SFGate reported
A powerful storm swept away a key Mount Rainier trail bridge, closing the Carter Falls Trail just as winter arrives.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 10, 2025
Popular national park hiking trail to waterfall closed for months
Posted in Park, Walks & Hikes | Tags: Carter Falls Trail, Mt. Rainier National Park
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 10, 2025
Study: Commercial Lion Farming in South Africa Could Be Harming, Not Helping, Wild Lions
The Revelator reported
As we’ve seen with tigers and other threatened species, captive lion breeding may stimulate consumer demand and put additional pressure on wild populations across African home ranges.
Posted in Animals | Tags: Captive breeding, Lions
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 9, 2025
Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association Upcoming Events
See upcoming events calendar of hikes and programs at https://www.abdnha.org/calendar1.htm.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 9, 2025
Why do only some leaves turn red in the fall? Scientists can’t agree on an answer
NPR reported
The red pigments in some fall leaves have proven to be a puzzle for researchers who debate why leaves bother to go red.
Listen or read story at Why do only some leaves turn red in the fall? Scientists can’t agree on an answer : NPR
Posted in Fall Foliage | Tags: Fall Foliage
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 8, 2025
Podcast: Bringing Birds Back to the Land
In this two-part series, Thomas Schroeder, Senior Partnerships Manager for Audubon Conservation Ranching, joins Matt Maier on the Regenerative Renegades Podcast to discuss how ranchers and conservationists are teaming up to restore grassland ecosystems. From his background as a chef to his work in regenerative agriculture, Thomas highlights the deep connection between food, land, and community—and how stewardship can help both people and wildlife thrive. Tune in on YouTube.
Posted in Birds | Tags: restation grassland ecosystems
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 8, 2025
Scientists make major find in Calif.’s Death Valley National Park
SF Gate reported
In Death Valley, which boasts the record for the hottest temperature on the planet at 134°F, one native species is loving the blistering weather.
Tested by the valley’s extreme summertime heat, the flowering shrub Arizona honeysweet (Tidestromia oblongifolia) thrives. The humble-looking, seafoam green plant considers 113°F optimal for photosynthesis — the highest known temperature tolerance of any major crop species, according to new research.
Read more Scientists make major find in Calif.’s Death Valley National Park
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 8, 2025
Scientists plan to freeze butterfly eggs with cryopreservation to save British species
Euro News reported
A groundbreaking project has been launched to help protect one of the UK’s most spectacular insects.
The British Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio machaon britannicus) is found exclusively in the county of East Anglia, predominantly in the Norfolk Broads, a national park veined with waterways.
However, the insect’s survival is threatened by habitat loss, climate change and genetic erosion due to its limited geographical range.
Now researchers from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) have joined forces with Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park and Nature’s SAFE, a UK biobank specialising in conservation, to investigate if cryopreservation can come to the aid of Britain’s largest native butterfly.
Read more Scientists plan to freeze butterfly eggs with cryopreservation to save British species | Euronews
Posted in Uncategorized
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 7, 2025
National Park Service has lost a staggering amount during shutdown
SF Gate reported
National Park Service has missed out on $25 million
National parks aren’t collecting recreation fees during the shutdown.
Read more National Park Service has lost a staggering amount during shutdown
Posted in Park
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 7, 2025
CBS News just gutted its climate team
Climate Colored Google reported
Americans who rely on broadcast networks for honest journalism suffered a painful loss this week, as CBS News — fresh off its acquisition by Skydance Media and the installation of anti-woke opinion writer Bari Weiss as editor in chief — fired most of the reporters who specialize in covering climate change.
Read more CBS News just gutted its climate team – by Sammy Roth
Posted in Environment | Tags: Loss of Climate Reporting
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 7, 2025
Bat Species Not Seen In 55 Years Rediscovered And Filmed For First Time – Just Look At Those Ears
MSN reported
After 55 years missing from the Karakum Desert, it was suspected that the Turkestan long-eared bat (Plecotus turkmenicus) had likely gone extinct or become very rare. Nobody had seen the species since 1970 and there were no photos or recent descriptions to suggest otherwise. Until now.
See photo and read more Bat Species Not Seen In 55 Years Rediscovered And Filmed For First Time – Just Look At Those Ears
Posted in Animals | Tags: Plecotus turkmenicus, Turkestan long-eared bat
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 7, 2025
Saving Zimbabwe’s Vultures
The Revelator reported
From poisonings to collisions with power lines, these birds face many threats. But as they decline, so does their ability to control the spread of deadly diseases.
Read story at Saving Zimbabwe’s Vultures • The Revelator
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 6, 2025
“Overcoming Barriers to Conservation and Restoration” 11/10/25
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 6, 2025
World’s Rarest Marine Mammal Spotted With Babies Offering Glimmer Of Hope
Fewer than a dozen vaquitas remain on Earth, but a couple of young porpoises were just spotted, so there’s still hope for the next generation. (IFLScience)
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 6, 2025
Killer whales have now learnt a genius way to destroy great white sharks, new footage shows
BBC Science Focus Magazine reported
Killer whales have a grisly new technique for hunting juvenile great white sharks – and scientists caught it on camera
See video and read more at : Killer whales have now learnt a genius way to destroy great white sharks, new footage shows | BBC Science Focus Magazine
Posted in Animals | Tags: Great White Sharks, Killer Whales
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 6, 2025
Naked mole rats reveal genetic secret to long life
The BBC reported
A new study of the bizarre naked mole rat shows that the animals have evolved a DNA repair mechanism that could explain their longevity.
Read article at Naked mole rats reveal genetic secret to long life
Posted in Animals
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 5, 2025
East Bay Regional Parks Upcoming Events
See the calendar of upcoming events for the East Bay Regional Parks at https://www.ebparks.org/calendar
Posted in Park, Walks & Hikes | Tags: East Bay Regional Parks
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 5, 2025
Whale Night Trivia
From Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
Night Lizard Brewing Co. | FREE
Make a splash at SBMM’s Whale Trivia Night at Night Lizard Brewing Company in downtown Santa Barbara—celebrating the Santa Barbara Whale Heritage Area with a limited-release “whale” brew, prizes for top teams, and ocean-smart bragging rights. Bring your crew (or join a pod on arrival), test your cetacean savvy, and leave with fin-tastic facts—and maybe some swag, too.
Night Lizard Brewing Company, 607 State St.
Prizes + giveaways
Craft beer available for purchase ($1 of every pint sold will support SBMM)
Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 5, 2025
National Park Foundation in Action
From removing invasive species to planting new life, our volunteers are making a real impact across California’s state parks. 
In the last year, our Park Stewardship Program mobilized 3,144 volunteers to support 29 parks across the state spanning 12 of the 21 park districts.
Together, they completed 142 workdays and contributed 10,915 service hours to protect and restore our parks.
Here’s what that looks like:
787,401 sq. ft. of invasive species removed (nearly 14 football fields!)
13,100 sq. ft. of fire buffer zone created
9,695 native plants and trees planted
532 ft. of fence repaired
160 bags of trash and recycling collected
2.94 miles of trail restoredThis incredible work is made possible through our volunteers, and the generous support of partners like Niagara Cares who share our vision for thriving, accessible parks for all Californians.
Ready to roll up your sleeves and make a difference?
➛Join our next volunteer day → https://ow.ly/6Kuz50Xltbi
Posted in Park | Tags: National Park Foundation
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 5, 2025
How a radical experiment to bring a forest into a preschool transformed children’s health
The Guardian reported
In Finland, kindergartens are exposing children to more mud, wild plants and moss – and finding changes to their health that show how crucial biodiversity is to wellbeing
Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: Health Benefits of Nature
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 4, 2025
The culprits behind population collapse in a Colorado national park
SF Gate reported
Rocky Mountain National Park is trying to bring beavers back to its Kawuneeche Valley.
Most likely Elk and Moose are the problem.
Read on www.sfgate.com/national-parks/article/rocky-mountain-national-park-wants-beavers-back-21118420.php
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 4, 2025
New Species of Trapdoor Spider Discovered In California
UC Davis reported
Scientists at the University of California, Davis, have discovered a new species of trapdoor spider lurking in California’s coastal sand dunes. The newly identified Aptostichus ramirezae is a close relative of Aptostichus simus, a species found along the coast from Monterey to Baja California, Mexico.
Read more New Species of Trapdoor Spider Discovered In California | UC Davis
Posted in Animals | Tags: New Species, Trapdoor Spider
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 4, 2025
These Songbirds Learn More From Siblings Than From Parents
UC Davis reported
When Parental Care is Limited, Siblings and Others Step Up
Read on www.ucdavis.edu/climate/news/these-songbirds-learn-more-siblings-parents
Posted in Birds | Tags: Bird Behavior
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 3, 2025
How government shutdown is impacting Yosemite National Park
NBC Bay Area reported
As the government shutdown drags on, leaving thousands of National Park workers on furlough, Yosemite National Park remains a place both to escape politics and witness its impact.
The park remains open, its spectacular vistas oblivious to the bickering of Congress, yet the impact of the extended shutdown is being felt both in the seen and unseen.
Visitors will notice the evidence as soon as they hit the park gates, which are open to traffic but unstaffed by National Park rangers, who in addition to collecting fees also give out information and maps.
Read more: How government shutdown is impacting Yosemite National Park – NBC Bay Area
Posted in Park | Tags: Impact of Government Shutdown on National Parks, Yosemite National Park
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 3, 2025
A Victory for the Desert: Protecting Glorietta Canyon
from Anza-Borrego Foundation
One of the most meaningful milestones of the year for Anza-Borrego Foundation was the acquisition of the 40-acre Glorietta Canyon property—a long-awaited conservation victory nearly two decades in the making.For years, the fate of this land hung in the balance. Decades ago, half of the parcel was scraped without a permit, stripping native vegetation and damaging fragile desert habitat. The community has watched and hoped ever since, envisioning a day when the land could be protected, restored, and given a chance to heal.
Read more A Victory for the Desert: Protecting Glorietta Canyon – Anza-Borrego Foundation
Posted in Desert | Tags: Glorietta Canyon
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 3, 2025
UC Berkeley Botanical Garden Photos 11/2/25
Photos from the UC- Berkeley Botanical Garden taken on November 2, 2025.
Posted in Garden, Photos (Sandy's) | Tags: UC Berkeley Botancial Garden
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 3, 2025
Yellowstone wolves make a comeback, sparking aspen growth not seen in 80 years
Philaplace reported
For decades, young trees struggled to grow in Yellowstone National Park. But thanks to the reintroduction of gray wolves in 1995, a new generation of quaking aspens is finally making its way into the forest canopy — a milestone unseen in the northern Yellowstone range for nearly 80 years.
The story of Yellowstone’s forests is a testament to how apex predators can shape entire ecosystems. After disappearing in 1930 due to habitat loss, hunting, and government eradication programs, gray wolves left behind a park dominated by elk. With populations reaching roughly 18,000, these herbivores devoured shrubs, leaves, and even the bark of young trees like the quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), preventing new growth from establishing.
Read more Yellowstone wolves make a comeback, sparking aspen growth not seen in 80 years – Philaplace
Posted in Animals, Park | Tags: Quaking Aspens, Woves, Yelllowstone
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 3, 2025
New Zealand oceans warming 34% faster than global average, putting homes and industry at risk, report finds
The Guardian reported
New Zealand’s oceans are warming 34% faster than the global average, with NZ$180bn (US$104bn) worth of housing at risk of flooding, a new report about the nation’s marine environment has revealed.
Posted in Environment | Tags: Climate change, Ocean warming
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 2, 2025
Bird Photos From Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary 10/31/25
On Halloween I went birding at Elsie Roemer. Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary is at the east end of Marsh Beach in the town of Alameda. It harbors aquatic birds and other salt marsh creatures. It was as the high tide was going out. There were very large numbers of shorebirds, which is what makes this one of the Bay Area’s top shorebird areas.
Posted in Birding Reports, Birds, Photos (Sandy's) | Tags: Bird Reports, Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 2, 2025
Native elk reintroduced to Sierra foothills after 17,000 acres are returned to California tribe
SF Gate reported
The deal is the largest of its kind in the region’s history.
Tule elk are once again roaming the Sierra Nevada foothills southwest of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks after a historic land return that Gov. Gavin Newsom is calling the largest of its kind in the region’s history.
The 17,030 acres made up of two former ranch properties were recently returned to the Tule River Indian Tribe, the California Natural Resources Agency announced on Wednesday. The tribe’s ancestral lands straddle the foothills of present-day Tulare County.
Read more at 17,000 acres in Sierra foothills are returned to California tribe
Posted in Animals | Tags: Tule elk, Tule River Indian Tribe
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 2, 2025
Big trees in Amazon more climate-resistant than previously believed
The Guardian reported
Forest is ‘remarkably resilient to climate change’, but remains under threat from fires and deforestation
Read more: Big trees in Amazon more climate-resistant than previously believed | Climate crisis | The Guardian
Posted in Wildflowers and Other Plants
Natural History Wanderings 