Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 11, 2022

How to take your time in the parks

Golden Gates Park Conservancy writes about ways to spend positive time in our parks

One of the benefits of living in the San Francisco Bay Area is having access to world-renowned places that many people only get to see once in a lifetime. We know that being in green spaces can improve your mood, cognition, and health in a variety of ways. And yet the times when you most need the healing energy of the outdoors can be the hardest times to get there. Use this quick guide to experience the benefits of the outdoors with whatever time you have, whenever you have the time.

Read about what to do with 5 minutes, 15 minutes, or longer at How to take your time in the parks | Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 10, 2022

Learn About Favorite Native Plants Using Calflora 1/13/22

From Yerba Buena (San Francisco) CNPS Chapter

January 13, THURSDAY, 7:30pm    Speakers: Cynthia Powell, Calflora Executive Director

Zoom Reservation Required

Calflora’s plant database hosts over three million plant occurrences. As CNPS Chapter members, we are an extremely valuable source of plant distribution data in Calflora. Cynthia Powell, Calflora’a Executive Director, will go over how to use Calflora to learn about our regional plants, Calflora’s photo project, iNaturalist data feed, population monitoring tools, plus soil, water, and climate tolerances for specific plants.
This is an opportunity for you to get to know Calflora — a great resource for native plant fans!

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 10, 2022

‘Infestation can occur in California’: What to know about the tick time-bomb

SF Gate reports on the increase in ticks this year and ways to protect yourself at  ‘Infestation can occur in California’: What to know about the tick time-bomb

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 10, 2022

23 Long Unseen Declared Extinct

The Revelator reports

On Sept. 29, 2021, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced its intention to remove 23 long-unseen species from the protection of the Endangered Species Act — because they’ve probably gone extinct, and you can’t keep protecting what’s already gone.

Among the proposed dead: the ivory-billed woodpecker, an iconic lost species often referred to as “the Lord God bird,” supposedly based on the words of wonder people once exclaimed upon seeing the magnificent creature flying above them.

Read more at  The Lord God Bird and Dozens of Other Species Declared Extinct in 2021 • The Revelator

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 9, 2022

Brazil wildfires killed an estimated 17 million animals

The BBC reports

Amid the bleakness of 2020, scientists in Brazil concluded a particularly grim conservation study – attempting to count the animals killed by huge wildfires in the Pantanal wetlands.

They estimate that as many as 17 million vertebrates – including reptiles, birds and primates – died.

Wildfires burned between January and November, destroying 30% of the world’s largest tropical wetland.

Read more at Brazil wildfires killed an estimated 17 million animals – BBC News

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 8, 2022

Photos show what Bay Area sea levels may look like by 2050

The recent King Tides gave has a snapshot of what sea levels in the Bay Area could be in the not to do distant future. See photos and article at Photos show what Bay Area sea levels may look like by 2050

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 8, 2022

National Geographic’s best animal photos of 2021

National Geographic editors selected these 28 striking animal pictures. See the National Geographic top animal photos of 2021 at National Geographic’s best animal photos of 2021

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 7, 2022

CNPS Bryophyte Event 1/8/22

Beginner Walk and Microscopy Session
Hosted by CNPS Bryophyte Chapter
Saturday January 8, 2022
Starts at 9:00 a.m. on the campus of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Meet at Fisher Science 33-354
From the lab, we will walk Poly Canyon in our search for Bryophytes.
Those who wish to, can stay for a microscope session after the walk.
Directions to Fischer Science 33-354
Enter campus via Grand Ave or Highland Drive
(Grand Ave is closer to the building)
Buy a day parking pass from one of the electronic kiosks.
Parking in the K1 Parking Lot is best
followed by a short walk downhill to the lab.
GPS 35.30393769912504, -120.65617735215478
Rain Cancels
In which case, the event re-schedules to Saturday, January 22.
For updates, email Paul, paulsiriwilson@gmail.com

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 7, 2022

Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Park Visitor Closure Updates 1/7/22

Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park is expected to remain closed at least through Saturday. Our team will meet this evening to track clearing progress and see if it may be possible to open at least a portion of Giant Forest on Sunday or Monday.
As always, the best way to know what is open or closed in the parks before heading up is by calling our main park line at 559-565-3341 (1,1). You can also visit our website at www.nps.gov/seki.
If you plan on visiting Grant Grove in Kings Canyon National Park this weekend please be aware that tire chains are required and temperature highs will be in the 40s. This is the only place in the parks at the moment to see giant sequoias.
In Sequoia National Park only the first six miles beyond the entrance station are open including the Foothills Visitor Center, Tunnel Rock, and Hospital Rock. No access to giant sequoias.
We will continue to provide updates as we know more.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 7, 2022

Fantastic Ferns and Where to Find Them

BayNature reports

The Bay Area is home to more than 35 native fern species. Due to the rainy weather, winter is the best time to spot the lesser-known stage of these plants. Read article at

Read article at  Check out a few species you can find around the area.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 6, 2022

Ventura County Introductory Winter Birds Class

The WFVZ Bird Museum and Research Center is offering a 5-session Zoom and field course providing an introduction for novice birders taught by Science Education Coordinator Paul Grindrod. We’ll look at wintering geese and ducks, raptors, sparrows, and other migrant and wintering birds of Southern California, with an emphasis on the birds of Ventura County.
Space is limited, please register here!

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 6, 2022

Save the Redwoods League Purchases 3,181 acre Lost Coast Redwoods Property

Save the Redwoods League has purchased the 3,181-acre Lost Coast Redwoods property including five miles of coastline in Mendocino County, thanks to a generous outpouring of support from the public, as well as loans and financing.

Read more at Save the Redwoods League | Donate today to protect the Lost Coast Redwoods

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 6, 2022

Job Opening: Senior Biologist / Ecologist at Westervelt Ecological Services 

Senior Biologist/EcologistWestervelt Ecological Services creates mitigation and conservation banks and provides environmental mitigation and habitat planning services to landowners, businesses, government agencies, and land trusts. Our established industry leaders excel in the field of wetland and endangered species

Read more Senior Biologist / Ecologist at Westervelt Ecological Services – CNPS Forums

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 6, 2022

Horticultural Therapy Zoom Presentation 1/13/21

from  Southern California Horticultural Society

ArleneFerrara will discuss what horticultural therapy is and where it is practiced, and she will share her experience using therapeutic horticulture with children.

Read more and register at  Webinar Registration – Zoom

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 6, 2022

Nature Art Show in a Bathroom

from the Chrisman California Islands Center

Four photographers and a porcelain artist are now permanently featured in the Chrisman California Islands Center in the most unique bathroom south of the Madonna Inn. Come dive in! Loo photo by Brent Stewart. No attention to detail was spared in the ADA-compliant “guardez l’eau’ [aka loo] at the CCIC. Four feet of Satori Natural Travertine Stone wainscotting is surmounted with images by award-winning photographers: Jeff Bozanic, Antonio Busiello, Howard Hall, and Dan Harding.

Check this most artistic Bathroom at 97. Anacapa Island Kelp Forest Comes to CCIC

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 5, 2022

National Birding Day

from the National Parks Conservation Association

Celebrate National Bird Day at 25 of the best national parks for birding

Find out which national park sites have the most bird species, with a highlight of what you might see at each place.

Read article at : Get Your Binoculars: The 25 Best National Parks for Birding · National Parks Conservation Association

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 5, 2022

Job Openings: Horticultural Professional

from Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens

We are accepting resumes for an experienced horticultural professional to join the team at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled. Review of resumes will begin this Friday, January 7, 2022, those resumes will receive priority.
Full position description and application details: https://www.gardenbythesea.org/…/employ…/horticulturist/

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 5, 2022

Muir Woods Program 1/10/22

from the Marin CNPS

“Winter Wonders in the Works at Muir Woods”

Learn about what is going on at Muir Woods this winter. Mon. Jan. 10 @ 7:30 PM

Register for this Zoom meeting here.

Redwood Renewal is a family of projects working for a hopeful future in Muir Woods! Bold efforts are underway to enhance salmon habitat, redwood forest health, visitor access, and more! Now is the time to visit Muir Woods. We will take a peek at the early floral show ahead! Learn about work on your Marin public lands, ask questions about OneTam, see what volunteers do, hear how we welcome Jr. Rangers!

Mia Monroe is a National Park Ranger, now working as the Marin Community Liaison for Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). She has wandered Muir Woods most of her life, is particularly fond of ferns, and volunteers for monarch butterfly community science efforts.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 5, 2022

A Diamond in the Rough – the only ballpark in the National Park System

Listen to the Podcast on Hinchliffe Stadium the only ballpark in the National Park System also has deep ties to African American history. One of the last few remaining Negro League ballparks, Hinchliffe Stadium was nearly lost — but the storied playing field at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park is getting a new lease on life.

Listen to the story at  A Diamond in the Rough | The Secret Lives of Parks

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 4, 2022

UC Botanical Garden January Programs

See the January Programs of the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden at  UC Botanical Garden Events

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 4, 2022

Plants Buy Us Time to Slow Climate Change – But Not Enough to Stop It

Berkeley Lab reports

New research from Berkeley Lab and UC Berkeley shows that plants are photosynthesizing more in response to more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Because plants take up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert it into food, forests and other similar ecosystems are considered to be some of the planet’s most important carbon sinks. In fact, the United States and many other countries that participated in last month’s UN Climate Change Conference have made nature-based solutions a critical feature of their carbon dioxide mitigation framework under the Paris Agreement.

Read more at  Plants Buy Us Time to Slow Climate Change – But Not Enough to Stop It

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 3, 2022

Upcoming Events for California Native Plant Society

See this months CNPS events at  Upcoming Events – California Native Plant Society

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 3, 2022

The National Park App

The #NPSApp is the official app for the National Park Service with tools to explore more than 400 national parks nationwide. Find interactive maps, tours of park places, on-the-ground accessibility information, and much more to plan your national park adventures before and during your trip.
The free app is currently available for iOS and Android devices. Learn more at https://www.nps.gov/subjects/digital/nps-apps.htm

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 2, 2022

Feeling Hopeless About the Climate? Try Our 30-Day Action Plan

The Revelatory reports

Doing something every day will help to change your attitude and create momentum for change.

A recent poll found that people today, especially younger people, feel helpless when it comes to fighting climate change.

Here’s the thing: That’s exactly how polluting corporations want you to feel. The more people believe their actions don’t matter, the more they find themselves rolling over and accepting the status quo.

Yes, solving the climate crisis requires bold action from governments and corporations, but that doesn’t mean individuals have to sit on the sidelines. Not only do our actions add up and influence others, we also have the ability to push for — and demand — systemic change.

Read more at  Feeling Hopeless About the Climate? Try Our 30-Day Action Plan • The Revelator

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 1, 2022

National Park Service announces entrance fee-free days for 2022 

from the US National Park Service

The National Park Service will have five entrance fee-free days in 2022. The free admission days are designed to encourage discovery and visitation of the country’s variety of national parks. With at least one in every state, national parks are accessible places to visit to refresh body, mind and spirit.The free entrance dates for 2022 are:

  • Monday, January 17 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • Saturday, April 16 – First Day of National Park Week
  • Thursday, August 4 – Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
  • Saturday, September 24 – National Public Lands Day
  • Friday,November 11 – Veterans Day

Read more at  National Park Service announces entrance fee-free days for 2022 – Office of Communications (U.S. National Park Service)

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 31, 2021

Jobs Opening: Education Director The Anza-Borrego Foundation

The Education Director is responsible for developing, leading and growing Anza-Borrego Foundation’s education programs through the implementation of our five-year strategic plan. This entrepreneurial leader in environmental education will work to successfully build our fee-for-service programs and subsidized programming structure and develop financial strategies to ensure their success. The Education Director will be responsible for managing ABF education programs including strategic planning and curriculum development, outreach, scheduling, implementation, conducting assessments, and volunteer training and coordination.For full job description and details click  Education Director

 

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 31, 2021

Death cap and destroying angel mushrooms are growing, East Bay park officials warn 

Kron4 reports

Two of the world’s most toxic wild mushrooms, named “death cap” and “destroying angel,” are beginning to fruit and spread in the East Bay, park officials warned Thursday.

These mushrooms contain amatoxins, molecules that are deadly if consumed.

The death cap (Amanita phalloides) and Western destroying angel (Amanita ocreata) grow every winter when the weather turns wet and rainy.

Read more at  Death cap and destroying angel mushrooms are growing, East Bay park officials warn | KRON4

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 31, 2021

Preservation Contributes to the Economy

from the National Park Service

Did you know the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program contributed more than $13.8 billion in goods and services to the U.S. economy and added $7 billion to the gross domestic product in 2020? This program provides a 20% federal tax credit to property owners who substantially rehabilitate a historic building, while maintaining its historic character.
The historic tax credit program supports community revitalization, job creation, affordable housing, and small businesses across the country. Rehabilitation of Boise’s Forty-Four & Sixty-Six Service Station, once a beacon of mid-century auto-oriented design, was completed in 2020 and qualifies for a federal historic tax credit. Learn more about this success story and the economic impact of this program at: https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/htc-economic-report-2020.htm.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 30, 2021

Pt. Reyes Fungus Fair Cancelled

“Due to exponential increase of Covid-19 cases from a new variant, we are regretfully cancelling the 16th annual Point Reyes National Seashore Fungus Fair. It just doesn’t seem safe at this time.” – Bay Area Mycological Society

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 30, 2021

Eldorado National Forest Dirt Road Closure 1/1/22

from Eldorado National Forest
Annual Dirt Road Closure Goes into Effect January 1 on the Eldorado National Forest

Read More…

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