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The UC Santa Barbara Natural Reserve System is excited to offer a Fall 2020 Seminar Series: “From The First Humans To Forest Fires: Scientific Discoveries Spanning UC Santa Barbara’s Seven Spectacular Natural Reserves” Please join us this fall for a series of presentations focused on some of the latest research and findings from across UCSB’s seven natural reserve sites. UCSB’s Reserves are part of the 41-site University of California Natural Reserve System, one of the largest and most unique networks of protected lands in the world, supporting the university mission of research, university-level education and public service. UCSB operates 7 of these Reserves in unique ecosystems ranging from coastal (Coal Oil Point Reserve, Carpinteria Salt Marsh Reserve, Santa Cruz Island Reserve and K.S.N. Rancho Marino Reserve) to inland valleys (Sedgwick Reserve) to Great Basin (Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory; SNARL) and montane forest (Valentine Reserve). Each week will provide a brief introduction to the Reserve site by the Reserve Director, followed by an engaging presentation by one of the Reserve’s expert scientists focused on the highlights of their research. Registration is free! Join us every Thursday evening, from October 8 – November 19, from 7 – 8 PM, in this virtual tour of research highlights from across the state. Registration opens one week prior to each seminar at nrs.ucsb.edu/events. Fall 2020 Schedule |
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October 8 | Santa Cruz Island Reserve Small Island, Big Impact: Santa Cruz Island and its Contribution to Understanding Initial Human Occupation of the New World Dr. Amy Gusick,Associate Curator, Anthropology, LA Museum of Natural History |
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October 15 | Carpinteria Salt Marsh Reserve Do parasites run the natural reserve system? Dr. Kevin Lafferty,Marine Ecologist, Western Ecological Research Center, US Geological Survey Principal Investigator, Marine Science Institute, UCSB |
UC Santa Barbara Natural Reserve System Seminar Series
Renaming Controversial Mountain Peaks
Capradio reports on how “Some Controversial Monuments Come Down Overnight, But Others — Like A Mountain Peak — Take Years To Rename”
On July 9, 2020, the U.S. Board on Geographic Names approved renaming Jeff Davis Peak “Sentinel Rock,” with the larger geographic landmark named “Da-ek Dow Go-et Mountain.” The approval was the final hurdle to changing the name.
Read about the story of changing this peak and others at Some Controversial Monuments Come Down Overnight, But Others — Like A Mountain Peak — Take Years To Rename – capradio.org
National Forest Closures
The following National Forests are closed thru Oct. 8,2020. It is not permissible to be in any of these lands including roads and trails.
- Angeles National Forest
- Cleveland National Forest
- Los Padres National Forest
- San Bernardino National Foreste
- Inyo National Forest
- SequoiaNational Forest
- Sierra National Forest
Posted in Park | Tags: National Forest Closures
An Early Look at Lightning Fire Damage in Bay Area Parks
Bay Nature reports
Close to a million acres have burned in the greater Bay Area in the last six weeks, including hundreds of thousands of acres in public parks and protected open spaces. As the Glass Fire continues to burn through several state and regional parks, as well as residential and agricultural areas in Napa and Sonoma counties, land managers and stewards have begun to assess the ecological effects of the massive lightning-ignited SCU, CZU, and LNU Lightning Complex fires.
Read article at An Early Look at Lightning Fire Damage in Bay Area Parks – Bay Nature
Posted in Park | Tags: Lightning Fire Damage in Bay Area Parks
Job and Internship Opportunities: U. S. Fish & Wildlife
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is sharing links to our lists of career and internship opportunities, along with other information of interest to potential applicants.
Career VacanciesTo view and apply for FWS positions, please click here: FWS Vacancy Announcements. If you have a question about a specific position vacancy, please contact the Human Resources point of contact listed at the bottom of the announcement. For more information about FWS job and internship opportunities, please visit our FWS Recruitment Opportunities page. You can also find career spotlights about many of our careers and others within the Department of the Interior here. |
InternshipsStudents interested in wildlife conservation and stewardship are encouraged to apply for our paid internships through our partnership organizations. Opportunities with FWS and other conservation agencies throughout the country can be found on the following partner’s websites:
*You will need to use the agency filter to see our internships offered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. |
Administrative Officers and Budget Analysts
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has a multitude of mission-support employees working on things like information technology, human resources, general reception duties, budget, contracting and more. Administrative Officers (Series: 0341) and Budget Analysts (Series: 0560) are among the most numerous. Here are the duties encompassed in those positions:
- Work with regional leadership to develop substantive, long range administrative program plans, goals, and objectives (budget, personnel, etc.)
- Formulate administrative policies and procedures
- Evaluate program business operations
- Monitor Service compliance related to financial management activities, identifies areas of concern, and coordinates corrective actions as needed.
- Recommend plans and policy guidelines or changes to improve budget operations to management.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: U. S. Fish & Wildlife Internships, U. S. Fish & Wildlife Jobs
Webinar: Celebration of Fall Planting Season
CNPS Yerba Buena Fall Gardening WEBAGANZA: A Webinar Celebration of Fall Planting Season
October 4, 2020, 10 AM Registration link here
Enjoy talks on native plant pruning, container gardening, gardening for birds and pollinators and more. Mark your calendars for October 4, 10am.
- 10am-10:10am Welcome and Introductions
- 10:10am-10:50am Pete Veilleux,. Native Plant Container Gardening
- 10:50am-11:15am Allison Levin, Aesthetic Pruning In Habitat Gardens
- 11:15am-11:55 Matt Zlatunich, Urban Wildscaping For Birds
- 11:55-Noon Noreen Weeden, “Plants For Birds” Nursery Promotion
- Noon-12:30pm Mike Belcher, Pipevine Planting Demonstration
- 12:30 -1pm Susan Karasoff, Edible Natives for San Francisco
Posted in Birds, Garden, Talks, Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Native Plant Gardening
Inyo National Forest Partially Re-opening
Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: Inyo National Forest
COVID-19 can’t stop fall plant sales in Southern California
The LA Times reported
Fall plant sales are popular in Southern California, but many have been canceled this year due to the pandemic. However, we found five events that are soldiering on.
Read article for details on the five sales at COVID-19 can’t stop fall plant sales in Southern California – Los Angeles Times
Posted in Garden | Tags: California Native Plant Sales
Lights Out For the Birds
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Posted in Birds | Tags: LIghts Out for the Birds
California Bans Harmful Rodenticides
from Golden Gate Audubon
Thanks to you and your phone calls, emails, and letters, Governor Newsom signed AB 1788 on September 29th! We are thrilled with this win for children, pets, and wildlife, and very grateful to Assemblymember Richard Bloom for his years of persistence in tackling this issue!
AB 1788 will prevent more poisonings by strongly curbing the use of second generation anticoagulant rodenticides (with some exceptions) until the California Department of Pesticide Regulation finishes its reevaluation, a process put in motion by a lawsuit filed by RATS in 2018 under the California Environmental Quality Act. You can send the Governor a note of thanks for signing this important bill here.
Posted in Animals, Birds | Tags: California Rodenticides Ban
Bay Nature Talks
Infectious Disease and the Environment Tuesday, October 6th, 4-5 p.m.
the history of plague in the Bay Area, its movement from wildlife to humans back to wildlife, and what we can learn about COVID-19 from the 120-year history of plague in the West. To sign up go to Register
They have links and descriptions for past talks at Bay Nature Talks –
- River Otters
- Tidepools
- Journey of Trees
See links and descriptions at Bay Nature Talks –
Posted in Animals, Environment, Talks | Tags: Bay Nature Talks
Virtual Star Parties
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Posted in Astronomy | Tags: Virtual Star Parties
Sequoia National Park reopens today Oct. 1
Posted in Park | Tags: Sequoia National Park
Protect The Environment
Vote to Protect the Environment
Posted in Environment | Tags: Human Pollution
Regional Parks Botanic Garden Photos 9/29/20
Photos from a visit to the Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park in Berkeley. It is a botanic garden of California native plants. The garden is open for visitors Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free but reservations are required. For reservations click here.
You can see other photos from the Regional Parks Botanic Garden on the garden’s Flickr group page at Regional Parks Botanic Garden.
Fall Colors in Mono County 9/29/20
Mono county has just posted a new fall color report at Fall Colors in Mono County – Mono County Tourism and Film Commission
Posted in Fall Foliage | Tags: California Fall Color, Mono County Fall Color
Beautiful fall colors come early for unfortunate reason
CNN has a video on drought and fall colors in Maine
The trees in Maine have already begun to turn lovely fall colors, but experts say a statewide drought is affecting timing
See Video at Beautiful fall colors come early for unfortunate reason – CNN Video
Posted in Fall Foliage | Tags: Maine Fall Color
Yosemite To End Day Use Reservation System on November 1, 2020
Yosemite National Park is announcing modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state public health authorities, as the park continues to increase public access and services. The NPS is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.
Yosemite National Park will be modifying park operations beginning on November 1, 2020, ending the day use reservation system that has been in place since the park reopened in June.
Posted in Park | Tags: Yosemite Reservation System
Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo Remains Federally Protected
Audubon reports
In 2019, groups representing mining and other industries petitioned for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to remove Endangered Species Act protections from the Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo, part of a coordinated attempt to chip away at the 1973 law species by species. In response to these efforts, nearly 25,000 Audubon advocates submitted comments to the USFWS urging them to continue protecting the Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo.
We are happy to report that the USFWS announced their finding on the petition to remove the distinct population segment (DPS) of the Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. The USFWS notice states, “After a thorough review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that it is not warranted at this time to delist the DPS of the western yellow-billed cuckoo.”
Posted in Birds | Tags: Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo
The Go-away birds
The Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology has interesting article on the Go-away Birds
The Go-away birds, Corythaixoides, are a genus in the turaco family (Musophagidae). Unlike many of the brighter forest-dwelling turacos, these are birds of African open country and have drab grey and white plumage.
These birds get their common name from their typical calls. These include a series of grumpy yelps, and the classic nasal “go-waaay” call.
Listen to the birds and read the article at The Go-away birds
Posted in Birds | Tags: Go-away Birds
Today Is Yosemite’s Birthday
from Yosemite National Park
On September 28, 1984 the California Wilderness act was passed, designating over 3 million acres of wilderness within the state of California, including the Yosemite Wilderness, for protection from commercial gain, development, and overuse. The initial Wilderness Act of 1964 allowed for these future additions to the National Wilderness Preservation System. Today, nearly 95% (704,624 acres) of Yosemite is designated wilderness for visitors around the world to enjoy a piece of solitude and adventure.
Posted in Park | Tags: Yosemite National Park
Update on Pt. Reyes Fire Lighthouse area
Posted in Park | Tags: Pt. Reyes Fire Lighthouse area
UC-Berkeley Botanical Garden Workshops & Zoom Presentations
Upcoming Virtual Workshops and Free Zoom Presentation at the UC-Berkeley Botanical Garden
- The Science Behind Forest Restoration in the Sierra Nevada
Thursday, October 1 | 1 – 2 pm
- FULL: Blooming-in-Place: Contemplative Photography with Becky Jaffe
Tuesdays, October 6, 13, 20, 27 | 1:30 – 3 pm
- “The Forests of California” Artist talk and book release with Obi Kaufmann
Thursday, October 8 | 1 – 2 pm
- Botanical Art: Painting Fall Leaves with Catherine Watters
Friday, October 9 | 10 am – 3 pm
- FAMILY PROGRAM | The Apple: Flower to Fruit Botany and Crafts
Saturday, October 17 | 10 – 10:45 pm
- Virtual Cider Tasting with Redfield Cider Bar and Bottle Shop
Sunday, October 18 | 4 – 5 pm
- Butterflies of the UC Botanical Garden
Sunday, October 25| 11 am – 12 pm
For details and registration go to Seasonal Programs & Workshops – UC Botanical Garden
Posted in Class/Workshop, Talks
Where to find the best fall color in Northern California & Bay Area
The San Francisco Chronicle has an an article on where to the best fall foliage within driving distance of the Bay Area
Although the colors will never be as wide-ranging as the fall foliage on display in New England, California has plenty of autumn leaves worth celebrating.
Read article at Where to find the prettiest fall foliage in Northern California and Bay Area – SFGate
Posted in Fall Foliage | Tags: California Fall Color, California Fall Foliage
The Ecological Role of Fire
Old Flames: The Tangled History of Forest Fires, Wildlife, and People |
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With wildfires on the mind, it’s important to learn as much as you can about the ecological role of fire historically and today. Check out this must-read article in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Living Bird by Hugh Powell from last year. It’s a fascinating investigative piece that may give you some new perspective on how and why our forests burn. Read this in-depth article here!
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Posted in Environment | Tags: Ecological Role of Fire
Crews Respond To Brush Fire Near Point Reyes Lighthouse
Patch reports
A two-acre fire was burning toward the ocean near the lighthouse at Point Reyes National Seashore, the National Park Service unit reported Sunday afternoon.
Firefighters from the Marin County Fire Department and first responders assigned to the Woodward Fire were deployed. An air tanker was also sent to help suppress the brush fire.
Posted in Park | Tags: Pt. Reyes Fire
Berkeley Yard Photos September 26, 2020
Photos taken in my yard on September 26,2020.
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 which includes the following albums
- Berkeley and Albany Street Photos
- Yard Photos
- UC – Berkeley Forest Science Tree Trail
- Berkeley Hills
- Rockridge and Claremont-Elmwood Street Photos
Posted in Garden, Photos (Sandy's), Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Berkeley Street Photos, Flowers
50 % of All Forests are Gone
Posted in Environment | Tags: Forest Loss
Today Is National Public Lands Day
National Public Lands Day is organized annually by the National Environmental Education Foundation, in cooperation with Department of the Interior, Department of the Army, and Department of Agriculture. The National Park Service is one of the event’s largest providers of sites and volunteers. Other participating federal agencies include the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, US Forest Service, and US Army Corps of Engineers.
Read more at National Public Lands Day – NPS Celebrates! (U.S. National Park Service)
Posted in Park | Tags: National Public Lands Day
Just paint a wind turbine blade to save birds and bats
Anthropocene reports
A small study in Norway showed that painting one blade of a wind turbine black reduced bird mortality by over 70%.
Read story at Just paint a wind turbine blade to save birds and bats
Posted in Birds | Tags: Bats Wind Turbines, Bird
Natural History Wanderings 