 Point Arena-Stornetta, part of the California Coastal National Monument  |
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- 2018 Planner |
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Happy New Year! We hope you find time to enjoy your public lands in 2018. |
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| 2018 PLANNER | ||||||
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LAST CHANCE to Order Your 2018 Monthly Planner Featuring California Public Lands - Offer Expires Wednesday, January 17.BLM's 2018 monthly planner featuring California public lands is here! Enjoy stunning employee photography all year long. Get your FREE planner while supplies last. (BLM website) |
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| NEW YEAR NEW ADVENTURES | ||||||
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Happy 2018!
Over the next month, we will share our favorite places to get out and explore your public lands nationwide. What a perfect way to welcome in a new year and plan many new adventures! For our first
#NewYearNewAdventures list, we invite you to check out places that are a little different, whether it’s taking a step back in time at a historical place, experiencing a little solitude in a wilderness study area or mountain biking a new trail. Enjoy! (My Public Lands Tumblr) |
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BLM Waives Most Day Use Fees in Observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. DayIn order to increase recreational access to public land, the Bureau of Land Management will waive recreation-related fees for visitors to public lands on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 15, 2018. The BLM will waive recreation-related fees for visitors to public lands on four additional occasions this year— Presidents Day (February 19), National Get Outdoors Day (June 9), National Public Lands Day (September 22) and Veterans Day (November 11). (BLM news release) |
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#NewYearNewAdventures Calls for a Picnic!Local Muletown Road residents Al and Marilyn Carter recently donated two picnic tables to our Redding Field Office for installation along the Mule Ridge Trail System. The Carters were very helpful during the construction of the Mule Ridge Trail System by volunteering their time and labor, and they continue to help out with trail maintenance. (BLM California Facebook) |
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Did You Get a New Toy this Holiday Season?Make plans for 2018 to test out your dirt biking skills at Fort Sage Special Recreation Management Area, located in the high desert region of northeastern California, about 45 miles north of Reno, Nevada. The recreation area consists of approximately 22,000 acres of public land that is managed primarily for off-highway vehicle use and winter deer range. (BLM California Facebook video) |
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Favorites from 20172017 was quite the year! We thank all of our followers for tagging along on our adventures across your public lands! Check out a few of our favorite moments. (BLM National Facebook) |
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Not Your Ordinary Job: Apply to be a Wildland Firefighter TODAYDo you enjoy the outdoors? Looking for adventurous career? Want a job that challenges you physically? A wildland firefighting job might be for you! Wildland firefighters often travel to remote locations, many that are rarely seen by most people. (My Public Lands Tumblr) Related: USAJOBS website |
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Sharing Personal Experiences from the Fire LineBLM Wyoming, the National Interagency Fire Center and other state, federal and conservation corps sponsors helped bring together an all women's fire crew this past summer! Crew members share their experiences after the Orleans Complex on the Six Rivers National Forest in California. (BLM California Facebook) |
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Current BLM California Fire JobsNot Your Ordinary Job with BLMer Andrea Littlefield: Apply today on USAJOBS for a fire job with BLM in California! Be sure to share with friends and family who may be interested in joining our team! (BLM California Facebook video) |
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| HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS | ||||||
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Celebrating the California CoastThe California coast is a way of life for millions of Californians, and a destination for visitors from around the world. Many come to the coast for health, play, work, discovery, and enjoyment. Established on this day in 2000, the scenic beauty and important wildlife habitat within the California Coastal National Monument are part of the Bureau of Land Management's National Conservation Lands. (BLM California Facebook)Related: California Coastal National Monument (BLM website) |
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National Law Enforcement Appreciation DayOn National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (January 9), we were proud to recognize our BLM law enforcement rangers, including those who assisted in relief efforts in the aftermath of devastating natural disasters from Hurricane Harvey in Texas, Irma in Florida and Maria in Puerto Rico! Thank you for your service. (BLM California Facebook) |
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The 10 Most Incredible Photos from an Astounding Year in WeatherIt was an incredible, devastating year in weather. From multiple major hurricanes to an unparalleled wildfire season, the final toll will be thousands of lives and hundreds of billions of dollars. Between these catastrophes, though, were a few glimmers of light in the form of a stunning wildflower super bloom and a solar eclipse for the ages. Here are the 10 most incredible weather photos of 2017. (The Washington Post) |
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'Star Wars' Day at Imperial Sand DunesStar Wars Day, as in "May the fourth be with you," as in May the fourth, as in May 4, is regularly observed around the planet when the fifth month of the year arrives. And with Forceful reason, for on any May 4 a fan is bound to find screenings and costume-wearing opportunities and book signings and more, depending upon how the fan's town chooses to honor the cosmic occasion. But there are other special events that fall under the "Star Wars Day" banner, and one happens at a place that is iconic in the lore of the series: Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. (NBC Los Angeles) |
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Agents of DiscoveryFamilies enjoyed spending time outdoors this holiday break while completing an Agents of Discovery educational "mission" or game at Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. Youth assumed the exciting role of a secret agent on a mission to gain new insights into the natural world. And there was cake! (BLM California Facebook)Related: It's not Pokemon Go, but now you can walk a trail and catch desert plants and animals with your phone (Desert Sun) |
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BLM Bakersfield Seeks Public Input on Direct Land Sale to Arc VineyardsThe Bureau of Land Management Bakersfield Field Office is publishing a Notice of Realty Action that opens a 45-day public comment period on a proposal to sell 5.93 acres near Santa Maria, California, to Arc Vineyards LLC, for fair market value. The BLM welcomes and values diverse views. To be most helpful, written comments are requested by Monday, Feb. 5. (BLM news release) |
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BLM Extending Scoping Period for Case Mountain Forest Health PlanThe Bureau of Land Management Bakersfield Field Office is extending the scoping period on the development of a vegetation and forest health plan for the Bureau’s giant sequoia groves on Case Mountain, southeast of Three Rivers. Public comments will be accepted until Friday, Feb. 2. (BLM news release) |
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| BLM AND DOI HIGHLIGHTS | ||||||
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Secretary Zinke Creates New Council for Hunting and Shooting Sports ConservationContinuing his unyielding support for hunting, fishing, and the American conservation ethic, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke today announced the creation of the Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation Council. The Council is intended to provide the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture with advice regarding the establishment and implementation of existing and proposed policies and authorities with regard to wildlife and habitat conservation. The Council will examine ways to benefit wildlife resources; encourage partnership among the public, the sporting conservation organizations, state, tribal, territorial, and federal government; and benefit recreational hunting and recreational shooting sports. (DOI news release) |
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Secretary Zinke Applauds President Trump's Commitment to Expand Rural BroadbandPresident Donald J. Trump signed an executive order and a presidential memorandum which together will increase broadband availability for rural Americans. The memo to Secretary Zinke directs the Department of the Interior to develop a plan to allow private high-speed broadband companies to co-locate their equipment on Interior infrastructure. With Interior owning as much as 83 percent of the land in some western states, this move is expected to make it more accessible and affordable for companies to provide broadband to rural Americans. (DOI news release) |
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Promises Made, Promises Kept: Interior Releases Comprehensive List of Accomplishments Under President Trump and Secretary ZinkeThe U.S. Department of the Interior released a list of accomplishments that the Department has achieved under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke. The accomplishments represent the unique balance of development, conservation, and preservation that the Department is charged with overseeing, including leading in American Energy Dominance, restoring public access to public lands, and providing regulatory relief for hard working American citizens. (DOI news release) |
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Wisdom the Oldest Known Albatross Returns to Midway, Best Gift Ever!Wisdom, a Laysan albatross and the world’s oldest known breeding bird in the wild, has returned to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial. The approximately 67 year old Wisdom flies thousands of miles each year to return to Midway Atoll. Her arrival is overshadowed only by the news that she has also laid an egg. (USFWS Pacific Region Tumblr) |
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| WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK | ||||||
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Fill in the Blank: Over ________ species of birds can be found in the United States, and national parks, wildlife refuges and wilderness areas are often the best places to find them. |
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| UPCOMING EVENTS | ||||||
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January 14, 20 and 27: Alabama Hills Film, Geology and Natural History Hikes OfferedThe 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, geology and natural history of Alabama Hills. Hikes will begin at 10 a.m. on Jan. 14, 20 and 27, leaving from the Eastern Sierra Visitor Center, at the intersection of U.S. Route 395 and State Route136, Lone Pine. (BLM news release) |
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January 20: Winter Bird Festival Offers Eight Tour Opportunities
The city of Galt, in collaboration with the Cosumnes River Preserve and Galt Joint Union Elementary School District, will host the 11th annual Galt Winter Bird Festival
scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 20 at the Chabolla Community Center. (The Galt Herald)
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January 23, 24, 25 and February 9: BLM Seeks Public Input for OHV Grants ProposalsThe Bureau of Land Management is holding several public meetings to provide input in the development of off-highway vehicle grant proposals for submission to the California State Parks, Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division. Proposed grant applications are currently being prepared by the BLM for the FY 2017-18 grant cycle. (BLM news release) |
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Now - January: Wild Horse and Burro Adoption EventsThe 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) |
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February 2-10: BLM Issues Temporary Closure for King of the Hammers RaceThe Bureau of Land Management is issuing a temporary land closure for select public lands at the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area in San Bernardino County to accommodate the annual King of the Hammers race Feb. 2-10, 2018. (BLM news release) |
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Now - February 10: BLM Ukiah Field Office Offering Guided Bald Eagle HikesBLM's Ukiah Field Office will be offering free, five-mile guided hikes to look for wintering bald eagles in the Cache Creek Natural Area in Lake County. The hikes will begin at 10 am every Saturday from January 6 through February 10. (BLM news release) |
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Now - April 30: Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Announces Winter Visitor Center ScheduleAs 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) |
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| WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK ANSWER | ||||||
| Birdwatching is a favorite pastime for many public lands visitors. Over 1,000 species of birds can be found in the United States, and national parks, wildlife refuges and wilderness areas are often the best places to find them. (A chorus of color: Amazing birds on public lands via DOI) | ||||||
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