 Mojave Trails National Monument  |
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- New Year New Adventures |
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| NEW YEAR NEW ADVENTURES | ||||||
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Our Favorite Road Trips/ BywaysNationally, BLM is continuing to share some of the top spots on your public lands to start the New Year off right. Explore the outdoors with these road trips and byways this year to BLM-managed public lands. (My Public Lands Tumblr) |
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Chukar Hunting Provides a Challenge on Public LandsWith cold winds, icy roads and single-digit temperatures, most think of January in the high desert as a time to settle indoors in front of a warm fire. Nevertheless, there is a group of public land users who flock to the frigid hillsides during January. They are upland bird hunters, the most dedicated of whom pursue the chukar, a partridge little known outside of the Great Basin. (BLM California Facebook) |
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| HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS | ||||||
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BLM Moves to Approve Proposed Land Exchange with Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla IndiansThe Bureau of Land Management today released a Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision to approve a proposed land exchange between the BLM and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. (BLM news release) |
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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: Current BLM California Fire Jobs (BLM California Facebook video) |
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Ohl Olson Group Campground OpenBLM's Redding Field Office recently completed construction on the new Ohl Olson Group Campground within Chappie-Shasta Off-Highway Vehicle Area. Big thanks to California State Parks, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division for construction assistance through grant funding. (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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Celebrating the Life and Work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.Huge thanks to the 1,500 volunteers who participated in the 21st annual cleanup throughout Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. This event wouldn't be possible without the help of our co-sponsors from United Desert Gateway. Dr. King dedicated his life to improving the world, and his legacy has inspired many to continue to make the world a better place through a national day of service. (BLM California Facebook) |
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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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7 Things You Didn’t Know About Rocky Mountain National ParkOn January 26, 1915, Rocky Mountain National Park was established. Rocky Mountain encompasses 415 square miles of spectacular mountain environments that is just a short drive from Denver, Colorado. One of the U.S.'s most visited national parks, Rocky Mountain hosted more than 4.5 million people in 2016 for world-class recreation opportunities from hiking, biking and fishing to horseback riding, camping and mountaineering. (DOI blog) |
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Secretary Zinke Approves Initial Plan to Build a Life-Saving Road for Alaska Native Village of King CoveU.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke signed an agreement with the Alaska Native King Cove Native Corp., which is made up of tribal members from the local Agdaagux and Belkofski tribes, to build a life-saving road between the Native village and the nearby all-weather airport in Cold Bay. The village of King Cove is an isolated area in the Aleutian peninsula that currently lacks any safe and reliable ground transportation for medical evacuation in the case of an emergency. There have been 18 deaths attributed to the lack of road access, either in plane crashes or the inability to receive timely medical treatment. In a community with no hospital or doctor, King Cove residents must fly 600 miles to Anchorage for most medical procedures. (DOI news release) |
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Secretary Zinke Approves the Shawnee Tribe’s Fee-to-Trust Application for a Gaming FacilityAt a signing ceremony, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke approved the Shawnee Tribe’s application to put 102.98 acres of land in Guymon, Texas County, Oklahoma, into federal Indian trust status for gaming. The Shawnee Tribe proposes to develop a 42,309-square foot gaming facility on the site comprised of a 20,206-square foot gaming floor, a restaurant, retail space, and office spaces for the Shawnee Tribe Gaming Commission. When completed, the project is expected to generate a $30 million annual impact for the local economy, including creating 200 permanent jobs. The federally recognized tribe, landless for well over 160 years, is headquartered in Miami, Okla., and has approximately 2,500 members. (DOI news release) |
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| WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK | ||||||
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Two adult female black bears that were burned during the Thomas Fire in Southern California have recuperated and are now back in the wild thanks to: |
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| UPCOMING EVENTS | ||||||
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January 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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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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2018: 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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| WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK ANSWER | ||||||
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g) all of the above |
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