from Center for Biological Diversity
Decision Comes in Time for Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle Conservation Day
SACRAMENTO, Calif.— The California Fish and Game Commission voted today to protect leatherback sea turtles as endangered under the state’s Endangered Species Act. The commission acted on the recommendation of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, which is concerned by the turtles’ dramatic decline in state waters.
Posted in Animals | Tags: Leatherback Sea Turtles
NPR reports on the winning images of the 2021 Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition a
The annual competition is organized by London’s Natural History Museum and is recognized as the world’s longest-running and most prestigious nature photography competition. In announcing the winners on Tuesday, the museum said it had received more than 50,000 submissions from 95 countries.
See photos and read more at Wildlife Photographer of the Year winners announced for 2021 : The Picture Show : NPR
Posted in Photography | Tags: Wildlife Photographer of the Year
from the Academy of Sciences
Opening on Saturday, October 16, and on view through April 24, 2022, the eighth annual BigPicture: Natural World Photography exhibit spotlights 49 of the year’s most striking nature, wildlife and conservation images, from nearly 8,400 photos submitted by photographers around the world. The exhibit highlights Earth’s biodiversity, illustrates the many threats that our planet faces, and underscores the importance of protecting, conserving, and regenerating the natural world. View the winning images online, and dive deeper into the stories behind each photograph at bioGraphic.
Posted in Photography | Tags: BigPicture: Natural World Photography exhibit
from the Xerces Society
One of the most valuable things you can do to support pollinators and other invertebrates is to provide them with the winter cover they need. Leave the leaves does not mean ignoring them and leaving them where they fell. You can move them to places in your yard where they are out of the way, will not kill your turf, and will still help wildlife. A thin layer of leaves can actually help turf—but too much will kill the grass. Consider raking leaves into areas around trees, or use them as winter mulch for perennials or to cover garden beds.
Read more at: Leaves are not litter. They are food and shelter for butterflies, moths, beetles, and more
Posted in Animals, Butterflies | Tags: Leaves are Food and Shelter
The New York Times reports
It’s simple: Mammals have hair or fur. Birds want it.
Hair from dogs, raccoons and even humans has been found in the nests of birds, which scientists believe makes the nests better insulated. For a long time, scientists assumed that birds had to collect hair that had been shed or scavenge it from mammal carcasses. However, a new study, published last week in the journal Ecology, shows that several species of bird, including chickadees and titmice, don’t just scavenge hair, they steal it.
See videos and read more at Sneaky Thieves Steal Hair From Foxes, Raccoons, Dogs, Even You
Posted in Animals, Birds | Tags: Birds stealing animal hair, Tufted Titmouse
It is the Yucca Moth, which can have a dormancy period of up to 30 years. See research article: Longest Insect Dormancy: Yucca Moth Larvae (Lepidoptera: Prodoxidae) Metamorphose After 20, 25, and 30 Years in Diapause
Posted in Animals | Tags: Longest Insect Dormancy, Yucca Moth
WildEarth Guardians reports
I’m thrilled to announce that we have scored a monumental legal victory for the Joshua tree, as well as climate-imperiled species across the country.
A federal judge—a George W. Bush appointee no less—recently ruled that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service violated the law when it failed to list the imperiled Joshua tree under the Endangered Species Act.
Read more at Groundbreaking legal win for Joshua trees – WildEarth Guardians
Posted in Park | Tags: Joshua Trees
Events in the genome of Welwitschia have given it the ability to survive in an unforgiving desert for thousands of years.
The longest-lived leaves in the plant kingdom can be found only in the harsh, hyperarid desert that crosses the boundary between southern Angola and northern Namibia.
A desert is not, of course, the most hospitable place for living things to grow anything, let alone leafy greens, but the Namib Desert — the world’s oldest with parts receiving less than two inches of precipitation a year — is where Welwitschia calls home.
Read more at A Plant That ‘Cannot Die’ Reveals Its Genetic Secrets-The New York Times
Posted in Wildflowers | Tags: Welwitschia
These positions are 11-month terms of service, and more information is included in the general description below. Interested applicants should take note of this particular position with American Forests:
https://sierranevadaalliance.org/wp-…canForests.pdf
This position will be helping to develop a native seed collection program in partnership with BLM areas in or near the Sierra Nevada. The first half of the term will largely consist of research and identifying locations of native plants, with the second half of the term focused on native seed collection. The position is most likely to be based out of the Fresno area, but flexibility exists for the member to live in other areas. Mileage reimbursement with be provided in addition to the compensation and benefits listed below.
Read more Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership Member – CNPS Forums
Posted in Job Openings
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Learn more at new plant names in Calflora
Posted in Wildflowers
The Sacramento Bee reports
Rain weakened the KNP Complex fires, and residents were allowed to return to several evacuated communities Saturday.
On Friday, storms brought rain to the most of the fire, with some areas getting three-tenths of an inch. That significantly decreased fire activity, limiting it to “creeping” and “smoldering” instead of rapidly burning, fire officials said in an online update.
The wet weather is expected to continue to slow the fire Saturday.
Read more at KNP Complex fires: Evacuation updates, weather/rain helped | The Sacramento Bee
Posted in Environment, Park | Tags: Evacuations, Giant Sequoias, KNP Complex fires
Ohio News Time reports
By the end of September, the leaves usually cascade to warmer shades throughout the United States. This year, many regions have not even pivoted from the shades of green in the summer yet.
Portland, Maine — A drought that causes the leaves to turn brown and die before they reach their peak color. A heat wave that encourages the leaves to fall before autumn comes. Extreme weather like a hurricane that completely strips the leaves of the trees.
Read more at How climate change affects the fall foliage chasing around the United States – Ohio News Time
Posted in Fall Foliage | Tags: Climate Change Impact on Fall Color
On Saturday, 9 October people all over the world will be celebrating World Migratory Bird Day, a global campaign that aims to raise awareness of migratory birds and the need for international cooperation to conserve them. The UN-backed campaign is organized by a collaborative partnership among two environmental treaties – the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) and the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA), and the non-profit organization, Environment for the Americas (EFTA).
Learn about World Migratory Bird Day at: Sing, Fly, Soar, like a Bird #WMBD2021 | World Migratory Bird Day
Posted in Bird Festivals, Birds | Tags: World Migratory Bird Day!
NPR reports
President Biden will restore the boundaries of Bears Ears, Grand Staircase-Escalante and Northeast Canyons and Seamounts national monuments at a signing ceremony on Friday, the administration announced on Thursday evening.
Read more at Bears Ears monument being restored after Trump downsized it : NPR
ScienceDaily reports
Researchers have shown that feeding bumble bees caffeine helps them better remember the smell of a specific flower with nectar inside. While previous studies have shown that bees like caffeine and will more frequently visit caffeinated flowers to get it, this study shows that consuming caffeine in their nest actually helps bees find certain flowers outside of the nest.
Read more at A caffeine buzz helps bees learn to find specific flowers — ScienceDaily
Posted in Animals | Tags: Bees and Caffeine
The Pollinator Posse creates pollinator-friendly landscaping and fosters appreciation of local ecosystems through outreach and education. With eco-friendly landscape techniques at the heart of our work, we teach respect for the creatures which keep Northern California blooming. We envision a day when life-enhancing, thought-inspiring green spaces will grace every corner of Northern California and the world. A few of their projects are:
To learn more about the Pollinator Posse, the above projects and more of their activities go to the Pollinator Posse
Posted in Butterflies | Tags: Monarchs, PIpevine Swallowtails, Pollination, Pollinator Posse
Posted in Drives | Tags: Sierra Road Closings
Posted in Drives, Park | Tags: Tioga Road, Yosemite National Park
from Marin Chapter of California Native Plants Society
Guest Speaker: Nicole Ibañez, Masters candidate, University of San Francisco. Ibañez, recipient of one of the CNPS Marin 2021 Educational Grants, will share the results of her research. Mon. Oct. 11 @ 7:30 pm Register for this meeting here
NPR reports
Emergency officials are still trying to contain a major oil spill off the coast of Southern California that dumped more than 120,000 gallons of crude oil from an offshore pipeline into the Pacific Ocean, some of which has washed ashore.
But even as the response effort continues, experts say the long-term impacts to the environment — particularly on birds and marine life — could be significant even if they didn’t get saturated by the weekend oil slick.
Read more at California oil pipeline spill could endanger marine life for years, experts say : NPR
Posted in Environment | Tags: California oil pipeline spill
See the schedule of all East Bay Regional Park Activities at East Bay Regional Parks Activity Schedule
Posted in Park | Tags: East Bay Regional Parks
The San Francisco Chronicle reports
The long-contested name of a popular Northern California state park steeped in a violent history has been permanently changed.
Located near the craggy seaside cliffs of Trinidad, Calif., Patrick’s Point State Park is known for its coastal scenery, winding trails shrouded in spruce trees, rocky tide pools that inspired a Nickelodeon cartoon and sandy shores dotted with agate. But a recent press release shared by California State Parks describes how the name of this serene oasis in Humboldt County traces back to Irish homesteader Patrick Beegan, who allegedly stole the land for himself in the mid-1800s and was accused of murdering numerous Native Americans who originally lived there.
Read more at Calif. park name rooted in racist history permanently changed
Posted in Park | Tags: Patrick’s Point State Park, Sue-meg State Park
from Wild Birds Unlimited of Novato
Bird & Nature Walks this Month
Sunday, 10/10: Senior Stroll at Corte Madera Creek, Marin Parks
Tuesday, 10/12: Hamilton Wetlands, Novato, Marin Parks
Wednesday, 10/20: Rodeo Lagoon, Marin Audubon
Wednesday, 10/20: Raptors in the Marin Headlands, Marin Parks
Sunday, 10/24: Oaks at Deer Island, Novato, Marin Parks
Sunday, 10/31: Abbotts Lagoon, Marin Parks
Posted in Birds, Walks & Hikes | Tags: Marin Bird Walks, Marin Nature Walks
See the fall schedule of seminars for the UCSB Natural Reserve System at UCSB Natural Reserve System Fall 2021 Seminar Series | Natural Reserve System
a series of presentations focused on some of the latest research and teaching experiences from across UCSB’s seven Natural Reserve System sites.
Seminars will be held each Tuesday, from October 5 – November 16, from 7 – 8 PM, in this virtual tour of research and education highlights from across the state.
Registration opens September 20. You can register for all 7 seminars at once, or pick the ones you prefer. Follow this link to register!
Posted in Talks | Tags: UCSB Natural Reserve Seminar Series
KRNV reports on the discovery of a rare dragonfly sighting
A rare species of dragonfly that was seen in the region more than a century ago was discovered in Truckee over the summer.
The species is relatively common across forested Canada and parts of the northern U.S., but in California, it is known from only four sites, three of which are close to the Oregon border. Within California, the Spiny Baskettail was first spotted at Donner Lake in 1914 by Clarence Hamilton Kennedy. They were never again seen anywhere around Tahoe despite considerable effort to relocate them. The accepted wisdom among California dragonfly enthusiasts and biologists was that this population was long gone, perhaps a victim of heavy recreational use at Donner Lake.
Read more Rare dragonfly discovered in Truckee more than a century since last spotted | KRNV
Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: dragonfly
Did you know that you can connect to nature, learn about backyard birds, and contribute to important scientific research – without leaving your home? You can with Project FeederWatch!
Our backyards are important habitats for birds year-round. To help birds, we need to understand how these habitats and the birds using them are changing over time. Your counts of winter backyard birds tell us which species are doing OK and which ones need our conservation attention.
What is Project FeederWatch?
Project FeederWatch is a joint project of Birds Canada and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology that depends on volunteers like you to help us all learn more about bird populations. It’s easy to contribute. All you need to do is:
Posted in Birds | Tags: Backyard Bird Counts
The Mono Lake Committee reports
the California State Water Resources Control Board issued Order WR 2021-0086 EXEC amending the Mono Basin water rights of the City of Los Angeles to incorporate extensive new requirements that maximize the restoration of the 20 miles of streams, forests, and fisheries that lie downstream of the Los Angeles Aqueduct diversion dams. The action draws on decades of detailed scientific study to prescribe specific measures that will significantly advance the recovery of the streams, trout populations, and the streamside forests and wildlife, all of which suffered extensive damage due to past excessive water diversions by the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (DWP).
Read more at State Water Board launches new era of stream restoration at Mono Lake
Posted in Environment | Tags: Mono Basin
Posted in Walks & Hikes | Tags: Bay Trail, Save the Bay, TRAC
Posted in Bird Festivals, Birds | Tags: Berkeley Bird Festival
Monarch Butterfly Caterpillars on the Narrow Leaf Milkweed/Asclepias fascicularis in my backyard today.
