News.Bytes, Bureau of Land Management California ISSUE 774 - AUGUST 17, 2017 - Great American Eclipse - Get Outdoors - Headlines and Highlights - BLM and DOI Highlights - Wildlife Question of the Week - Upcoming Events GREAT AMERICAN ECLIPSE It’s almost here! Are you you ready for the Great American Solar Eclipse? Thousands of people are expected to travel to public lands to experience the first total solar eclipse to go from coast-to-coast since 1918. We want to make sure you are prepared with a few reminders. (My Public Lands Tumblr) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2w5xv,3xn3,k34b,je6a,1bct,ijo3 Share Your Experience from #Eclipse2017 On Monday, August 21, 2017, millions of people across the United States will get to see one of nature’s most awe-inspiring sights -- a total solar eclipse. With wide-open spaces and low light pollution, public lands in the path of totality, managed by the Bureau of Land Management in Oregon, Idaho and Wyoming will be popular places for viewing this rare event. Wherever you are planning to experience the Great American Eclipse we'd like to feature, "what does the eclipse mean to you" or "where were you during the eclipse". Download and print your card to share today on social media. (BLM California Flickr) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2w5xv,3xn3,c5yf,4i2j,1bct,ijo3 Solar Eclipse Will Impact California’s Solar Output by 6,000 Megawatts California will experience a drop in the production of solar power when the moon eclipses the sun on August 21. Energy entities like the California Independent System Operator, which manages most of the state’s electric grid, are preparing for that reduction. The eclipse will be most pronounced in the Pacific Northwest where a total solar eclipse will occur. California will experience a partial eclipse. (California Energy Commission blog) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2w5xv,3xn3,c15a,a6z3,1bct,ijo3 Total Solar Eclipse Countdown On Monday, August 21, 2017, all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun. Anyone within the path of totality can see one of nature’s most awe inspiring sights - a total solar eclipse. This path, where the moon will completely cover the sun and the sun's tenuous atmosphere - the corona - can be seen, will stretch from Salem, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina. Observers outside this path will still see a partial solar eclipse where the moon covers part of the sun's disk. NASA created this website to provide a guide to this amazing event. Here you will find activities, events, broadcasts, and resources from NASA and our partners across the nation. (NASA website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2w5xv,3xn3,jut0,7brl,1bct,ijo3 GET OUTDOORS Fish On! These two boys were trying their best to land prize-winning trout, fishing from the Susan River Bridge along the Bizz Johnson National Recreational Trail near Susanville, California. They were among the 125 participants in the Lassen Sportsmen's Club annual junior fishing derby earlier this month. Anglers up to age 15 participated in the event that was moved from April to August this year because of hazardous high water in the spring. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2w5xv,3xn3,dk22,dvme,1bct,ijo3 Hit the Trail Riders were getting the most out of a downhill section at our Lacks Creek Recreation Area near Arcata, California during the recent Stormy Saddle Mountain Bike Humboldt Enduro held at our new mountain bike trail. The race attracted 68 riders and 20 volunteers. Riders were timed on sections of trail, with lowest cumulative times winning. The Redwood Coast Mountain Bike Association held the annual event. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2w5xv,3xn3,7ux4,24wk,1bct,ijo3 Just a Little Tender Loving Care Generation Green crews from across northern California recently converged on the Trinidad Head Lighthouse, part of the California Coastal National Monument to provide some TLC to the grounds. The crew of 32 high school students helped out by removing old fences, pulling invasive weeds and cutting back brush along the trail. Members of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area joined in, helping to remove old fencing. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2w5xv,3xn3,il2c,6mkc,1bct,ijo3 Find Your Public Lands Adventure Are you craving some fun in the sun, a thrilling outdoor experience or a chance to witness an incredible natural phenomenon? America’s public lands offer endless opportunities for fun and adventure! DOI compiled a list of a just a few of the best events on public lands throughout the year. From Salt Flat racing in Utah to manatee watching in Florida to casting a line in Georgia, there’s fun for the whole family. This list includes incredible adventures, but it’s only a sampling of the opportunities available on public lands. (DOI blog) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2w5xv,3xn3,4r7o,eucq,1bct,ijo3 HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS BioBlitz Success The Barstow Field office just received the final report from our partners at The Nature Conservancy summarizing the results from a BioBlitz conducted last April on the Amargosa Wild and Scenic River. What’s a BioBlitz you ask? A BioBlitz is an intensive effort to document as many plants and animals in a given area over a short period of time in order to get a snapshot of the biodiversity. In this case, 36 professionals from a variety of biological disciplines went out for a 48 hour period along the river. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2w5xv,3xn3,eloq,f7w1,1bct,ijo3 Life Jackets and the Law Under California law, every child under 13 years of age on a moving recreational vessel of any length must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket in serviceable condition and of a type and size appropriate for the conditions and the activity. (California Division of Boating and Waterways website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2w5xv,3xn3,jiyy,fmja,1bct,ijo3 Meeting a Wild Horse for the First Time Children in Lassen County's Nature Camp had a chance to learn about wild horses and burros and their place on the public lands when they visited our corrals near Susanville, California. The campers first discovered how horses and burros survive in the wild, in a presentation from BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program Specialist Amanda Gearhart. The highlight of the visits was meeting Depot, an adopted wild burro. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2w5xv,3xn3,io9w,5vxt,1bct,ijo3 BLM AND DOI HIGHLIGHTS Secretary Zinke Announces No Changes to Sand to Snow National Monument in California U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced that California’s Sand to Snow National Monument is no longer under review and that he will recommend no changes be made to the existing monument. The monument was under review in accordance with President Donald J. Trump’s April 26, 2017, executive order. “Today, I am recommending that no changes be made to the Sand to Snow National Monument and that the Monument is no longer under official Department of the Interior review,” said Secretary Zinke. “The land of Sand to Snow National Monument is some of the most diverse terrain in the West, and the monument is home to incredible geographic, biologic, and archaeological history of our nation.” (DOI news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2w5xv,3xn3,b1cl,qsa,1bct,ijo3 Deputy Secretary Bernhardt Announces More Than $52 Million in Federal Funding To Bolster Tribal, State Wildlife Conservation Projects U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt announced more than $52 million in funding to Native American tribes and state wildlife agencies through the Tribal Wildlife Grant program and the State Wildlife Grants program. The funds, which are provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, give support for a diverse array of species and habitats across the country. (DOI news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2w5xv,3xn3,ftv6,hczl,1bct,ijo3 Secretary Zinke Expands Hunting and Fishing Opportunities at 10 National Wildlife Refuges In his latest effort to increase access to hunting and fishing on public lands and waters, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced a proposal to open or expand opportunities at 10 national wildlife refuges. If finalized, this would bring the number of refuges where the public may hunt up to 373, and up to 312 where fishing would be permitted. (DOI news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2w5xv,3xn3,4yj9,ifj4,1bct,ijo3 Gifford Pinchot: A Legacy of Conservation More than 70 years after his death, Gifford Pinchot remains an extremely powerful voice in America’s conservation movement -- influencing presidents, departments and even shaping the definition of conservation. In honor of Pinchot’s birthday on August 11, check out some fascinating stories and inspiring quotes from this pivotal figure in American history. (DOI blog) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2w5xv,3xn3,ktld,b1rq,1bct,ijo3 Feedback on Recently Updated BLM.gov Website We recently updated our website. Content is updated daily and we would like to thank you for your patience. If you encounter issues with the site please let us know so we can better serve you. Please email us at newmedia@xxxxxxx. WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK Fill in the Blank ______________ are amazingly resilient creatures, built to withstand the harsh desert environment, says Averill-Murray. "Even when we translocate _____________ to new and unfamiliar areas, they seem to figure things out and survive," he said. 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,2w5xv,3xn3,f2ou,is5i,1bct,ijo3 August 30: Piedras Blancas Hike In Open House The Piedras Blancas Light Station will be hosting free open house events for visitors hiking the Boucher trail (a segment of the California Coastal Trail) on the last Wednesday in August. The trail head is located at the elephant seal viewing area. The hike is self led, and is 1.5 miles (one way) to the light station. The Piedras Blancas Light Station will be open to hikers 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bureau of Land Management and State Parks staff as well as our volunteers will be available to answer questions about wildlife, ecology, and human history of this beautiful stretch of coastline. For tour information, please call (805) 927-7361 or email PiedrasBlancasTours@xxxxxxxxx. 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,2w5xv,3xn3,f7zm,2bis,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, 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,2w5xv,3xn3,jt1o,hn84,1bct,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,2w5xv,3xn3,56jj,a39e,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK ANSWER Desert tortoises are amazingly resilient creatures, built to withstand the harsh desert environment, says Averill-Murray. "Even when we translocate tortoises to new and unfamiliar areas, they seem to figure things out and survive," he said. (Service biologist creating an 'era of better research' via USFWS Pacific Southwest Region) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2w5xv,3xn3,hsmp,6xc5,1bct,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/
