The New York Times reports

The hunting technique involves coating branches with glue to trap songbirds, which are caged to attract additional birds that can then be killed.

Activists have condemned it as cruel to the animals and harmful to the environment, and such practices have been banned in all European Union countries except France, which created a workaround to allow hunters to continue its use.

This week, France said that it, too, was temporarily banning the practice — a move that follows mounting pressure from conservationists, a complaint to the European Court of Justice, and a threat from the European Union’s executive body in July that the country faced legal action if the glue traps were not banned within three months.

Read full article at France Prohibits a Bird Hunting Technique, 41 Years After an E.U. Ban – The New York Times

Los Padres ForestWatch

the U.S. Forest Service announced plans to make it easier for companies to drill for oil on national forest lands. The proposed regulations—which would apply to the Los Padres National Forest in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties—would eliminate requirements for public notice, skip important environmental studies, weaken oversight and compliance, and limit forest officials’ ability to deny oil leases on federal land.

Read more at Trump Administration Proposes Rollback of Oil Drilling Regulations in National Forests

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 3, 2020

Pt. Reyes Woodward Fire Update 9/3/20

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 3, 2020

Celebrating Women Who Love & Preserve the Land & Water

Pt. Reyes recent published a link to an article by Clare Miller Watsky about women conservationists of the Bay Area in the 1930s to 1970s at Little Old Ladies in Tennis Shoes: Heroes of the Conservation Movement in the San Francisco Bay Area 1930s to 1970s

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 2, 2020

Help Save Pt. Molate

from the East Bay Chapter of the CNPS

On Tuesday evening, September 8, the Richmond City Council is holding an important public hearing on SunCal’s plan to cut Point Molate’s hillsides into pads for over 1,000 high-end condos. Please take a moment to let the council know that there is a better way. The public hearing is the city’s last step before the project goes to a vote of the council.

The publicly owned shoreline uplands of Point Molate represent one of the Bay Area’s last remaining shoreline open spaces. Point Molate’s shoreline and hillsides have long been identified for a regional park site due their natural beauty, cultural and economic history, and location near Richmond’s downtown neighborhoods.

The Pt. Molate Alliance and the San Francisco Bay Chapter of the Sierra Club have assembled an easy way to contact the Richmond City Council ahead of the September 8 hearing. Visit the Point Molate Alliance’s “Take Action” page for more information.

Read More…

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 2, 2020

Pt. Reyes Woodward Fire & Smoke Update 9/2/20

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 2, 2020

A Bear goes ‘shopping’

SF Gate has a video and story about a bear that goes shopping in a Safeway at Lake Tahoe at Bear goes ‘shopping’ at Lake Tahoe grocery store – SFGate

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 2, 2020

California Biodiversity Day 2020

California Biodiversity Day takes place on September 7th of each year, marking the anniversary of the launch of the California Biodiversity Initiative in 2018. This annual event celebrates our state’s exceptional biodiversity, while also encouraging actions to protect it. This year, we are excited to have many partners joining us to host California Biodiversity Day events from September 5 to September 13. Please check out the events to see how you can participate in celebrating California Biodiversity Day 2020! at California Biodiversity Day 2020

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 1, 2020

Visual Guides to the Plants of California

Did you know the Jepson Herbarium began a youtube series www.youtube.com/c/Jepsonherbarium? The Jepson Videos: Visual Guides to the Plants of California are 2–3 minute videos where you can learn about a different native species in each one.

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 1, 2020

Fall Golden Gate Audubon Classes Registration Opens Today

This fall, Golden Gate Audubon Society will offer our popular adult-education courses. Our classes will be held in an online format via Zoom. We have some exciting new classes in the lineup this year, including Writing About Birds and Introduction to Bird Vocalizations.

Registration opens today, September 1st. Different classes have different registration times. For more information about our classes, including links to register, please click here. If you have any questions, you can call our office at (510) 843-2222. We will return your call as soon as possible.

If you are interested in any of the classes register as soon as you can as many of them fill quickly.

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 1, 2020

Virtual Native Plants Events

UPCOMING (All times are PDT)

September 2, 7 pm Virtual Presentation – New Calflora Tools for CNPS Users – Redbud Chapter

September 3, 7:30 pm Restoring Urban Nature: A 21st Century Necessity with Jonathan Young – Yerba Buena Chapter

September 5-13 California Biodiversity Day Celebration – CNPS and Partners

September 9, 7 pm “Putting Passion into Action: Advocating for What We Love.” – Redbud Chapter

September 12, 12 pm “Botanizing Nevada and Placer Counties.” – Redbud Chapter

September 16, 7 pm Redbud Chapter Meeting-learn how to get involved

September 19, 12 pm “What Makes Native Gardening Special?” – Redbud Chapter

September 23, 7 pm “Rainwater Harvesting and Rainscaping Strategies for Healthy Watersheds.” – Redbud Chapter

September 26, 1 pm Shade Gardening with California Native Plants – SF Library/Yerba Buena Chapter

Click Read more to see RECORDED PAST EVENTS

Read More…

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 1, 2020

Birding Big Year Zoom Presentation Sept. 3

This Thursday, September 3rd from 7:30-9 pm, GGAS’s Eric Schroeder will share stories from his Big Year 2019 courtesy of Mt. Diablo Audubon Society’s monthly presentation program. In 2019, Eric decided he would use his birding trips to fundraise for the Golden Gate Audubon Society. He set two goals for himself: to see 1,000 different species of birds and to raise $5,000 for GGAS. In his talk, he’ll share photos of many of the species he saw on his adventures and recount some of the birding highlights of his Big Year. You can read more about Eric’s talk on the Mt. Diablo Audubon website by clicking here.

Below is the Zoom information necessary to sign into Eric’s presentation:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83237942592?pwd=UTRLa2VXaHBZRk9TSHNObFhHbzFXdz09

Passcode: 051073

Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):

US: +1 408 638 0968  or +1 669 900 6833  or +1 253 215 8782  or +1 346 248 7799  or +1 301 715 8592  or +1 312 626 6799  or +1 646 876 9923

Webinar ID: 832 3794 2592  Passcode: 051073

International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kwnkZmSrf

 

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 1, 2020

Pt. Reyes Woodward Fire & Smoke Update 9/1/20

Smoke Outlook for 9/1 – 9/2 #WoodwardFire
Smoke from the Woodward fire and numerous regional fires are impacting the forecast area. Expect haze and periods of dense smoke to be in the forecast for the near future.
Fire activity on the Woodward Fire yesterday remained moderate. If conditions allow, burnout operations are planned again for today. Total acreage is 4499 with 25% containment. For detailed fire information on the Woodward Fire: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7062
This forecast area is experiencing smoke impacts from the northern fires as well as from the Woodward fire. Yesterday’s air quality in Novato was very unhealthy with periods of hazardous. Unfortunately this pattern will likely persist through tomorrow. Communities near the fire and the Lucas Valley area will also see periods of dense smoke. The Bay area saw mostly moderate air quality yesterday with periods of USG and can expect similar impacts today and tomorrow.
In areas experiencing sustained dense smoke even healthy people may start feeling effects from the smoke. Limit outdoor activities and look out for one another.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 1, 2020

Zoom: Restoring Urban Nature: A 21st Century Necessity 9/3/20 7:30pm

Restoring Urban Nature: A 21st Century Necessity  September 3, THURSDAY, 7:30pm

Speaker: Jonathan Young Get The Zoom Meeting Link Here

The global human population is increasingly more urban than rural. Traditional urban development notoriously changed the natural landscape in many ways resulting in the reduction and/or loss of the natural environment. Contemporary science has been showing the importance of healthy environments in terms of human benefits, such as clean water and improved mental health. The conservation of nature was traditionally viewed as remote from these urban centers… out of sight and out of mind, with only the privileged few able to visit distant “nature.” Restoring and conserving urban nature is a 21st-century concept intended to bridge the disconnect of people and the natural world, improve quality of life for local residents, and bring conservation action and education to these peoples in the hopes of fostering a more environmentally literate community while instilling a deeper sense of place. This talk will focus on these ideas through the lens of wildlife in San Francisco’s Presidio national park.

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 31, 2020

Bay Nature Zoom Talk: River Otters September 3 to 4 p.m.

Join Megan Isadore, co-founder and executive director of River Otter Ecology Project, for a fun and inspiring presentation about river otters and the important role that community science played in changing their range map in California. Megan will share a fascinating series of photos and videos exploring how otters behave when we’re not looking. She’ll also discuss the impact of wildfires on river otters and what we know about their conditions during the current fires.

Register here

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 31, 2020

Pt. Reyes: Woodward Fire Update 8/31/20

For those looking for more infomation about the #WoodwardFire:
Public Inquiries:
 (415) 473-7191 [recorded updates]
 (415) 851-9970 [staffed phone, 8am-8pm PDT]
Media Inquiries:
 (415) 851-9941
Email questions to:
2020.woodward@firenet.gov
Inciweb:
Facebook:
PointReyesNPS
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 31, 2020

Winners of Desert Haiku Contest

See the winners of the Anza-Borrego Foundation Desert Haiku contest at Desert Haiku Winners

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 31, 2020

Practicing Coastal Cleanup at Home

The California Coast  California Coastal Cleanup 2020 (Statewide) talks about how to practice this year’s coastal cleanup during pandemic in your own neighborhood.

Clean your neighborhoods, local parks, streets, and storm drains for this year’s Coastal Cleanup. Trash travels through storm drains, creeks, and rivers to become beach and ocean pollution. Help clean the beach by picking up litter in your community with your household.
Cleanups are happening every Saturday in September. If Saturdays don’t work for you, don’t let that stop you! You can clean up any day, any time. If you report your cleanup to your local coordinator and/or record it on the CleanSwell app, all cleanups in September will be included as part of Coastal Cleanup Month.
For safety reasons, there are no large, centrally organized cleanup sites this year. Instead, cleanups will be self-guided and close to home. Practice physical distancing, and strictly follow both local ordinances and this safety document. To learn more about cleanup efforts near you, contact your local county coordinator.
Remember, beach cleanups start at your door. Thank you for staying safe, cleaning your neighborhoods, and protecting the coast!
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 30, 2020

Homestead Valley Land Trust Wildflowers August 29, 2020

Homestead Valley has a new wildflower update. See photos and maps at August 29, 2020

NEW
– Common California aster is blooming purple on tall stalks in meadows.
– Coyote brush, one of the most common shrubs in the Land Trust, is blooming with different, cream flowers on male and female bushes.
– Kellogg’s yampah is blooming with white umbels on tall stalks in meadows.
– Rosilla with its backward facing petals, is blooming in seeps.

Read More…

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 30, 2020

Pt. Reyes: Woodward Fire Update 8/30/20

For those looking for more infomation about the #WoodwardFire:
Public Inquiries:
 (415) 473-7191 [recorded updates]
 (415) 851-9970 [staffed phone, 8am-8pm PDT]
Media Inquiries:
 (415) 851-9941
Email questions to:
2020.woodward@firenet.gov
Inciweb:
Facebook:
PointReyesNPS
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 30, 2020

Photos of Fruits in my Yard August 29, 2020

Photographed in my yard on August 29, 2020. As the flowering season has started to slow down I have been observing the the plants in my yard putting out fruits, nuts and catkins.

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

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 30, 2020

17 Learning Tools For Your Next Outdoor Excursion

The New York Times has a list of apps, podcasts and websites will help you figure out what’s going on in the great outdoors at 17 Learning Tools For Your Next Outdoor Excursion – The New York Times

Channel Island Restoration is hiring multiple Habitat Restoration Landscape Workers. This is an on-call position. We anticipate 30-40 hours per week between October 2020 and June 2021. However, we do not promise a minimum number of hours.
During this pandemic, we have implemented additional safety precautions including social distancing, dedicated separate equipment for each worker, disinfection of equipment, frequent hand washing, and more. All staff must have access to their own transportation as carpooling is no longer permitted.
To see  the entire job description  and apply visit our website, and apply per the instructions listed at https://cirweb.org/restoration-technician

 

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 29, 2020

Pt. Reyes: Woodward Fire Update 8/29/20

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 29, 2020

Grants Available For California Lichen Research

The California Lichen Society offers small grants to support research pertaining to the lichens of California. No geographical constraints are placed on grantees or their associated institutions, as long as their research or activities are connected to California lichenology. The grant application process is very straightforward; except for the letters of support, it is possible to complete an application in two hours or less. Required information includes project title, description, time frame, budget, academic status, and two letters of support.
 
Applications are reviewed anonymously by members of the grants committee based on completeness, technical quality, consistency with CALS goals, intended use of funds, and likelihood of completion. Grant proposals received by November 1 each year will be considered for that year’s grant cycle. Typically grants are awarded to two separate individuals, however depending on the quality of the applications and the amount of funding available, the committee maintains the option to disburse funds as appropriate. All grants are partially dependent on member contributions, therefore the amounts of these awards may vary from year to year. The total amount of funding available for 2020 is $1750.

The application instructions can be read online or downloaded from

 CALS Grants Program | California Lichen Socitey (CALS)

Obligations of recipients: 1) Acknowledge the California Lichen Society in any reports, publications, or other products resulting from the work supported by CALS. 2) Submit an article to the Bulletin of the California Lichen Society. 3) Submit any relevant rare lichen data to California Natural Diversity Data Base using NDDB’s field survey forms.

Please email proposals/applications or questions to the committee Chair at grants@californialichens.org by November 1 of the current calendar year. The grants Chair is Rikke Reese Naesborg.

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 29, 2020

Is it possible to hear meteors? 

EarthSky

Can you hear a meteor as it streaks overhead? Some people have reported hearing meteors with a sizzling sound like bacon frying. Scientists now say you can, and explain how it happens.

Read article at  Is it possible to hear meteors? | Space | EarthSky

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 28, 2020

California State Parks Closures Due to Wildfires

California State Park News Release

California State Parks issued full or partial closures today for more than two dozen parks due to the ongoing wildfires burning across much of the state. Camping reservation holders impacted by the wildfires are being contacted with cancellation information. Some parks remain partially open but with limited services.

See full list of full and partial park closures at State Parks Issues Full, Partial Closures of Park Units Due to Ongoing Wildfires

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 28, 2020

Sequoia & Kings Canyon Report Unhealthy Air Quality

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks report

Thinking of coming to Sequoia and Kings Canyon soon? Due to the fires throughout California, the air quality in these parks has been consistently rated as unhealthy for everyone over the last several weeks. Exposure can lead to health risks, especially for those in at-risk groups. Unfortunately, the air quality is unlikely to improve until the fires are contained. The first photo shows what the air looked like from Giant Forest webcam on 8/26. In the second photo you can compare a clear day and a day with poor air quality. Did you notice that current conditions are even worse than a typical bad visibility day?
If you plan on visiting, and wonder what current conditions are like, we recommend checking the air quality in real time through our online webcam located at Giant Forest: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/air/webcams.htm?site=seki

 

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 28, 2020

Pt. Reyes: Woodward Fire Update 8/28/20

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 28, 2020

Park Service Sanctions Killing Bear Cubs & Wolf Pups

Defenders of Wildlife Report

“The National Park Service is now overtly sanctioning the killing of defenseless bear cubs and wolf pups in their dens; the exact opposite of what most believe is ‘fair chase.’ This controversial practice is extreme and wholly inconsistent with the Park Service’s mission to conserve wildlife and wild places. We are suing to protect Alaska’s irreplaceable wildlife and hold the National Park Service accountable to their conservation mission.” – Jamie Rappaport Clark, our president and CEO. Read more: https://dfnd.us/31tydiv

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