BLM California News.Bytes Issue 775

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News.Bytes, Bureau of Land Management California

ISSUE 775 - AUGUST 31, 2017	

- Youth
- Partnerships
- Headlines and Highlights
- BLM and DOI Highlights
- Wildlife Question of the Week
- Upcoming Events

YOUTH
	
BLM California Presents: Backyard Biologist

Last month, a team of BLM California employees and volunteers spent the morning with the Shafter Youth Center to talk about backyard biology. The event takes place inside the gymnasium at the youth center and is part of the camp’s Nature Week. The age of the children range from 8-12 years of age, with approximately 40 children present. Backyard Biologist is an educational public outreach program that is designed to educate children about typical animals found in their own backyards, as well as the different classes of vertebrates. (My Public Lands Tumblr)
	
Another Successful Year for Grant Union High School Interns

During the summer, Grant Union High School interns had a blast! BLM and Forest Service's Generation Green Program engaged the GEO Environmental Science and Design Academy at Grant Union High School in Sacramento and encouraged students interested in environmental science and design to apply for summer internships with natural resource agencies. Interns worked with both the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Reclamation in multiple offices such as the Office of Communications, Budget Services, Minerals, Acquisition, Planning Division, etc. This paid internship allowed students to build their resumes, gain computer and public speaking skills and learn to work in a professional office environment. (BLM California Facebook)
	
#FindYourWay: Americorps Intern Shares Experience from North Fork of the American River

The North Fork American River is the poster child of what a Wild and Scenic River should be. It has gorgeous tourmaline blue waters that are crystal clear; its location in a deep gorge makes accessing the river a little tricky so despite being quite close to modern civilization the river channel remains quite wild and unchanged from the way it looked back in the mining days of the late 1800s and probably even before the first human beings arrived in North America. The river lies in the region of California that attracted gold rush seekers back in 1849. You can find remnants and artifacts from that time in this region; things like abandoned mine shafts and domestic fruit trees that have long since turned wild are all over if you know where to look. You can even still find people gold panning along the river today, trying their luck like all those before them. (My Public Lands Tumblr)

PARTNERSHIPS
	
2017 Bodie Hills Stewardship Day

BLM's Bishop Field Office joined forces with Friends of the Inyo, Bodie State Historic Park and the The Bodie Hills Conservation Partnership to host a group of twelve motivated volunteers during the 2017 Bodie Hills Stewardship Day at Bodie State Historic Park on Saturday, August 5. Bodie State Park is a historic gold-mining ghost town that was once home to nearly 10,000 people. The Bodie Hills are an ecologically important, picturesque and historic landscape that provides key sagebrush habitat for many wildlife species including the Bi-State sage-grouse and pygmy rabbit. (BLM California Facebook)
	
Improving BLM Recreation Sites

Reed Tollefson, Manager of the Audubon Kern River Preserve, generously donated Teton Raptor Center "Poo-Poo Project" screens for installation at local Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service-managed recreation sites. The screens were swiftly deployed by members of BLM Engine Crew 3133 led by Captain Casey Howard and based at the South Fork Fire Station. Thanks to the generosity of the Audubon and the quick action of the firefighters, curious cavity-nesting birds will be prevented from entering vault toilets through the ventilation pipes and becoming entrapped in the 'basement' of vault toilets, a potentially lethal hazard. (BLM California Facebook)
	
Leave No Trace: Leave What You Find

Leave what you find. When exploring public lands, you may come across cultural and historical artifacts, as well as interesting rocks, plants, or other natural resources. Please leave them where you find them! Cultural resources on public lands give us a look into our past and are sometimes the only thing that remains from an area. Please respect the historic nature of these cultural resources and do your part to protect these artifacts so that the next generation can appreciate their historic value. Leave ruins the way you found them and don’t touch rock paintings. (My Public Lands Tumblr)

Related: Leave No Trace principles (Leave No Trace website)

HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS
	
Wildfires: Know Before You Go

Cal OES provides daily map updates for wildland fires across California. Also, Twitter is a great place to see the latest news and information about fires. Follow us @BLMca!

    Current fire restrictions on public lands → on.doi.gov/2qcKS8p
    Cal OES California wildland fire map via Esri → arcg.is/2tj6L7l
    Wildland fire information via InciWeb → bit.ly/2siVOlO
    Wildland fire information via CAL FIRE → bit.ly/2tqv43i
    Defensible space information → bit.ly/2sobgZi

	
2017 California Public Lands Facts

California is one of the most diverse states in the nation with public lands extending across rangelands, forests, high mountains, deserts and coast. The abundance of natural resources on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management throughout California supports the BLM’s multiple-use mission, while providing important economic benefits to Californians and the nation. BLM California has a strong history of meeting the nation’s growing energy needs, including oil and gas, renewable energy production and mining, and often sets the standard for sustainable development, while ensuring our natural, recreational, historical and cultural resources will be available for future generations. (BLM California Flickr)

Related: 2017 California Public Lands brochure (BLM website)
	
Yell 'Hiyo, Silver!' in the Alabama Hills near Lone Pine

Legions of film, television and commercial actors, directors and crew have spent quality time among the boulders outside Lone Pine, making this part of the Owens Valley the face of the American West in many ways. John Wayne made a dozen movies here. John Ford and William Wyler worked here. Parts of the first "Lone Ranger" film (1938) were shot here, as were parts of the the "Lone Ranger" television series (1949-1957). This is actually a  two-stop adventure. First, step into the Museum of Western Film History in the Owens Valley town of Lone Pine... Your second stop is the Alabama Hills, which begin about 2 miles west of the museum. (LA Times)

Related: NEW Alabama Hills photos (BLM California Facebook)

BLM AND DOI HIGHLIGHTS
	
​Video: Supporting and Recognizing First Responders, Scientists and Inspectors ​in the Gulf

Secretary Zinke sends a heartfelt message to all of the Department of Interior first responders, scientists and inspectors who are providing critical and life-saving services in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. (DOI blog)
	
Volunteer for National Public Lands Day

National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest, single-day volunteer event for public lands. Held every year on the last Saturday of September, National Public Lands Day brings together hundreds of thousands of individual, student and organizational volunteers to help maintain and restore America’s treasured places. Public lands are managed by public agencies but belong to and are enjoyed by everyone. These special places provide us with outdoor recreation, education and relaxation; volunteering is a way for the public to give something back. The beauty and importance of public lands inspire us all, and we hope to see you outdoors for this year’s National Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 30. (DOI blog)

Related: BLM Volunteer Site Map (BLM website)
	
Video: Eclipse Across America

Hundreds of thousands of people converged on America's public lands August 21, to witness an awe-inspiring phenomenon: the first total solar eclipse to cross the continental United States in 99 years. (DOI blog)
	
BLM Releases Update to Online Oil and Gas Leasing Nomination System

The Bureau of Land Management today announced its latest update to the National Fluids Lease Sale System, an online automation effort that allows the public and industry to nominate public land for oil and gas development.  The update increases transparency by making it easier for anyone to monitor the status of a nomination. (BLM news release)
	
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

Which of the following are shorebirds?

a) Great Black-backed Gull
b) Killdeer
c) Piping Plover
d) Albatross
e) Bristle-thighed Curlew
f) All of the above

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)
	
September 16: Volunteers Welcome at National Public Lands Day Event Along the Susan River

Volunteers are invited to celebrate National Public Lands Day and the Great Sierra River Cleanup by joining the Bureau of Land Management Eagle Lake Field Office and Lassen Land and Trails Trust on Saturday, Sept. 16 to clean up the Susan River. Volunteer teams will clean up debris and litter in and around the river to beautify the Susan River Trail and improve habitat for migratory birds.  The BLM will provide bags and plastic gloves.  Volunteers should bring gloves, hats, water, sunscreen and buckets, and wear clothing suitable for outdoor work. (BLM news release)
	
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)
	
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)
	
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)
WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK ANSWER

f) All of the above

When we want a getaway with family and friends, we often seek out a place near the water. And because we’re having a great time, it’s easy to overlook the amazing company we have, shorebirds. These birds often travel as far (or way way farther) than we do to enjoy what the beach has to offer. In many cases, this means a place to gather food or raise young. USFWS posted a number of cute shorebird chicks that rely on the beach or shore as a reminder that there’s enough beach for all of us. (10 Fluffy Reasons to Share the Beach via USFWS)


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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