 Point Arena-Stornetta unit of the California Coastal National Monument  |
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- Find Your Way |
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| FIND YOUR WAY | ||||||
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#FindYourWay On a BLM-managed National Trail with NEW Story MapThis year the Bureau of Land Management, alongside multiple agencies and nonprofit organizations, will celebrate the creation of the National Trails System by President Lyndon Johnson in 1968. There are currently 30 congressionally designated National Scenic and Historic Trails within the National Trails System, and BLM manages nearly 6,000 miles of 18 designated trails within 15 states. National Scenic Trails provide outdoor recreation opportunities as well as conservation of significant geographic characteristics, such as desert lands and forests. (BLM California Facebook) |
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#MakeYourSplash On a BLM-managed Wild and Scenic RiverSigned in 1968, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act protects more than 200 rivers in 40 states and Puerto Rico. Wild and Scenic Rivers are designated into the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System to preserve their free-flowing condition and to protect and enhance their outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish, wildlife, historic, cultural and other similar values. The Act provides three levels of river classification: wild, scenic and recreational. (BLM California Facebook) |
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9 Spectacular Desert Wildflowers You Need to SeeFeeling chronic FOMO after missing last year’s superbloom? Don’t fret. Sure, 2017’s torrential rains caused an eye-popping flower event and put “desert wildflowers” on everybody’s must-see list. This year is drier, which means a more typical bloom pattern and a break from the Instagram-frenzied crowds. (Visit California website) Related: See photos from our 2017 #TracktheBloom (BLM California Flickr) |
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| HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS | ||||||
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Taking the Classroom OutdoorsRedwood Montessori School students went out with Headwaters Forest Ranger Julie Clark and AmeriCorps Watershed Stewards Program to see spawning salmon at the Headwaters Forest Reserve. The students were able to see Coho salmon spawning and identify a fish carcass that turned out to be a female steelhead. The Stewards taught them the importance of anadromous fish in the big picture ecology of forest health. They learned that the decomposing fish is a critical food source to the wildlife habitat such as bobcat, bear and several species of birds. They drew and labeled the fish anatomy and measured its length for monitoring. It's great to see classroom learning put to work outdoors. (BLM California Facebook) |
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Join the Imperial Sand Dunes TeamBLM's El Centro Field Office is hiring seasonal staff to work in the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area! We are looking for a variety of job skills for multiple vacancies. Apply today on USAJOBS! (Imperial Sand Dunes Facebook) Remember for all current job vacanices, search "BLM" on USAJOBS.gov. |
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Not Your Ordinary Job: Apply to be a Wildland FirefighterDo 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: NEW BLM California fire job vacancies (BLM California Facebook video) |
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BLM Eagle Lake Field Office Seeks Public Comments on OHV Grant ProposalThe Bureau of Land Management’s Eagle Lake Field Office is accepting public input on management needs and projects that would benefit off-highway vehicle recreation on public lands. Public comments or suggestions submitted to the Eagle Lake Field Office before Friday, Feb. 23, will be used to develop a preliminary grant application to the California State Parks, Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division. (BLM news release) |
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| BLM AND DOI HIGHLIGHTS | ||||||
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10 Infrastructure Needs Across Public LandsFrom national parks and wildlife refuges to tribal schools, the Interior Department manages roughly 500 million acres of land that include significant infrastructure to make public lands accessible to Americans. Roads, bridges, trails, water systems, visitor centers and dorms -- even bathrooms, campgrounds and drinking fountains -- are all part of this critical, but often unnoticed, framework. After years of increased visitation and use, aging facilities and other vital structures are in urgent need of restoration. (DOI news release) |
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President’s $11.7 Billion Proposed FY 2019 Budget for Interior Includes Legislation to Strengthen Infrastructure and Address Deferred MaintenancePresident Donald Trump today proposed an $11.7 billion Fiscal Year 2019 budget for the Department of the Interior that includes a legislative proposal to establish the Public Lands Infrastructure Fund. The Fund will provide up to $18 billion to address Interior’s deferred maintenance backlog in national parks, national wildlife refuges and Bureau of Indian Education schools through funding from energy leasing revenues. The legislation complements the President’s national infrastructure investment proposal and recognizes the importance of a long-term investment in America’s treasures. (DOI news release) |
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Secretary Zinke Prioritizes Conservation and Big Game Migration CorridorsAt the Western Conservation and Hunting Expo in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke signed Secretarial Order 3362, which will improve habitat quality and western big game winter range and migration corridors for antelope, elk, and mule deer. The order fosters improved collaboration with states and private landowners and facilitates all parties using the best available science to inform development of guidelines that helps ensure that robust big game populations continue to exist. (DOI news release) |
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In a First, Outdoor Recreation Gets a Nod in GDP ReportOutdoor recreation contributed more than $373 billion toward the U.S. gross domestic product in 2016, accounting for 2 percent of its total, the Commerce Department said today. In a win for outdoor groups, it marked the first time the department's Bureau of Economic Analysis reported separate figures on the economic value of outdoor recreation in its report. (Greenwire) |
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| WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK | ||||||
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Hoping everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day! Keep reading below. |
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February 19, 24 and 25: 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., leaving from the Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Center, at the intersection of U.S. Route 395 and State Route 136, Lone Pine. (BLM news release) |
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February 21: BLM Arcata Field Office Public Meeting Set to Seek Comments on OHV Grant NeedsThe Bureau of Land Management’s Arcata Field Office is holding a public meeting and accepting public comments regarding management needs and projects that would benefit off-highway vehicle recreation on public lands. The public meeting will be held at 6 p.m., on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at the BLM Arcata Field Office, 1695 Heindon Rd., Arcata. (BLM news release) |
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February 23: BLM Reschedules OHV Grant Proposals' Public MeetingsThe Bureau of Land Management has rescheduled 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. Join on Friday, Feb 23, from noon to 2:30 p.m. in El Centro, CA. Proposed grant applications are currently being prepared by the BLM for the FY 2017-18 grant cycle. (BLM news release) |
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February 26, 27, 28 and March 1, 2, 5, 6, 7: BLM to Host Public Scoping Meetings to Consider Changes to Desert Renewable Energy Conservation PlanThe Bureau of Land Management will host eight public scoping meetings in the process to consider amending three land use plans that underlie the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan. The BLM invites members of the public to attend meetings at the following dates and locations. (BLM news release)
- Monday, February 26 in Lone Pine, CA |
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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 EventsHave you checked our schedule of wild horse and burro events taking place across the country this year? In addition to 17 permanent adoption and sale centers that are available year round, BLM is hosting nearly 50 special events aimed at finding new homes for wild horses and burros. Learn more about adoption and sale programs and find an event or facility near you. 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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March 3: Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival Returns In MarchEvery Spring the wildflowers bloom in the Coachella Valley and the 11th Annual Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival is the best place to enjoy all that Spring has to offer. The Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival is a City of Palm Desert First Weekend Featured Event and is hosted by Friends of the Desert Mountains. The event will be held on Saturday, March 3, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center in Palm Desert. The day of the event, shuttles will run from St. Margaret's Church on Highway 74, as there is no onsite parking for the Wildflower Festival. (Patch.com) |
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| WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK ANSWER | ||||||
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Love is in air. It seems like everywhere you look, you can see tender moments between couples -- including in the animal kingdom. Say, “Awww!” with these sweet pics of animals showing affection. (DOI blog) If you haven't already, watch the Department of Interior's Valentine's Day video! Love is an adventure, especially on America's public lands. (DOI video) |
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