News.Bytes, Bureau of Land Management California ISSUE 766 - MAY 17, 2017 - Your Public Lands - Youth - Headlines and Highlights - BLM and DOI Highlights - Wildlife Question of the Week - Upcoming Events YOUR PUBLIC LANDS Bird Monitoring at Fort Ord National Monument BLM partnered with the Monterey Audubon Society and Ventana Wilderness Alliance to operate a trial bird monitoring station on the Fort Ord National Monument near the Badger Hills Trailhead. The purpose of the monitoring project is to collect data on local bird populations and contribute to a continental database provided by a network of banding stations coordinated by The Institute for Bird Populations under the title and objective of Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,35ps,f0hg,1bct,ijo3 Celebrating Mother's Day Mothers, fathers, sons and daughters headed out for the Shasta Cascade Riders Mother's Day Poker Ride at the Sacramento River Bend Outstanding Natural Area. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,9rjn,7z44,1bct,ijo3 We hope all moms had a wonderful Mother's Day! Headwaters Forest Reserve Trails are Open Recreational trails at the Headwaters Forest Reserve are now open and conditions are ideal for hiking. The Little South Fork Elk River Trail near Eureka provides opportunities for a variety of hikes, including a paved section with interpretive signs detailing the story of Falk, a historic lumber town. Experienced hikers can traverse the entire length of the trail, a10-mile round trip that includes a steep loop through a grove of ancient redwood trees. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,23ci,fskc,1bct,ijo3 Birding at Big Morongo Desert birders don’t need to take cover from the sun when at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve. There is plenty of shade to go around; for birders and for wildlife. Catching the end of a great birding season, last week's bird walk included 16 people and 44 birds (species that is!) The walk was led by BLM volunteer Larry Rosen, accompanied by a team of additional active volunteers. Starting at 7 am in the Preserve parking lot, which is in under a rich habitat of cottonwood tree canopy, early arrivers had already had an eyeful and earful of colorful birds, as migratory species are attracted to this important ecological respite. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,i0t0,27fi,1bct,ijo3 Long-Term Camping Opportunities Available in the Eastern Sierra BLM has approved a long-term camping permit program for developed campgrounds in the Eastern Sierra. Under the program, visitors may purchase recreation use permits, which allow camping beyond the established 14 day stay limit for campgrounds managed by the Bishop Field Office. Long-term permits are now available for camping within the Tuttle Creek, Goodale Creek, Horton Creek, and Pleasant Valley Pit campgrounds in Inyo County, and the Crowley Lake Campground in Mono County. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,lyif,9djf,1bct,ijo3 Improvement Work to begin at Rice Canyon OHV Area BLM is asking visitors to be careful around work areas as cleanup and improvement work will begin Saturday, May 19, at the Rice Canyon Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area east of Susanville. Crews will be working on weekends through the early summer. A major focus will be construction of picnic sites and shade structures, a loading ramp and a new loop trail. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,hn2e,4yym,1bct,ijo3 Shooting Area Access to be Restricted during Improvement Project Public access to shooting areas along Iron Mountain Road west of Redding will be restricted from May 16 through May 26, while the Bureau of Land Management completes a project to control storm water drainage. There will be no restrictions from Saturday to Sunday, May 20 to 21. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,jn24,6ihm,1bct,ijo3 Pit River Campground Remains Closed Due to Flood Damage The Bureau of Land Management’s Pit River Campground, along the banks of the Pit River, remains closed to the public until the extensive flood damage to the recreational area can be fixed. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,ayah,dl1z,1bct,ijo3 YOUTH FamCamp Brings Community to the Mojave Desert Launched in 1994 by California State Parks and the California State Parks Foundation, FamCamp is the largest statewide program that introduces camping to local communities. FamCamp provides a trailer full of camping equipment and a reserved State Park campsite. Campgrounds are usually located relatively close to an urban area and available during prime camping season. In the past, 10 FamCamp trailers were located throughout California with each one accommodating up to 30 campers. Now, due to a recent Memorandum of Understanding between the BLM Barstow Field Office and California State Parks, one of these trailers is now in the Mojave Desert. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,8yz1,b9r0,1bct,ijo3 26th Annual “Trail Days” Last week marked the 26th annual “Trail Days” event on the Paradise Ridge. A cooperative effort between the Upper Ridge Wilderness Areas, the BLM, Paradise Unified School District (Pine Ridge and Cedarwood Elementary Schools), California Conservation Corps Foundation, Butte County Fire Safe Council, Magalia Beautification Association, CAL FIRE and Butte County Fire. Trail Days teaches students about land stewardship, local ecology, wildfire preparedness, team building and general safety while out in the wild. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,87t8,d118,1bct,ijo3 Related: Magalia students learn the wonders and dangers of the forest during Trail Days (Action News Now 12) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,2m03,3uxy,1bct,ijo3 Going to Kindercollege Bureau of Land Management Redding Field Office participated in "Kindercollege." Kindercollege brings over 1500 kindergarten students together to expose students and their parents to a college environment, a variety of career options and the concept of higher education at a young age. Groups of kindergartners, teachers and chaperones rotated through career stations learning about careers and the importance of education and/or training. This year, BLM K9 Ranger, Josh Root and his partner Bay shared what he does as a BLM Ranger and how his job differs from the typical city police officer most kids know of. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,k4on,503v,1bct,ijo3 HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS "I Serve Because..." Today and every day we are thankful for the dedicated public servants that work for BLM California. State Director, Jerry Perez values employees who serve the American people who use and enjoy public lands. Since 1985, the first full week of May has been set aside as Public Service Recognition Week to honor the men and women who serve our nation as Federal, state, county, and local government employees. Last week, BLM California celebrated Public Service Recognition Week with wonderful employee photos. (publicservicerecognitionweek.org) Detonation of Suspected Unexploded Ordnance Today at the Fort Ord National Monument, the U.S. Army and BLM hosted a rare opportunity for local news media to observe a detonation of unexploded ordnance (UXO) found during the last two weeks of cleanup in the Army's former inland range area. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,a4u1,98yr,1bct,ijo3 Related: More munitions cleanup for Fort Ord National Monument (Monterey Herald) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,2rha,khar,1bct,ijo3 Related: Fort Ord Military Munitions Response Program (Fort Ord Cleanup website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,97j6,25bp,1bct,ijo3 Tracking Invasive Weed Sites BLM has been managing Fort Ord National Monument for over 20 years. During that time, BLM staff, contractors and volunteers have made over 10,000 visits to invasive weed sites. We know this because the visits have been recorded in an access database created by Weed Crew Supervisor, Susan Hubbard when she started in 2000. She added data going back to 1995. The Fort Ord Weed Crew made the vast majority of the visits in order to GPS, treat and follow-up on 35 different invasive plant species. Congrats to this crew, they continue to record their work in the database and recently made the 10,000th entry. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,8gzv,lf1v,1bct,ijo3 Supporting Special Athletes and Wildfire Awareness Week Firefighters from the Applegate Field Office in Alturas were proud to join other agencies this week, supporting a day-long athletic event for people with special needs. More than 150 special athletes from across northeast California attended the event at Modoc High School in Alturas, California, competing in events including softball throw, long jump, foot races, tricycle and wheelchair races, obstacle courses and hurdles. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,lb6e,c09e,1bct,ijo3 Related: Wildfire Awareness Week (BLM California Flickr) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,git6,flo,1bct,ijo3 Related: More information on steps to protect lives, homes and families in the event of a wildfire. (www.ReadyForWildfire.org) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,ysh,ljqs,1bct,ijo3 BLM Seeks Northern California District Resource Advisory Council Nominations The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public nominations for five open positions on the Northern California Resource Advisory Council (RAC). The RAC works closely with BLM managers in Alturas, Arcata, Cedarville, Redding and Susanville, providing guidance on the full range of the BLM's responsibilities. As published in a notice in the Federal Register, the BLM will consider nominations until May 30. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,jf4o,jzex,1bct,ijo3 BLM Seeks Desert District Advisory Council Nominations The Bureau of Land Management's California Desert District is soliciting nominations from the public for five members of its California Desert Advisory Council to serve three-year terms. The council's 15 members provide advice and recommendations to the BLM on the management of more than 10 million acres of public lands in eight counties of Southern California. As published in a notice in the Federal Register, the BLM will consider nominations until May 30. The five positions to be filled are: one renewable energy industry, two public-at-large, and two elected officials. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,fxcz,dcrj,1bct,ijo3 BLM AND DOI HIGHLIGHTS Video: National Police Week 2017 Interior touches more American lives than any other federal agency -- managing some of our Nation’s most precious resources, vast landscapes, historic icons and beloved lands of tribal nations. We have a duty to care for these places and to keep the visiting public safe, and at the very heart of this charge are our 3,500 law enforcement officers. We honor National Police Week, we thank the officers for the courageous work you do every day. (DOI video) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,m0w6,4ose,1bct,ijo3 National Photography Month May marks National Photography Month, and BLM wants to see your photos on your BLM-managed public lands! When sharing your photos on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, make sure to use hashtag #mypubliclands for your chance to be featured on the @mypubliclands Instagram! (My Public Lands Tumblr) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,jfil,f8wq,1bct,ijo3 Secretary Zinke Announces $23.6 Million for Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects and Studies U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced that the Bureau of Reclamation awarded $23,619,391 to communities in seven states for planning, designing and constructing water recycling and re-use projects; developing feasibility studies; and researching desalination and water recycling projects. The funding is part of the Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse program. (DOI News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,1her,5skj,1bct,ijo3 Interior Department Releases List of Monuments Under Review, Announces First-Ever Formal Public Comment Period for Antiquities Act Monuments The Department of the Interior announced the first ever formal public comment period for members of the public to officially weigh in on monument designations under the Antiquities Act of 1906, and the Department released a list of monuments under review under the President’s Executive Order 13792, issued April 26, 2017. A public comment period is not required for monument designations under the Antiquities Act; however, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke and President Trump both strongly believe that local input is a critical component of federal land management. (DOI News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,mcoa,1kw0,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK True or False? Otters can stay under water for eight minutes. Keep reading for answer below. UPCOMING EVENTS Now - January 2018: Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Events The BLM offers wild horses and burros for adoption or purchase at events across the country throughout the year. Upcoming wild horse and burro adoption events are planned into 2018. The most current adoption and purchase event schedule is provided on the BLM website. All times are in local time. Event information is shown in local time and subject to change without notice. Please call the Wild Horse and Burro Information Call Center at (866) 468-7826 for the most updated information. (BLM website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,gd1p,7u9j,1bct,ijo3 Related: Western States Horse Expo in Sacramento on June 11 (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,zzq,9et6,1bct,ijo3 May 24-28: Mule Days in Bishop BLM’s Central California District will participate in the 2017 Mule Days Celebration, including the Mule Days parade, in Bishop. This annual event, which occurs Memorial Day weekend, draws more than 30,000 visitors nationwide to celebrate pack stock and recreational packing in the Eastern Sierra backcountry. Mule Days is a world class equestion event promoting legacy, heritage and tales fo the mule. BLM staff from the Bishop Field Office will host a booth during the celebrations to share recreational opportunities on public lands. BLM will hold a wild burro adoption with 8-9 burros at the 2017 Mule Days Celebration, 1141 N. Main Street. (Mule Days website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,1bru,2sok,1bct,ijo3 May 27: Bureau of Land Management Guided Hikes Planned in Pine Hill Preserve The Bureau of Land Management’s Pine Hill Preserve, located in the Cameron Park area, El Dorado County, will offer three guided-plant tours and a bird tour in different areas of the Preserve. The tours, led by volunteer naturalists, are free and open to the public. There is a limit of 25 participants per plant tour and 20 participants for the bird tour. Each plant tour will focus on the diverse and rare plants growing within the chaparral and oak woodland ecosystems. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,92el,2hn8,1bct,ijo3 June 1: Kid's Ocean Day Approximately 1,000 more students will participate in Ocean Day, a dunes cleanup and restoration project near Eureka, California. During the event organized by BLM's Arcata Field Office and Friends of the Dunes, youth will remove litter and pull invasive European beach grass to encourage growth of native dune plants. At the end of their day participants will gather for an aerial art design photo. This annual event occurs at the Mike Thompson Wildlife Area, South Spit, at Humboldt Bay. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,4gwg,3m91,1bct,ijo3 September 30: National Public Lands Day National Environmental Education Foundation's National Public Lands Day (#NPLD), sponsored by Toyota USA is the nation's largest, single-day volunteer effort for public lands. NPLD connects people to public lands in their community, inspires environmental stewardship and encourages use of public lands for education, recreation and general health. Bring your family, friends, students or coworkers to spend the day outdoors giving back to your community by pulling invasive species, maintaining trails, picking up trash and so much more. Stay tuned for more details. (BLM website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,g8y5,3gtg,1bct,ijo3 September 30 and November 11-12: Fee-Free Days on BLM-managed Public Lands The unique and diverse natural landscapes and world-class visitor facilities on BLM-managed lands are among America’s greatest treasures, and most of these lands and waters are open for recreational use. Through the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA), the BLM and other Federal agencies -- including U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service -- collect recreation fees to maintain and improve the quality of visitor services and amenities. Visitors may purchase recreation passes that cover many recreation fees. On fee free days, recreation standard amenity and day use fees on Bureau of Land Management lands are waived. (BLM website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,1suy,97ps,1bct,ijo3 October 6-8: Norco Horse Affair See you in City of Norco - Horsetown USA! BLM's Ridgecrest BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program Corrals will be participating in the Norco Horse Affair on October 6, 7 and 8. BLM will be bringing 10 burros and 20 wild horses for adoption. (Norco Horse Affair Facebook event) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,i5zv,dl,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK ANSWER True. Otters can stay under water for eight minutes. Otters thrive on land and in the water. Whether it’s a lake, river, swamp or estuary, otters like a mix of land and water. (Seven Quick Facts about River Otters via National Forest Foundation) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2tos9,3xn3,5vvg,jnca,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/ You are currently subscribed to BLM CA Newsbytes as: .
