 Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail  |
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- Summer Solstice |
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Recreation's New LookRecreation on America’s public lands has a new look. Technology has changed the way we enjoy the outdoors, and we’re working to make them more accessible to all -- from better facilities to improved wifi. (DOI video) |
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7 Must-See Bureau of Land Management Destinations in CaliforniaThe territories of the Bureau of Land Management have sometimes been overlooked by nature lovers. The best spots, the thinking goes, were snapped up long ago by homesteaders or the more glamorous forest and park services. Yet the B.L.M. oversees roughly 15 percent of California’s landmass — more than 23,000 square miles — which includes insanely beautiful stretches of coastline, desert, and mountains. (California Sun) |
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Happy Summer SolsticeIt’s finally here! Today is the official first day of summer. The summer solstice marks the longest continuous period of sunlight during the year. So it’s official – time start to checking things off your summer bucket list! From cooling off on some of the country’s coolest rivers to stretching your legs on hundreds of miles of trails, BLM-managed public lands make the perfect summertime destinations! (My Public Lands Tumblr) |
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BLM Initiates Whitewater Canyon Closure Due to Increased Wildfire RiskThe Bureau of Land Management is temporarily closing public lands in and near Whitewater Canyon, Riverside County, due to the potential threat of wildfire. This public safety closure will start on Monday, June 18, and will remain in effect until further notice. (BLM news release) |
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Supporting Trail Systems Around ReddingBLM, The McConnell Foundation and Redding Trail Alliance recently worked together to replace a bridge on one of the more popular mountain biking trails in the Redding area. The bridge is part of the Rock Creek-Middle Creek Trail System and is popular with mountain bikers, hikers and trail runners. (BLM California Facebook) |
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National Pollinator WeekNational Pollinator Week celebrates these hard-working creatures. You can do your part to protect them by planting a pollinator garden, providing nesting sites and avoiding or limiting pesticide use. (DOI video) Related: Pollinators and Seeds (USFWS website) |
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BLM Seeks Bids for New Public Off-Range Pastures for Wild Horses and BurrosThe Bureau of Land Management announced that it is seeking proposals for new public off-range pastures that provide a free-roaming environment for wild horses removed from Western public lands while also allowing for regular public visitation. This announcement is part of the BLM’s effort to address the growing overpopulation of wild horses and burros on public rangelands. As of March 1, 2018, the wild horse and burro population on public lands was estimated at 81,951 animals, which is more than triple the number of animals the land can support in conjunction with other legally mandated land uses. This chronic overpopulation increases the risk of damage to rangeland resources and raises the chances of starvation and thirst for animals in overpopulated herds. (BLM news release) |
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| WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK | ||||||
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Bumblebees vs. Honeybees: What’s the difference and why does it matter?Keep reading for answer below. |
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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) |
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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) |
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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) |
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| WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK ANSWER | ||||||
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Although the various bumblebee and honeybee species both belong to the Apidae family, bumblebees belong to the Bombus genus and honeybees to Apis. Their appearance is
different, as well. Bumblebees are round and fuzzy; honeybees are smaller and thinner – it would be easy, in fact, to mistake them for wasps. And while honeybees have a clear distinction between head and abdomen, bumblebees are “all of one piece.” Honeybees also have two clear sets of wings: a larger set in front and a smaller set in back. (Student Conservation Association) |
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