Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 30, 2023

Government Shutdown Will Close America’s National Parks, Impede Visitor Access

National Park Service News Release

The Department of the Interior is committed to upholding the highest standards of public access to and maintenance of America’s national parks and public lands. Our national parks reflect who we are as a country and unite us in our common purpose to not only enjoy their beauty, but also to preserve them for all Americans to enjoy.

However, in the event of a lapse in annual government appropriations, National Park Service (NPS) sites will be closed. This means that the majority of national parks will be closed completely to public access. Areas that, by their nature, are physically accessible to the public will face significantly reduced visitor services.

At NPS sites across the country, gates will be locked, visitor centers will be closed, and thousands of park rangers will be furloughed. Accordingly, the public will be encouraged not to visit sites during the period of lapse in appropriations out of consideration for protection of natural and cultural resources, as well as visitor safety.

Read More…

Leave a Comment

Posted in Park | Tags:

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 30, 2023

Job Opening: State Park Interpreter

California State Parks Bay Area District is looking to hire a new State Park Interpreter I.
This position will play a vital role in the department’s transformation effort to reduce barriers and engage diverse communities. This position will be responsible for developing, implementing, and coordinating both internal and external partnership and community engagement and public programming activities necessary to create high-quality and relevant State Park visitor interpretive experiences at Candlestick Point State Recreation Area, Petaluma Adobe, Sonoma State Historical Park, and other district units as assigned.
For further information on the position, job requirements, and description visit,
S

Leave a Comment

Posted in Job Openings, Park | Tags:

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 30, 2023

Is this a true 100 year bloom?

ScienceDaily reports

Flowering for naught: 120 years with nothing to show

Flowering for some plants is a yearly occurrence, for others, it is a once-in-a-lifetime event. A widespread species of bamboo in Japan, Phyllostachys nigra var. henonis, takes this one-time flowering event and pushes it to the extreme: they flower once every 120 years before dying to make way for the next generation. Researchers have realized there might be another issue at hand with this monocarpic species, which is the lack of germination of the seeds from a majority of the flowering specimens. Implications of a once dense field of bamboo, something that serves both as a food source and a source of material for crafts, turning to grassland for several years until the regeneration of bamboo begins to start somehow, can impact the ecology of the area in addition to the country’s economy.

Read full story at Flowering for naught: 120 years with nothing to show | ScienceDaily

Leave a Comment

Posted in Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags:

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 29, 2023

Snow Forecast for Yosemite This Weekend

1 Comment

Posted in Drives, Park | Tags:

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 29, 2023

Regional Parks Botanic Garden Photos 9/26 &27/23

Photos from the East Bay Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park in Berkeley, CA on September 26 and 27, 2023.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Leave a Comment

Posted in Garden | Tags: ,

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 29, 2023

Theodore Payne Foundation Upcoming  Events 

See upcoming Theodore Payne Foundation Events at Theodore Payne Foundation Events | Eventbrite

Leave a Comment

Posted in Class/Workshop, Garden, Talks | Tags:

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 29, 2023

Job Opening: Associate Vegetation Ecologist / Data Analyst – Remote / CA,

The Associate Vegetation Ecologist / Data Analyst is a full-time non-exempt position directly supervised by the Vegetation Field Data Specialist. The Ecologist is responsible for supporting the Bureau of Land Management’s Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring (AIM) program to coordinate data collection on BLM lands throughout California. They will review and complete Quality Assurance (QA) / Quality Control (QC) procedures for AIM datasets, provide technical support and training to field staff in the use of ArcGIS Pro, Field Maps and Survey123, work with BLM staff on data management and storage of AIM data and related datasets, and complete basic analysis and reporting. The position includes funding for at least 15 months of full-time work, beginning in November 2023, and may be extended depending on projects and funding.

Read more and learn how to apply at : Associate Vegetation Ecologist / Data Analyst – Remote / CA, USA | California Native Plant Society Careers

Leave a Comment

Posted in Job Openings | Tags:

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 29, 2023

How Sustainable Are Humans?

from Alt National Park Service

Leave a Comment

Posted in Environment | Tags:

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 28, 2023

Court Upholds Denial of ExxonMobil’s Plan to Truck Oil in Santa Barbara, Restart Offshore Drilling

Center Biological Diversity News Release

U.S. District Court for the Central District of California today upheld Santa Barbara County’s denial of ExxonMobil’s proposal to transport oil by tanker trucks along hazardous California highways. The plan would have helped the company restart three drilling platforms off the Santa Barbara coast, shut down since the disastrous Refugio oil spill eight years ago.

ExxonMobil proposed to truck millions of gallons of oil on coastal Highway 101 and Route 166 through Santa Barbara County. The plan would have been a step toward restarting the company’s offshore platforms and resuming operations at its Las Flores Canyon processing facility, which was the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the county when operational.

Read more at  Court Upholds Denial of ExxonMobil’s Plan to Truck Oil in Santa Barbara, Restart Offshore Drilling – Center for Biological Diversity

Leave a Comment

Posted in Environment | Tags:

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 28, 2023

Harvest moon 2023, the last supermoon of the year, kicks off fall stargazing on Sept. 29

Space.com

The stunning sight can be seen in the sky during very early hours on Friday.

Read more at  Harvest moon 2023, the last supermoon of the year, kicks off fall stargazing on Sept. 29 | Space

Leave a Comment

Posted in Astronomy | Tags: ,

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 28, 2023

Fall is Planting Season: What Attracts Pollinators?

From Calflora

What attracts pollinators? Are you wondering what to plant this fall, and wanting to attract pollinators? Calflora’s Planting Guide takes your location’s parameters into account to determine which native plants will grow well there.

Learn more and how to use Calflora’s Planting Guide to find out what to plant in your garden at: Fall is Planting Season: What Attracts Pollinators?

Leave a Comment

Posted in Garden | Tags: ,

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 28, 2023

A Lifeline for Winter-Run Chinook

The Revelator  reports

With salmon migration blocked by Shasta Dam, a Tribe and agency scientists collaborate to bring them home.

In a surprise twist, salmon in New Zealand could be the key to an 11th-hour emergency action to help save winter-run Chinook from extinction in a California river.

Read story at  A Lifeline for Winter-Run Chinook • The Revelator

Leave a Comment

Posted in Animals | Tags: ,

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 27, 2023

Pt. Reyes Trail Openings

Pt. Reyes National Seashore reports

Meadow and Horse Trails are now open to equestrians and hikers. Hurray!
Just in time for an early autumn horseback ride or a hike in the Bear Valley wilderness, Meadow and Horse trails are clear of trees and minor repairs have been completed. As reminder to stay safe, be sure to #slowandsayhello to other park visitors.

Leave a Comment

Posted in Park, Walks & Hikes | Tags:

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 27, 2023

Outdoor cinema and discussion in Berkeley about helping bees, butterflies, birds, and flowers on 9/30/23

From the City of Berkeley

Saturday night viewing on September 30 open to all ages and will be shown on Shorebird Park Nature Center lawn. Don’t forget your snacks, blankets, and low-height chairs.

Come discover how plants we choose for our gardens impact migratory birds and pollinators like bees through a group discussion and a documentary, “Wings of Life.”

The discussion — which will be outdoors on the Berkeley waterfront — will cover the benefits to wildlife (and water conservation) of using native plants, the negative impact of outdoor cats on bird life, and the migrations of birds, butterflies, and bees.

Wings of Life
Saturday, September 30, 7:00 pm – 8:45 pm  Shorebird Nature Center, 160 University Ave

Read more Outdoor cinema and discussion about helping bees, butterflies, birds, and flowers

Leave a Comment

Posted in Environment | Tags:

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 27, 2023

Regional Parks Botanic Garden Fall Plant Sale 10/7/23

The Regional Park Botanic Garden’s Fall Plant Sale will take place on Saturday, October 7. Public sale hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friends members sale starts at 9 a.m. Friends memberships may be purchased at the door, or in advance on the Garden website. Watch for the upcoming plant sale list – posted a week or two before the sale, and constantly updated – of all the plants in the sale along with their quantity, pot size, and price. When the list is ready, it will be posted on the Garden website: www.nativeplants.org
The garden is located in Tilden Park in Berkeley, CA

Leave a Comment

Posted in Garden | Tags: ,

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 27, 2023

West Marin’s Efforts to become a Dark Sky Place

The New York Times reports

Point Reyes Station, Bolinas, Stinson Beach and a cluster of other small communities in western Marin County, north of San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge, are hoping to be designated as Dark Sky Places. That would mean that they were officially recognized for good night sky quality by DarkSky International, a nonprofit group that advocates protecting night skies from light pollution. The Point Reyes National Seashore nearby is seeking a similar distinction.

Read story at A Bay Area Community Wants to Protect Its Dark Skies

Leave a Comment

Posted in Astronomy | Tags:

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 26, 2023

First Flock in 100 Years: Six California Condors Visit Mount Diablo and Contra Costa County 

Save Mount Diablo reports

Recently, National Park Service staff and volunteers tracked the paths of some special visitors to the Diablo region: California condors! Six condors soared through the skies above Round Valley and Morgan Territory Regional Preserves, one even flying a mile or two west of Mount Diablo’s summit.

Read more at  First Flock in 100 Years: Six California Condors Visit Mount Diablo and Contra Costa County – Save Mount Diablo

Leave a Comment

Posted in Birds | Tags: ,

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 26, 2023

Fracking For Oil and Gas Is Devouring American Groundwater 

The New York Times  reports

Giant new oil and gas wells that require astonishing volumes of water to fracture bedrock are threatening America’s fragile aquifers.

A Times analysis shows that increasingly complex oil and gas wells now require astonishing volumes of water to fracture the bedrock and release fossil fuels, threatening America’s fragile aquifers.

Read more at ‘Monster Fracks’ Are Getting Far Bigger. And Far Thirstier.

Leave a Comment

Posted in Environment | Tags:

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 25, 2023

‘In total shock’: birdwatchers amazed as ‘uber-rare’ American birds land in UK

The Guardian reports

A record-breaking number of “uber-rare” North American songbirds have arrived in the UK this week, blown over the Atlantic in the aftermath of Hurricane Lee.

More than a dozen species of small songbirds – one of which has never been seen in the UK before – were sent veering off their usual migration routes by the high winds.

Read more at https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/25/canada-warbler-magnolia-uber-rare-american-birds-land-in-uk-aoe

Leave a Comment

Posted in Birds | Tags:

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 25, 2023

Long-studied sparrow at UCSC Arboretum displays complex social life

  Santa Cruz Sentinel reports

 A recent UC Santa Cruz study examining the golden-crowned sparrow, which winters annually at the UCSC Arboretum & Botanic Garden, shows that the colorful birds have complex social relationships that are disrupted when a close flockmate is lost. The recently published study is one of several scientific papers written on the species by UCSC researchers over a span of more than two decades.

Read more at Long-studied sparrow at UCSC Arboretum displays complex social life

Leave a Comment

Posted in Birds | Tags:

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 24, 2023

US launches $1bn tree-planting scheme to mitigate effects of climate crisis | Trees and forests | The Guardian

Hundreds of communities around the US will share more than $1bn in federal money to help them plant and maintain trees under a federal program that is intended to reduce extreme heat, benefit health and improve access to nature.

Source: US launches $1bn tree-planting scheme to mitigate effects of climate crisis | Trees and forests | The Guardian

Leave a Comment

Posted in Environment

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 23, 2023

Happy Birthday to the Oldest Ranger

from the  National Park Service

Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park 

Wishing a wonderful 102nd birthday to the ever-amazing Betty Reid Soskin! 😍😍😍

1 Comment

Posted in Park | Tags:

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 23, 2023

If Trees Had Free Wifi

from Alt National Park

Leave a Comment

Posted in Environment | Tags:

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 23, 2023

Wildfires: The changing face of the Mediterranean landscape 

The BBC reports

Heatwaves across southern Europe have brought devastating wildfires to the region. How is the Mediterranean’s vegetation likely to recover and adapt as climate change increases the risk of these blazes?

Read story at  Wildfires: The changing face of the Mediterranean landscape – BBC Future

Leave a Comment

Posted in Environment | Tags:

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 22, 2023

Job Opening: California Botanic Garden – Horticulturist-I 

California Botanic Garden is seeking a passionate, creative, and self-motivated individual to join the Garden’s horticulture staff. Under supervision of the Grounds Manager, the Horticulturist-I maintains the living collection, including planting, pruning, weeding, watering, mulching, and removing dead plants; maintains irrigation systems, decomposed granite paths, and other garden facilities.

Learn more and see how to applay at  California Botanic Garden | Horticulturist-I – CNPS Forums

Leave a Comment

Posted in Job Openings | Tags:

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 22, 2023

Webinar: Art in the Landscape September 27

Sonoma Land Trust

Language of the Land: Art in the Landscape

September 27, 7-8:30pm, Zoom (registration required)

Join Elizabeth McKoy of the Petaluma nonprofit creativity center Artaluma for a landscape painting and sketching workshop for people of all abilities!

What’s one way we can savor the magnificent abundance of Sonoma County landscapes? Through art! Learning to sketch or paint from nature deepens our relationship to the land. We’re excited to have Elizabeth McKoy of the Petaluma nonprofit creativity center Artaluma lead us in putting our pencils, pens, and paintbrushes to paper to capture the beauty of the outdoors. This online workshop will be guided by play and exploration, and is for anyone and everyone.

Spanish interpretation will be provided.

Leave a Comment

Posted in Class/Workshop, Talks | Tags: ,

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 22, 2023

Over 4500 heat-related deaths recorded in England

Earth.com reports

The latest official study on climate-related mortality highlights pressing concerns about the escalating crisis of climate change and its direct impact on public health in England. The Office of National Statistics (ONS) published a study on Friday, revealing that in 2022, England witnessed approximately 4,507 heat-related deaths.

Read more at Over 4500 heat-related deaths recorded in England • Earth.com

Leave a Comment

Posted in Environment | Tags:

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 22, 2023

Tiny Forests With Big Benefits

The New York Times reports

Native plants crowded onto postage-stamp-size plots have been delivering environmental benefits around the world — and, increasingly, in the U.S.

Read article at Tiny Forests With Big Benefits

Leave a Comment

Posted in Environment, Garden | Tags: ,

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 21, 2023

Working from home is good for the environment

Anthropocene Magazine reports

Working from home 1 day a week cuts carbon by 2%. 2-4 days up to 29%. Full-time 54%.
An unusually comprehensive study shows remote work is better for the climate, but mainly in large doses

Leave a Comment

Posted in Environment | Tags:

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 21, 2023

Death Valley targets Oct. 15 partial reopening, but Nevada entrances will remain closed

News Now reports

Nevada entrances to Death Valley National Park will remain closed when the park reopens — tentatively an Oct. 15 target to restore partial access.

A news release Wednesday from the park officials indicates parts of California State Route 190 (CA-190) and Death Valley National Park are shooting for the Oct. 15 date, but the only access into the park will be from Lone Pine, California.

Read more at : Death Valley targets Oct. 15 partial reopening, but Nevada entrances will remain closed

Leave a Comment

Posted in Desert, Park | Tags:

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »

Categories