Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 17, 2022

The largest population of a rare, protected orchid found in a military base in Corsica 

ScienceDaily  reports

The neglected Serapias, a rare orchid, has been found in a Corsican military base in very large numbers: more than 155,000 individuals! No comparable population is known anywhere in the world. A total of 552 plant species were discovered in an area of just 550 hectares, including 19 protected in France. This rich biodiversity confers a patrimonial responsibility on this military base.

Read story at  The largest population of a rare, protected orchid found in a military base in Corsica — ScienceDaily

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 16, 2022

Latino Conservation Week

from the National Park Service
We’re kicking off #LatinoConservationWeek!
Latino Conservation Week is an annual initiative of the Hispanic Access Foundation showcasing outdoor engagement and conservation advocacy by Latino communities. This celebration of Latino heritage throughout the national parks can also help inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 16, 2022

Is it still ethical to collect butterflies for science?

Vox reports

Specimens like this one, housed at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC, represent priceless bits of scientific data. Studying them has revealed everything from changes in butterfly wing shape over time to the genetics of extinct species to new species altogether. They are also now the subject of a passionate debate.

Read more Is it still ethical to collect butterflies for science? – Vox

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 15, 2022

Photos of Dragonflies & Damselflies of Mono County

Photographed in Mono County at River Stream in Adobe Valley and Nanatak Nature Trail.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 15, 2022

Yosemite Washburn Fire Information –

Inciweb reports

Updated: 1:14 hrs. ago
Size: 4,759 Acres
Contained: 31%
— Read on inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8209/

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 15, 2022

Lassen Park Update

Juniper Lake Road will open at noon tomorrow, July 15. Park staff have completed repairs and hazard tree removal along the road.
Be prepared for burned area hazards throughout this remote area. Cell service is very limited in this area and emergency response takes additional time. Learn more about burned area safety at https://go.nps.gov/lavo/BAS.
Juniper Lake Campground remains closed as staff continue to remove hazards in preparation for opening to first-come, first-served camping. Work is anticipated to be completed in the near future.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 15, 2022

What’s a constellation? What’s an asterism?

EarthSky writes

A constellation is a pattern of stars in the night sky. The word is from the Latin constellacio,meaning a set of stars. There are 88 official constellations, all with well defined boundaries. Many constellations are very old. They are a link between us and our ancestors, a projection of human imagination into the cosmos. Ancient people looked at the stars and thought they saw mythical beings, beasts and cultural touchstones among the stars.

On the other hand, most asterisms are relatively new. Many are small patterns within a constellation, and some are large patterns made of bright stars from multiple constellations. There is nothing official about an asterism, but many are well known. Generally an asterism is a simple pattern that is easy to recognize.

Read more at  EarthSky | What’s a constellation? What’s an asterism?

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 14, 2022

Yosemite Washburn Fire Information

Are you planning to visit Yosemite and are wondering about the air quality due to the Washburn Fire?
Air quality has generally improved over the last day or two, although changes in weather patterns or fire behavior can result in rapid changes in air quality.
Here’s how you can get more information:
– Map showing current air quality throughout the Yosemite region: https://fire.airnow.gov/?lat=37.7487&lng=-119.5871&zoom=10
– Live air quality data and webcams in Yosemite: https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/aqmonitoring.htm
– Daily smoke outlook for the Yosemite region: https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/627654eb
For updates on the Washburn fire, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8209/.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 14, 2022

Federal Appeals Court Reinstates Right Whales’ Seasonal Protection

Center for Biological Diversity New Release

BOSTON— In a victory for critically endangered North Atlantic right whales, the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals today reinstated a seasonal prohibition on lobster fishing using vertical lines in federal waters off the Maine coast.

The decision reversed a preliminary injunction by the District of Maine that halted the NOAA Fisheries’ implementation of a 967-square-mile seasonal closure to static lobster lines in federal waters off Maine from October to January each year, when right whales are at risk of entanglement in dense aggregations of heavy, dangerous lobster gear.

Read More…

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 14, 2022

How ‘green islands’ help forests regenerate after fire

ScienceDaily reports

A new study characterizes the role of fire refugia — the green islands of live trees that remain after forest fires — in forest regeneration following large and severe fires in the High Cascade mountains of Oregon and Washington. The results of this study can help determine when human intervention in the form of tree replanting is warranted, when it isn’t, where replanting efforts should be targeted and what species should be prioritized. This is important to know since overplanting can be needlessly expensive and actually place forests at increased risk of future fires.

read more at How ‘green islands’ help forests regenerate after fireHow ‘green islands’ help forests regenerate after fire

 

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 13, 2022

Yosemite Washburn Fire: Highway 41 entrance closed, sprinklers used to protect Giant Sequoias, 3,772 acres charred 

ABC30 Fresno reports

The Washburn Fire started spreading near the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and has burned 3,772 acres with 17% containment as of Wednesday morning.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but during a community meeting on Monday night, the park superintendent said it appears to have been started by humans.

Read full story at Washburn Fire: Yosemite’s Highway 41 entrance closed, sprinklers used to protect Giant Sequoias, 3,772 acres charred – ABC30 Fresno

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 13, 2022

Job Openings

The Sierra Nevada Conservancy is seeking a highly motivated individual who has strong analytical and project management skills, as well as natural resource experience, to join the Department’s Field Operations Unit as the Projects & Grants Coordinator. More info at:https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/Cal…/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx…

Joshua Tree National Park: We are looking to hire a person for the position of Digital Media Technician in Spanish. Responsibilities include writing for our social media platforms and website in Spanish and English, taking photos and videos, and being in places of interest.

We need your help! We are looking to hire a Spanish Language Digital Media

Technician. Responsibilities include writing content for our social media platforms and website in Spanish and English, shooting photos and video, and hanging out in cool places.
For more information and to apply, check out https://www.vscyberhosting.com/greatbasin/Careers.aspx…
Preserve Manager – Central California

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 13, 2022

The Top 100 Audubon Photography Awards

from National Audubon Society

This year, almost 2,500 photographers from across the United States and Canada submitted nearly 10,000 photographs and videos to Audubon’s 13th annual Audubon Photography Awards. With so many exceptional shots and breathtaking birds worth sharing, we cannot wait to present the top 100 photos that nearly won over our judges. Scroll through these standout images that feature rare and unusual moments in the avian world, and find out the story behind each shot.

See photos at Top 100

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 13, 2022

Making our communities and skies safer for birds

Audubon reports

From communication towers and tall buildings to residential windows and glass doors, birds face a multitude of dangers as they navigate our built environment. Research indicates that up to one billion birds may be killed per year in the United States alone as a result of collisions, happening in both commercial and residential settings, at all hours of the day. Surprisingly, the majority of these deadly collisions are occurring in low-rise buildings, rather than skyscrapers. The biggest hazards contributing to these collisions – artificial light at night and glass.

Some simple actions can help make our communities and the skies safer for birds.

Read more at Simple Solutions to Prevent Collisions | Audubon

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 12, 2022

Sequoias safe as crews battle Washburn fire in Yosemite

The Associated Press reports

“Increased fire activity” was expected Tuesday as crews continued to battle the 3,221-acre Washburn fire in Yosemite National Park, but officials were growing more confident that the Mariposa Grove of ancient sequoias would survive the blaze.

Read more at https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-07-12/ancient-sequoias-safe-for-now-as-crews-continue-battling-3-200-acre-washburn-fire-in-yosemite

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 12, 2022

First Images from the James Webb Space Telescope 

from NASA

The dawn of a new era in astronomy has begun as the world gets its first look at the full capabilities of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, a partnership with ESA (European Space Agency) and CSA (Canadian Space Agency).

See first images from Webb Telescope at  First Images from the James Webb Space Telescope | NASA

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 12, 2022

Super Moon Tonight

NPR reports

The third supermoon of 2022 will grace the night sky on Tuesday.

It’s also known as a buck moon because it falls in July. The name doesn’t come from its appearance — you won’t see the shape of a buck on the moon’s surface or anything. Instead, it refers to something that’s happening in nature.

“The full Moon in July is called the Buck Moon because the antlers of male deer (bucks) are in full-growth mode at this time,” as The Old Farmer’s Almanac says. “Bucks shed and regrow their antlers each year, producing a larger and more impressive set as the years go by.”

Read more at  July’s full moon is rising on Tuesday. Here’s what you need to know : NPR

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 12, 2022

How much land is needed to stop the biodiversity crisis?

Anthropocene  reports
A new study estimates that the answer is a huge area—44%of Earth’s land, some 64 million square kilometers

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 11, 2022

Washburn Fire in Yosemite CA updates: containment, sequoias

The Sacramento Bee reports

The commanders fighting the Washburn Fire in Yosemite National Park expressed confidence in their efforts Monday evening, but said fire crews were facing intense, extreme heat as they worked to protect Mariposa Grove.

Read on www.sacbee.com/news/california/fires/article263377558.html

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 11, 2022

Yosemite Washburn Fire Update

See a new update on the Yosemite Washburn Fire at:

Washburn Fire Information – InciWeb the Incident Information System

Fire is now 2,340 Acres and 25% contained.

Air Quality in Yosemite is poor. Check air quality at Purple Air

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 11, 2022

Ventura Land Trust Acquisition

Ventura Land Trust has been awarded $7.2 million by the State of California to complete the acquisition and conservation of 1,645 acres of Ventura’s iconic hillsides, now called Mariano Rancho Preserve.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 11, 2022

Like a Bird on a Wire That Starts a Wildfire 

The New York Times  reports

A variety of triggers can kindle wildfires on dry lands: high winds that send power lines careening into each other, stray cigarette butts, even sparks from train wheels. And, sometimes, electrocuted birds.

Read more at Like a Bird on a Wire That Starts a Wildfire 

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 11, 2022

For the Birds: The Birdsong Project

from Audubon

“For the Birds: The Birdsong Project” is a historic outpouring of creativity by more than 200 artists to celebrate the music and joy that birds bring into our lives. Grammy Award-winning music supervisor Randall Poster produced this project. It raises awareness about birds and our need to protect them. Listen today and all proceeds benefit the National Audubon Society.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 10, 2022

Yosemite Washburn Fire Wildfire Update

DesertSun has regular updates on the Yosemite Washburn Fire at data.desertsun.com/fires/incident/8209/washburn-fire/

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 10, 2022

Job Opening: Preserve Manager

Preserve Manager in central California. Read job description and how to apply at www.cnlm.org/wp-content/uploads/Central-Cal-PM-PD-05-25-2022-ext-7-25-2022.pdf

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 10, 2022

Wildfire grows in California’s Yosemite National Park

The Sacramento Bee reports

The Washburn Fire burning in Yosemite National Park grew to almost 1,600 acres overnight Saturday night and Sunday morning, an increase of nearly 50% from Saturday evening.

Read on www.sacbee.com/news/california/article263330133.html

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 10, 2022

Hummingbirds in Trouble

From the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Assoction

For migrating hummingbirds, the grocery store is the ocotillo and the food is the nectar held within the blossoms. As the tiny birds arrive each spring, they are finding more and more ocotillos are not open for business.
 
The problem isn’t that ocotillos are not blooming. They are. It’s that some are blooming too soon, before the arrival of migrating hummingbirds. A warmer environment is the explanation, a phenomenon associated with changing climatic conditions first brought to the public’s attention in the early 1980s.

Read on www.abdnha.org/TSP-hummingbirds-in-trouble-part-1.html

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 10, 2022

India’s Distinctive Birdhouses 

The New York Times  reports

For seven years, a photographer based in Delhi has collected images of ornamental structures known as chabutras. Here are some of his favorites.

See birdhouses and read story at Documenting India’s Distinctive Birdhouses

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 10, 2022

Southern California Drought 7/14/22

from Theodore Payne

Southern California Drought with Evan Meyer

Thursday, July 14th, 6 PM–7 PM  ONLINE

A free, in-depth class discussing the drought and the solutions surrounding it.

Join TPF Executive Director Evan Meyer for a detailed discussion of the drought and how it presents an opportunity to rethink the landscape of Southern California.

REGISTER FOR CLASS

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 9, 2022

Yosemite Fire Updates

Wawona, Wawona Road south of Yosemite West, and the Mariposa Grove are closed. Evacuations for these areas. Highway 41 entrance is closed

Read more on what Yosemite National Park reports on the fire at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8209/

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