Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 7, 2022

Protecting land isn’t always enough to aid species

Anthropocene Magazine reports

In a wide-ranging study, scientists tracked how 27,000 waterbird populations fared in 1,500 protected areas—compared to similar unprotected areas . Their results are instructive.

As world leaders prepare for an October summit in Kunming, China aimed at bolstering biodiversity, scientists have a warning: Just because land is protected doesn’t mean it will save species.

Conservationists have pressed governments to adopt a goal of “30 by 30” – protecting 30% of the planet’s land and ocean habitats by 2030. While such targets can shield habitat from destruction, new research suggests that’s not always enough to help the animals living there. It can also require actively managing these refuges to benefit certain creatures.

Read more at  Protecting land isn’t always enough to aid species

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 6, 2022

World’s biggest plant discovered off Australian coast

The BBC reports

The largest known plant on Earth – a seagrass roughly three times the size of Manhattan – has been discovered off the coast of Australia.
Using genetic testing, scientists have determined a large underwater meadow in Western Australia is in fact one plant.
It is believed to have spread from a single seed over at least 4,500 years

Read on http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-61655327

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 6, 2022

Rainy Day Photos

A surprising late season rain shower yesterday offered some interesting photographic opportunities.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 6, 2022

How climate change is being fought by assisted migration and foresters

NPR reports on the concept of ‘assisted migration” and how it might help species adapt to climate change

Foresters have experiments underway around the country in “assisted migration.” This term actually covers a pretty wide gamut of activity, from, in this case, moving a genotype within a tree’s existing range to introducing an animal somewhere its species has never lived before.

Read article at  How climate change is being fought by assisted migration and foresters : NPR

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 5, 2022

Yesterday’s Garden Photos

Photos from yesterday in my garden.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 5, 2022

The Science and Practice of Fire Mimicry 6/9/22

From Yerba Buena CNPS

The Science and Practice of Fire Mimicry June 9th, THURSDAY, 7:30pm

Zoom Reservation Required: Link Here

Speaker: Dr. Lee Klinger

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 5, 2022

World’s biggest plant discovered off Australian coast

BBC reports

The largest known plant on Earth – a seagrass roughly three times the size of Manhattan – has been discovered off the coast of Australia.

Using genetic testing, scientists have determined a large underwater meadow in Western Australia is in fact one plant.

It is believed to have spread from a single seed over at least 4,500 years.

Read more at  World’s biggest plant discovered off Australian coast – BBC News

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 4, 2022

5 planets are lined up for you to see at dawn this month

For the first time in 18 years, five planets — Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn — will be sequentially aligned and visible at dawn throughout this month.
— Read on www.npr.org/2022/06/03/1102919502/watch-planetary-alignment-june-planets

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 4, 2022

More than 1 in 5 reptile species are threatened with extinction

The National Science Foundation reports

Conservation efforts for other animals have likely helped protect many reptile species, according to a new study led by scientists at NatureServe and other organizations. The study, published in the journal Nature, presents an analysis of the first comprehensive extinction risk assessment for reptiles on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. It found that at least 21% of all reptile species globally are threatened with extinction.

Read more at More than 1 in 5 reptile species are threatened with extinction | NSF – National Science Foundation

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 3, 2022

Lassen Park Road Updates

from Lassen Volcanic National Park

The entire park highway opens to vehicles Friday, 6/3!
Be prepared for snow in the highest elevations and be sure to check the weather forecast before your visit. Gusty, wet weather is forecasted through Sunday night.
Warner Valley and Juniper Lake roads remain closed due to effects of the Dixie Fire.
Learn more about current conditions at https://go.nps.gov/lavo/conditions.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 3, 2022

Classes & Info About Wildfire Resilience

from Theodore Payne

Free classes during the month of June! This series of classes will introduce you to the basics of wildfire in Southern California through the lens of California native plants. Each is a stand-alone class – feel free to sign-up for just one or jump in and sign-up for all.

 

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 3, 2022

June 4 is National Trails Day

from American Hiking Society

There’s something magical about being outdoors. Fresh air, birds singing, moving along a trail or even just around the block – there’s nothing quite like it. But today, those trails and public spaces are in dire need of help —and not everyone has access to these places that can calm and inspire. National Trails Day® is the perfect opportunity to get out there with the people you love, give back to the trails that bring us together, and make sure no one is left out.

Connect with the people near you who share your love of being outside. Build your local community and join the nationwide movement to give back to the trails and make sure everyone can enjoy the outdoors.

Join  Find a local event or create your own and join the nationwide movement.

Pledge Commit to leaving the trail and the outdoor community better than you found it.

Connect Share your impact by tagging #NationalTrailsDay and @AmericanHiking.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 3, 2022

Republican Attacks on Companies’ Climate Actions

The New York Times reports

How an Organized Republican Effort Punishes Companies for Climate Action

Legislators and their allies are running an aggressive campaign that uses public money and the law to pressure businesses they say are pushing “woke” causes.

In West Virginia, the state treasurer has pulled money from BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, because the Wall Street firm has flagged climate change as an economic risk.

In Texas, a new law bars the state’s retirement and investment funds from doing business with companies that the state comptroller says are boycotting fossil fuels. Conservative lawmakers in 15 other states are promoting similar legislation.

Read more at How an Organized Republican Effort Punishes Companies for Climate Action – The New York Times

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 2, 2022

Meet the Salamanders That Can Glide Wherever They Need to Go

The New York Times reported

Flying salamanders? Well, not quite, but there is a species called the wandering salamander that lives in the tallest trees on earth, and can do a very convincing imitation of flight, parachuting from great heights on its way down to another branch, another tree or the ground.

Read on www.nytimes.com/2022/05/26/science/salamanders-gliding-redwoods.html

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 2, 2022

Judge orders stop to California’s pesticide spraying program

KCRA reports

A California judge has ordered a halt to a state-run program of spraying pesticides on public lands and some private property, saying officials failed to assess the potential health effects as required

Read on www.kcra.com/article/judge-orders-stop-californias-pesticide-spraying-program/40166008

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 2, 2022

Ventura Land Trust June Events

free guided hikes, field excursions, and special events at Ventura Land Trust preserves and in the community.

  • June 5 – Serve Beer at the Mountains to Beach Marathon Sign up to provide cold refreshment to Mountains to Beach Marathon athletes. Beer is generously donated by Topa Topa Brewing Company. VOLUNTEER
  • June 11 – Introduction to Birding atHarmon Canyon Preserve Join Ventura Land Trust docents Kris Ohlenkamp and Jen Hall for a 2-hour birding excursion appropriate for beginner and experienced birders. TICKETS
  • June 11 – Free Guided Hike from Willoughby Preserve to the Sea Enjoy a free guided hike that begins on Ventura Land Trust’s Willoughby Preserve on the Ventura River and ends at the coastal estuary at Surfer’s Point. RSVP
  • June 16 – Environmental Speaker Series: Geology of Harmon Canyon Geologist Tim Garvey leads this free, quarterly educational event at the Museum of Ventura County. RSVP
  • June 17 – Rad Cat Women’s Cycling Course at Harmon Canyon Learn basic cycling skills, trail etiquette, and bicycle maintenance. This course is limited to 5 participants. SIGN UP
  • June 21 – Summer Solstice Drum Circle to Benefit Harmon Canyon Preserve Connect with nature and honor our relationship to the seasons in this fundraiser to support the Harmon Canyon Campaign. TICKETS

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 2, 2022

Even the Cactus May Not Be Safe From Climate Change

The New York Times  reports

The hardy cactus — fond of heat and aridity, adapted to rough soils — might not seem like the picture of a climate change victim.

Yet even these prickly survivors may be reaching their limits as the planet grows hotter and drier over the coming decades, according to research published on Thursday. The study estimates that, by midcentury, global warming could put 60 percent of cactus species at greater risk of extinction.

That forecast does not take into account the poaching, habitat destruction and other human-caused threats that already make cactuses one of the world’s most endangered groups of organisms.

Read story at Even the Cactus May Not Be Safe From Climate Change – The New York Times

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 1, 2022

Garden Photos 5/31/22

California Poppy/ Eschscholzia californica

 

Ithuriel’s Spear/Triteleia laxa ‘Queen Fabiola’

 

PIpevine Swallowtail Caterpillar

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 1, 2022

Job Opening: Preserve Manager

from Center for Natural Lands ManagementPreserve Manager – South Coast

Reports to: Regional Preserve Manager – South Coast
Location: Los Angeles/Ventura County (preserve portfolio near Valencia, CA)

Full position description PDF attached and available here

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 1, 2022

Pt. Isabel Bay Trail Closure June 6 & 7

East Bay Regional Park District will be closing the Bay Trail between Marina Bay and Point Isabel on June 6 and July 7 forapplication of coatings to restore the asphalt trail surface.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 1, 2022

New BirdCast Migration Dashboard reveals nightly migration i

from Cornell Lab of Ornithology

The new Migration Dashboard from the BirdCast program at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology reveals bird migration in localized detail previously unavailable to the general public. Discover how many birds are currently aloft, where they’re headed, and how high they’re flying over any county or state in the contiguous United States. The Migration Dashboard also shows which migratory species are most likely to be passing through at this time of year based on eBird data.

Follow local bird migration in incredible detail

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 31, 2022

Why California’s rattlesnake population is booming

SF Gate reports

Rattlesnakes are thriving here, according to a recent joint Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and University of Michigan study, which reveals that the seven species of rattlesnakes found in California could experience more growth as other native animal populations shrink. Why? It’s the same answer that may be driving some to leave the Golden State altogether: climate change.

Read more Why California’s rattlesnake population is booming

KRON4 reports on Regional parks warn of rattlesnakes re-emerging

Officials with the East Bay Regional Park District are warning visitors and hikers of its parks to be aware of the re-emergence of snakes — most notably rattlesnakes — along some regional park trails.

Park district staff said Wednesday that trails in the East Bay regional parks make up the natural habitat for snakes. Snakes emerge in warm spring weather to explore their environment, which can lead to more encounters with humans and dogs.

Park district officials advise visitors and hikers to keep in mind the following safety precautions, including:

  • Leave snakes, including rattlesnakes, alone. Do not try to capture it or harm it. All park wildlife is protected by law;

Read more at  Regional parks warn of rattlesnakes re-emerging | KRON4

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 31, 2022

Joshua Tree Elk Fire Update 5/30/22

from Joshua Tree National Monument
Thanks to the hard work of firefighters and interagency staff, the Elk Fire is at 100% containment. The fire burned a total of 431 acres, 170 of which were in Joshua Tree National Park. Crews will continue to patrol the fire area this week to ensure no hot spots flare-up. Crews will also work on rehabilitation to ensure the burned area has the greatest chance to rebound and to limit the risk of flooding during rain events.
Though wildfire is a natural part of many ecosystems, it is not a natural part of desert ecosystems like the Mojave. Invasive plants like cheatgrass and red brome crowd the landscape, making it easy for a fire to spread quickly to larger, longer-burning plants.
Humans cause an average of 87% of wildfires annually. Many of these occur in proximity to roadways, communities, and recreational areas, posing a considerable threat to public safety.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 31, 2022

 June Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy Events

See all June active and virtual events in Golden Gate National Parks at Events in the Parks | Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 31, 2022

Wildlife Scientists Continue to Seek Cause of California Brown Pelican Illness and Mortality

 California Department of Fish and Wildlife News Release

Since approximately May 13, 2022, several Southern and Central California wildlife rehabilitation facilities from San Luis Obispo County south to San Diego County have been admitting hundreds of California brown pelicans, a fully protected species in California. The pelicans have been found emaciated and frequently with secondary injuries or broken wings. Many of these birds died shortly after arrival at a facility. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), local wildlife rehabilitation facilities and other state partners are coordinating to assess the ongoing situation.

Read more at CDFW News | Wildlife Scientists Continue to Seek Cause of California Brown Pelican Illness and Mortality

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 30, 2022

Regional Parks Botanic Garden Photos 5/28/22

Photos from a visit to the Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park in Berkeley on May 28, 2022.

The Regional Parks Botanic Garden is a botanic garden of California native plants. 

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To learn more about the garden go to Friends of the Regional Parks Botanic Garden.  You  can see other photos from the Regional Parks Botanic Garden on the garden’s Flickr group page at Regional Parks Botanic Garden.

 

 

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 30, 2022

Free Classes: How to Draw Warblers with John Muir Laws

Richardson Bay Audubon Center has once again partnered with John Muir Laws to offer free bird drawing classes. The latest set of classes teach how to draw warblers in celebration of spring migration! You can access the recordings and all class resources here.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 30, 2022

Court Restores Wolverine Protections While Agency Reconsiders Endangered Species Decision

EarthJustice News Release

The wolverine has regained candidate species status under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) following a Montana District Court decision late Thursday. The Court agreed with conservation groups that the wolverine is entitled to additional ESA protections while the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) reconsiders its 2020 decision to deny a petition to list the wolverine as threatened or endangered under the ESA over the next 18 months.

Source: Court Restores Wolverine Protections While Agency Reconsiders Endangered Species Decision | Earthjustice

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 29, 2022

Virtual Bird Chautauqua, June 10-11

from the Mono Lake Committee

We invite you to join us online, from wherever you are, for the virtual Bird Chautauqua, coming up June 10-11, 2022. We’re offering three presentations each evening—take a look at the titles below, read more here, and sign up to join us. While the in-person Bird Chautauqua has completely filled, the virtual events have room for all.

Read more at  Join us for the virtual Bird Chautauqua, June 10-11

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 29, 2022

Regional Parks Foundation Statement on Texas Shooting & Healing Resources Through Nature

from the Regional Parks Foundation

As leaders in connecting children with nature through our relationship with the East Bay Regional Park District, the Regional Parks Foundation works closely with other nonprofit leaders throughout the country following the same goal to deepen the youth connection to their natural environment. Jointly, we are devastated by the unspeakable actions that occurred against youngsters and their teachers in Texas this week. In this regard, I wanted to share a message from our close friends from Children in Nature Network, a national organization led by renowned author Richard Louv, that our Foundation and EBRPD supports. Their message is strong and needs to be shared with others like you, our valued members and donors to the Regional Parks Foundation.

Read more at Regional Parks Foundation Statement on Texas Shooting & Healing Resources Through Nature

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