News.Bytes, Bureau of Land Management California ISSUE 783 - NOVEMBER 2, 2017 - Volunteer Events - Your Public Lands - Headlines and Highlights - BLM and DOI Highlights - Wildlife Question of the Week - Upcoming Events VOLUNTEER EVENTS Halloween at Headwaters BLM's Arcata Field Office partnered with Redwood Parks Conservancy to host the second annual Halloween at Headwaters event last Saturday on the Elk River Trail. Over 400 participants came for a dusk tour which involved visiting five Falk living history actors who told their story of what it was like to live in a Company Mill Town in the 1920's. The evening concluded at the Headwaters Education Center where Ali Freedlund and Paul Woodland told Halloween themed stories. Participants then walked back along a luminary 1/2 mile walkway. Many thanks to Redwood Parks Conservancy and Headwaters and AmeriCorps Watershed Steward Program volunteers. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ynd4,3xn3,h4qq,a9p1,1bct,ijo3 16th Annual National Public Lands Day/ Make A Difference Day at the Fort Ord National Monument Last weekend, BLM hosted the 16th annual National Public Lands Day/ Make A Difference Day at the Fort Ord National Monument in Monterey County, California. The volunteer event was co-hosted by the U.S. Army, California State Parks, FORT Friends and the Monterey Off-Road Cycling Association. About 75 volunteers from around the region helped out with trail maintenance, acorn collection, habitat restoration, trailhead maintenance and picnic table construction. The volunteer event was part of a centennial celebration on the monument in recognition of the Army's acquisition of 15,000 acres of the Gigling Reservation in 1917 that eventually became part of the former Fort Ord. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ynd4,3xn3,bmqa,lhue,1bct,ijo3 Fall is in the Air Senior citizens had the opportunity to enjoy fall colors on the Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail, thanks to staff from our Eagle Lake Field Office and dedicated community volunteers. In what has become an annual tradition, our team used quiet electric golf carts on loan from Susanville's golf course to provide a seven-mile trip down the trail. Staff and volunteers love providing this experience for members of the local senior community. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ynd4,3xn3,7pp7,cqtu,1bct,ijo3 Work and Learn Program at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve Yucca Valley High School students received credit for volunteering at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve and for participation in the lecture and workshop series. A dozen budding herpetologists enjoyed Tracy Albrecht, BLM Interpretative Specialist’s workshop called, “Get To Know Your Native Snakes”. Participants even learned how to use a dichotomies key and field guides to identify ten snakes native to the southern California deserts. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ynd4,3xn3,1lcx,1kl5,1bct,ijo3 Successful Cleanup Event in Long Canyon near Desert Hot Springs Last weekend for National Public Lands Day and #BatWeek participants definitely improved habitat for wildlife and local bats at the cleanup event in Long Canyon near Desert Hot Springs. 44 volunteers helped collect native seed for future restoration activities, installed signage along the route and removed over 40 cubic feet of trash from the canyon! Huge thanks to volunteers from Desert Hot Springs Rotary Club, Coachella Valley Urban Conservation Corp, Farmworker Institute of Education & Leadership Development and students from College of the Desert. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ynd4,3xn3,aoe8,jgy0,1bct,ijo3 Kern Valley Pride Day BLM and Keepers of the KERN joined forces to take part in Kern Valley Pride Day 2017! On September 16, our Bakersfield Field Office and BLM South Fork Fire Station, along with Keepers of the Kern, participated in an annual community trash cleanup at Keysville Recreation Management Area. Kern Valley Pride Day is the community’s largest clean up event that has been a friendly competition for the past 30 years! Everyone is allowed to participate on any land or roadway within the Kern Valley. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ynd4,3xn3,aufn,ht7c,1bct,ijo3 YOUR PUBLIC LANDS Pygmy Rabbit Workshop The Bishop Field Office hosted a two-day workshop on pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis). Wildlife consultant Eveline Larrucea led the training and has extensively studied pygmy rabbits in California and Nevada. The workshop included a field day packed with fun and experiential learning in the Eastern Sierra’s Mono Basin region. Eveline’s contagious enthusiasm made it easy to hop on the pygmy rabbit bandwagon! Participants visited active pygmy rabbit sites and setup remote game cameras as part of a presence/absence survey... cuteness ensued. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ynd4,3xn3,bcsf,jmvm,1bct,ijo3 Going to Bat for Bats Dani Ortiz, BLM Wildlife Biologist kicked off #BatWeek at The Wildlands Conservancy’s Whitewater Preserve. Ponds provide ideal conditions for seeing and detecting different species of bats. Participants detected three different species in 30 minutes. Ortiz has detected 20 species working in the Coachella Valley. Fun Fact: An echometer analyzes and plays sonograms of bat sounds. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ynd4,3xn3,d7p4,68of,1bct,ijo3 Headwaters Forest Reserve Contributes Genetic Material to German Research Effort to Discover Frost Resistance in Coast Redwood Dr. Natalie Breidenbach, with of the Institute for Forest Genetics and Forest Tree Breeding, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen in Göttingen Germany, recently visited California as part of a three-year study to examine the genetic diversity of natural stands of coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens). The hope is to discover genes responsible for frost resistance that could potentially benefit survival of introduced coast redwood in Germany. The genetic variability of living specimens of coast redwood in Germany is very low, and they are seeking to increase that diversity. By targeting natural areas of distribution in higher altitude, lower minimum winter temperature zones for genetic collection, like found in the Headwaters Forest Reserve, Dr. Breidenbach hopes to increase the chances of success. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ynd4,3xn3,d236,l4ww,1bct,ijo3 Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day Since 2004, nearly 100,000 youth have discovered and celebrated the joy of pedaling two wheels on dirt at International Mountain Bicycling Association "Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day" events, and many have gone on to become passionate riders, volunteer trail advocates and even high school mountain bike racers. Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day is an annual event that seeks to introduce the joy of mountain biking to the next generation. These youngsters enjoyed their day riding in Fort Ord National Monument last month. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ynd4,3xn3,bz0s,broy,1bct,ijo3 A Treasure Themed FamCamp Our BLM Barstow Field Office and local community partners rallied together to host Greater Hope Foundation for Children foster families in a treasure themed FamCamp outing at the El Mirage Off-Highway Vehicle Area. The weekend kicked off at the visitor center with pirate games, lunch compliments of the Friends of El Mirage, and a rock painting party hosted by Friends of the Desert Discovery Center. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ynd4,3xn3,d8kf,ch83,1bct,ijo3 HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS BLM Lifting Fire Restrictions for Public Lands Managed by Redding Field Office With the return of cooler weather, the Bureau of Land Management today rescinded fire restrictions on public lands managed by the Redding Field Office in Shasta, Trinity, Butte, Siskiyou and Tehama counties. (BLM news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ynd4,3xn3,64m5,k73l,1bct,ijo3 BLM Seeks Public Input on Draft Plan for Palen Solar Photovoltaic Project The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comment on an environmental analysis and land use plan amendment for the proposed 500 megawatt Palen Solar Photovoltaic Project on public lands in eastern Riverside County. The action is consistent with the Trump Administration’s priority of promoting American-made energy development on public lands, improving infrastructure and creating jobs in local economies. (BLM news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ynd4,3xn3,ajog,lunl,1bct,ijo3 BLM Seeks Help Finding Missing Informational Panel from Historic Route 66 California Gateway Site On Oct. 23, the Bureau of Land Management discovered an informational panel went missing from the Historic Route 66 California Gateway Site, south of Needles. The site is located near the intersection of Five Mile Road and Interstate 40 in San Bernardino County, CA. The Bureau of Land Management, Needles Field Office is requesting information from the public and neighboring law enforcement agencies related to this or any similar type of incident in the surrounding tri-state area. (BLM news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ynd4,3xn3,5qw2,ej73,1bct,ijo3 Get Your California Campfire Permit Online Visit preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit - watch a short video - take a quiz - get your online permit - save or print pdf or just bookmark the link on your mobile device to display when needed. BLM AND DOI HIGHLIGHTS Celebrate Native American Heritage Month November is Native American Heritage Month! It’s time to celebrate the rich histories, diverse cultures and important contributions of our nation’s first people. Interior works to honor the nation’s trust responsibilities and special commitments to American Indians and Alaska Natives. (DOI blog) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ynd4,3xn3,3c2o,e44e,1bct,ijo3 Secretary Zinke and Interior Leadership host First-Ever Public Lands Access for Veterans Meeting at Interior As part of “National Hunting and Fishing Month”, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke hosted a first-of-it's-kind meeting with veteran service organizations to share experiences and ideas to make public lands more accessible to veterans with and without disabilities. The Hunting and Fishing Access for Veterans roundtable discussion was hosted by Secretary Zinke and included members of his leadership team. More than 20 veteran advocates participated, including many who specialize in hunting and fishing therapy for returning warriors. (DOI news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ynd4,3xn3,jl8w,htha,1bct,ijo3 Happy Birthday, Theodore Roosevelt Secretary Ryan Zinke speaks on the 159th birthday of a key figure in American conservation: Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States. (DOI video) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ynd4,3xn3,bse0,gbhq,1bct,ijo3 Department of the Interior Releases Energy Burdens Report The U.S. Department of the Interior released the "Review of the Department of the Interior Actions that Potentially Burden Domestic Energy" report which was produced in response to Executive Order 13783. The report identified agency actions that potentially burden the development or use of domestically produced energy resources, with particular attention to oil, natural gas, coal, and nuclear energy resources. Interior oversees America's oil, gas, coal, hydropower, and renewable energy resources produced on federal lands and waters, which account for almost one-fifth of the Nation's energy and generate on average $10 billion per year in annual revenue. Today, Secretary Zinke also signed Secretarial Order 3358, that will establish the Executive Committee for Expedited Permitting. (DOI news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ynd4,3xn3,6gm2,buzy,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK Name that animal: The cow-like creatures are thought to have inspired mermaid legends. a) Whale b) Dugong c) Manatee 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,2ynd4,3xn3,euln,v7l,1bct,ijo3 Related: Halter-gentled Burros for Adoption during UC Davis Donkey Welfare Symposium on November 5 (BLM news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ynd4,3xn3,al8,d3de,1bct,ijo3 Related: Redlands Off-Range Corral just received some new wild horses and burros available for adoption, and some can be purchased! (BLM website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ynd4,3xn3,hz31,1o69,1bct,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,2ynd4,3xn3,j0r3,but1,1bct,ijo3 November 4-5: 21st Annual Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival As a participant in the 21st annual Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival, BLM will be leading tours at Cosumnes River Preserve beginning at 3:25 p.m. on Saturday, November 4 and at 2:40 p.m. on Sunday, November 5, departing from the north entrance of Hutchins Street Square and Oak Street in Lodi, California. The three hour 20 minute tours cost $30 for adults, $15 for youth and $10 for a child. Tour space is limited to approximately 50 people, and fill up quickly. Anyone interested must pre-register at cranefestival.com/tours.php, or call (800) 581-6150. 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,2ynd4,3xn3,eyja,i8k3,1bct,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,2ynd4,3xn3,8830,56ka,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,2ynd4,3xn3,hvvt,gb7l,1bct,ijo3 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,2ynd4,3xn3,g01t,jxix,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK ANSWER November is Manatee Awareness Month, and for many it might inspire a number of questions about these amazing mammals. What exactly do these gentle giants do for the environment and why are they so different from every other sea animal? No matter what time of year it is, manatees deserve to be celebrated. These amazing creatures fulfill a unique niche by serving as indicator species for ecosystems across the United States. Because of their reliance on the health of their habitat, manatees often act as a signal of their environment’s well-being. (DOI blog) 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/
