News.Bytes, Bureau of Land Management California ISSUE 781 - OCTOBER 19, 2017 - Youth - Hunting and Fishing - Fire - Headlines and Highlights - BLM and DOI Highlights - Wildlife Question of the Week - Upcoming Events YOUTH Successful 2017 California Youth Summit The California Youth Summit is designed to connect young people with America’s Great Outdoors. Gain a new appreciation for natural resources. Learn something new. Catch a vision for higher education. Discover exciting ways to get outside or make a career in America’s Great Outdoors. (BLM California Flickr) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,furd,f77u,1bct,ijo3 Huge thanks to our many partners for the ongoing support to engage #cayouth! See additional event coverage on Facebook and Twitter. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,js86,evwe,1bct,ijo3 http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,cj60,1dmu,1bct,ijo3 Archaeology Day More than 100 participants learned about the lifeways of the first northern California people, when they visited our annual Archaeology Day event along the Susan River near Susanville, California last Saturday. Children and their families learned how to use grinding stones, draw pictographs and hurl spears using an atlatl. They also played pioneer games, made house panels from reeds, saw how obsidian was formed into spear points and tools, and discovered how early people used every part of the animals they hunted. There were 11 learning stations to explore! This event was made possible by archaeologists and resource specialists from our Eagle Lake and Applegate Field Offices, the Lassen National Forest and the Susanville Indian Rancheria. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,gxyi,3qzx,1bct,ijo3 Eagle Scout Project Benefits Greater Sage-Grouse and Partnerships When it came time to choose his Eagle Scout Service Project last year, 16-year-old Kolton Dahl had a pretty good idea that he wanted to do something related to the Greater sage-grouse. Now in his junior year at Burns High School in Oregon, Dahl had worked closely with Andrew Shields - a wildlife biologist at the Roaring Springs Ranch and an Eagle Scout himself - on projects monitoring Greater sage-grouse that call the ranch and neighboring public lands home. (My Public Lands Tumblr) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,kinc,5v58,1bct,ijo3 HUNTING AND FISHING Leave No Trace To all hunters and anglers, thank you for continuing to be good neighbors while hunting and fishing on your public lands! (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,9njl,i28z,1bct,ijo3 See more using the hashtag #HuntFishCA on Facebook and Twitter. Share your hunting and fishing photos via Facebook direct message or in the BLM California Flickr group: flickr.com/groups/blmcaliforniapubliclands #HuntFishCA Hunting plays an important role in many rural areas, bringing visitors and their travel dollars to local motels, gas stations, stores and restaurants. Hunting often connects city residents and city kids with rural and agricultural communities, offering an appreciation for the land, the outdoors and exposure to another way of life. (California Department of Fish and Wildlife Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,bd01,i8qn,1bct,ijo3 Waterfowl Hunting Seasons Opening Soon Hunters have a lot to look forward to this fall when the California waterfowl season opens. The season opened Saturday, October 7 in the Northeastern California Zone and on Saturday, October 21 in most other zones... Opening and closing dates vary by zone. These dates, along with detailed information about daily bag and possession limits, can be found in the 2017-2018 Waterfowl Regulations booklet. Most season dates and bag limits remain similar to last year with the exception of pintail, which has been reduced to one bird per day. (California Department of Fish and Wildlife news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,5vrs,lwli,1bct,ijo3 Get Hooked on Fishing on Public Lands and Waters Fishing is a favorite outdoor pastime for many people. Alone or with friends and family, fishing can be a fun and relaxing opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. In 2016, over 35 million people went fishing, many of them on public lands and waters. From the calm of fly fishing in a Montana stream to the thrill of sportfishing in the Gulf of Mexico, fishing is a great way to support conservation and inspire your next water-cooler story. (DOI blog) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,kbgj,apl6,1bct,ijo3 FIRE Noted Falcon Preservationist Killed in Tubbs Fire Monte Neil Kirven, a wildlife biologist credited with helping ban DDT in order to save the Peregrine Falcon, was among those killed in the Tubbs Fire. He was 81 and lived in the Mark West Springs Road area of Santa Rosa, where he died in bed, according to multiple postings on Facebook. “The Bureau of Land Management is saddened at the loss of our former colleague, Dr. Monte Kirven, who as a wildlife biologist dedicated his life to the recovery of the American Peregrine Falcon,” said Serena Baker, public affairs specialist at the agency’s central California district in El Dorado Hills. Baker had been informed by former colleagues and BLM retirees that Mr. Kirven had died in the fire. (San Francisco Chronicle) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,kkp8,af5a,1bct,ijo3 How Big is the Burn Area of California’s Wildfires? It Would Engulf Several Major Cities As wildfires continue to burn in California, here’s a look at the size of the burned areas compared to cities – and even a state. California’s major wildfires have burned more than 330 square miles, the state Governor’s Office of Emergency Service said Tuesday. That is about equal to the size of Sacramento, about 100.1 square miles; Fresno, about 114.7 square miles; San Francisco, about 46,87 square miles; and Oakland, about 77.86 square miles, combined. (The Sacramento Bee) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,86dx,lzv2,1bct,ijo3 Related: Current fire information (CAL FIRE website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,9413,i8ik,1bct,ijo3 Cow Mountain Recreation Area Temporarily Closed Due to Fire Danger The Bureau of Land Management Ukiah Field Office has issued a temporary emergency closure for the Cow Mountain Recreation Area in Mendocino and Lake counties due to fire danger. The closure began Thursday, Oct. 12, and remains in effect until further notice. (BLM news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,1iqc,85pz,1bct,ijo3 BLM Reopens Vehicle Access to Panoche and Tumey Hills The Bureau of Land Management Central Coast Field Office has reopened the Panoche and Tumey Hills recreation areas to vehicle access as of Saturday, Oct. 14. Outdoor enthusiasts are reminded that BLM-managed public lands in San Benito, Fresno and Monterey counties, which include the recreation areas, are still under fire restrictions that limit target shooting to 30 minutes before sunrise until noon. Recreational shooters must avoid the use of targets made of material that could explode or emit sparks and must carry shovels or fire extinguishers. The limitations do not apply to the use of firearms for hunting. (BLM news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,kmjf,fgpn,1bct,ijo3 HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS #JointheRebelle! Follow #rebellerally2017 on BLM-managed Public Lands Rebelle Rally is the first women’s off-road navigation rally raid in the United States. Blending the love of driving with the ultimate challenge of precise navigation, the Rebelle tests your skills over 7 days of competition. It is not a race for speed, but a unique and demanding event based on the elements of headings, hidden checkpoints, time, and distance using maps, compass and roadbook. (Rebelle Rally daily updates) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,7xf4,7kzf,1bct,ijo3 Related: Social media coverage on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Dynamic Management of Trail Recreation – 2017 Interagency Ranger Ride and OHV Workshop Quiet Warrior Racing believes a new term “Dynamic Management of Recreational Opportunities” might be the best way to describe an emerging post-event theme from this year’s Ranger Ride and OHV Workshop held on October 3-5, 2017 at the BLM’s Chappie-Shasta OHV Area near Redding, California. Approximately 45 agency leads, recreation staff, and non-profit partners attended this annual interagency trail management and education workshop that was graciously hosted by the BLM’s Redding Field Office. (Quiet Warrior Racing blog) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,v3d,l8il,1bct,ijo3 2017 Public Lands Heroes In recognition of National Public Lands Day, the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics recognized 2017 Heroes of Public Lands. These extraordinary women and men put Leave No Trace education and programs into action in tangible, unique and effective ways on the lands they manage... Through her work at the Bureau of Land Management Barstow Field Office in California, Rose Beardshear has taught Leave No Trace through awareness workshops and camping trips organized for families to learn more about the outdoors. Some families had their first camping experience on these trips. (Leave No Trace website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,afdd,146q,1bct,ijo3 DUI and Registration Checkpoints Scheduled for Halloween Holiday Weekend at the Dunes Bureau of Land Management law enforcement officers will be conducting driving under the influence and registration checkpoints at several locations within Imperial County from Oct. 26 through Oct. 29, between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. Checkpoints are placed in locations based on traffic and high visitor use areas. Locations are chosen with the greatest opportunity for deterring impaired riding and driving, while keeping safety considerations in mind for the public and the officers. (BLM news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,5vse,hjes,1bct,ijo3 A Wild Mustang No More, Babs Will Soon Patrol the Streets of Sacramento Charles Nebel gently stroked the coat of a mahogany mustang named Babs on Thursday at the Wild Horse Program next to Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center. The sound of gunfire from a nearby firing range punctuated the quiet, but the horse didn’t flinch... Ninety days ago, Babs was completely wild, rounded up off public land by the federal Bureau of Land Management. Nebel, 51, her trainer, is serving a sentence for drug offenses. He had no experience with horses before joining the program 4 1/2 months ago. Together they have discovered a calm within themselves and each other, setting each of them up for new lives. (The Sacramento Bee) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,kpfp,1i7l,1bct,ijo3 25 Wild Horse Foals Die at Federal Facility. What Killed Them? Veterinarians investigating the death of 25 wild horse foals held at a federal facility near Susanville believe they suffered from colitis, an inflammation of the colon. The foals, all born in captivity at Bureau of Land Management corrals in Litchfield, were from mares gathered in September 2016 from the Devil’s Garden Wild Horse Territory on the Modoc National Forest, said Jeff Fontana, a BLM spokesman. (The Sacramento Bee) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,1y0a,mcvq,1bct,ijo3 Related: Preliminary Results for Wild Horse Deaths at BLM Corrals (BLM news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,fg0a,5u19,1bct,ijo3 Find Your Way with Coastal Trail Runs More than 300 runners took in the beauty of the Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail, when they competed Saturday and Sunday, October 7 and 8 in the 14th annual Bizz Johnson Marathon and half-marathon races. Runners came from states across the nation to compete in the event known for its beautiful course through pine forests and the fall colors in the Susan River Canyon. We love sharing the beauty of this trail with all public lands visitors! (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,ephu,24v4,1bct,ijo3 Studying the California Coast 25 Road Scholars from all over the United States visited the Trinidad Head Lighthouse, part of the California Coastal National Monument. This diverse group of lifelong learners travel the world with a strong desire to learn and investigate the places they visit. Trinidad Head is a popular destination for all coastal enthusiasts. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,jubd,j8u1,1bct,ijo3 BLM AND DOI HIGHLIGHTS Alaska Day: Celebrating Alaska’s Transfer from Russia October 18 is Alaska Day, the annual celebration of the transfer of Alaska from Russia to the United States. When the initial purchase was announced in 1867, many Americans ridiculed the sale. However, in the 150 years since, Alaska’s incredible beauty and bountiful resources have proven it to be a valuable addition to our union. There are over 222 million acres of public lands in Alaska and much of it is managed by the Interior Department. (DOI blog) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,bcqv,db1k,1bct,ijo3 Interior Library Receives GPO’s Library of the Year Award The U.S. Government Publishing Office has presented the Department of the Interior Library the 2017 Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) ‘Library of the Year’ award, marking the first time a federal agency library has received this prestigious honor. GPO Director Davita Vance-Cooks said the library was selected for its leadership, promotion of Government information, highlighting Government documents through its Park Ranger Speaker series, offering a variety of reference tools for patrons, and the preservation of its collection. “I congratulate the Interior library leadership and its staff for their continued outstanding efforts in keeping America informed about the Federal Government, Vance-Cooks said. “The Library exemplifies the vital relationship GPO has with the library community in providing free public access to a vast array of government information in digital and print formats.” (DOI news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,4qpl,e79i,1bct,ijo3 Secretary Zinke Outlines Action Plan to Combat Harassment and Discrimination Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke and Acting Director of the National Park Service Mike Reynolds announced an immediate action plan to combat the widespread and pervasive culture of harassment and discrimination throughout the National Park Service. The action plan will ensure that employees, especially managers, are held accountable when harassment is found. They also released the results of a NPS survey of employees which found 38 percent of employees had experienced harassment or discrimination of some kind while on the job. (DOI news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,e9hv,7tju,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK What is the name of the world's toughest bison? a) Spot b) Sam c) Spartan d) Sparky Keep reading for answer below. UPCOMING EVENTS Now - January: 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,2y6ep,3xn3,bpl9,75fs,1bct,ijo3 Now - April 30: Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Announces Winter Visitor Center Schedule As the Coachella Valley begins to move into the winter months, the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center will initiate its winter visitor center schedule. From October 1 to April 30, 2018, the visitor center will be open five days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday to Monday, and close on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. (BLM news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,1hri,3ur7,1bct,ijo3 October 21: Annual Fall Colors Ride on Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail The Bureau of Land Management will offer a special fall colors bike ride and bike shuttle Saturday, October 21, on the Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail near Susanville, as a great way to get some exercise and enjoy spectacular fall colors in the forest and the Susan River Canyon. (BLM news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,d2tk,kvse,1bct,ijo3 October 23-31: “Going to Bat for Bats” in the Coachella Valley. Help celebrate BatWeek, October 24 to 31, 2017. Bat Week is an annual celebration of bats and this year marks the fourth year of this bat-tastic educational outreach program. Numerous organizations and agencies across the United States and Canada will be leading projects and events throughout the week to learn, support and get the word out about how amazing bats really are! (BLM news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,4bc1,7zbu,1bct,ijo3 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) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,693x,7av6,1bct,ijo3 November 4: BLM Offers Point Arena-Stornetta Tours and Coastal Hike 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) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,60o4,kih6,1bct,ijo3 November 6-9: Maintenance Scheduled for Amboy Crater Access Road The Bureau of Land Management Amboy National Natural Landmark Recreation Area will be undergoing an asphalt surface treatment, cracks repair and sealing, and pavement markings of the area’s access road and parking lots from Nov. 6 to 9. The temporarily vehicular traffic road closure will help the BLM keep public landscapes healthy and productive, while ensuring public safety and increasing project efficiency. (BLM news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,2r24,ai68,1bct,ijo3 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,2y6ep,3xn3,4tx9,i9d6,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK ANSWER What is the name of the world's toughest bison? d) Sparky Who can forget the world’s toughest bison? Back in January 2016, we told the tale of Sparky, a bison that earned his name after surviving a lightning strike at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Iowa. His amazing story of survival quickly spread across the globe with coverage from Popular Science, Gizmodo, AOL, The Weather Channel and more. The Fish and Wild Service recently checked in with refuge biologists to see what Sparky has been up to. (Catching up with Sparky, the world’s toughest bison via USFWS newsroom) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2y6ep,3xn3,jfoa,gevv,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/ Send Comments to the News.Bytes Team | Subscribe to News.Bytes | View our Privacy Policy
