interests. But to create the worst government programmes—schemes that combine brow-furrowing folly with gasp-inducing expense—few methods are as sure as inviting Congress to spend the money of future taxpayers, in order to pander to public sentiment today. For a case in point, consider the Wild Horse and Burro Programme of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Read full story http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,eg5y,p99,1bct,ijo3 Video: This Week at Interior August 19, 2016 Seattle is the final city to join Let’s Move! Outside; gearing up for next week’s National Park Service centennial; USGS’ ShakeAlert earthquake early warning system moves from development, to production; major steps forward in wind energy development on opposite coasts; and the highest peak east of the Rocky Mountains gets a new name. (Department of Interior YouTube) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,8xgp,8hjk,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK In honor of the Migratory Bird Treaty Centennial, True or false? Tundra swans have around 25,000 feathers. Keep reading for answer below UPCOMING EVENTS August 31: You are invited! Don't miss lighthouse hike and open house at the Piedras Blancas Light Station. The Piedras Blancas Light Station will be open to walk in visitors between 10am and 2pm, and docents will be available to answer questions about the Light Station history and local ecology. For more information visit piedrasblancas.gov and piedrasblancas.org or contact us by phone at (805) 927-7361 or email at http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,3jt6,a07x,1bct,ijo3 (BLM California Facebook) August 30 - September 1: BLM Invites Public to Share Vision for Mojave Trails National Monument http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,e03c,5cov,1bct,ijo3 http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,g6e4,dzih,1bct,ijo3 The Bureau of Land Management is inviting the public to share what they value most within the newly designated Mojave Trails National Monument for the BLM to consider as the monument management planning process begins. A series of envisioning sessions will enable the public to provide comments on specific interests and concerns that will assist the BLM in the development of the Mojave Trails National Monument Management Plan. These sessions are in advance of public scoping meetings which will begin in the fall. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,464q,9ncm,1bct,ijo3 August 30 - September 2: Long Valley Road Closure Wild Willy's Hot Springs Road in Long Valley will be closed at times in August and early September to allow for road resurfacing. The road will be closed Tuesday, August 30 through Friday, September 2 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. For more information, call the Bureau of Land Management's Bishop Field Office at (760) 872-5000. (BLM NewsRelease) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,4a5e,69wm,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK ANSWER True or false? Tundra swans have around 25,000 feathers. True! How many feathers does a bird have? It depends on which bird we’re talking about. Most songbirds possess 2,000 to 4,000 feathers, of which 30 to 40 percent are located on the head and neck. The next time you see a sparrow or pigeon, just imagine that in the small area of the head and neck there are probably over 1,000 feathers! This concentration of feathers around the head and neck reflects the need to protect the brain, more than anything, against temperature extremes. Most naturalists can tell stories about snakes and lizards caught outside during cold snaps, who were so dazed they didn’t try to escape. As a general rule, the colder the climate a bird species lives in, the greater its number of feathers. A Tundra Swan was found to have about 25,000 feathers, of which some 80 percent were on the head and neck! (Backyard Nature) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2m7hz,3xn3,eqm2,5qzi,1bct,ijo3 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/
