4 new job posting from the CNPS Jobs Forum. Click on each for a description of the position and to find out how to apply
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 7, 2022
Job Openings
Posted in Job Openings | Tags: Job Openings
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 7, 2022
Light pollution increasing year round for some migrating birds: Southeastern U.S., Mexico, & Central America of greatest concern — ScienceDaily
ScienceDaily
Nighttime light pollution levels are increasing the most in the southeastern United States, Mexico, and Central America–findings based on year-round data collected over the last two decades in the Western Hemisphere.
Posted in Birds, Environment | Tags: Light Pollution's Impact on Bird Migration
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 6, 2022
Today is California Poppy
On March 2, 1903 the California poppy, Eschscholzia californica, became the official state flower of California (Ca. Government Code Section 421). The plant’s bright orange flowers are an unmatched symbol of the Golden State, perhaps viewed as a floral representation of the “fields of gold” sought during the gold rush. The California poppy is commonly seen blooming in the spring and summer along country roads and freeways throughout much of the state, making this plant a highly recognizable symbol of California, and April 6 of each year is officially designated as California Poppy Day.
Read more at California Poppy
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 6, 2022
Job Openings at Xerces Society
Xerces societyis hiring for the following positions. Click on each position for description and how to apply
Omaha or Lincoln, Nebraska
Central Washington
Posted in Job Openings | Tags: Job Openings, Xerces Society
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 6, 2022
Charles Darwin’s notebooks have been returned
NPR reports
More than two decades after they were first reported missing, an anonymous person has returned two of Charles Darwin’s historic notebooks to the Cambridge University Library.
Read story at Charles Darwin’s notebooks have been returned : NPR
Posted in Uncategorized
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 6, 2022
“Maximizing Habitat Values in Urban Landscapes” 4/11/22 Zoom Presentation
from Marin CNPS
“Maximizing Habitat Values in Urban Landscapes”
Monday, April 11 @ 7:30 pm
Guest Speaker: Pat Reynolds, River Partners Native Seed and Plant Program Director
Landscaping with native species and incorporation of habitat enhancement features within urban areas is a significant and underutilized conservation action that can effectively increase habitat values in the built environment. If designed properly, urban gardens can provide important habitat for beneficial insects including pollinators, improve water infiltration and retention, reduce irrigation requirements, help to combat climate change, and create resilient landscapes.
Pat Reynolds is a restoration ecologist with more than 30 years of professional experience in the design, implementation and monitoring of restoration projects including the effective use of native seed. He is the General Manager of River Partners’ Heritage Growers. Pat also leads a community-based habitat enhancement project in south Davis where he collaborates with his neighbors to plant native oaks, grasses and wildflowers.
Posted in Uncategorized
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 6, 2022
When People Take Pandemic Precautions, Gorillas Breathe Easier
The New York Times reports
A preliminary report suggests that mask wearing and social distancing may curb the spread of disease from humans to great apes.
Read story at When People Take Pandemic Precautions, Gorillas Breathe Easier.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 5, 2022
Biodiversity: What is it and how are we protecting it?
The BBC reports
Governments from around the world are meeting later this year, to discuss how to stop human activities from causing the extinction of animal and plant species.
They hope to come up with a long-term plan to reverse the threat to life on Earth – in all its varieties – at the United Nations Biodiversity Conference in China.
Biodiversity is the variety of all life on Earth – animals, plants, fungi and micro-organisms like bacteria.Animals and plants provide humans with everything needed to survive – including fresh water, food, and medicines.
Read about what exactly is biodiversity and how to protect it at Biodiversity: What is it and how are we protecting it? – BBC News
Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: Biodiversity
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 4, 2022
Stopping Climate Change Is Doable, but Time Is Short, U.N. Panel Warns
The New York Times reports
A major new scientific report offers a road map for how countries can limit global warming, but warns that the margin for error is vanishingly small.
Read story at Stopping Climate Change Is Doable, but Time Is Short, U.N. Panel Warns – The New York Times
Posted in Environment, Uncategorized | Tags: Climate change
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 4, 2022
Doctors in Canada can prescribe free annual national park passes
NPR reports
A walk in the park may be just what the doctor ordered.
A new program launched last month in Canada gives some doctors the option of providing patients with a free annual pass to the country’s national parks as part of an effort to increase access to nature and the health benefits to be found outside.
PaRx, a health initiative launched by the BC Parks Foundation in 2019, partnered with Parks Canada to provide doctors across four provinces with an initial run of 100 passes that can be prescribed, The Washington Post reported. The typical park prescription program allows doctors to write more general prescriptions for time spent out in nature; two hours a week, at least 20 minutes at a time, is what PaRx director Dr. Melissa Lem suggests, according to the Post.
This is the first time that year-long passes to national parks have been available under the program, the outlet reported.
And the best part? The annual passes are free.
Read story at Doctors in Canada can prescribe free annual national park passes : NPR
Posted in Walks & Hikes | Tags: Doctors prescribing park visits
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 3, 2022
UC – Berkeley Botanical Garden Photos 4/1/22
Photos from a visit to the UC-Berkeley Botanical Garden on April 1, 2022.
The garden is currently open daily to the public from ten to five by reservation . Garden members can enter at nine. There is an entrance fee (free for garden members) and paid parking. Reservations are required except for garden members. For more information and to make reservations go to UC-Botanical Garden.
Posted in Garden, Photos (Sandy's) | Tags: UC-Berkeley Botanical Garden
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 3, 2022
April Anza Borrego Desert Activities Natural History Association Activities
See the schedule of ABDNHA Anza Borrego nature programs and activities – calendar for hikes, walks, desert flowers, tours, lectures, in Anza-Borrego and Borrego Springs at Borrego Springs Anza Borrego Desert Activities, Hikes, tours, classes, lectures
Posted in Desert, Park, Talks, Walks & Hikes | Tags: Anza Borrego Desert Activities Natural History Association
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 3, 2022
Comparing bird language with human speech, scientists reveal parallels
Knowable Magazine compares human speech and bird languages
In the cheeps, trills and tweets of birdsong, scientists find some parallels with human speech
Human language is made possible by an impressive aptitude for vocal learning. Infants hear sounds and words, form memories of them, and later try to produce those sounds, improving as they grow up. Most animals cannot learn to imitate sounds at all. Though nonhuman primates can learn how to use innate vocalizations in new ways, they don’t show a similar ability to learn new calls. Interestingly, a small number of more distant mammal species, including dolphins and bats, do have this capacity. But among the scattering of nonhuman vocal learners across the branches of the bush of life, the most impressive are birds — hands (wings?) down.
Read article at Comparing bird language with human speech, scientists reveal parallels
Posted in Birds | Tags: Bird Language
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 2, 2022
Job Openings
Three New Job Listings. Click on each for more information and to apply.
Posted in Job Openings | Tags: Job Openings
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 2, 2022
Oldest Ranger, Betty Soskin age 100 Retires
from the National Park Service
Betty Reid Soskin, the oldest active ranger in the National Park Service, retired today after a remarkable career. Soskin, who celebrated her 100th birthday in 2021, spent the last decade and a half sharing her personal experiences and the efforts of women from diverse backgrounds who worked on the World War II home front. Her interpretive programs at Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park also illuminated the histories of African Americans and other people of color, and her efforts demonstrate how her work has impacted the way the NPS conveys such history to audiences across the United States.
“Being a primary source in the sharing of that history – my history – and giving shape to a new national park has been exciting and fulfilling,” said Soskin. “It has proven to bring meaning to my final years.” On her last day wearing the “flat hat,” Soskin provided an interpretive program to the public and visited with friends. We are grateful for Betty’s lifelong dedication to sharing her story and wish her all the best in retirement!
Want to watch one of Betty’s programs? Check out her story and more at: https://www.nps.gov/…/historyculture/betty-reid-soskin.htm
Posted in Park | Tags: Betty Soskin, Oldest Ranger
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 2, 2022
Jewelflowers, Herbaria and Climate change – Zoom Talk 4/7/22
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 2, 2022
UC Botanical Garden Programs & Workshops
See the April schedule of programs and workshops for the UC Berkeley Botanical garden at Seasonal Programs & Workshops – UC Botanical Garden
Posted in Garden, Walks & Hikes | Tags: UC Berkeley Botanical Garden Events
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 2, 2022
Saving the ‘The Unicorn Plant’
KQED reports on : How a Team of Scientists May Have Saved the Large-Flowered Fiddleneck. Read the story of saving Amsinckia grandiflora, the large-flowered fiddleneck at ‘The Unicorn Plant’: How a Team of Scientists May Have Saved the Large-Flowered Fiddleneck | KQED
Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: Amsinckia grandiflora, the large-flowered fiddleneck
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 1, 2022
Widlflowers report. Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve.
Daniel reports: I went on Thursday 3/31 and most of the reserve is now drying vegetation (past peak bloom) except for the Poppy Trail North Loop. There are still good spots and fields of poppies outside the park, a patch across the street, along the dirt road on the western fence line, Broad Canyon (W Ave D), & a dirt road along the Power lines between W Ave G & Fairmont Neenach Rd before it turns into Bellbird Pl.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 1, 2022
Gold Bluffs Beach & Fern Canyon Now Require Permits – Redwood National & State Parks
The pilot permit system for the Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use Area launched in March, 2022. The pilot program aims to create a better visitor experience, a safer environment along the Gold Bluffs Beach road for emergency vehicles, and protect our natural resources for future generations. Permits are required in order to visit Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use Area and the Fern Canyon Trailhead from May 1st to September 30th. Please note that in 2022 Davison Road will be closed starting on September 26 through September 30 for grading. Permits for the Gold Bluffs Beach Day-Use Area and Fern Canyon will not be available.
Read more and get permits at Gold Bluffs Beach & Fern Canyon Parking Permits – Redwood National and State Parks (U.S. National Park Service)
Posted in Park | Tags: Fern Canyon, Gold Bluffs Beach, Redwood National & State Parks
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 1, 2022
Boobies Have Arrived On the Channel Islands
from the Santa Cruz Island Foundation
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Posted in Birds | Tags: Boobies, Channel Islands
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 1, 2022
Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy Events
See a list of all active events and virtual events of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy at Events in the Parks | Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.
Posted in Park, Talks, Walks & Hikes | Tags: Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 1, 2022
This Map Shows Where Biodiversity Is Most at Risk in America
from the New York Times
It’s the most detailed map of its kind so far. Animals like the black-footed ferret and California condor are represented, but so are groups often left out of such analyses: species of bees, butterflies, fish, mussels, crayfish and flowering plants. Not included are gray wolves, grizzly bears and other wildlife not at risk of global extinction.
Maps like these offer a valuable tool to officials and conservationists who are scrambling to protect biodiversity. That work is critical, because scientists say humans are speeding extinction at a disastrous pace.
Click on map to see full article and map in more detail
Posted in Animals | Tags: Where Biodiversity Is Most at Risk in America
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | March 31, 2022
Channel Islands Restoration Events
from Channel Island Restoration
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Posted in Talks, Walks & Hikes | Tags: Channel Islands Restoration, Earth Day
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | March 31, 2022
Webinar on Pressed Plants 4/7/22
from San Luis Obispo CNPS
Pressed Plants and the Stories They Tell – join us for our next speaker, Dr. Natalie Love, Cal Poly, for What can pressed plants tell us about the past, present, and future of California’s Flora?, April 7, 2022, 7pm via Zoom
Register in advance for this meeting:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Posted in Talks | Tags: Pressed Plants
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | March 31, 2022
Planting Natives for the Birds
from National Audubon
This article will be especially relevant to cold climate areas. In warmer climates fall is often the ideal planting time so the winter rains help establish the new plants.
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Posted in Birds | Tags: Native Plants and Birds
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | March 31, 2022
Farmers wiped out habitat to reduce disease from wildlife. For birds, their efforts backfired.
Anthropocene reports
New study finds that birds caught on California farms with nearby wildlands had less problem bacteria than those at more manicured farms.
Reads story at Farmers wiped out habitat to reduce disease from wildlife. For birds, their efforts backfired.
Posted in Birds, Environment | Tags: Birds, habitat loss
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | March 30, 2022
Webinar: What Are Cultural Burns? 3/31
from Channel Islands Restoration
What Are Cultural Burns? Their Environmental Impact, Then and Now
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Posted in Environment, Talks | Tags: Channel Islands, Cultural Burns
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | March 30, 2022
Webinar: Tips for Identifying Brodiaeoideae 3/31/22
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | March 30, 2022
Marin CNPS Plant Sale
Spring Online Native Plant Sales
We are continuing with online ordering with plant pickup in Greenbrae the following Saturday.
This second sale will focus on flowering perennials and shrubs, including ceanothus, buckwheat, monkeyflower, milkweeds, and many different types of salvia. Shrubs include toyon, coffeeberry, silver bush lupine, Catalina cherry, lemonadeberry and ninebark. Some of the wildflowers we will offer Layia chrysanthemoides, madia, globe gilia, buttercups, tidy tips, and Douglas iris. We have over 60 species that will be ready for sale!
A link to the sale site will be posted on our website on March 31.
- Opens: Thursday, March 31, at 6 pm CNPS MARIN MEMBERS ONLY, 7 pm for the general public
- Closes: Sunday, April 3 at 7 pm
- Order packing: Friday, April 8 Volunteers needed; email marincnpsvolunteers@gmail.com.
- Order pickup at Bon Air Shopping Ctr.: Saturday, April 9 10:30 am to 1:30 pm
Posted in Garden | Tags: California Native Plant Sale
Natural History Wanderings 