Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 4, 2021

593 Florida Manatees Died in 2020, Including At Least 90 From Boat Strikes

Center for Biological Diversity News Release

593 Florida Manatees Died in 2020, Including At Least 90 From Boat Strikes

Proposed Legislation Would Expand Requirements for Boater Safety Education

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— Florida wildlife officials have proposed new boating safety education requirements after another year of accidents and collisions took a deadly toll on people and the state’s imperiled manatees. At least 593 Florida manatees died in 2020, including 90 from boat strikes, according to records obtained from state officials.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 3, 2021

UC – Berkeley Botanical Garden Photos 1/2/21

Photos from a visit to the UC-Berkeley Botanical Garden on January 2, 2021. It was a rainy, overcast day that created interesting light and loads of raindrops to work with.

The garden is currently open daily to the public from eleven to five by reservation .  Garden members can enter at ten. There is an entrance fee (free for garden members) and paid parking.  For more information and to make reservations  go to UC-Botanical Garden.

This is part of my continuing pandemic project,  the “Stay at Home Photo Project”.  It includes many street photos from Berkeley and Albany as well as photos from the UC Berkeley campus, my yard, local botanic gardens, and neighbors’ yards  You can see larger higher quality versions of many of the photos at Flickr in my collection Stay at Home Photo Project.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 3, 2021

California State Parks, Mojave Area Updates

California State Parks, Mojave Area Updates
  • Antelope Valley Indian Museum: Indoor museums are currently closed in Los Angeles County until further notice per Health Officer Order. Upon reopening, the museum will have COVID safety protocols in place until all restrictions are lifted. http://AVIM.parks.ca.gov
  • Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve: The park is currently open for day use and hiking. Wildflower bloom predictions and updates will begin in February, and operational adjustments to address COVID safety during the bloom season will be assessed at that time. Visit www.parks.ca.gov/PoppyReserve for information and updates.
  • Red Rock Canyon State Park: Ricardo Campground and the Visitor Center museum are currently closed. The park is open for day use and hiking. The visitor center information desk is currently open on weekends with limited occupancy. www.parks.ca.gov/RedRockCanyonStatePark
  • Saddleback Butte State Park: The campground, visitor center and Avenue K entrance are closed. The picnic area and hiking trails can be accessed at the day-use entrance, at 170th Street East and East Avenue J (Lancaster). www.parks.ca.gov/SaddlebackButte

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 3, 2021

2021 Fee-free days at National Parks

The National Park Service has released the dates for fee-free days at all sites.
The 2021 entrance fee-free days are:
  • Monday, January 18 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • Saturday, April 17 – First Day of National Park Week
  • Wednesday, August 4 – Great American Outdoors Act anniversary
  • Wednesday, August 25 – National Park Service Birthday
  • Saturday, September 25 – National Public Lands Day
  • Thursday, November 11 – Veterans Day
Note that the entrance fee waiver for the fee-free days does not cover amenities or user fees for activities such as camping, transportation, or special tours.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 3, 2021

Plant Visits on the East Bay Shoreline

The East Bay Chapter of the California Native Plant Society writes about where to see plants along the East Bay Shoreline

San Francisco Bay shoreline has scattered pockets of open space, with some room for coastal plant communities. Development surrounds shoreline plants, with remnant natural sites hemmed in by airports, refineries, marinas, and freeways.

Read about the many locations to see plants along the East Bay Shoreline at Plant Visits on the East Bay Shoreline

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 2, 2021

How The Pandemic’s Reduced Noise Benefited Birds

The San Francisco Chronicle reports

Phillips and her collaborators at Cal Poly may be the first researchers to document the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on songbird behavior. Their research, published in the journal Science this year, found that the sparrows sang about 30% quieter during the pandemic compared to previous decades.

“It’s pretty exciting that they responded so fast to the sudden change in the sound of the city,” she said.

The findings could have broad implications beyond birds. Conservation efforts have historically focused on restoring lost animal habitats, but have rarely considered the detrimental effects of urban noise. It’s a factor worth considering, Phillips said, especially as California contemplates a future full of electric cars.

 Read more at Since shelter in place, Bay Area sparrows are singing in tones that researchers haven’t heard in decades – SFChronicle.com

 

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 1, 2021

Top Bay Nature Magazine Stories of 2020 

Check out Bay Nature’s top stories from this most unusual year at  Top Bay Nature Magazine Stories of 2020 – Bay Nature

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 31, 2020

Pt. Reyes Drakes Beach Closure Alert

Pt. Reyes National Seashore announcement

Drakes Beach Closure Alert❗️🛑
The elephant seal season is ramping up, which means more seals are arriving onshore and new pups are being born every day. To protect the elephant seal pups from disturbance and to keep the public safe, Drakes Beach will be closed starting at the southern edge of the cove in front of the Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center and continuing southwest to the end of Drakes Beach. This closure will be enforced starting Thursday, December 31, and will continue until March 31.
Please respect this seasonal closure and help protect the elephant seals during this sensitive time. You can still access Drakes Beach in front of the visitor center and enjoy a beach walk to the east (left of the visitor center).
Learn more about the elephant seals at Point Reyes here: https://go.nps.gov/pore/eseals

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 31, 2020

Cal Poly Study Shows Birdsongs Benefit Humans

Cal Poly news release

If you thought your morning hike was contributing to your well-being, a new Cal Poly study shows that you’re right, especially if our avian friends were singing while you strolled.

A growing body of research shows that time spent in nature contributes to human mental health. Although many studies have found that humans benefit from spending time in nature, few studies have explored why.

A Cal Poly research team investigated how much the natural sounds humans hear during their time in the great outdoors contribute to this sense of well-being.

Read more at Cal Poly Study Shows Birdsongs Benefit Humans – Cal Poly News – Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 30, 2020

Redwood National and State Parks Road Closure

Redwood National and State Parks announced

Today, a large redwood fell across Howland Hill Road. As a result, the western access (Crescent City side) of Howland Hill Road is now temporarily closed. It may be a week before this part of the road is reopened. Access to Stout Grove and Boy Scout Trail from the east remains open. These conditions – and access to trails along Howland Hill Road – might change as crews remove the tree.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 30, 2020

Job Opening: BLM Botanist position in Bakersfield Field Office

Botanist GS-0430-9/11    Full Performance Level: GS-11
Location: Bakersfield, CA     Open: 12/21/2020 – 1/12/2021

Merit Announcement No: CAMP-20-10929242-CH

DE Announcement No: CADE-20-10929241-CH

Merit Announcement is open to: Competitive Current or Former Federal Employees, Non-Competitive Current Federal Employee or Reinstatement Eligible, 30% or More Disabled Veterans, Competitive Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA), Former Public Land Corps (PLC), Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA), Persons eligible under other Special Hiring Authorities, and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) within local commuting area.

DE Announcement is open to: All US Citizens

To apply, click on this link: Merit USAJOBS or DE USAJOBS

For more information about BLM please visit the BLM Careers Page

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 30, 2020

UC – Berkeley Botanical Garden Photos 12/29/20

Photos from a visit to the UC-Berkeley Botanical Garden on December 29, 2020. All photos were taken in the Mather Redwood Grove section, which is across the street from the main garden. All plants in the grove are native to California .

The garden is currently open daily to the public from eleven to five by reservation .  Garden members can enter at ten. There is an entrance fee (free for garden members) and paid parking.  For more information and to make reservations  go to UC-Botanical Garden.

This is part of my continuing project,  the “Stay at Home Photo Project”.  It includes many street photos from Berkeley and Albany as well as photos from the UC Berkeley campus, my yard and neighbors’ yards  You can see larger higher quality versions of many of the photos at Flickr in my collection Stay at Home Photo Project.

 

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 30, 2020

Don’t Get Between a Caterpillar and Its Milkweed

The New York Times reports

When food gets scarce, monarch butterfly caterpillars will turn on each other, duking it out for the rights to grub, according to a paper published Thursday in the journal iScience. The jousts don’t get bloody. But they involve plenty of bumping, boxing and body-checking — all the makings of a big brawl of babies, in a hurry to bulk up before they sprout their grown-up wings.

Read more at  Don’t Get Between a Caterpillar and Its Milkweed – The New York Times

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 29, 2020

UC – Berkeley Botanical Garden Photos 12/28/20

Photos from a visit to the UC-Berkeley Botanical Garden on December 28, 2020.

The garden is currently open daily to the public from eleven to five by reservation .  Garden members can enter at ten. There is an entrance fee (free for garden members) and paid parking.  For more information and to make reservations  go to UC-Botanical Garden.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 29, 2020

Anza- Borrego Desert Natual History Association Webinars

Anza- Borrego Desert Natual History Association Webinars has a series of upcoming webinars and past webinars that place in the desert and afar at Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association Webinars

Past Webinars available on YouTube include:

  • Earth’s Changing Oceans
  • Life as a Reptile

Upcoming webinars that you can register are 

  • Jan. 8,  Fri., 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
    California Indian Basketry: Ikons of the Florescence
  • Jan. 15 Fri., 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
     Discover the Faroe Islands
  • Jan, 22 Fri., 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
    Webinar: Geology and Tectonics of San Diego County, a Quick Trip Through Geologic Time   Don Barrie, Geologist, Professor  Mesa College
  • Feb. 5 Fri., 6:30 –  7:30 p.m.Orphaned Films, Revisiting Days Gone By with Rediscovered Films   Pea Hicks, discoverer and restorer of old films
  • Feb. 12 Fri., 6:30 –  7:30 p.m. Swainson’s Hawk: A Journey that Begins in Argentina
    Hal Cohen, founder Borrego Valley Hawk Watch
  • Feb. 19 Fri., 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Journey to Greenland: the People, the Ice, the Land, and the Sea
    Presenter: Mike McElhatton
  • Feb. 26, Fri., 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  The Incredible Journey of the Monarch Butterfly
    Presenter: Susie Vanderlip, Monarch Conservation Specialist      

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 29, 2020

Mass die-off of birds in south-western US ’caused by starvation’

The Guardian reports

The mass die-off of thousands of songbirds in south-western US was caused by long-term starvation, made worse by unseasonably cold weather probably linked to the climate crisis, scientists have said.

Flycatchers, swallows and warblers were among the migratory birds “falling out of the sky” in September, with carcasses found in New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Arizona and Nebraska. A USGS National Wildlife Health Center necropsy has found 80% of specimens showed typical signs of starvation.

Read more at Mass die-off of birds in south-western US ’caused by starvation’ | Environment | The Guardian

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 28, 2020

Natural Resource Management Intern II at the County of San Mateo

San Mateo County Parks system consists of 22 parks, historic sites, and regional trails. The properties have a wide variety of habitats, species, and visitor use.The Natural Resource Management Program is focused on protecting and enhancing all natural resources within the park system. This includes habitat restoration, vegetation and invasive species management, native and invasive species mapping, wildlife monitoring, and volunteer stewardship activities.

The Natural Resource Management Intern II will report to San Bruno Mountain State and County Park, Coyote Point Recreation Area, or 455 County Center, Redwood City. The intern’s primary duties will be in supporting wildlife and plant research and monitoring efforts for the San Bruno Mountain Habitat Conservation Plan.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 28, 2020

Court Blocks Drilling Set to Begin in Newly Designated Utah Wilderness

Center for Biological Diversity News Release

WASHINGTON— A federal judge today enjoined the Trump administration’s approval of a plan to punch a helium well into the heart of the Labyrinth Canyon Wilderness in Utah just two days before Christmas. Road construction was set to begin Wednesday.

“Labyrinth Canyon Wilderness is too special to drill,” said Landon Newell, staff attorney with the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. “We’re grateful the court enjoined this ill-conceived project and gave this incomparable landscape a brief reprieve. We’ll be ready for round 2 with the Trump administration and company in early January.”

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 28, 2020

Berkeley Street Photos December 27, 2020

Photographed in the North Berkeley Flatlands on December 27, 2020.

This is part of my continuing project,  the “Stay at Home Photo Project”.  It includes many street photos from Berkeley and Albany as well as photos from the UC Berkeley campus, my yard and neighbors’ yards  You can see larger higher quality versions of many of the photos at Flickr in my collection Stay at Home Photo Project .

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 28, 2020

India has an (official) climate change of heart

Climate News Network reports

India’s new approach seems to show a climate change of heart by one of the world’s most populous countries.


Now, after dozens of scientific reports showing how millions of Indians will suffer, many of India’s leading companies and civil society organisations  − and even the government itself − are making strenuous efforts to reach the targets of the Paris Agreement on climate change, which binds every signatory to reach an agreed level for cutting its greenhouse gas emissions.

Read article at  India has an (official) climate change of heart | Climate News Network

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 27, 2020

How to Grow a Hydroponic Garden

The New York Times reports on how to continue gardening in the winter in colder climates

It’s getting cold out there. Take your pandemic gardening inside.

Read at  How to Grow a Hydroponic Garden – The New York Times

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 26, 2020

Fascinating Bird Behaviors From the 2020 Audubon Photo Awards

from Audubon

Our Favorite Fascinating Bird Behaviors From the 2020 Audubon Photo Awards. Every year the contest attracts entries capturing rare and unusual moments in the avian world. Here are this year’s highlights.

See photos and article at  Our Favorite Fascinating Bird Behaviors From the 2020 Audubon Photo Awards | Audubon

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 26, 2020

The Arctic hasn’t been this warm for 3 million years 

EarthSky  reports

The last time CO2 concentrations reached today’s level was 3 million years ago, during the Pliocene Epoch. Hear from geoscientists who see evolving conditions in the Arctic as an indicator of how climate change could transform the planet.

Read more at  The Arctic hasn’t been this warm for 3 million years | Earth | EarthSky

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 25, 2020

‘World’s ugliest orchid’ tops list of new discoveries

The BBC  reports

The “ugliest orchid in the world” and British mushrooms are among a list of new species named by scientists at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and their collaborators in 2020.

Experts say the “weird and wonderful” plants and fungi highlight the incredible diversity of species still to be found and documented.

A third of the new species are orchids.

Read more and see photos at ‘World’s ugliest orchid’ tops list of new discoveries – BBC News

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 24, 2020

Top 10 Nature Images of 2020 Wildflowers Coastal Scenes and Ancient Treasures

from the Pew Charitable Trusts

Top 10 Nature Images of 2020: Wildflowers, Coastal Scenes, and Ancient Treasures. Our most popular Instagram posts showcase nature—and why it’s worth protecting.

See photos at Top 10 Nature Images of 2020 Wildflowers Coastal Scenes and Ancient Treasures | The Pew Charitable Trusts

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 24, 2020

How a former landfill became one of the most popular hiking spots in the East Bay

SF Gate reports on how the Albany Bulb has become a popular hiking spot

Offering both sweeping views of the San Francisco skyline and human-made sculptures crafted from found materials, these days, the Bulb evokes more of a sense of whimsy than it does the desolation of a landfill. Wet dogs pitter-patter gleefully down dirt trails, and children exclaim with wonder as they discover life-size dinosaurs made of driftwood and rebar. On pandemic-era weekends, the parking lot is packed — there’s really no better place in the East Bay to get a safe whiff of fresh air while entertaining your bored children during lockdown.

Read more at How a former landfill became one of the most popular hiking spots in the East Bay

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 23, 2020

Alaskan tribes, activists and businesses sue to save America’s biggest national forest 

The Guardian reports

Tongass national forest, which plays a key role in fighting climate crisis, poised for logging after US ruling

A coalition of Alaskan native tribes, conservation groups and small businesses have filed a lawsuit in an effort to save America’s largest national forest by overturning one of the Trump administration’s most contentious environmental rollbacks.

Read more at  Alaskan tribes, activists and businesses sue to save America’s biggest national forest | Alaska | The Guardian

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 23, 2020

UC – Berkeley Botanical Garden Holiday Hours & Closures

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 23, 2020

UC – Berkeley Botanical Garden Photos 12/22/20

Photos from a visit to the UC-Berkeley Botanical Garden on December 22, 2020.

The garden is currently open daily to the public from eleven to five by reservation .  Garden members can enter at ten. There is an entrance fee (free for garden members) and paid parking.  For more information and to make reservations  go to UC-Botanical Garden.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 23, 2020

Humans waging ‘suicidal war’ on nature – UN chief Antonio Guterres

BBC News reports

“Our planet is broken,” the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, has warned.

Humanity is waging what he describes as a “suicidal” war on the natural world. “Nature always strikes back, and is doing so with gathering force and fury,” he told a BBC special event on the environment.

Mr Guterres wants to put tackling climate change at the heart of the UN’s global mission.

Read more at Humans waging ‘suicidal war’ on nature – UN chief Antonio Guterres – BBC News

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