 BLM Palm Springs-South Coast dispersed camping south of Joshua Tree  |
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- National Volunteer Month |
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| NATIONAL VOLUNTEER MONTH | ||||||
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Celebrating National Volunteer MonthBLM has a number of Abandoned Mines Land, aka AML features on public lands within the El Centro Field Office. BLMers like Wildlife Biologist Camden Bruner wish to remediate for public safety. However, we do not want to lose a mine that is providing critical habitat for bats. Volunteers help by using night vision goggles to perform exit counts on abandon mines. They watch to see if bats come out of the mine after sunset which helps to inform us if bats use the mine or not. Based in part on the data we collect from these surveys, we know which mines should get wildlife friendly gates and which can be filled in. (BLM California Facebook) |
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Mendocino 4X4 Club Volunteers with BLM Ukiah Field OfficeThe Mendocino 4x4 Club has been close partners with the BLM-California’s Ukiah Field Office for over 40 years. They have been strong supporters of BLM’s mission by always helping BLM staff improve the safety, education and accessibility to OHV recreational areas. Any time BLM staff needed support or an extra pair of hands, the Mendocino 4x4 Club has always been there and answered the call. (My Public Lands Tumblr) |
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MORCA Improves Mountain Bike Trails at Fort OrdThe Monterey Off Road Cycling Association has been actively volunteering at Fort Ord National Monument since 2009. They currently have around 30 active members, and 20 of them regularly participate in monthly trail work days. At one of these monthly trail days they reached out to local mountain bike teams and had 41 volunteers, many of whom were from the Salinas High School Mountain Bike Team. Throughout the year BLM works with Salinas High, Palma School and the Monterey Lightfighters mountain bike teams. These opportunities for local student athletes give them a chance to learn what it takes to build and maintain magnificent trails that they get to ride and race on throughout the year. (BLM California Facebook) |
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Thank You, BLM VolunteersDuring National Volunteer Month, we celebrate the selfless work of our volunteers. The BLM values the thousands of volunteers who offer their time, skills and service to help care for the nation’s natural and cultural resources. Volunteers contribute to many BLM program areas, including recreation, wild horses and burros, cultural and historical resources and environmental education and interpretation. Our volunteers work with us to be good neighbors in the communities we serve. (My Public Lands Tumblr) |
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| HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS | ||||||
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BLM Seeks Nominations for Northern California District Resource Advisory CouncilThe Bureau of Land Management is seeking public nominations for five open positions on its Northern California District Resource Advisory Council, one of 30 BLM citizen-based sounding boards for BLM initiatives, proposals and policy changes. (BLM news release) |
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Take Flight Over the San Joaquin River Gorge in this Drone VideoThe San Joaquin River Gorge is a scenic part of Fresno County with a hiking trail and footbridge that crosses the river near Auberry. See the area from a unique perspective in this aerial drone footage. (The Fresno Bee) |
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Appeal Challenges Oil Drilling in California’s Carrizo Plain National MonumentLos Padres ForestWatch and the Center for Biological Diversity recently appealed the Trump administration’s approval of a new oil well and pipeline in Carrizo Plain National Monument. It is the first well the Interior Department has approved in the monument since it was established in 2001. The appeals, filed with the Interior Board of Land Appeals in Virginia and the Bureau of Land Management’s California director, show that the oil well and pipeline would harm threatened and endangered wildlife and mar scenic views. The fossil fuel development would violate several laws, including the Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act, as well as the monument’s resource-management plan, according to the environmental protection organizations. (Paso Robles Daily News) |
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After Leaving The Service, Veterans Find A New Mission Fighting WildfiresSand and gravel crunched under the pounding boots of about 150 men and women walking and jogging on a rain-drenched morning at Paramount Ranch in California's Santa Monica mountains. The wildland firefighter hopefuls were tackling a fitness test. They had to cover three miles of outdoor terrain with 45-pound packs on their chests in less than 45 minutes... Marine Corps veteran Tomas de Oliveira joined about 150 firefighting trainees at a joint training by Team Rubicon and the Bureau of Land Management in this undated photo. (KPBS news) Related: Red Card Training 101 (Team Rubicon website) |
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| BLM AND DOI HIGHLIGHTS | ||||||
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National Park WeekNational Park Week started April 21 and goes through April 29! Secretary Zinke says it's a great time for Americans -- and their families -- to discover the park next door. (DOI video) Related: 10 Alternatives to Popular National Parks (DOI blog) Remember, many of your BLM-managed public lands offer wonderful opportunities to explore the great outdoors on the way to some of the country's most popular destinations, including National Parks. (BLM Esri Story Map) |
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Interior Issues $188 Million in Energy Revenues to Fund Conservation and Storm PrepU.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced the Department will disburse almost $188 million to the four Gulf oil and gas producing states – Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, and their coastal political subdivisions. This represents the first disbursement under Phase II of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006. The funds are derived from qualified oil and gas leasing revenues on the Outer Continental Shelf, and disbursed in accordance with the revenue-sharing provisions of the GOMESA legislation. (DOI news release) |
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Secretary Zinke Proposes 20 Year Mineral Withdrawal Renewal for Wyoming Bighorn Sheep Winter RangeU.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke proposed to renew a mineral withdrawal in the Whiskey Mountain Bighorn Sheep Winter Range, southeast of Dubois, Wyoming, for an additional 20 years. The proposal follows Zinke's secretarial order to protect big game migration corridors and winter range and as many states, like Wyoming, are prioritizing migration initiatives to better help and understand the habits of animals like sheep, mule deer, elk, and antelope. This measure will ensure that these robust big game populations continue to thrive and exist for hunters and wildlife watchers. (DOI news release) |
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Zinke Announces $35.8 Billion Added to U.S. Economy in 2017 Due to National Park VisitationAs the nation celebrates National Park Week, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced that visitor spending in communities near national parks in 2017 resulted in a $35.8 billion benefit to the nation’s economy--a nearly $1 billion increase from 2016-- and supported 306,000 jobs. According the annual National Park Service report, 2017 National Park Visitor Spending Effects, more than 330 million visitors in 2017 spent $18.2 billion in the communities near national parks. Of the 306,000 jobs supported by that spending, more than 255,000 were in those same communities that lie within 60 miles of a park. (DOI news release) |
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Secretary Zinke Announces Grants to Boost to Wetland, Waterfowl Conservation, Access to Public LandsThe Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, chaired by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, approved $24.6 million in grants for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its partners to conserve or restore more than 176,000 acres of wetland and associated upland habitats for waterfowl, shorebirds and other birds in 18 states throughout the United States. The grants, made through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, come as the nation prepares to celebrate American Wetlands Month, an annual event that highlights the value of wetlands and encourages all Americans to help conserve these valuable habitats throughout the year. The grants will be matched by over $66 million in partner funds. NAWCA grants ensure waterfowl and other birds are protected throughout their lifecycles. (DOI news release) |
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Interior and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Announce Winner of National Junior Duck Stamp Art ContestA talented young artist from Johns Creek, Ga., has taken top honors at the National Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest. An emperor goose painted by 18-year-old Rayen Kang will grace the 2018-2019 Junior Duck Stamp, which raises funds to educate and engage our nation’s youth in wildlife and wetlands conservation, and outdoor recreation. A panel of five judges chose her entry, painted in acrylic, from among best-of-show entries from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. (DOI news release) |
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| WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK | ||||||
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Name that animal!
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| UPCOMING EVENTS | ||||||
Now - April 30: BLM Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Communication Site in San Bernardino CountyThe Bureau of Land Management’s Needles Field Office is seeking public comment on an environmental assessment for a proposed communications site at Halloran Springs, San Bernardino County, approximately 13 miles northeast of the community of Baker, just northerly of the I-15. (BLM news release) |
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Now - April 30: Tortoise In Peril"Tortoise In Peril" will air on KCET this month! Desert tortoises are a threatened species. Habitat destruction, diseases and other factors have reduced their numbers by up to 90 percent. Now flocks of ravens, that often live off human trash, are eating baby tortoises, reducing the odds of tortoise survival as a species. This documentary explores that impact, pointing out how people can change the environment through seemingly innocent actions. (KCET website) |
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Now - June 1: Mayor's Mountain Bike ChallengeThe Mayor's Mountain Bike Challenge is officially underway in the City of Redding! Shout out to partners from Healthy Shasta, Redding Trail Alliance, Redding Recreation and The McConnell Foundation. (Mayor's MTB Challenge website) |
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April 29, May 5, 20 and June 3: BLM, Horsetown-Clear Creek Preserve Offer Spring OutingsThe Bureau of Land Management and Horsetown-Clear Creek Preserve will offer free public outings ranging from bird watching to traditional uses of native plants, on weekends from late March until June. The events are free. (BLM news release) |
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May 3: Alaska DinoChatYou are invited to join the 2018 BLM Alaska DinoChat on Twitter at twitter.com/BLMAlaska. During the DinoChat, BLM Alaksa's Tweet cadre will answer questions about dinosaurs that once roamed Alaska. Members of the public are invited to follow the DinoChat on Twitter using the hashtag #alaskadinosaur on May 3, 2018 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Pacific. If you don’t have a Twitter account or can’t join for the two-hour chat, you can submit your question to us in advance on Twitter or by email at blmalaska@xxxxxxx. |
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May 6-12: Wildfire Awareness WeekDevastating wildfires threaten California every year, and to ensure Californians are ready, California’s Governor proclaims the first full week of May as “Wildfire Awareness Week”. During Wildfire Awareness Week, BLM, U.S. Forest Service, CAL FIRE and other partners are reminding Californians that when it comes to wildfires, remember “Ready, Set, Go!”. Be Ready for a wildfire by maintaining 100 feet of defensible space and hardening your home with fire resistant building materials. Be Set for a wildfire by having a wildfire action plan in place so you know what to take and where to go if you are evacuated. Lastly, Go early when a wildfire approaches or you are asked to evacuate.Homeowners looking for additional information on how to prepare themselves, their families and their homes for wildfire can visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org. The site offers tips for residents to make their homes more resistant to wildfires and to ensure that their families are ready to evacuate early and safely when a wildfire strikes. |
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| WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK ANSWER | ||||||
| Burrowing owls are ground dwelling, making their homes in burrows created by other animals. BLM classifies them as a "sensitive" species, meaning they get special consideration in planning decisions and projects. (BLM California Facebook) | ||||||
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