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- New Year New Adventures |
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| NEW YEAR NEW ADVENTURES | ||||||
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Top Winter Recreation DestinationsTo celebrate the start of 2018, we’re sharing some of our favorite places to get out and explore your public lands across the Bureau of Land Management. What a perfect way to welcome in a new year. (My Public Lands Tumblr) |
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Exploring Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument During a Nature Hike to Windy Point Dunes23 people joined to explore and learn about threatened and endangered species who call this area home. Coachella Valley Milk Vetch was spotted shortly after the walk began. (BLM California Facebook) |
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Views of Trilobite Mountains and Valleys BelowMojave Trails National Monument includes nearly 110 miles of historic Route 66. The Monument is known for incredible sweeping views along the historic highway. This stretch is one of the last remaining undeveloped portions of the highway, giving drivers a sense of what it might have been like to travel the road during its heyday. (BLM California Facebook) |
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Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. WeekendSan Diego 4 Wheelers Association hosted the 20th Annual Superstition Run over Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend. Participants had a lot of fun with friends and family, exploring the desert, and challenging their off-road vehicles and driving skills! (BLM California Facebook) |
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High School Mountain Bike Team Prepares for CompetitionsA new high school sport is catching on that's making use of the Redding area's renowned trail system. Members of the Redding Composite High School Mountain Bike Team had a practice on a wet Thursday afternoon at the Swasey Recreation Area west of Redding led by coach Hilari Freeman. (Record Searchlight) |
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Redding Dirt Riders Hosted Annual Poker Ride at Chappie-Shasta OHV Area on New Years DayAround 200 riders came out for beautiful, sunny start to 2018. Most participants were riding dirt bikes, but there were also several people riding ATV's and side-by-sides. Redding Dirt Riders mapped out a family-friendly course of about 25 miles on mostly BLM-managed trails. (BLM California Facebook) |
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Meeting a HeroDumont Dunes Off-Highway Vehicle Area is an exciting and remote recreation spot. These youngsters, just 2 and 4 years old had a chance to meet their heroes, BLM Ranger Roberto Matos-Pagan and Sheriff Moore from San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. (BLM California 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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Current BLM California Fire JobsApply 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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Rainstorms Bring New Safety Concerns After Devastating Fire Season
After the first heavy rains of 2018 caused flooding and debris flows in Southern California, destroying nearly 100 homes, closing major highways and killing 20 |
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Why are 129 Million Trees Dying in the Sierra Forest?Many people have observed this historic tree die-off in the Sierra Nevada. The Central Sierra Historical Society created this site to help visitors understand the causes and effects of this complex event. It is our hope that visitors will be able to use this knowledge to prevent it from happening again in any forest in the future. (Central Sierra Historical Society website) |
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California Wins Numerous Wildfire Mitigation AwardsThe Wildfire Mitigation Awards committee has announced the 2018 Wildfire Mitigation Award winners. Established in 2014, the awards are the highest commendation for innovation and leadership displayed by individuals and organizations committed to wildfire mitigation. Recognizing the comprehensive challenge posed by wildfires, these awards applaud the outstanding dedication to wildfire mitigation across a broad spectrum of activities and among a variety of individuals and organizations. By honoring their achievements, the award sponsors seek to increase public recognition and awareness of the value of wildfire mitigation efforts. (National Fire Protection Association news release) |
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Restoration of Riparian Habitat Along Amargosa Wild and Scenic RiverBLM's Barstow Field Office has been working with the Amargosa Conservancy to move forward on active restoration of the riparian habitat along the Amargosa Wild and Scenic River that has been subject to tamarisk treatment over the last several years. In the past, the Barstow Field Office has relied on passive restoration (letting the existing native vegetation recover on its own) after tamarisk treatment. We have been very successful with this approach to date – improving habitat for the endangered Least Bell’s Vireo and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher. (BLM California Facebook) |
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Counting EaglesOne of the highlights of winter work in BLM's Eagle Lake Field Office is the annual mid-winter eagle survey at Eagle Lake, north of Susanville. This year BLMers fanned out across nine routes at the lake and counted 50 bald eagles -- 28 adults with their distinctive white heads, and 22 youngsters. Employees also saw four golden eagles and a young hard-to-identify eagle, bringing our total to 55. (BLM California Facebook) |
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Huge Thanks to Loyal and Hard Working Volunteers at Fort Ord National MonumentIn 2017, the Monterey Off-Road Cycling Association or MORCA completed 1,000 hours of trail work. What a feat! This group continues giving back to their public lands by coming out for trail work on the 3rd Saturday of every month. Thank you from all of us at BLM. Happy riding! (BLM California Facebook) |
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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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Location and Validity of Mining Claims, Mill Sites, and Tunnel Sites in California 2018 EditionBLM California’s new mining book is hot of the press. “Location and Validity of Mining Claims, Mill Sites, and Tunnel Sites in California” 2018 Edition is now on sale for $15.00 at all BLM California offices. A CD is also available for $10.00. If you have any questions, please contact the California State Office, Information Access Center at (916) 978-4400 or mail your request to the Bureau of Land Management at 2800 Cottage Way, Suite W1623 Sacramento, CA 95825. |
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| BLM AND DOI HIGHLIGHTS | ||||||
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America’s Public Lands are the Perfect Backdrop to a Great Love StoryThe Department of Interior is getting ready for our annual Valentine’s Day video, and we need your help. Please send your videos and photos of your weddings, proposals and special moments with your significant other in national parks, wildlife refuges and other public lands to newmedia@xxxxxxxxxxx. Please remove watermarks, list the location and submit videos and photos no later than Monday, February 5, for a chance to be in our special Valentine’s Day video. Related: The Sweetest Valentine's Day video you'll see today (2017 DOI video) |
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Department of the Interior Names New National Park Service Deputy DirectorThe Department of the Interior today announced Paul Daniel (Dan) Smith as a new Deputy Director of the National Park Service. Smith brings nearly four decades of public service experience, including serving as superintendent of Colonial National Historical Park in Virginia, to this important leadership role. (DOI news release) |
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| WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK | ||||||
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Fill in the Blank: Wisdom, a Laysan albatross and the world’s oldest known breeding bird is approximately ___ years old. |
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| UPCOMING EVENTS | ||||||
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January 19: Rice Canyon OHV Area Improvements to Begin this MonthCleanup and improvement work will begin Friday, Jan. 19, at the Rice Canyon Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area east of Susanville, and the Bureau of Land Management is asking visitors to be careful around work areas. Installations will include constructing a kids OHV track, site preparations for a vault toilet, developing a new gravel pit, constructing jump areas and trail maintenance. BLM crews will be working on weekends through the early summer. (BLM news release) |
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January 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 OpportunitiesThe 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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February 3: Star Wars DayJoin the 3nd Annual Discover the Desert—Star Wars Day at the Imperial Sand Dunes! This event highlights many facets of what the desert has to offer! From off-road adventures, history and the big screen, there new discoveries around each dune. (Imperial Sand Dunes Facebook) |
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February 6: Public Meeting Set for BLM Fuel Breaks and Restoration Environmental Impact StatementsThe Bureau of Land Management will hold a public meeting in Susanville to gather input for the preparation of two programmatic environmental impact statements aimed at reducing wildfires and restoring sagebrush habitat. The meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the BLM Eagle Lake Field Office, 2550 Riverside Dr. (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 | ||||||
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a) 67 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 blog) |
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