National Love A Tree Day is celebrated every year on May 16 and it falls right in the middle of Garden for Wildlife Month. Did you know trees actually didn’t exist for the first 90% of Earth’s history? Shocking, isn’t it? Before trees, our Earth had fungi that grew 26 feet tall and resembled trees. Trees have played an irreplaceable role in the smooth functioning of our environment and celebrating this special day dedicated to them is the least we can do to appreciate them.
Read more to learn the history of National Love a Tree Day at NATIONAL LOVE A TREE DAY – May 16, 2022 – National Today
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 16, 2022
Today Is National Love A Tree Day
Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: Today Is National Love A Tree Day
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 16, 2022
California getting new state park, first in 13 years
AP reports
California will acquire a sprawling former farm property in the San Joaquin Valley and create a new state park for the first time in 13 years. The park is planned for Dos Rios Ranch, where the San Joaquin and Tuolumne rivers meet southwest of Modesto.
Read more at California getting new state park, first in 13 years | AP News
Posted in Park | Tags: Dos Rios Ranch
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 16, 2022
Finding the Elusive 100m Non-Redwood
The Sugar Pine Foundation talk about a search for a 100 meter tall tree that is not a Redwood. Read story at Finding the Elusive 100m Non-Redwood With Michael Taylor and Steve Sillett – Sugar Pine Foundation
Posted in Uncategorized
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 15, 2022
Mt. Diablo Photos 5/14/22
Photographed yesterday at Mitchell Canyon and Globe Lily trails at Mt. Diablo State Park.
Posted in Birds, Butterflies, Photos (Sandy's), Wildflowers | Tags: Mt. Diablo Birds, Mt. Diablo Butterflies, Mt. Diablo Wildflowers
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 15, 2022
‘A sacred responsibility’: Yurok Tribe poised to return condors to the skies
The Guardian reports on the Yurok Tribe’s efforts to reintroduce condors
“For countless generations, the Yurok people have upheld a sacred responsibility to maintain balance in the natural world,” said Joseph L James, the chairman of the Yurok Tribe. “Condor reintroduction is a real-life manifestation of our cultural commitment to restore and protect the planet for future generations.”
Read story at ‘A sacred responsibility’: Yurok Tribe poised to return condors to the skies | California | The Guardian
Posted in Birds | Tags: Condors, Yurok Tribe
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 15, 2022
Biodiversity Solutions Also Fight Climate Change
The Revelator reports
New research highlights ways to tackle our two greatest environmental challenges — at the same time.
Additional research published in Global Change Biology offers another encouraging finding. The study, by an international team of scientists, found that not only can we do better at addressing biodiversity issues — we can do it while also targeting climate change.
Read article at therevelator.org/biodiversity-climate-study/
Posted in Environment | Tags: Biodiversity, Climate change
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 14, 2022
Tree-filled Environment Improves Childhood Development
ScienceDaily
A study has found that living in a tree-filled environment is associated with better early childhood development than living in an environment where vegetation takes the form of grass cover. The analysis also found that both varieties of green space are associated with better child development outcomes than areas dominated by paved surfaces.
Posted in Environment | Tags: Tree-filled Environment Improves Childhood Development
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 13, 2022
Habitat Restoration on the Santa Clara River
from the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology
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Posted in Birds, Environment | Tags: Santa Clara River Habitat Restoration
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 12, 2022
Total lunar eclipse – a supermoon eclipse – on May 15-16, 2022
EarthSky reports
People in the Americas, Europe and Africa will see the total lunar eclipse during the night of May 15-16, 2022. Plus, on this night, the moon is close: a supermoon. Penumbral eclipse begins at 1:32 UTC on May 16 (9:32 p.m. EDT on May 15). Partial eclipse begins at 2:27 UTC on May 16 (10:27 p.m. EDT on May 15).
Read more about the eclipse at EarthSky | Total lunar eclipse – a supermoon eclipse – on May 15-16, 2022
Posted in Astronomy | Tags: Lunar eclipse
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 12, 2022
UC – Berkeley Botanical Garden Photos 4/10/22
Photos from a visit to the UC-Berkeley Botanical Garden on April 10, 2022 during a member’s garden of Bromeliads with a special emphasis on Puyas.
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 | May 12, 2022
Sonora Pass Opens Today
Caltrans will open State Route 108/Sonora Pass from its winter closure tomorrow, May 12, at 2:00 pm!
Posted in Drives | Tags: Sonora Pass
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 12, 2022
Birds That Build Nests With Domes May Be Doomed
The New York Times reports
A nest with a roof may provide some birds with more protection. But bird species that build simpler nests may be more adaptable to changing conditions.
Read story at Birds That Build Nests With Domes May Be Doomed-The New York Times
Posted in Birds
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 11, 2022
Yosemite Ranger Shelton Johnson was awarded theAmerican Park Experience Award
from the National Park Trust
Yosemite Park Ranger Shelton Johnson was awarded the 2022 #AmericanParkExperienceAward.
Shelton’s National Park Service family and kids from the Yosemite Valley School gathered to honor Shelton yesterday, along with a surprise appearance by Bob Stanton, former Director of the National Park Service.
Shelton is being recognized for his lifelong efforts advocating for diversity in national parks and ensuring that our parks are for everyone. Check out this congratulatory video featuring Ken Burns, Sally Jewell, and others as they share how Shelton’s work has made a lasting difference in the national parks movement.
Congratulations, Ranger Shelton Johnson!
Posted in Park | Tags: American Park Experience Award, Shelton Johnson
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 11, 2022
Job Opening: Habitat Restoration Technician
SERG is a non-profit organization under the umbrella of the San Diego State University Research Foundation and is committed to restoring and preserving California’s sensitive vegetation communities for the benefit of the environment and the preservation of the ecosystem services they offer.
The Habitat Restoration Technician will help implement habitat restoration and other botanical tasks. This position requires repetitive manual labor, working outdoors in harsh conditions, heavy lifting and carrying, and hiking on rugged terrain. This is a full-time, hourly position with full benefits. The starting salary is $17/hour. Relocation benefits will not be offered.
Read more at Habitat Restoration Technician in San Diego, CA – CNPS Forums
Posted in Job Openings | Tags: Job Opening
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 11, 2022
Xerces Society Webinar Events
See Xerces Society webinar events on bees, butterflies and pollination at Events | Xerces Society
Posted in Animals, Butterflies, Talks, Wildflowers | Tags: Xerces Society Webinars
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 11, 2022
Virtual green home tours: reduce energy, increase sustainability, protect climate 5/14 and 5/15
from the city of Berkeley
Virtual green home tours: reduce energy, increase sustainability, protect climateJumpstart your home electrification journey, free online tours May 14 & 15Come to a two-day virtual tour to learn how twelve East Bay homes, apartments, or accessory units have been upgraded to reduce use of fossil fuels and water or prepare for wildfires.These online events showcase sustainability features such as all-electric appliances, green home resources for renters, greywater and rainwater catchment systems, and strategies for living in a fire zone.
Read more and register at Virtual green home tours: reduce energy, increase sustainability, protect climate
Posted in Environment | Tags: Green Home Tour
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 11, 2022
City Nature Challenge records over 1,690,000 wildlife observations in a single weekend
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 in Animals, Environment, Wildflowers | Tags: City Nature Challenge
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 11, 2022
Help Track the Effects of Climate Change on Birds
from Audubon
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Posted in Birds | Tags: Birds, Climate change, ClimateWatch
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 in Birds | Tags: Bird migration, Light pollution, LIghts Out for the Birds
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 10, 2022
CNPS Events
- May 11: California Ethnobotany for Learners of All Ages – talk by Jane Rieder (Virtual) – SCV Chapter
- May 14: China Creek Work Party – Sequoia Chapter
- May 14: Native and Drought-Tolerant Plant Sale – Woodside-Atherton Garden Club
- May 15: Exploring Coastal Habitats at Save the Redwoods League, Lost Coast Redwoodst – DKY Chapter
- May 15: Braiding Sweetgass – An Evening with Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer (Virtual) – Peninsula Open Space
- May 15: Botany Roadtrip with Matt Berger (Virtual) – Backcountry Press
- May 16: Porterfield Creek Open Space Preserve, Cloverdale – Milo Baker Chapter
- May 21: Napa Valley Spring Plant Sale – Napa Valley Chapter
Posted in Talks, Wildflowers | Tags: 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
Posted in Job Openings | Tags: Job Opening: Rare Plant Scientific Coordinator
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 10, 2022
“Forest microbiomes and climate change: Microbial communities as mediators of forest health” 5/12/22
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
Posted in Environment | Tags: Microbial Communities
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 10, 2022
Audubon Webinar: A Discussion for Darker Nights and Safer Flights Tonight
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Posted in Birds | Tags: Dark Skies and Safer Migration
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 10, 2022
Inbreeding will not be the end of Mexico’s endangered vaquita marina
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 in Animals | Tags: vaquita marina
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
Posted in Birds, Environment | Tags: Bird Nests, Climate change
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 8, 2022
Australia’s Clever Birds Did Not Consent to This Science Experiment
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 in Birds | Tags: Austrialian Magpies, Bird Intelligence
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…
Posted in Park | Tags: East Bay Regional Parks
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 7, 2022
New Dungeons & Dragons Book to Support Endangered Species Protection
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.
Posted in Animals | Tags: Dungeons and Dragons, Endangered species
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!
Visit ESLT.org/employment
Posted in Job Openings | Tags: Eastern Sierra Land Trust
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 6, 2022
Job Openings at Pt Reyes National Seashore Association
Posted in Job Openings | Tags: Pt Reyes National Seashore Association
Natural History Wanderings 