 Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument  |
||||||
|
||||||
|
- Your Public Lands |
||||||
| YOUR PUBLIC LANDS | ||||||
 |
Hollywood’s Hidden Star: America’s Public LandsHave you ever watched your favorite movie or television show and thought, “Hey, that place looks beautiful. I wish I could go there.” Well, you just might have that chance! America’s public lands have been the backdrop for countless movies and television shows. Visit public lands across the country to venture to the planets of Vulcan and Endor, explore the land of Jurassic Park and even time travel back to the Wild West. So turn off the screen, get off the couch and start exploring some of the nation’s public lands that have starred on the big screen! (DOI blog) |
|||||
 |
#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) Related: Volunteer hours from partner groups dedicated to National Scenic and Historic Trails in 2017 (Partnership for the National Trails System report) |
|||||
 |
#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) Related: National Trails System and the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (DOI video) |
|||||
 |
Hope Already Wilting for Wildflower Season at Carrizo Plain National Monument this YearAvid wildflower followers eagerly anticipating another spectacular “super bloom” at the Carrizo Plain National Monument are expected to be disappointed this season. Last year, unusually wet weather created an explosion of colorful native blossoms blanketing the plain and surrounding foothills of the Temblor and Caliente Mountain Ranges. (BLM California Facebook) |
|||||
| HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS | ||||||
 |
Snail Trail Phase 1: Road-to-Trail Conversion and MaintenanceMany have speculated about the origin of the name Snail Trail, but few actually know the story. The name was given by the BLM trail builders who designed and built the trail due to the fact that the alignment was largely determined by the presence of Monadenia troglodytes, or the Shasta Sideband Snail. In order to protect the habitat of this species, the builders had to weave the trail along a narrow ridge, at grades far above what is considered sustainable today. The builders were also forced to use an old forest road for a short section at the beginning of the trail, which quickly deteriorated due to heavy braking from mountain bikes traveling at high speeds. (Trail Laboratories) |
|||||
 |
Graffiti on Public LandsEarlier this month, graffiti was observed on an outcrop in the Alabama Hills. Thankfully, staff and volunteers from our Bishop Field Office were able to remove it. With majestic Mounts Whitney and Williamson as a backdrop, both over 14,000 feet, the Alabama Hills is a place where tens of thousands of people visit each year to enjoy the beauty of the California high desert. It’s not an appropriate setting for graffiti, not even a Banksy (which this was certainly not). (BLM California Facebook) |
|||||
 |
BLM Planning Recreational Enhancement Construction ProjectsThe Bureau of Land Management Mother Lode Field Office is planning several construction improvement projects to heighten outdoor recreational options on public lands in El Dorado County this year. (BLM news release) |
|||||
| BLM AND DOI HIGHLIGHTS | ||||||
 |
Rare Starfish Fossils Discovered in MontanaOn a BLM-managed outcrop of the Swift Formation, dating to about 160 million years (Jurassic), on the margins of the Pryor Mountains, geologist J. A. Gunderson found many starfish fossils spread widely across the rock surface. He brought the find to the attention of the BLM. Being charged with managing all manner of fossil resources on public lands, we arranged for their professional excavation by Daniel Blake from the University of Illinois and Thomas Guensburg from Rock Valley College of Illinois. They described the rare occurrence of the starfish fauna in the Journal of Paleontology, and named a new genus and species, Atalopegaster gundersoni. (My Public Lands Tumblr) |
|||||
 |
Interior Provides More Than $300 Million in Conservation Funding for States and Tribes to Reclaim and Repurpose Abandoned Coal MinesThe Department of the Interior’s Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement announced the availability of the Fiscal Year 2018 Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation grants, which will provide $300.7 million to states and tribes to reclaim abandoned coal mines. (DOI news release) |
|||||
 |
Secretary Zinke Announces $60 Million Cooperative Agreement to Promote Fishing and Boating and $14 Million in Boating Infrastructure GrantsU.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced a $60 million cooperative agreement with the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation to help retain and recruit recreational anglers and boaters of all ages. Zinke is also announcing $14 million in Boating Infrastructure Grants, which support water-related outdoor recreation and tourism by improving facilities for large transient recreational boats across the country. (DOI news release) |
|||||
 |
Interior Announces 2017 Drone Mission ReportWith a fleet of 312 unmanned aircraft, the Department of the Interior’s Office of Aviation Services supported bureau operators, who flew nearly 5,000 missions in 2017, ranging from fighting wildfires to monitoring dams and spillways and mapping wildlife. The accomplishments of its unmanned aerial systems, or drone program, can be found in a report announced today by DOI that summarizes flights made by more than 200 certified pilots in 32 states nationwide. (DOI news release) |
|||||
| WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK | ||||||
 |
Which of the following are North American birds? Keep reading for answer below. |
|||||
| UPCOMING EVENTS | ||||||
 |
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)
- Thursday, March 1 in Joshua Tree, CA |
|||||
 |
March 3 and 4: Volunteers Needed for Bighorn Sheep SurveyThe California Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Forest Service and Society for Conservation of Bighorn Sheep are seeking volunteers to assist biologists with a sheep count in the San Gabriel Mountains on March 3 and 4, 2018. (CDFW website) |
|||||
 |
March 3 17, 21 and 30: Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center Spring ScheduleThe visitor center is open Wednesday through Monday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The visitor center will remain closed on Tuesdays. This visitor center schedule will be in effect through April 14. The following is a sampling of activities scheduled during March at the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. (BLM news release)- Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival on March 3 - Desert Mountains Art Faire on March 17 - Wildflower Workshop on March 21 - Full Moon Hike on March 30 |
|||||
 |
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) |
|||||
| WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK ANSWER | ||||||
|
e) All of the above Trying to identify a bird or learn more about one you've seen? Check out Audubon Society's Guide to North American Birds. |
||||||
|
||||||
