 Purshia tridentata or antelope bitterbrush  |
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- Memorial Day Weekend |
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| MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND | ||||||
Follow us this weekend on the @mypubliclands Instagram as we continue celebrating the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers and National Trails System Acts. We hope you #FindYourWay this Memorial Day Weekend! |
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National Safe Boating Week
Under California law, every child under 13 years of age on a moving recreational vessel of any length must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket in serviceable condition and of a type and size appropriate
for the conditions and the activity. Related: Cold Water Hazards and Safety (National Weather Service) |
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| PREVENT WILDFIRES | ||||||
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One Less Spark, One Less Wildfire
Plan on towing a boat or trailer this Memorial Day Weekend? Make sure your vehicle is not accidentally throwing sparks along the roadways. (Practicing Vehicle Safety via readyforwildfire.org) Related: Campfire permits, One Less Spark information and more (preventwildfireca.org) |
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BLM Mother Lode Field Office Initiates Fire Restrictions and Temporary Target Shooting LimitationsThe Bureau of Land Management Mother Lode Field Office is initiating Stage 1 fire restrictions and temporary target shooting limitations for BLM-managed public lands effective May 25, due to potential fire danger. The 14 counties affected by these fire restrictions and temporary target shooting limitations in California are on BLM-managed public lands in the Sierra Nevada foothills: Amador, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Mariposa, Merced, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tuolumne and Yuba counties. Fire and shooting restrictions will also affect BLM-managed recreational areas along the American, Merced, Mokelumne, South Yuba and Tuolumne rivers. (BLM news release) |
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BLM Bakersfield Field Office Issues Fire RestrictionsThe Bureau of Land Management Bakersfield Field Office is issuing Stage 2 fire restrictions for BLM-managed public lands effective May 21, due to potential fire danger. The eight counties affected by these fire restrictions in California on BLM-managed public lands include: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare and Ventura counties. Fire restrictions will also affect BLM-managed recreational areas including Keysville, Three Rivers, San Joaquin River Gorge, Lake Isabella, Chimney Peak, Kennedy Meadows and the Carrizo Plain National Monument. (BLM news release) |
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BLM Central Coast Field Office Implements Fire Restrictions and Limits Target ShootingThe Bureau of Land Management Central Coast Field Office is implementing Stage 1 fire restrictions on BLM-managed public lands in Fresno, Monterey and San Benito counties. Target shooting will also be temporarily limited to 30 minutes before sunrise until noon only starting May 25, due to potential fire danger. As a reminder, the Panoche and Tumey Hills recreation areas are seasonally closed to motorized vehicles until mid-October. Also, campfires and target shooting are always prohibited at Fort Ord National Monument due to munitions hazards and public safety. (BLM news release) |
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| HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS | ||||||
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Flora DiaryJulie Wallis, Biological Science Technician for the BLM Eagle Lake Field Office shares little samples of blooms from “way out beyond the edge of the asphalt”. (BLM California Facebook) |
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Checking-In on the Cold Creek Horses: Ridgecrest Regional Wild Horse and Burro CorralsThe Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest visited the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program Ridgecrest corrals to check-in on the Cold Creek horses. Gathered wild horses, transported to the corrals receive veterinary care at the facility, including vaccinations, deworming, blood test and freeze marking. (Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Facebook video) Related: USDA Forest Service Concludes Emergency Wild Horse Gather Operations Near Las Vegas (Forest Service news release) Related: Make plans to bring home your own wild horse or burro (BLM website) |
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Canoemobile, the Floating Classroom Visits Cosumnes River PreserveStudents from California's Galt Joint Union Elementary School District and Davis Joint Unified School District participated in Wilderness Inquiry’s forth annual Canoemobile. What a fun opportunity for local youth to paddle in 24-foot Voyageur canoes and participate in environmental education activities. For some, this is a first time experience adventuring on public lands. (BLM California Facebook video) Related: Photos from Canoemobile 2018 (BLM California Flickr) |
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California Now PodcastThe California Now Podcast explores the people and places that make California a unique travel experience. Host Soterios Johnson, veteran radio journalist and former host of NPR’s Morning Edition on WNYC in New York City, has recently moved to California and is using his journalism skills to learn every fascinating thing about his new home state. He interviews travel experts, chefs, local guides and many others on his journey of discovery. (Visit California via iTunes) |
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Taking the Classroom OutsideBLM's Applegate Field Office helped out at the Modoc National Wildlife Refuge's outdoor education event. Laura Sechrist from the Modoc National Forest and BLMers Jenna Matthews and Jen Rovanpera taught local elementary students how to make Native American egg baskets out of tule. (BLM California Facebook) |
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Shasta Dam Grand Prix485 dirt bike racers and family members converged on the Chappie-Shasta Off-Highway Vehicle Area to participate in the 2018 Shasta Dam Grand Prix. The Grand Prix is an annual event put on by the Redding Dirt Riders motorcycle club held in mid-April. The event starts and finishes at the popular Chappie-Shasta Staging Area located just south of Bureau of Reclamation's Shasta Dam. Riders in several skill level and age specific classes race from 1 to 4 hours completing multiple laps. Race courses range from 5 to 40 mile loops and cover a wide range of trail and road difficulty levels and elevations ranging from 1,000 to 4,000 feet. (BLM California Facebook) |
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| BLM AND DOI HIGHLIGHTS | ||||||
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Volunteers Honored at BLM 'Making a Difference' Awards CeremonyThe Bureau of Land Management recognized the winners of the 2018 “Making a Difference” National Volunteer Awards. These awards acknowledge the winners’ exceptional volunteer service on BLM-managed public lands in 2017... In 2017, more than 28,000 volunteers contributed nearly 1 million hours of service valued at close to $23 million. The annual “Making a Difference” Award recognizes exceptional volunteers who have contributed thousands of hours improving the public lands. These hard-working volunteers have helped the BLM monitor trails, manage wild horses, keep campers safe, and provide environmental education, interpretation, and other visitor services. (BLM California Facebook)The 2018 awardees and their BLM nominating offices are: • Pat and Phyllis Malato, Outstanding Achievement, Upper Snake Field Office (Idaho) • Susan Murphy, Outstanding Achievement, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (Nevada) • Miranda and Madison Dickinson, Outstanding Youth, National Historic Trails Interpretive Center (Wyoming) • Great Escape Mustang Sanctuary, Group Excellence, Little Snake Field Office (Colorado) • David and Jane Styer, Lifetime Achievement, Fort Ord National Monument (California) • Sandra and Geoff Freethey, Lifetime Achievement, Moab Field Office (Utah) • Laura Olais, Employee Winner, Gila District Office (Arizona) |
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Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Rivers and Trails on Public LandsJoin us in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers and National Trails System Acts! Leading up to the anniversary on October 2, 2018, the Bureau of Land Management and our partners invite visitors from all backgrounds to #FindYourWay and explore America’s vast system of designated rivers and trails. From Blue Ribbon trout waters to small desert rivers, to the iconic Iditarod and Pony Express National Historic Trails and the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, BLM-managed rivers and trails include some of America’s most adored landscapes, historic features and recreation adventures. This anniversary provides the opportunity to highlight all of our nation’s rivers and trails and encourages Americans to enjoy the public lands that speak to our natural and cultural legacy. (BLM video) |
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Secretary Zinke Announces Members of the Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation CouncilU.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced the newly appointed members of the Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation Council. The Council was established on January 9, 2018, and is intended to provide the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture with advice regarding the establishment and implementation of existing and proposed policies and authorities with regard to wildlife and habitat conservation. (DOI news release) |
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Zinke Appoints Three New Members to Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Review CommitteeU.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced the appointment of John Beaver, Honor K. Keeler, and Barnaby V. Lewis to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Review Committee. The Review Committee, authorized by the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990 monitors, reviews, and assists in the implementation of certain requirements of the Act. (DOI news release) |
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Secretary Zinke Proposes Expansion of Hunting and Fishing Opportunities at 30 of America’s National Wildlife RefugesContinuing his efforts to increase access to public lands, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced a proposal to open more than 248,000 acres to new or expanded hunting and fishing opportunities at 30 national wildlife refuges. Opportunities include places like Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge in Illinois and Wisconsin, and deer hunting in Philadelphia at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge being proposed for the first time. The proposal also outlines expanded hunting and fishing opportunities at 136 national wildlife refuges. If finalized, this would bring the number of units of the National Wildlife Refuge System where the public may hunt to 377, and the number where fishing would be permitted to 312. (DOI news release) |
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Wild Horse and Burro ‘Online Corral’ Connects Americans with Adoptable AnimalsThe Bureau of Land Management announced the launch of the Wild Horse and Burro “Online Corral”—a new website focused on connecting the American public with wild horses and burros available for adoption or purchase. The BLM also announced the 2018 wild horse and burro event schedule, featuring nearly 70 events nationwide that focus on placing wild horses and burros in good homes. (BLM news release) |
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National Police Week 2018During National Police Week we thanked law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line for us every day, and we honor the service and sacrifice of those who don't make it home. (DOI video) Related: BLM recognizes Special Agent and Ranger of the Year (BLM news release) |
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Preservation of the San Jerónimo Fort
The Council of Underwater Archaeology of the Puerto Rico Institute of Culture with help from BLM and National Park Service employees assess the condition of bricks and mortar at the Fortín de San
Gerónimo, a historic fort in San Juan that was impacted by Hurricane Maria. (FEMA Puerto Rico Facebook video) |
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| WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK | ||||||
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The U.S. is home to a rich variety of freshwater and sea turtles with ___ species -- that’s approximately 18 percent of the world’s turtles.
a) 75 species |
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| UPCOMING EVENTS | ||||||
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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) Related: Mayor's Mountain Bike Challenge visited BLM-managed Swasey Recreation Area (BLM California Facebook) |
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June 2 - October: Bus Shuttles Offered for Bizz Johnson National Recreational TrailWeekend bus shuttle services for the Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail will begin Saturday, June 2, and continue through October. The service, a partnership of the Bureau of Land Management and Lassen Rural Bus, is available to bicyclists, hikers and runners, and eliminates the need for trail users to arrange their own vehicle shuttles. On Saturdays, the bus picks up passengers at 8:15 a.m. in front of the Historic Susanville Railroad Depot, 601 Richmond Road. The bus makes stops at Devil’s Corral, Fredonyer Summit and at the Westwood Y. From these stops trail users can use the Bizz Johnson Trail for trips of 7, 18 or 30-miles back to Susanville. (BLM news release) |
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May 25-27: Bishop Mule Days Celebration to Feature BLM Wild Burro Adoption and SaleThe Bureau of Land Management will be offering nine halter-started wild burros for adoption and sale as part of the Bishop Mule Days celebration from May 25-27, at the Tri-County Fairgrounds, 1234 Sierra St. Stop by Friday, May 25, from noon to 4 p.m., to preview the gelded jacks and jennies gathered from the Johnnie Herd Management Area northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada, which are available to good homes. BLM California staff will participate in the Mule Days parade on Saturday, May 26, at 10 a.m. After the parade, animals available for adoption and direct sale will be on display until the competitive bid adoption at 3 p.m. Any burros still available after the adoption will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis until 6 p.m., then again Sunday, May 27, between 8 to 10 a.m. (BLM news release) |
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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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June 13: BLM Seeks Comment on Case Mountain Vegetation and Forest Health PlanThe Bureau of Land Management Bakersfield Field Office is seeking public comment on the vegetation and forest health plan environmental assessment and the unsigned finding of no significant impact for the giant sequoia groves on Case Mountain, southeast of Three Rivers, Tulare County. The 30-day public comment period will close June 13. (BLM news release) |
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| WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK ANSWER | ||||||
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d) 57 From a tiny baby bog turtle to a massive leatherback, turtles come in many shapes and sizes. Whether gliding through the open ocean or slowly trudging across desert plains, these fascinating animals can be found in almost every ecosystem around the world. The U.S. is home to a rich variety of freshwater and sea turtles with 57 species -- that’s approximately 18 percent of the world’s turtles. Started in 2000, World Turtle Day gives us the opportunity to bring attention to and protect these remarkable reptiles, along with their habitat around the world. Turtles play a vital role in the ecosystem, helping spread seeds on land and supporting other marine life by sea. (13 Turtle-ly Awesome Photos for World Turtle Day) |
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