Nevada Public Radio reports
Poop – or more specifically the digestion time of animals – is crucial to the survival of plants around the globe, especially as the climate gets hotter. That’s because many plants, rooted firmly in the ground, rely on animals to eat and spread their seeds to new locations through their excrement.
Read article at : To get by in a changing climate, plants need animal poop to carry them to safety | Nevada Public Radio
Posted in Animals, Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Plants Need Poop
from Marin CNPS
Mon. Feb. 14 @ 7:30 pm Guest Speaker: Brent Mishler President, CNPS Bryophyte Chapter
Distinguished Professor, Department of Integrative Biology,
Director, University and Jepson Herbaria
University of California, Berkeley
Register for this Zoom meeting here.
The bryophytes are the most diverse set of land plants aside from the flowering plants. The group includes three quite distinct lineages: mosses, hornworts, and liverworts; some familiar species are frequently encountered in mesic forests and along streams, while a number of less familiar species are in tropical rain forests, arctic tundra, and desert boulders. Although bryophytes have an ancient history, study of many aspects of the biology of bryophytes has lagged behind that of the larger land plants.
Two questions to intrigue you: Are bryophytes biologically like their larger cousins, just smaller versions? If not, in what ways does bryophyte biology differ from that of the larger vascular plants? The short answers: No, and, in almost every way possible! The groups didn’t evolve on different planets, but their differences could almost make you think they did.
Read more. . .
California Mosses – a color photographic guide for both amateur and professional botanists now 55% off at CNPS store. Purchase here.
Posted in Talks | Tags: Bryophytes, Mosses
Posted in Talks | Tags: Ruth Borun Lecture Series
Background
Climate change has important implications for the health and futures of children and young people, yet they have little power to limit its harm, making them vulnerable to climate anxiety. This is the first large-scale investigation of climate anxiety in children and young people globally and its relationship with perceived government response.
Methods
We surveyed 10 000 children and young people (aged 16–25 years) in ten countries (Australia, Brazil, Finland, France, India, Nigeria, Philippines, Portugal, the UK, and the USA; 1000 participants per country). Invitations to complete the survey were sent via the platform Kantar between May 18 and June 7, 2021. Data were collected on participants’ thoughts and feelings about climate change, and government responses to climate change. Descriptive statistics were calculated for each aspect of climate anxiety, and Pearson’s correlation analysis was done to evaluate whether climate-related distress, functioning, and negative beliefs about climate change were linked to thoughts and feelings about government response.
Findings
Respondents across all countries were worried about climate change (59% were very or extremely worried and 84% were at least moderately worried). More than 50% reported each of the following emotions: sad, anxious, angry, powerless, helpless, and guilty. More than 45% of respondents said their feelings about climate change negatively affected their daily life and functioning, and many reported a high number of negative thoughts about climate change (eg, 75% said that they think the future is frightening and 83% said that they think people have failed to take care of the planet). Respondents rated governmental responses to climate change negatively and reported greater feelings of betrayal than of reassurance. Climate anxiety and distress were correlated with perceived inadequate government response and associated feelings of betrayal.
Interpretation
Climate anxiety and dissatisfaction with government responses are widespread in children and young people in countries across the world and impact their daily functioning. A perceived failure by governments to respond to the climate crisis is associated with increased distress. There is an urgent need for further research into the emotional impact of climate change on children and young people and for governments to validate their distress by taking urgent action on climate change.
Read about the study at Climate anxiety in children and young people and their beliefs about government responses to climate change: a global survey – The Lancet Planetary Health
You might also find interesting a recent New York Times article Climate Change Enters the Therapy Room – The New York Times
Something I experience as unavoidable in my own psychotherapy practice.
Posted in Environment | Tags: Climate Anxiety
See the updated catalog of upcoming Anza-Borrego Natural History Association Programs. They are both in person and virtual. Several are on astronomy. See the list at Anza-Borrego Natural History Association Programs
Posted in Astronomy, Desert, Talks | Tags: Anza-Borrego Natural History Association Programs
SPECIFIC DUTIES
Click read more for qualifications and how to apply.
Posted in Job Openings | Tags: Job Opening
Center for Biological Diversity News Release
Federal Appeals Court Axes Commercial Logging in Los Padres National Forest Roadless Area in California
LOS ANGELES― A federal appeals court blocked a commercial logging project in a roadless area of the Los Padres National Forest today, siding with three conservation groups to protect 1,100 acres of old-growth forest actively used by endangered California condors.
“This ruling is a big victory for the Antimony Roadless Area, which covers about 68% of the project area, and an even bigger win for the endangered California condors that have been roosting there for the past several years,” said Bryant Baker, conservation director for Los Padres ForestWatch.
Under federal law, logging in roadless areas is limited to small trees. In today’s ruling, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the U.S. Forest Service plan to cut down numerous trees up to 21-inches in diameter along Tecuya Ridge in the Antimony Roadless Area violated the law.
Posted in Environment, Park | Tags: Logging in National Forests, Los Padres National Forest
ScienceDaily reports
Animal-dispersed plants’ ability to keep pace with climate change reduced by 60%
In one of the first studies of its kind, researchers have gauged how biodiversity loss of birds and mammals will impact plants’ chances of adapting to human-induced climate warming.
Some of the early bloom in my garden. See larger high quality photos on Flickr at Early Garden Flowers.
Posted in Photos (Sandy's) | Tags: Garden Flowers
from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Following several years of uncharacteristically large and severe wildfires, the Sierra Nevada region is in uncharted territory. In 2021 alone, approximately 1.5 million acres burned. Over half of those acres experienced high-severity fire, which kills at least 75% of vegetation. These fires have left behind an altered landscape that now includes vast expanses of dead trees. The change threatens our water supply, wildlife habitat, carbon stores, Native American sacred sites and biocultural values, and recreation opportunities.
Informed by our strong relationships to community partners, Sierra Nevada Conservancy has identified five strategies that respond to the region’s recovery needs while also building resilience for the future.
Read full article at 5 wildfire recovery strategies | Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Posted in Environment | Tags: wildfire recovery strategie
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is hiring a Fish and Wildlife Scientific Aid
Description and Duties: Working under the supervision of the Senior Environmental Scientist and lead staff of the OSPR Aquatic Bioassessment Lab, the Scientific Aid will conduct water quality and habitat surveys using standard methodologies in order to assess the biological, physical and chemical condition of waterbodies throughout the State. Duties include the collection of aquatic macroinvertebrates, algae, and water samples, plant identification and riparian habitat characterization and data entry. Work is primarily conducted outdoors and involves 3-4 days of continuous travel, hiking in rough terrain, and wading in streams and rivers.You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Read more and learn how to apply at CalCareers
Posted in Job Openings | Tags: Dept. Fish and Wildlife, Job Opening
Read about the damage feral pigs are creating and a proposed California law would make it easier to hunt feral swine, the voracious ‘super invaders’ that are the bane of some East Bay suburbs.
Read story at The Rampaging Pigs of the San Francisco Bay Area – The New York Times
Posted in Animals | Tags: Feral Pigs
BBC News reports
Climate change is causing UK plants to flower almost a month earlier on average, according to a study.
Read article at Climate change: UK plants now flowering a month earlier – BBC News
Posted in Environment | Tags: Climate change
Check out the February programs and events at the UC-Berkeley Botanical Garden at February Programs.
The award-winning in-person Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour and Green Home Features Showcase will allow registrants to visit beautiful, water-conserving native plant gardens— 36 Bayside gardens on Saturday, April 30, and 15 Inland gardens on Sunday, May 1, from 10:00-5:00. All of the homes have native plant gardens; about ten will be sharing their green home features, such as solar panels and batteries, induction ranges and heat pumps, and more.
For more information contact Kathy@KathyKramerConsulting.net or call (510) 236-9558.
Posted in Garden, Talks | Tags: Bring Back The Native, Doug Tallamy
Posted in Job Openings | Tags: Sierra Nevad Coservancy
From the Regional Parks Botanic Garden
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Posted in Talks, Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Roderick Lectures
from Yerba Buena CNPS
Maximizing Habitat Value and Function in Urban Landscapes February 10, THURSDAY, 7:30pm
Speaker: Pat Reynolds, California Native Grassland Association
Posted in Environment | Tags: Urban Landscapes
NPR reports
The bald eagle population has slowly recovered from the impact of a pesticide that nearly drove them to extinction decades ago. But now researchers at Cornell University have found that lead ammunition continues to hamper the resilience of these American icons.
Read more Bald eagle recovery hampered by use of lead ammunition : NPR
Posted in Birds | Tags: Bald Eagles, Lead Ammunition and Birds
Under the supervision of the Conservation Geneticist at California Botanic Garden (CalBG) and in coordination with the conservation team, the Conservation Technician will assist in the management of the Garden’s Molecular and Anatomy Labs and participate in conservation field projects. CalBG’s conservation team undertakes diverse activities with the goal of securing California’s native plant legacy. Projects include rare plant research, field surveys, monitoring, seed conservation, invasive plant species management, propagation and out-planting for restoration.
Read more and learn how to apply at : Conservation Technician @ California Botanic Garden, Claremont, CA – CNPS Forums
Posted in Job Openings | Tags: CALIFORNIA BOTANIC GARDEN, Conservation Technician, Job Opening
from Pt. Reyes National Seashore
Posted in Park | Tags: Latino Heritage Internship, pt reyes national seashore
Airing: 02/09/22. Check your local PBS station for viewing time.
A celebration of one of Earth’s most iconic and beloved birds, featuring all 18 species of penguins for the first time, from New Zealand, Cape Town, the Galapagos Islands and Antarctica.
On PBS. See a Preview at Nature | Preview of Penguins: Meet the Family | Season 40 | Episode 8 | PBS
Because they have a fairly low tolerance for heat, pikas have often been thought of as sentinel species when it comes to climate change. In some of the warmer parts of their native range, they’re already extirpated. But these hardy creatures just might have a few tricks up their sleeves.
Posted in Animals, Environment | Tags: Pikas and climate change
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Posted in Talks, Walks & Hikes | Tags: East Bay Regional Parks
I spend this past Saturday at Pt. Reyes at Drakes Beach to see the Elephant Seals, ‘D’ Ranch to photograph run down buildings, Drakes Estero to see the landscape at low tide and some roadside early wildflowers.
Posted in Animals, Birds, Photos (Sandy's), Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Drakes Beach, Elephant Seals, Pt. Reyes
from Bay Nature
Zoropsis spinimana is a harmless—but quite large— house spider. If you live in the Bay Area, chances are you’ve come across this fuzzy tan creature in your garage or kitchen. A native to the Mediterranean, this spider was
Read more at introduced to the Bay Area in the early 1990s.
Posted in Animals | Tags: Zoropsis spinimana
Posted in Animals, Garden, Talks | Tags: Landscaping for Bees
Posted in Animals, Garden | Tags: Gardening for Bees
Bay Nature reports
Elephant seals are among the most extreme animals on earth. Will it be enough to help them survive extreme change?
The 4,000-pound elephant seals sleeping on California beaches this season may not look like it, but these deep-diving, breath-holding, long-fasting creatures are the extreme athletes of the mammal world.
Read more at Meet Nature’s Extreme Athlete, Elephant Seals – Bay Nature Magazine
Posted in Animals | Tags: Elephant Seals
Travel Awaits reports
Montaña de Oro State Park is more than ocean views. Endless outdoor activities, wildlife, and history make it worthy of a visit.
Read about what to do at Montana de Pro at 7 Incredible Things To Do In Montana De Oro State Park – TravelAwaits
Posted in Park
Natural History Wanderings 