YubaNet reports

In its seventh year, the annual City Nature Challenge—one of the world’s largest community science events—has surpassed 1,690,000 wildlife observations for another record-breaking year! Over the four-day event held last weekend, more than 67,000 people across six continents participated however they could—from attending local wildlife surveys to finding the species in their own homes—to document the wondrous diversity of wild plants, animals, and fungi that share our planet using the free mobile app iNaturalist. From observations of critically endangered and elusive species to sightings of species outside of their known ranges, the City Nature Challenge underscores the power of community science in tracking real-time changes in our planet’s biodiversity—especially in urban areas.

Read more at  City Nature Challenge records over 1,690,000 wildlife observations in a single weekend – YubaNet

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 11, 2022

Help Track the Effects of Climate Change on Birds

from Audubon

Want to help scientists better understand the effects of climate change on birds like nuthatches, bluebirds, and goldfinches? The Climate Watch spring/summer survey starts in just over a week on May 15 and runs until June 15, 2022.

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 11, 2022

Dim Your Lights for Birds on World Migratory Bird Day, May 14th

Audubon is a proud sponsor of World Migratory Bird Day. Head to Audubon’s World Migratory Bird Day hub to learn more about migratory birds and Audubon’s Lights Out programs, find events near you, and find resources to help pass Lights Out ordinances in your hometown. You can also check out maps from Audubon’s Migratory Bird Initiative, including this interactive one covering light pollution across North America.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 10, 2022

CNPS Events

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 10, 2022

Job Opening: Rare Plant Scientific Coordinator

The Rare Plant Scientific Coordinator is a full-time position with responsibility for developing status review documents utilized to formally add, delete, or change plant information in the highly esteemed CNPS Rare Plant Inventory (RPI). The incumbent will also develop scientific rare plant accounts to satisfy an agreement with the U.S. Forest Service to identify potential Species of Conservation Concern (SCC). This position is supervised by the Rare Plant Botanist and collaborates with a team of scientists in the CNPS Rare Plant Program as well as rare plant and conservation chairs of the CNPS chapters.

Read more and learn how to apply at  Rare Plant Scientific Coordinator – CNPS Forums

from the California Botanical Society

Underground microbial communities are fundamental to life on Earth. Quietly below the forest floor, these microbial communities act as ecosystem engineers, controlling nutrient availability and carbon storage in forests. What is more, plants are never found in nature without their microbiomes and these communities can play critical roles in plant physiology and function. Just as human microbiomes have revolutionized our understanding of human health, forest microbiomes represent a critical axis of forest health, especially in a changing climate. In this talk, Dr. Claire Willing will highlight some of her research investigating how these cryptic forest microbiomes are impacted by global change and what shifts in forest microbiome communities could mean for forests in a changing climate.
Join us this Thursday May 12th, 2022  7-8 pm PTZ

Talk Zoom link: 
https://ucr.zoom.us/j/98594151297?pwd=NXlJQ1YrVW10a2N5d1BnRWVrMVdkZz09

Tonight, join the Celebrating World Migratory Bird Day 2022 Webinar for a fascinating conversation about migratory birds, the hazards they face, and the actions we are taking to help ensure safe passage along their journeys. The webinar will be presented in English with live Spanish translation.

Audubon is a proud sponsor of this year’s World Migratory Bird Day on Saturday, May 14. With the theme “Dim the Lights to Save Birds at Night,” this year’s focus is on light pollution and its impact on migratory birds. With 80% of the United States impacted by photo-polluted nights, light pollution of airspace and increased urbanization poses serious threats to nocturnal migrants.

Tune into this discussion with Audubon on how we can work towards giving birds a better chance of survival on their journeys between their breeding and wintering grounds.

Tuesday, May 10, 2022  7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. PT

Sign Up

NPR reports

The vaquita marina, Spanish for “little sea cow,” is considered the world’s most endangered marine mammal.

The gray porpoise – known for its small size and characteristic black markings around its eyes and mouth – only lives in the northernmost part of Mexico’s Gulf of California, where fishing has brought the species to the brink of extinction.

But research now finds that, genetically speaking, there is still hope the vaquita population can recover.

Read more Inbreeding will not be the end of Mexico’s endangered vaquita marina : NPR

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 9, 2022

Birds That Build Nests With Domes May Be Doomed 

The New York Times  reports

Many of the bird nests you’ll spot this spring will have the familiar open and cupped shape, perfect for securing eggs and eventually hatchlings. About 30 percent of bird species are the starchitects of the avian kingdom, constructing elaborate domed nests with roofs. While ecologists have long thought that domed nests provided greater safety from predators and weather, a new study suggests songbirds who opt for simpler nests may be better off in the long run.

Read more at Birds That Build Nests With Domes May Be Doomed – New York Times

The New York Times  reports a new observation of Magpie intelligence and cooperation

The magpies showed their smarts by helping one another remove tracking harnesses that scientists carefully placed on them.

Read article at Australia’s Clever Birds Did Not Consent to This Science Experiment

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 7, 2022

What’s Happening in the East Bay Regional Parks

Check out the upcoming activities in the East Bay Regional Parks. The current newsletter has various park events including special Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month programs and the Mobile Education interpretive staff has created a welcoming affinity space for our Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities by providing BIPOC specific programming. Programs are Spanish/English bilingual with Naturalist Claudia Muñoz.

See activities, events and programs at  eNews-What’s Happening in Your Regional Parks…

news release from the Center for Biological Diversity

Novel Partnership With Center for Biological Diversity Showcases Stories of Extinct Species

PORTLAND, Ore.— The Center for Biological Diversity is partnering with Mage Hand Press and creator Lucas Zellers to resurrect the histories of extinct animals in a surprising new way: through the popular role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons.

A newly launched project called The Book of Extinction tells the stranger-than-fiction true stories of animals now lost, alongside game statistics as fantasy monsters. Readers can pay what they want for the first three monsters — the Tasmanian tiger, great auk and passenger pigeon. All proceeds will be donated to support the Center’s work protecting endangered species and wild places.

Read More…

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 6, 2022

Job Opening: Membership Coordinator

from Eastern Sierra Land Trust
We are hiring! We just opened our Membership Coordinator position, and would love for you to apply to join our team.
Please share with someone who might be interested in working to protect the Eastern Sierra!
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 6, 2022

Job Openings at Pt Reyes National Seashore Association

Events & Community Engagement Coordinator
The Events and Community Engagement Coordinator will work with the Director of Community Engagement and Philanthropy to develop, execute, and evaluate a comprehensive annual events plan to increase and expand financial support and community engagement, including management of our annual fundraising dinner, Picnic on the Pacific Plate. This position organizes inspiring, educational, inclusive events.
Finance Assistant
The Finance Assistant will be part of a small finance team that manages a multi-million dollar annual operating nonprofit budget. We are looking for a reliable, organized individual with retail, timesheet, data entry, and computer experiences to join our team. This role is 100% remote with flexible days/hours and the average work week should be 32 – 40 hours, with some exceptions due to the nature of the work.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 6, 2022

Climate Change Threatens California’s Vital Kelp Forests 

A New York Times opinion piece talks about how Climate Change Threatens California’s Vital Kelp Forests.

These kelp forests could sequester more carbon than the state’s redwoods.

Read article at Climate Change Threatens California’s Vital Kelp Forests – The New York Times 

 

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 5, 2022

Job Openings: Samuel P.Taylor State Park

Samuel P. Taylor State Park is looking to hire part-time and full-time Park Aides. The Park Aides provide quality customer service, answer visitor questions via phone or in person, and explain rules and regulations. Job duties include: operation of the Entrance Station, collection and accounting of park fees, and camping reservation system. Incumbents should be proficient in basic use of a computer and able to check work e-mail account.
A Department approved uniform is required to be worn during work hours. Work hours will vary and will include days, nights, weekends and holidays. Applicants are subject to a Live Scan fingerprint clearance.
Minimum Qualifications:
Ability to read, write and speak English at a level required for successful job performance; ability to follow directions, learn work procedures and park rules; meet the public successfully. Must have a valid Driver’s License.
Applications are available online at:
or at the following locations:
-Bay Area District Office at 845 Casa Grande Rd in Petaluma
-Samuel P. Taylor State Park at 8889 Sir Francis Drake Blvd in Lagunitas
For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Ranger Dingman at:
Phone: 415-653-6289
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 5, 2022

Kings Canyon National Park:CEDAR GROVE OPENING 5/9!

The Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park is now scheduled to open on Monday, May 9. This area had originally been scheduled to open on April 22, but was delayed due to a significant rockslide on a portion of Highway 180 in Sequoia National Forest.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 5, 2022

WEBINAR | STATE OF OUR OCEANS | May 10th

From The Nature Conservancy

Mark your calendar for May 10th and join the next webinar in our One Choice series—State of Our Oceans. Climate change is hitting our oceans harder than any other ecosystem, but it’s hard to know what’s happening beneath the waves. Join Tom Dempsey, Director of our California Oceans Team, for the State of Our Oceans webinar to learn what’s going on and what you can do.
Register Now!
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 5, 2022

The 2022 Mono Lake level forecast

The Mono Lake Committe reports

Each spring the Mono Lake Committee’s team of modelers and Mono Basin hydrology experts uses the lake level on April 1 together with the Mono Basin snowpack numbers and similar-year and other relevant hydrological statistical data to produce the Mono Lake Committee lake level forecast for the runoff year ahead. You can download the full April 1, 2022 Mono Lake level forecast here.

It is the third year of California’s ongoing drought. At Mono Lake the past runoff year was classified as “Dry” and due to very dry weather conditions throughout most of the year, Mono Lake fell 1.4 feet to 6379.9 feet above sea level by April 1, 2022.

Read more at The 2022 Mono Lake level forecast

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 4, 2022

Picturing a Way Forward In Dealing With Climate Change

Anthropocene Magazine has an interview with best-selling author Kim Stanley Robinson. Robinson writes speculative science fiction that deals with climate change and possible ways to respond to it.

Picturing a Way Forward Climate change, science fiction, and our collective failure of imagination

Read interview at Picturing a Way Forward

Kim Stanley Robinson is also speaking at the Berkeley Book Festival May 7 at 3:30 pm PT. You can register ($5) at  https://www.baybookfest.org/2022schedule/ 
His talk will be both in person and life streamed.

To learn more about Robinson go to https://www.baybookfest.org/speaker/kim-stanley-robinson/

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 4, 2022

Garden Photos 3/1/22

Photos mainly from my garden and a couple from my next door neighbor (The Pincushion Protea and Heavenly Bamboo).

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

NPR reports

The endangered California condor returned to soar the skies over the state’s far northern coast redwood forests on Tuesday for the first time in more than a century.

Read more at  Condors soar again over Northern California’s coastal redwoods : NPR

The position of executive assistant to the parks’ superintendent office is currently open, and applicants have until 5/5 to apply.
Does working at an iconic national park appeal to you? Do you have excellent writing and communication skills, and experience with administrative tasks and budget tracking? If so, this could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for!
This job is open to all US citizens, no prior federal experience required.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 4, 2022

In Warming World Oceans Risk Mass Extinctions, Model Shows 

The New York Times reports

A new study finds that if fossil fuel emissions continue apace, the oceans could experience a mass extinction by 2300. There is still time to avoid it.

Read article at In Warming World Oceans Risk Mass Extinctions, Model Shows – The New York Times

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 3, 2022

Calflora May Photo Contest

Participate in Calflora’s 8th Annual May Photo Contest! Your photos will automatically be entered if submitted as a Calflora plant observation by May 31st. Get out in May and take new photos of the spring bloom. You can also dust off and submit photos from your older analog collections by creating Calflora observations from them.

Read more at  May Photo Contest!

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 3, 2022

Global Big Day—14 May 2022

from Cornell Lab- Team eBrid

On 14 May, join birders from around the world and be a part of Global Big Day. You don’t have to commit to birding for 24 hours—even 5 or 10 minutes of watching birds at home makes you part of the team. Last year, more than 51,000 people from 192 countries submitted eBird checklists on Global Big Day. Let’s discover what we can accomplish together this year!

Learn about Global Big Day 2022

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 2, 2022

Job Opening: Restoration Projects Coordinator

#NowHiring! The SNC is seeking a highly motivated individual who has strong project management and critical thinking skills, preferably with natural resource experience, to join the Department’s Field Operations & Grants Division. More info at: https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/Cal…/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx…
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 2, 2022

Kangaroos in India? Experts See Evidence of a Smuggling Trade

The New York Tims reports another case of wild animal smuggling

The animals are the latest exotic fauna to be smuggled into the country, possibly to be used as pets. Draft legislation would close loopholes in the roaring wildlife trade.

Read story at Kangaroos in India? Experts See Evidence of a Smuggling Trade – The New York Times

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 1, 2022

Upcoming Marin CNPS Chapter Events

5/8 10 am Field Trip Kent Pump Road
5/9 7:30 pm General Meeting “San Bruno Mountain State and County Park: Wild in the Midst of the San Francisco Bay Area” Guest Speaker: David Nelson
5/21 10 am Field Trip Old Stage Rd to West Point Inn

The BBC reports

Look up in the sky at the right moment this weekend and you could see two of the solar system’s brightest planets almost touching.

Venus and Jupiter will be millions of miles apart, but from Earth they will appear close to colliding.

This planetary conjunction happens annually but this year they will appear much closer than usual.

Read more at  Venus and Jupiter Conjunction: Planets to almost touch in night sky – BBC News

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