BLM California News.Bytes Issue 778

Title: Untitled Document

Fishing on the Trinity Wild and Scenic River

ISSUE 778 - SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

- Hunting and Fishing
- Headlines and Highlights
- BLM and DOI Highlights
- Wildlife Question of the Week
- Upcoming Events

HUNTING AND FISHING

Celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day by Getting Outdoors

The Bureau of Land Management and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife are joining to celebrate California's long-standing outdoor heritage and the contributions made to wildlife conservation by hunters and anglers on National Hunting and Fishing Day. Saturday, September 23 is National Hunting and Fishing Day and California hunting and fishing seasons are in full swing. Currently deer, bear and quail seasons are underway across the state. The high country streams, rivers and lakes are in peak form. This is prime time. (BLM and CDFW new release)

Share your hunting and fishing photos via Facebook direct message or in the BLM California Flickr group: flickr.com/groups/blmcaliforniapubliclands

Secretary Zinke Declares October National Hunting and Fishing Month

Just days before National Hunting and Fishing Day – which is held on September 23rd every year - U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke declared October will officially be recognized as National Hunting and Fishing Month at the Department. Zinke championed the order to recognize the lasting and positive impact of hunters and anglers on wildlife and habitat conservation in America. This order comes on the heels of several major sportsmen actions from Interior including Wednesday's announcement of the addition of 600 acres of land in Arizona's Santa Teresa Mountains to make Wilderness Areas accessible for hunting and fishing. (DOI news release)

Related: Secretary Zinke Announces Greater Access for Sportsmen and Hikers in Arizona's Santa Teresa Mountains (DOI news release)

Interior Employees Share Their Hunting and Fishing Memories

September 23 is National Hunting and Fishing Day. Held every year since 1972, National Hunting and Fishing Day celebrates outdoor sports and their conservation contributions. It’s also the perfect day for sportsmen and women to share their passion by mentoring future generations of hunters, anglers and conservationists. Check out some of the favorite hunting and fishing memories from Interior employees -- the men and women who work and play on America’s public lands. We hope they inspire you to hunt and fish on your public lands this fall. (DOI photo gallery)

Related: Secretary Zinke Promotes Hunting, Fishing, and Wildlife Conservation with Employee "Showdown" at Department of the Interior (DOI news release)

Secretary Zinke signs Secretarial Order to Support Sportsmen and Enhance Wildlife Conservation

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke signed Secretarial Order 3356, which will support and expand hunting and fishing, enhance conservation stewardship, improve wildlife management, and increase outdoor recreation opportunities for all Americans. Secretarial Order 3356 is an extension of Secretarial Order 3347, issued on Zinke's first day, March 2, 2017. That order identified a slate of actions for the restoration of the American sportsmen conservation ethic, which was established by President Theodore Roosevelt. (DOI news release)

Hunting and Fishing on America's Public Lands

This fall, BLM California is joining California Department of Fish and Wildlife to celebrate hunting and fishing on America's public lands. With so many competing interests vying for the attention of Californians, there has never been a better time to unplug, get outdoors and enjoy California’s wild places. With over 38 million acres of public land, California offers endless hunting and fishing opportunities just waiting to be explored. (CDFW Facebook)

Follow along using the hashtag #HuntFishCA on Facebook and Twitter.

HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS

Army and BLM Maintain 77 Miles of Fuelbreaks on Monument to Help Contain Wildfire

At the Fort Ord National Monument, the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Army are preparing unseasonably warm weather during autumn. BLM and Army crews have been hard at work maintaining fuelbreaks by clearing brush within the interior of the Fort Ord National Monument that is surrounded by residential development along the Monterey Peninsula and Salinas Valley in central California. Approximately 200,000 residents live within three miles of the Monument. (BLM California Facebook)

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)

BLM AND DOI HIGHLIGHTS

Secretary Zinke Announces $94.3 Million to States for Parks and Outdoor Recreation through Land and Water Conservation Fund

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke today announced that $94.3 million will be distributed for outdoor recreation and conservation projects to the 50 states, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which is funded through offshore oil and gas leasing. These funds are awarded through federal matching grants that leverage public and private investment in America’s state and local public parks. (DOI news release)

Video: Secretary Zinke Salutes Irma Recovery Efforts

Secretary Zinke sends a message of support 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 Irma, Hurricane Harvey, and wildfires in the west. (DOI video)

Related: Post-Irma, Trump Administration Assists Seminole Tribe with First Presidential Emergency Declaration Ever for a Tribal Nation (DOI news release)

Minnesota Artist Bob Hautman Wins 2017 Federal Duck Stamp Contest

Bob Hautman, an artist from Delano, Minnesota, is the winner of the 2017 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest. The announcement was made by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Principal Deputy Director Greg Sheehan at the annual art contest, held at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point at the Noel Fine Arts Center. (DOI news release)

Discover Hispanic Heritage at these Historic Sites

Hispanic Heritage Month started on September 15. Interior and its bureaus preserve and interpret historic sites across the country. For Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America, these places connect them to our nation’s shared history. From early explorers to modern day leaders, Hispanic Americans have influenced America’s culture and played an important role in society. (DOI photo gallery)

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)

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

Yes or no? Do sage grouse and elk share habitat?

Keep reading for answer below.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Now - September 24: Visit the LA County Fair

The 2017 edition of the America’s Great Outdoors exhibit at the LA County Fair in Pomona, California is well underway and goes until September 24. For the past 20 years, a half a million people visit our two acre outdoor site, co-managed by the Bureau of Land Management, California Desert District; the Forest Service, Angeles District; and the Los Angeles County Fire Department – Forestry Division. Also participating is the National Park Service. (BLM California Facebook)

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 22: BLM Hosting National Public Lands Day Events on the North Coast

The public is invited to celebrate National Public Lands Day by volunteering with the BLM to help care for the public lands at the historic Trinidad Lighthouse and at the King Range National Conservation Area on California’s North Coast. National Public Lands Day, organized by the National Environmental Education Foundation, is the nation’s largest single day volunteer event for public lands. (BLM news release)

September 30: Outdoor Adventure Organization Offering Guided Bike Ride on Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail

Lassen County residents and visitors can participate in a free guided bike ride on the Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail, at 3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 30, starting from the historic Susanville Railroad Depot, 601 Richmond Road. Adventure Cycling Association is offering the ride as part of its "Bike Your Park" campaign. It also celebrates National Public Lands Day. (BLM news release)

September 30, October 28 and November 18: National Public Lands Day Events Near Palm Springs, California

BLM's Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office has a National Public Lands Day event for everyone! Save the date for five volunteer opportunities in Dulzura, Mountain Center, Morongo Valley, Desert Hot Springs and La Quinta, California. Contact the Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office at (760) 833-7100 for more information. (BLM California Facebook)

September 30: Join BLM Bakersfield for National Public Lands Day

Roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty helping the BLM Bakersfield Field Office beautify popular public lands as part of National Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 30. (BLM news release)

September 30: BLM Bishop to Host National Public Lands Day Cleanup

In coordination with National Public Lands Day, the Bureau of Land Management Bishop Field Office will be hosting a cleanup from 9 to 11:30 a.m., on Saturday, September 30, at Chuckwalla Hill, a popular target shooting area. Volunteers are needed to help remove debris from the east side of the hill. Tools, gloves, trash bags and refreshments will be provided. (BLM news release)

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)

Related: Meet the horses and burros (BLM California Facebook)

October 7 and November 4: BLM Offers Point Arena-Stornetta Tours and Coastal Hikes

Join the Bureau of Land Management for a series of guided nature hikes along the coastal trail overlooking the Pacific Ocean at the Point Arena-Stornetta Unit of the California Coastal National Monument this fall. As stewards, the BLM manages a variety of recreation and visitor services across the nation, providing unique outdoor opportunities. The tours will focus on exploring the natural world, wildlife, native and invasive plants and teaching participants what they can do to protect habitat for endangered species, including the threatened western snowy plover and coho salmon, and endangered California red-legged frog, Point Arena mountain beaver and Behren’s silver spot butterfly. (BLM news release)

October 14: Fall Wild Horse Adoption

Join BLM and Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department to adopt inmate trained, saddle started mustangs on Saturday, October 14 in Elk Grove, California! (WHB website)

Related: Meet the horses (BLM California Facebook)

WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK ANSWER

Yes. "We’ve found close to 40 million acres of overlap between sage grouse and elk habitat by looking at distribution maps from state wildlife agencies—that’s 37% of sage grouse range... Without sagebrush, elk would have a tougher time making it through the winter. Sagebrush are usually the tallest plants on the range, so elk can eat it when other plants are locked down under ice or snow. Plus, you often find elk digging near sagebrush to access other forage beneath the snow. Sagebrush sticks up higher where it gets heated by the sun, warming and softening the snow around the plant for easier digging." (Do Elk Need Sagebrush? via Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Safe Grouse Initiative)

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