ISSUE 784 - NOVEMBER 9, 2017 - Veterans Day - Native American Heritage Month - From the Field - Headlines and Highlights - BLM and DOI Highlights - Wildlife Question of the Week - Upcoming Events VETERANS DAY This Veterans Day, we honor all the men and women who have worn the uniform and fought for our freedom. To all who answered their country’s call, we appreciate your sacrifice and thank you for your service. Saluting Interior's Veterans A message from Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke (U.S. Navy, 1985 - 2008) to all the military veterans now serving at the Department of the Interior on this Veterans Day 2017. Remember this weekend, you can visit national parks, wildlife refuges and public lands for free. (DOI YouTube) Chance Encounter and Touching Tribute Led to Ongoing BLM Participation in Honor Our Fallen Event Bureau of Land Management Fort Ord National Monument Park Ranger Tammy Jakl hates to run! Jokingly, she admits, “I only run when I’m on a fire crew and have to run.” But a case of mistaken identity five years ago that sparked a personal connection, now compels Ranger Tammy to willingly run every year. Jakl was wearing her BLM uniform while picking up supplies at a hardware store when Gold Star Mother Margot Stengel approached her in the parking lot. Margot thought Tammy worked for the California State Parks. She started telling Jakl about the Honor Our Fallen Run she was organizing at Fort Ord Dunes State Park to commemorate her son Staff Sgt. Vincent Ashlock, who was killed while serving in Afghanistan. “When I told her I worked for BLM, and not California Parks, she invited me to come anyway. It was such a heartfelt, touching story there was no way I could say ‘no.’ So, I told her, ‘I’ll run for you,’” remembers Ranger Tammy. (BLM California Facebook) As Veterans Day Approaches, We Celebrate History, Heritage and Culture Using both current and rare archival footage, "Sands of War" recounts the story of the creation and role of the Desert Training Center against the backdrop of WWII. Told through the personal experiences of WWII veterans, and narrated by Emmy Award winning actor Peter Coyote, the program provides a compelling account of the young men and women thrust onto the heaving stage of world conflict. (BLM California YouTube) NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH Honoring Native American Code Talkers During times of war, secure communications can mean the difference between life and death; victory and defeat. In World War I and World War II, the United States military relied on a unique series of codes to keep its messages safe from the enemy. These codes weren’t based on cutting-edge technology or complex mathematical equations, though. Finding their origins in Native American languages, these codes were spoken by a brave group of men recruited from tribal communities across the country. Those men became known as Code Talkers. With both Veterans Day and Native American Heritage Month in November, now is a great time to tell the stories of these heroes. (DOI blog) See the Past Into the Future In the early 90’s the month of November was deemed ‘Native American Heritage month’ to help recognize the significant contributions and growth that have been made by Native Americans. Tread Lightly! would like to encourage you to take time this month to learn and appreciate the rich traditions and ancestry of Native Americans and help us protect ancient artifacts and petroglyphs. (Tread Lightly website) Find Your Way During Native American Heritage Month The 5th annual Old Spanish Trail Day Celebration kicked off last month at the BLM’s Desert Discovery Center in conjunction with the Old Spanish Trail Association 2017 National Conference. Due to the strategic planning of Mojave River Chapter President, Nelson Miller and Friends of Desert Discovery Center's Education Director, Jane Laraman-Brockhurst, conference attendees were able to enjoy an action-packed day of field trips, presentations, live music, dancing and hands-on history activities that engaged the entire community. Co-sponsored by the City of Barstow, Friends of Desert Discovery Center and the Old Spanish Trail Association, the event drew nearly 1,000 people. (BLM California Facebook) "Discover For Yourself" - Highlighting BLM Colorado's Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Celebration of Native American Heritage Month BLM's Canyons of the Ancients National Monument is located in southwest Colorado. Peppered with more than 9,300 archaeological sites representing Ancestral Puebloan and other Native American cultures, Canyons of the Ancients is a gem of the BLM's National Conservation Lands. Neighboring the National Park Service's Mesa Verde National Park and Hovenweep National Monument, Canyons of the Ancients is woven into the rich cultural tapestry of the famed Four Corners region. (BLM Colorado Facebook video) 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) FROM THE FIELD 2nd Annual BLM California Employee Photo Contest We are happy to share the images from the 2nd annual BLM California employee photo contest. Thank you to all of our wonderful employees for helping share great work and unique views from the field. Check out winners from over 200 submissions are in the following categories: Landscape → goo.gl/WE8WuC Wildlife → goo.gl/p9b6VD Recreation → goo.gl/xQp5in BLM Careers → goo.gl/FWC2Ay Nature, Plants, Wildflowers → goo.gl/pqWRoQ Cultural, Paleontology, Archaeology → goo.gl/CyWbEw Wild Horse and Burro → goo.gl/Nk5Jgb Energy and Minerals → goo.gl/XDBemQ Wildland Fire → goo.gl/cJAvr3 Grazing → goo.gl/T1f3bo Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and BLM Expand Tule Elk Habitat California is the only state with populations of tule elk. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation partnered with the Bureau of Land Management to acquire lands within the Berryessa-Snow Mountain National Monument to expand habitat for one of the state’s tule elk herds. RMEF remains heavily involved in habitat protection and enhancement projects in the area. California’s tule elk herds have recovered from the brink of extinction and Cache Creek now has several trophy bull tags available each year. One of the tags is reserved for an “apprentice hunt” for youth hunters. (My Public Lands Tumblr) Rush Fire Rehab BLM's Eagle Lake Field Office with help from AmeriCorps and Nevada Conservation Corps is continuing to help the land heal from wildfire by planting sagebrush seedlings. Interns and staff have been braving blustery conditions over the past few days to plant more than 30,000 seedlings in areas burned by the 315,000-acre Rush Fire in 2012. Sagebrush is an important component of the high desert ecosystem in northeast California, benefiting sage-grouse and many other species. (BLM California Facebook) Working to Return Native Western Dog Violet Viola Adunca to Coastal Grasslands The BLM Arcata Field Office and Mattole Restoration Council, a local non-profit organization, are working together to propagate and increase seed of western dog violet (Viola adunca) for use in the King Range National Conservation Area. Following decades of conifer encroachment and grassland habitat loss resulting from sixty years of modern-era fire suppression, the BLM, with additional support from Mattole Restoration Council, the California Mule Deer Foundation and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, has been mechanically removing encroaching woody vegetation in a successful bid to reclaim coastal grasslands. (BLM California Facebook) Redwood Trunks Lain Across San Vicente Creek to Restore Coho Salmon Habitat Santa Cruz Sentinel article highlights a restoration project that our Central Coast Field Office is participating in at the California Coastal National Monument at Cotoni-Coast Dairies to improve salmon habitat. This project was implemented on Cotoni-Coast Dairies and on the neighboring property upstream, San Vicente Redwoods. Video by Ian Rowbotham, Sempervirens Fund. (Santa Cruz Sentinel) HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS BLM Seeks Nominations for Northern California District Resource Advisory Council The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public nominations for five open positions on the Northern California Resource Advisory Council. The RAC works closely with BLM managers in Alturas, Arcata, Cedarville, Redding and Susanville, providing guidance on the full range of the BLM's responsibilities. As published in a notice in the Federal Register, the BLM will consider nominations until Dec. 4. (BLM news release) BLM Seeks Nominations to Carrizo Plain National Monument Advisory Committee The Bureau of Land Management announced that it is seeking public nominations for open positions on 17 of its 36 Resource Advisory Councils, including the Carrizo Plain National Monument Advisory Committee. As published in a notice in the Federal Register, the BLM will consider nominations for 30 days. (BLM news release) Are You Planning on Visiting Superstition Mountain Off-Highway Vehicle Open Area? Be on the lookout for events occurring on or near public lands in November! On the afternoon of both November 11 and 18, The Lights Fest will be taking place on private lands near Superstition Mountain OHV Area in Imperial, California. The Dash at the Dip, a BLM permitted OHV race, will also be occurring north of Wheeler Road on November 11. (BLM California Facebook) Great California Shake Out As participants in the Great California Shake Out with Earthquake Country Alliance, Ranger Jason Fincher demonstrated simple and safe reactions to an earthquake, such as not to panic and take cover to local students. (BLM California Facebook) 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 BLM Announces Annual Reclamation and Sustainable Mineral Development Award Winners for 2017 The Bureau of Land Management recognized three hardrock mining companies and a recreational organization for advancing the use of sustainable development practices in their work. The awards were presented by BLM Acting Director Michael D. Nedd at a joint BLM – Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement annual awards event hosted by the National Mining Association. (BLM news release) Secretary Zinke Announces the Creation of the International Wildlife Conservation Council U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced the creation of the International Wildlife Conservation Council. The Council will provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior. It will focus on increased public awareness domestically regarding conservation, wildlife law enforcement, and economic benefits that result from U.S. citizens traveling abroad to hunt. (DOI news release) Secretary Zinke Announces Creation of the “Made in America” Recreation Advisory Committee U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced the establishment of the “Made in America” Recreation Advisory Committee. The Committee will advise the Secretary of the Interior on public-private partnerships across all public lands, with the goal of expanding access to and improving infrastructure on public lands and waterways. (DOI news release) WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK Majestic moose. Elegant elk. Regal deer. What makes them so memorable? a) Mating calls b) Antlers c) Where they call home d) The food they eat Keep reading for answer below. UPCOMING EVENTS Now - mid-December: Repair Work to Begin on Bizz Johnson Trail Flood Damage Construction crews will begin work Wednesday, Nov. 8, repairing flood damage on a seven-mile section of the Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail east of Susanville. Access through the construction sites will be closed during working hours, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., but open during weekends and non-working hours. The Federal Highways Administration is funding and managing the $400,000 project. Site Works Solutions of Redding will complete the work. Officials at the Bureau of Land Management expect project completion in mid-December. (BLM news release) 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) Related: Redlands Off-Range Corral just received some new wild horses and burros available for adoption, and some can be purchased! (BLM website) 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) 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) 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) WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK ANSWER Majestic moose. Elegant elk. Regal deer. What makes them so memorable? b) Antlers Check out 11 Facts About Antlers via the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 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/
