 Piedras Blancas Outstanding Natural Area  |
||||||
|
||||||
|
- National Ocean Month |
||||||
| NATIONAL OCEAN MONTH | ||||||
|
|
National Ocean Month: What You Can Do to Protect Public WatersJune is National Ocean Month and June 8 was World Oceans Day, making it a great time to spotlight the importance of oceans and what we can do to protect them. Covering over 70 percent of the planet, oceans connect us all. Whether you live close by or thousands of miles away, oceans are vital to our well being. They impact our weather, are home to marine life, provide us with food, and are a place to work and play for millions. Unfortunately, plastic pollution is becoming a big problem in our oceans. Bottle caps, cigarette lighters, bags and plastic packaging that we discard on land find their way into rivers and streams and are carried out to sea. The trash mixes with abandoned boats, fishing nets and shipping refuse to make up swirling masses of marine debris that can form large, floating garbage patches. The larger plastics can also break down into tiny beads or fibers, creating microplastics that are hard to clean up. (DOI blog) |
|||||
|
|
14th Annual Kids Ocean Day1,000 elementary and middle school students visited the Mike Thompson Wildlife Area on the South Spit of Humboldt Bay for the 14th Annual Kids Ocean Day event. In preparation for the event, Friends of the Dunes educators visited schools to teach students about coastal biodiversity, human caused threats such as marine debris and the spread of invasive species and a simple actions we can take to help protect our coast and ocean. On June 7, students did their part to care for the coast by participating in a day of habitat restoration and a beach clean-up. After these activities, students, teachers and volunteers sat in formation on the sand and created an image with a message from a great wave and a cormorant, photographed from the air. Similar events are took place at four other locations along the California coast. (kidsoceanday.org) Related: World Ocean Day (worldoceansday.org) |
|||||
 |
Celebrate the OceanWhile there is only one global ocean, the vast body of water that covers 71 percent of the Earth is geographically divided into distinct named regions. The boundaries between these regions have evolved over time for a variety of historical, cultural, geographical and scientific reasons. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Related: Ocean Facts (NOAA) |
|||||
 |
NEWSWAVE: Ocean, Great Lakes and CoastsJune is a month full of ocean celebrations. The President has proclaimed June National Ocean Month, this week is Capitol Hill Ocean Week in Washington, D.C. To help you immerse yourself in Interior's ocean, Great Lakes and coastal topics, DOI is pleased to release our Spring 2018 issue of NEWSWAVE and the Summer 2018 Photo Issue -- 12 pages of images that capture the breadth and diversity of Interior’s Blue Portfolio. (DOI NEWSWAVE Spring Issue and NEWSWAVE Summer Photo Issue) |
|||||
 |
Secretary Zinke Commends President Trump’s Proclamation of June as National Ocean MonthPresident Donald J. Trump’s Proclamation declaring June 2018 as National Ocean Month underscores the reasons for Interior’s robust role in conserving and developing ocean resources, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke noted at the beginning of month-long observances. In addition to National Ocean Month in the United States, June 8 is World Oceans Day and Capitol Hill Ocean Week is June 5-7 in Washington, D.C. (DOI news release) Related: President Donald J. Trump Proclaims June 2018 as National Ocean Month (White House Proclamation) |
|||||
| HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS | ||||||
 |
Hear It From Our Staff: The Best Public Lands for Family FunPublic lands are great places for families to unplug, slow down and spend time with one another. The staff at Interior knows these special places as well as anyone and recently sent in pictures and memories of spending family time on public lands. We hope these stories will encourage more people to get out and enjoy their public lands together -- especially families with young kids. Inspiring an appreciation for parks at an early age is critical to creating the next generation of conservationists and public land enthusiasts. (DOI blog) Whether boating and fishing, hiking and camping, or just catching a few hours of sunshine, enjoy a day on public lands with family and friends - the perfect Father’s Day gift. Thanks to the many fathers, grandfathers and mentors who made and make the great outdoors possible for so many of us! |
|||||
 |
Find Your Perfect California CampsiteSleeping under the stars, waking up to chirping birds, roasting marshmallows by the fire—you can experience some of life’s simplest pleasures when you pitch a tent in the Golden State. With nearly 18,000 campsites in the state park system alone, there’s plenty of open space to go around. No matter your adventure pleasure, there's an awesome California campsite to match. With National Camping Month coming up in June, start planning now—most coveted sites fill up quick. (California Now blog via Visit California) Related: June is Great Outdoors Month (DOI video) |
|||||
 |
Redding is California’s Secret Mountain Biking MeccaBrian Sindt has had a direct hand in just about every inch of the nearly 100 miles of mountain biking trails surrounding Redding. He has spent the past 13 years mapping, navigating federal land management agencies and physically building trails in the open space around the town, which is quickly becoming a hub of the growing sport... A mixture of technical rock gardens, tough but thankfully short climbs, and speedy single track make French Fry the type of trail that can make three completely different styles of riders happy. The 6.1-mile trail, on a Bureau of Land Management tract in Whiskeytown, starts just north of the intersection of Highway 299 and Middle Creek Road; access it from the Old Shasta transfer station. Bring intermediate skills, and make sure to take the rock gardens slow on your first descent. (San Francisco Chronicle) |
|||||
 |
Successful Adoption at the Western States Horse ExpoBLM had a very successful wild horse and burro event weekend at Western States Horse Expo at Cal Expo in Sacramento, California thanks to the partnership with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department's Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center or R3C. All four inmate trained, saddle started wild horses found great homes! The high bid horse was Tux whose adopter paid $1,000 and the other three were adopted for $300. Adopters even enjoyed a new adopter clinic with R3C's Joe Misner. (BLM California Facebook) Related: Friends of R3C website |
|||||
 |
U.S. Forest Service Holds Training for Incoming Fire InvestigatorsThe U.S. Forest Service held it's yearly training exercise on Thursday June 7, in the City of Shasta Lake for incoming fire law enforcement and investigators. Fire Prevention Technician for the U.S. Forest Service, Patrick Callahan said field exercise preparation burn training helps to find out the origin and causes of wildfires, during fire season. (KRCR News) |
|||||
 |
The 2018 BLM California Fire Planning, Fuels Management, Community Assistance and Fire Trespass Program ReviewIn mid-May 2018, a national team organized under the Bureau of Land Management’s Fire and Aviation Division at the National Interagency Fire Center reviewed the BLM California fire planning, fuels management, community assistance and fire trespass programs. The reviews rotate from state to state and provide valuable input on fire program effectiveness and developing best practices for protecting communities, natural and cultural resources and other public values. (BLM California Facebook) |
|||||
 |
Signs of the BLMWhat’s in a sign? A lot, actually. Visually appealing and easy-to-read signs can go a long way toward improving an organization’s ability to communicate effectively with a wide audience. Millions of people see Bureau of Land Management signs each day, and each one of those impressions is an opportunity to educate people about our agency and the incredible public lands we manage. (BLM California Facebook) |
|||||
| BLM AND DOI HIGHLIGHTS | ||||||
 |
Secretary Zinke and Blackfeet Nation Chairman Barnes Sign Documents Implementing the Blackfeet Water Rights Settlement and CompactU.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke and Blackfeet Nation Chairman Harry Barnes today signed documents implementing the Blackfeet Water Rights Settlement of 2016 and the accompanying Blackfeet Water Compact, which resolve a decades-long battle by the Blackfeet Tribe of Montana to protect its water rights while also accommodating state and federal water requirements. Secretary Zinke has worked on the issue as a State Senator in the Montana State Legislature, as the U.S. Representative from Montana, and now as Secretary of the Interior. (DOI news release) |
|||||
 |
Secretary Zinke Announces Over $61 Million for States to Support Parks and Outdoor RecreationU.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced that $61.6 million in revenues available through the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act will be distributed to the 50 states, the Territories, and the District of Columbia for Land and Water Conservation Fund grants that support outdoor recreation and conservation projects. These funds, which are made up of non-taxpayer dollars from Outer Continental Shelf lease revenues, are awarded through federal matching grants that leverage public and private investment in America’s state and local public parks. (DOI news release) |
|||||
 |
Secretary Zinke Announces 20-Year Mineral Withdrawal in Johnny Behind the Rocks Recreation ZoneIn the spirit of serving America through shared conservation stewardship, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced the withdrawal of public land from mining in the Johnny Behind the Rocks Recreation Zone near Lander, Wyoming. Interior’s Bureau of Land Management will withdraw the land for a period of 20 years for the protection of recreational and cultural resources. The action supports Secretarial Order 3366, signed by Zinke in April 2018, which prioritizes Interior’s recreation mission and calls for increasing access to public lands. Earlier this year, Zinke announced an extension on the mineral withdrawal in the Whiskey Mountain area of Wyoming. (DOI news release) |
|||||
 |
Trump Administration Announces $50 Million in Construction Projects Approved for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceU.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced $50 million in approved funding to rebuild critical U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service infrastructure. The list includes projects like the rehabilitation of the water treatment system at the Dwight D. Eisenhower National Fish Hatchery in Vermont, replacing the Mary Lake fishing pier at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Colorado and repairing Sandy Point public access road at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge in Texas—all dire maintenance and repair projects contributing to $1.4 billion backlog facing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (DOI news release) |
|||||
| WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK | ||||||
 |
Yes or no? Do fish sleep?Keep reading for answer below. |
|||||
| UPCOMING EVENTS | ||||||
 |
Now - 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) |
|||||
 |
Now - 2019: Bring Home a Wild Horse or BurroThe BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program is excited to announce nearly 70 events this year as part of BLM's efforts to find good homes for our nation's wild horses and burros. Known for their intelligence, endurance and loyalty, wild horses and burros, with the right training, are outstanding for trail riding, packing, working and have successfully competed for awards in numerous fields from endurance riding to dressage. With more than 81,000 wild horses and burros on BLM-managed public lands, these wild icons of our American history need your help more than ever. Without any natural predators that can control population growth, wild horse and burro herds grow rapidly on the range and can quickly overcome the land's ability to support them. The BLM works to maintain healthy wild herds by gathering excess animals and placing them into good homes. (BLM website) |
|||||
 |
June 15-17: Celebrate America's Wild Horses and Burros at Napa Mustang DaysNapa Mustang Days, June 15-17, combines an adoption of wild horses and burros, with a day for the public to come out, enjoy horses, learn more about them, experience proud equestrian history and celebrate America’s “living legends”. Maybe take one home too, four horses will be available for adoption through the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program. (BLM news release) Related: Meet the animals (BLM California Facebook) |
|||||
 |
June 16: Volunteers Needed to Help BLM Ukiah Field Office Clean North Cow Mountain Rifle RangeThe Bureau of Land Management Ukiah Field Office is seeking volunteers to help clean up trash, targets and spent shells at the North Cow Mountain Rifle Range on Saturday, June 16, at 9 a.m... Volunteers are needed to help remove larger abandoned trash items, including electronics and pallets. The BLM will provide gloves, tools, trash pickers, bags and on-site temporary restroom facilities and hand-washing stations. (BLM news release) |
|||||
 |
June 29: Public Meeting in Alturas to Discuss Sage Grouse PlanningStaff from the Bureau of Land Management will provide information and answer questions regarding planning for greater sage grouse, in a public meeting Friday, June 29, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Niles Hotel, 304 S. Main St. in Alturas. The meeting is one of four in Nevada and northeastern California. The draft Environmental Impact Statements and amendments to the 2015 plans were published on May 4, 2018, beginning a 90-day public comment period. The public meetings will help attendees learn about the draft plan amendments and formulate written submissions, before the comment period ends on August 2, 2018. (BLM news release) |
|||||
| WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK ANSWER | ||||||
|
Do fish sleep? While most fish rest by reducing their activity and metabolism, fish "sleep" is different from that of land mammals. The nature of fish "sleep" is an area of active research. While fish do not sleep in the same way that land mammals sleep, most fish do rest. Research shows that fish may reduce their activity and metabolism while remaining alert to danger. Some fish float in place, some wedge themselves into a secure spot in the mud or coral, and some even locate a suitable nest. These periods of "suspended animation" may perform the same restorative functions as sleep does in people. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration website) |
||||||
|
||||||
