Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 28, 2022

This duo scatters native flowers around San Francisco

Read about these two guerilla gardeners are scattering native wildflowers around the city and starting a global movement at This duo scatters native flowers around San Francisco-SF Gate

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 27, 2022

‘Striking’ Expansion of Two Antarctic Flowering Plants Is a Climate Warning

ScienceAlert  reports

Flowering plants in the Antarctic region are rapidly expanding, scientists say, indicating the continuing effects of climate change on the continent. The findings suggest we may have reached a tipping point in this fragile, remote ecosystem.

Read more at ‘Striking’ Expansion of Two Antarctic Flowering Plants Is a Climate Warning

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 26, 2022

Sea Level to Rise up to a Foot by 2050

NASA reports

NASA, NOAA, USGS, and other U.S. government agencies project that the rise in ocean height in the next 30 years could equal the total rise seen over the past 100 years.

Coastal flooding will increase significantly over the next 30 years because of sea level rise, according to a new report by an interagency sea level rise task force that includes NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and other federal agencies. Titled Global and Regional Sea Level Rise Scenarios for the United States, the Feb. 15 report concludes that sea level along U.S. coastlines will rise between 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 centimeters) on average above today’s levels by 2050.

Read more at  Sea Level to Rise up to a Foot by 2050, Interagency Report Finds

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 26, 2022

WIP Summit: Wildfire Recovery Strategies 3/2/22

from  Sierra Nevada Conservancy

March 2, 20221 – 4 p.m. Virtual  Register

The 2022 Sierra Nevada Watershed Improvement Program (WIP) Summit will focus on wildfire recovery strategies. With input from community leaders, land and water managers, scientists, and elected and government officials, the Summit will highlight why recovery is critical for Sierra Nevada communities and landscapes—and all of California—after record-breaking fire seasons.

Read more at  WIP Summit: Wildfire Recovery Strategies | Sierra Nevada Conservancy

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 26, 2022

Even Colorado’s Largest Wildfire Was No Match For Beavers

KUNC reports

Deep in the Cameron Peak burn scar, nestled among charred hills, there’s an oasis of green — an idyllic patch of trickling streams that wind through a lush grass field. Apart from a few scorched branches on the periphery, it’s hard to tell that this particular spot was in the middle of Colorado’s largest-ever wildfire just a year ago.

This wetland was spared thanks to the work of beavers.

The mammals, quite famously, dam up streams to make ponds and a sprawling network of channels. Beavers are clumsy on land, but talented swimmers; so the web of pools and canals lets them find safety anywhere within the meadow.

Read more at  Even Colorado’s Largest Wildfire Was No Match For Beavers | KUNC

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 25, 2022

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks Updates 2/25/22

The Giant Forest area of Sequoia National Park will open tomorrow (Saturday) 2/26 and remain open until Monday at 4 p.m. This includes the General Sherman Tree and the Wolverton area.
As a reminder, Grant Grove in Kings Canyon National Park and the foothills of Sequoia National Park up to the Hospital Rock area are open 7 days per week, weather and conditions permitting.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 25, 2022

Jepson Prairie Preserve Tours

Jepson Prairie Preserve will be offering docent-led public tours of the vernal pools on every Saturday and Sunday from March 12 through May 8. This is one of the best remaining “basin rim” vernal pool ecosystems in California’s central valley. Tours start at 10:00 am and typically last 2 hours. Advance registration is not required. The docents ask for a $10.00 donation per adult.
Jepson Prairie Preserve is located approximately 10 miles south of Dixon, California, on Highway 113. form more information on the preserve go to Jepson Prairie Preserve

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 25, 2022

Ancient flowers preserved in amber are helping to solve ‘abominable mystery’

CNN reports

Flowers discovered perfectly preserved in globs of amber bloomed at the feet of dinosaurs, suggesting that some flowering plants in South Africa today have remained unchanged for 99 million years, a new study reveals.

Read more at  Ancient lowers preserved in amber are helping to solve ‘abominable mystery’ – CNN

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 24, 2022

Job Opportunities: Birds Canada 

See a number of Job Opportunities at Job Opportunities | Birds Canada | Oiseaux Canada

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 24, 2022

Job Opening: Horticulturist position at the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden

JOB AVAILABILITY: Horticulturist – Museum Scientist
Brief description:
The scope of this position involves the maintenance and care of the Eastern North American (ENA) and Mediterranean Sections of the garden. The ENA collection contains plants that occur from the Canadian provinces through the gulf states and represent mixed coniferous-deciduous forest communities, meadows, and prairies. These collections are unique, in that there are no other western gardens that have such a diversity of eastern north American plants. The collections are particularly rich in grassland prairie species like Aster. The collection is known for its fall color but also spring flowering dogwoods. A separately maintained Sarracenia collection also falls under these responsibilities.

Read More…

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 24, 2022

Number of wildfires to rise by 50% by 2100 and governments are not prepared, experts warn

UN Environmental Programs report

Climate change and land-use change are projected to make wildfires more frequent and intense, with a global increase of extreme fires of up to 14 per cent by 2030, 30 per cent by the end of 2050 and 50 per cent by the end of the century, according to a new report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and GRID-Arendal.

Read more Number of wildfires to rise by 50% by 2100 and governments are not prepared, experts warn

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 23, 2022

Regional Parks Botanic Garden Photos 2/22/22

Photos from a visit to the Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park in Berkeley on February 22, 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 | February 23, 2022

Court Upholds Ventura County Ordinances to Safeguard Wildlife Connectivity

The National Parks Conservation Association  reports

A pair of Ventura County ordinances that increases protections for wildlife corridors has prevailed after a judge ruled on the side of county leaders and conservationists.

The tentative rulings, expected to be finalized next week, uphold Ordinance No. 4537 and Ordinance No. 4539, which were approved by the board of supervisors in 2019. The ordinances designate standards for development and require environmental reviews for projects that may hinder wildlife connectivity. They are the first ordinances of their kind in California.

Read more Court Upholds Ventura County Ordinances to Safeguard Wildlife Connectivity · National Parks Conservation Association

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 23, 2022

Xerces Society Events

Saving Western Monarchs: Creating Habitat in California February 24
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM PT / 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM MT / 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM CT / 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET   Webinar

Best Practices for Pollinators Summit Mar 1 – 3 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (CST) Online Event

How Everyone Can Contribute to Pollinator Conservation Mar 3 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (PST) Webinar

Informational session on the California Habitat Kit Program March 7 12:30 – 1:30 PM PT Webinar

Building Pollinator Habitat through USDA-NRCS Programs Mar 17 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM (EST) Webinar

Stories from the Field: Surveys for Alpine Streamflies in Washington’s North Cascades March 24 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM PT / 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM MT / 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM CT / 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET Webinar

To Learn more about these event and register go to Xerces Society Events

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 23, 2022

Nearly half of bald eagles tested across US show signs of chronic lead exposure 

The Guardian reports

Harmful levels of toxic lead were found in bones of 46% of bald eagles sampled in 38 states from California to Florida, study finds

Red story at  Nearly half of bald eagles tested across US show signs of chronic lead exposure | US news | The Guardian

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 22, 2022

Today Is National Wildlife Day

National Wildlife Day (Feb. 22nd & September 4th) founded in 2005 by animal behaviorist and philanthropist Colleen Paige, serves to bring awareness of endangered animals nationally as well as globally, that need to be preserved and rescued from their demise each year, but also to acknowledge zoos and outstanding animal sanctuaries globally for everything they do to help preserve this planet’s animals and educate the public about conservation – especially to children….our animal’s future caretakers and conservationists.

 

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 22, 2022

Flourishing plants show warming Antarctica undergoing ‘major change’

The Guardian reports

Antarctica’s two native flowering plants are spreading rapidly as temperatures warm, according to the first study to show changes in fragile polar ecosystems have accelerated in the past decade.

The increase in plants since 2009 has been greater than the previous 50 years combined, coinciding with rapidly rising air temperatures and a reduction in the number of fur seals, according to researchers working on Signy Island in the South Orkney Islands.

Read more at  Flourishing plants show warming Antarctica undergoing ‘major change’ | Environment | The Guardian

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 21, 2022

Backyard Photos 2/20/22

More photos from my garden. Taken on February 20, 2022.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 20, 2022

Man gets prison for stealing succulents from Calif. parks

SF Gate  reports

A man was sentenced to two years in federal prison last week for attempting to export at least $150,000 worth of wild succulents that he poached from native habitats in Northern California state parks, the United States Justice Department said.

Read more Man gets prison for stealing succulents from Calif. parks

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 20, 2022

Beaver! On Zoom Wednesday Feb. 23 at 7pm

from Siskiyou Land Trust

Beaver, those furry little dam building rodents, turn out to be one of the world’s most influential species. Ecosystems with beavers are far healthier, for humans and non-humans alike, than those without them.

February’s fabulous free SLT webinar takes place next Wednesday evening the 23rd, 7pm on Zoom. The topic is Beaver! and the presenter is Michael Pollock, one of the nation’s premiere wildlife specialists on the subject.

Click this link to pre-register free on Zoom at
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_S_Nl6xaeRHWA21xNvNTkUw

Find this link and more at https://www.siskiyoulandtrust.org/feb-23-beaver-webinar/

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 20, 2022

Ventura City Council Votes 6-0 to Officially Oppose Logging Projects on Pine Mountain and Mt. Pinos

from Los Padres ForestWatch

The Ventura City Council voted 6-0 last night to formally oppose two commercial logging projects on Pine Mountain and Mt. Pinos in the Los Padres National Forest. The vote comes on the heels of similar votes by the Ojai City Council and Ventura County Board of Supervisors and just days after a federal appeals court struck down a third logging project.

Read more at Ventura City Council Votes 6-0 to Officially Oppose Logging Projects on Pine Mountain and Mt. Pinos

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 19, 2022

Beijing touts a green Olympics, but Games have wide environmental impact 

NPR  reports on how the Olympics inspire of claims are not green at all. Here are a few excerpts

This month, the central government pledged to run coal power plants at full capacity. Officials even called on coal producersto ensure a steady supply of coal — or face “further investigation and accountability measures.”

The Winter Olympics are using almost entirely artificial snow which requires large amounts of water and the use of chemicals — the health and environmental impact of which is still largely unknown.

Authorities in China said they planted nearly 200,000 acres of forest and green areas prior to the Winter Games. But they also transplanted nearly 20,000 trees, which could endanger animal habitats.

Read full article at Beijing touts a green Olympics, but Games have wide environmental impact : NPR

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 19, 2022

Major oil companies aren’t following through on climate change promises

NPR reports on major oil companies not keeping their climate change promises

Mary Louise Kelly talks with Gregory Trencher, a co-author of a report that shows, despite pledges, BP, Chevron, Exxon Mobil and Shell aren’t making changes needed to transition to clean energy.

Read interview or listen to it at  Major oil companies aren’t following through on climate change promises : NPR

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 19, 2022

New Revision of Jepson eFlora

from the Jepson Herbarium

Revision 9 of the Jepson eFlora is now online! This revision involves treatments that have changed taxonomically since Revision 8 of the Jepson eFlora (2020).

Highlights include (1) a major revision of Boraginaceae resulting in five segregate families and many newly recognized genera, (2) the addition of five taxa newly described, added, as native (three in the Boraginaceae and two in the Polemoniaceae), and (3) additional changes in the Thelypteridaceae and Polemoniaceae. Visit the Jepson eFlora revision page for more details.

To learn more about the Boraginaceae revision, there is still time to sign up for the virtual workshop  Changes in the Boraginaceae: New families, new genera and new species that will be held on February 26th. More details are here: https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/workshops/

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 19, 2022

Why climate change is inherently racist 

The BBC  reports on how climate change has had a far greater impact on people-of-color

Historical and present-day injustices have both left black, indigenous and people-of-colour communities exposed to far greater environmental health hazards than white communities – Veronica Mulenga

Read article at Why climate change is inherently racist – BBC Future

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 18, 2022

Anza-Borrego Foundation Events Calendar

See the Anza-Borrego Foundation Events Calendar at  Events Archive – The Anza-Borrego Foundation

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 18, 2022

Job Opening: Plant Biologist/Wetland Ecologist

Plant Biologist/Wetland Ecologist- San Francisco Bay Area

We are actively searching for a Plant Biologist/Wetland Ecologist to become the next member of our team. If you have experience with and enjoy conducting fieldwork, botanical surveys, and wetland delineations, and you enjoy working on a team, we want to talk to you about joining us.

Read Job description and apply go toWRA, Inc. – Plant Biologist/Wetland Ecologist

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 18, 2022

Ninth Circuit Rules Against Commercial Logging in Roadless Area on Tecuya Ridge

Los Padres ForestWatch reports

A three-judge panel at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of three conservation organizations last week over a commercial logging project in a roadless area of the Los Padres National Forest that is actively used by endangered California condors. The ruling protects 1,100 acres of old-growth forest near the Ventura-Kern county line from large tree cutting.

Read more Ninth Circuit Rules Against Commercial Logging in Roadless Area on Tecuya Ridge

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 18, 2022

Job Opening: Staff Ecologist Channel Islands

We’re Hiring a Staff Ecologist to Join Our Team!
Channel Islands Restoration has an opportunity for a Staff Ecologist to join our team. The individual hired for this important position will help expand our research, habitat restoration, and funding initiatives, while working collaboratively with our staff members. Candidates must have strong competency in the identification of native and non-native plants, and a desire to help restore sensitive natural communities. See below for complete details. Staff Ecologist Job Description 

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 18, 2022

The hidden climate impact of micromobility services

Anthropocene Magazine reports

Shared electric bikes and scooters can increase the carbon footprint of urban transportation, according to a new study. That’s because people mostly use these vehicles for trips they would otherwise have made by walking, (non-electric) cycling, or public transit – modes of transportation with an even lower climate impact.

Read more at   The hidden climate impact of micromobility services

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