ISSUE 785 - NOVEMBER 16, 2017 - From the Field - Headlines and Highlights - BLM and DOI Highlights - Wildlife Question of the Week - Upcoming Events FROM THE FIELD Fall Views Worth Capturing A group of painters came out to Fort Ord National Monument today to enjoy beautiful scenery and paint sycamore trees. The dense, green foliage of the perennial sycamore tree (Platanus occidentalis) is known widely for adding shade or leafy lushness to any area. Sycamore trees are one of the oldest species of trees on Earth, and are known for their longevity and hardiness. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2z1v9,3xn3,7nsq,aqxl,1bct,ijo3 Fall Highball This year, BLM's Bishop Field Office hosted a record 74 climbers, volunteering their time to help with a stewardship event at The American Alpine Club - Fall Highball in Bishop, California. Climbers came to the BLM-managed Volcanic Tablelands to help pick up trash, rehab and improve camping areas at the Pleasant Valley Pit and Quarry Road, improve trails in the Sads bouldering area and plant native vegetation. Thanks to partners from the American Alpine Club who put on the Fall Highball in Bishop and Friends of the Inyo who helped make this stewardship event happen! (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2z1v9,3xn3,im09,4pmq,1bct,ijo3 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 Recreation in Lassen County Rocky Point Campground and Day Use Area is managed by BLM's Eagle Lake Field Office and located on the west side of Eagle Lake in Lassen County, California. This area provides a wide variety of outdoor recreation opportunities including fishing, boating, hiking and swimming. The campground is most popular during the summer months when the weather is more amenable to outdoor activities, though some enjoy ice fishing here during the winter. (BLM website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2z1v9,3xn3,1jvu,dk1m,1bct,ijo3 Migratory Bird Season Fall rains sweep across Cosumnes River Preserve, helping fill wetlands for migrating birds passing through on their journey along the Pacific Flyway. Located between Sacramento and Stockton, the Preserve consists of over 50,000 acres of wildlife habitat and agricultural lands overseen by seven land management partners, including The Nature Conservancy in California, Bureau of Land Management, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Sacramento County Regional Parks, California Department of Water Resources, Ducks Unlimited and the California State Lands Commission. It provides numerous social, economic and recreational benefits to local California communities. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2z1v9,3xn3,fws,em6p,1bct,ijo3 Honoring Veterans Over the weekend, in honor of Veterans Day, the National Anthem kicked off the season finale of the American Motorcycle Association National Hare and Hound Championship in Barstow, California. Hosted by Checkers MC, "by far the winningest competition club to ever race motorcycles", the event was a great way to celebrate the 67th Checkers Check Chase. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2z1v9,3xn3,13n0,60w1,1bct,ijo3 Related: Event coverage (National Hare and Hound website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2z1v9,3xn3,fbv9,kx05,1bct,ijo3 HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS BLM Central Coast Field Office Lifts Emergency Fire Restrictions, Reopening Target Shooting The Bureau of Land Management Central Coast Field Office lifted its emergency fire restrictions on Nov. 15, due to reduced fire potential. This action also removes time limits set on target shooting on public lands in Fresno, Monterey and San Benito counties, where the majority of visitation occurs. Fire restrictions were initiated on June 9, with shooting limitations implemented on July 21. (BLM news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2z1v9,3xn3,1xeo,4gd2,1bct,ijo3 BLM Mother Lode Field Office Lifts Emergency Fire Restrictions, Reopening Target Shooting The Bureau of Land Management Mother Lode Field Office is lifted its emergency fire restrictions at 9 a.m. on Nov. 13, due to reduced fire potential. This action reopened target shooting on public lands in 12 central California counties. (BLM news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2z1v9,3xn3,4757,f9nd,1bct,ijo3 BLM Seeks California Desert District Advisory Council Nominations The Bureau of Land Management’s California Desert District is soliciting nominations from the public for five members of its California Desert Advisory Council to serve three-year terms. The council’s 15 members provide advice and recommendations to the BLM on the management of more than 10-million acres of public lands in eight counties of southern California. (BLM news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2z1v9,3xn3,4yfb,e8yi,1bct,ijo3 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) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2z1v9,3xn3,ct5n,1p0v,1bct,ijo3 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) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2z1v9,3xn3,7m58,agtp,1bct,ijo3 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 November 18, The Lights Fest will be taking place on private lands near Superstition Mountain OHV Area in Imperial, California. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2z1v9,3xn3,dzjv,6awi,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 Following the People's Tree The tradition of the Capitol Christmas Tree, or "The People’s Tree," began in 1964 when Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives John W. McCormack (D-MA) placed a live Christmas tree on the Capitol lawn. This tree lived three years before succumbing to wind and root damage. In 1970, the Capitol Architect asked the U.S. Forest Service to provide a Christmas tree. Since then, a different national forest has been chosen each year to provide "The People’s Tree." This national forest also works with state forests to provide companion trees that are smaller Christmas trees for offices in Washington, D.C. The Kootenai National Forest in Montana will provide the 2017 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. (Capitol Christmas Tree website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2z1v9,3xn3,72ha,bzy4,1bct,ijo3 Related: Finding "The One" (Architect of the Capitol website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2z1v9,3xn3,cwv0,1ca1,1bct,ijo3 Secretary Zinke and BLM Invite Sportsmen to Enjoy Upcoming Deer Season at the Sabinoso Wilderness U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke and the Bureau of Land Management are pleased to announce that the Sabinoso Wilderness – which contains some of the most pristine habitat in the country for elk, mule deer, and other wildlife – is for the first time ever accessible to the public for hunting, fishing, and other recreational activities. The 16,000-acre Sabinoso was previously wholly surrounded by non-federal land, making it inaccessible to the general public. However, a donation of 3,595 acres (formerly known as the Rimrock Rose Ranch) that are adjacent to Sabinoso Wilderness was accepted by the Secretary and is now public. (DOI news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2z1v9,3xn3,bikv,sdb,1bct,ijo3 GIS Day The Bureau of Land Management's Navigator is your one-stop shop for keyword and geospatial search of California geospatial data for your public lands. (BLM website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2z1v9,3xn3,dco3,5pf1,1bct,ijo3 Related: Additional map resources (BLM website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2z1v9,3xn3,ai6m,ad49,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK True or false? When wildlife researchers affix radio collars to a wild animal, their primary purpose is to understand the animal’s movements in a natural setting. 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) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2z1v9,3xn3,ap5d,6o35,1bct,ijo3 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,2z1v9,3xn3,keq5,axha,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,2z1v9,3xn3,bika,6fuw,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,2z1v9,3xn3,jbve,6dmj,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,2z1v9,3xn3,ki7p,7apv,1bct,ijo3 November 25-26: Alabama Hills Film and Natural History Hikes Offered The Bureau of Land Management Bishop Field Office, Alabama Hills Stewardship Group and Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association will be hosting two-hour, guided hikes about the film and natural history of Alabama Hills. Hikes will begin at 10 a.m. on Nov. 25 and 26, leaving from the Eastern Sierra Visitor Center, at the intersection of Highways 395 and 136 in Lone Pine, California. (BLM news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2z1v9,3xn3,gkpk,943i,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK ANSWER True! When wildlife researchers affix radio collars to a wild animal, their primary purpose is to understand the animal’s movements in a natural setting. Animals may alter their behavior in response to people intentionally approaching them. If this happens to an animal that has a tracking collar, the results of the study can be altered, resulting in inappropriate conclusions. This is called introducing “bias” into the data, which is something that scientists always try to minimize. Therefore, as a matter of maintaining scientific integrity as well as ensuring the safety of the study animals and people (imagine approaching an injured mountain lion), we do not disclose the frequency of the tracking collars we deploy on animals. (California Outdoors Q and A column via California Department of Fish and Wildlife) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2z1v9,3xn3,10mc,c4h6,1bct,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/
