I recently published a link to the winners of the 2020 Audubon Photography Awards Audubon has now posted the top 100 submissions at The 2020 Audubon Photography Awards: Top 100 | Audubon
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 13, 2020
More 2020 Audubon Photography Awards: Top 100
Posted in Birds, Photography | Tags: 2020 Audubon Photography Awards
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 13, 2020
California State Parks Update
The New York Times has an update on visiting California State Parks. Here are a few excerpts:
While many of California’s national and state parks are open to the public, there’s a caveat: Visitors still have to social distance, although wide open spaces may make that easier. And just because the scenery has changed, you should take the same health precautions that you would at home, like washing your hands regularly and not traveling if you’re feeling ill.
Campgrounds in 80 state parks are currently open, and most of California’s national parks are open to visitors, with limitations.
Californians are still discouraged from traveling significant distances for recreation, so it’s best to also choose a park that’s close to home.
Read full article at Are California State Parks Open During the Pandemic? – The New York Times
Posted in Park | Tags: California State Parks
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 13, 2020
Coronavirus Pandemic Halts Climate Data Collection
NPR reports
The pandemic has hindered climate data collection from ships and buoys in the oceans. The U.N. warns it could negatively affect climate models’ accuracy unless scientists find new ways to gather data.
Learn more at Coronavirus Pandemic Halts Climate Data Collection : NPR
Posted in Environment | Tags: Climate change
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 12, 2020
California State Parks Accepting Applications for Round 4 of the Competitive Statewide Park Program
California State Parks News Release
California State Parks is now accepting applications for Round 4 of the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Grant Program funded by Proposition 68. A total of $395.3 million in competitive grant funding is available to cities, counties, nonprofit organizations, local districts and joint powers authorities to create new parks and recreational opportunities in underserved communities across California.
In 2018, the State of California invested in the largest grant funding for critically underserved communities with the passage of Proposition 68: California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection and Outdoor Access for All Act. Recognizing the need for underserved communities to have equitable access to outdoor recreation, the bond also provides funds for new parks, aging infrastructure, amenities and improvements to parks that will help attract new and diverse visitors.
Read more California State Parks Accepting Applications for Round 4 of the Competitive Statewide Park Program
Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: California State Parks Grants
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 12, 2020
Berkeley Street Photos 7/11/20
Photographed in the North Berkeley Flatlands on July 11, 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
Posted in Photos (Sandy's) | Tags: Berkeley Street Photos, Flowers
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 12, 2020
CNPS Upcoming Virtual Events and Past Events
July 14, 7 pm Presenter Nick Jensen, CNPS Lead Conservation Scientist re: Conservation – Mt. Lassen Chapter
July 16, 7pm The Flora of Caspers Wilderness Park – Orange County and San Diego Chapter
July 28, 7 pm. Presenters Maya Argaman & Ann-Marie Benz, CNPS Horticultural Outreach Coordinator re: Lawn to Natives Mt. Lassen Chapter
August 6, 7:30 pm Biggests and Smallests with Kipp McMichael – Yerba Buena Chapter
August 12, 7 pm Presenter Andrea Williams, CNPS Director of Plant Science re: California Vegetation Treatment Program – Mt. Lassen Chapter
August 26, 7 pm Presenter Tom Carlberg, Lichenologist – Mt. Lassen Chapter
September 3, 7:30 pm Restoring Urban Nature: A 21st Century Necessity with Jonathan Young – Yerba Buena Chapter
RECORDED PAST EVENTS
June 2019:
The Pipevine and the Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly with Hesh Kaplan – Mt. Lassen Chapter
Juggling Jewelflowers with Justen Whittal, PhD – SCV Chapter
Juneteenth: Let’s Take It Outside Virtual Town Hall
New Calflora Tools for CNPS Users with Cynthia Powell – Mt. Lassen Chapter
Michael Viramontes on The Rare Sand Dunes of the Inland Empire – River and Lands Conservancy
Dudleya Conservation-In Vitro Propagation to Combat Plant Poaching and Extinction – SD Chapter
Posted in Talks, Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: CNPS Virtual Events
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 11, 2020
Fed. Court Rejects EPA Giving “Free Pass” to Colorado Oil & Gas
Center for Biological Diversity New Release
A federal appeals court today rejected the Environmental Protection Agency’s attempt to let some Colorado oil and gas operations off the hook for their contribution to asthma-causing smog in the Metro-Denver and Front Range region.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled that by omitting northern Weld County from the smog clean-up area, the EPA illegally allowed companies operating hundreds, if not thousands, of oil and gas wells to avoid reducing pollution known to be a major cause of the region’s chronic smog problem.
Posted in Environment | Tags: EPA, Pollution, Smog
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 11, 2020
Berkeley Street Photos 7/10/20
Photographed in the North Berkeley Flatlands on July 10, 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
Posted in Photos (Sandy's) | Tags: Berkeley Street Photos, Flowers
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 11, 2020
Carson Pass Station Probably Won’t Open This Year
Carson Pass Station reports
Carson Pass Station will most likely not open this season 
if it does it will be on a limited basis. For camping inside Carson Pass Management Area (CPMA), 3 sites at Lake Winnemucca, 5 sites at Round Top Lake and 6 sites at Fourth of July Lake please call on the Monday prior to your visit (209) 268-0165
if it does it will be on a limited basis. For camping inside Carson Pass Management Area (CPMA), 3 sites at Lake Winnemucca, 5 sites at Round Top Lake and 6 sites at Fourth of July Lake please call on the Monday prior to your visit (209) 268-0165For other information you can call 209 259-3774 , or click on the link. https://www.fs.usda.gov/eldorado/
Overnight stays in the Mokelumne Wilderness outside of the CPMA, require a permit that you can fill out yourself at https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd754168.pdf
See a easier post by clicking read more
Posted in Park | Tags: Carson Pass Station
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 11, 2020
Death Valley to reach 126 F this Weekend
Death Valley National Park reports
Excessive heat is expected this weekend, with temperatures reaching up to 126°F! While this isn’t close to the highest temperature recorded in the world (set on this day here in 1913 at 134°F), visitors should still take precautions when visiting the park.
Plan on seeing most of the park from the cool breeze of your car’s air conditioning! Drink plenty of water, and bring extra water in your vehicle. Hiking isn’t recommended at low elevation, even in the morning–the low temperatures are forecasted at around 97°F.
Posted in Park | Tags: Death Valley
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 11, 2020
Federal Court Hold Logging in Tongass National Forest
EarthJustice New Release
A federal court opinion issued today vacates a U.S. Forest Service plan to log centuries-old trees across a 1.8-million-acre project area on Prince of Wales Island, in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest. The ruling spells out the consequences for the Forest Service’s failure to adhere to environmental laws that require public participation, following a March decision where the Court ruled that the Forest Service had illegally approved the timber sale.
Posted in Uncategorized
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 11, 2020
One third of all Lemurs on the Brink of Extinction
The BBC reports
A third of all the lemur species on Earth are “one step from extinction”.
This is according to the latest update of the Red List, the comprehensive, continually updated report on the status of species.
Human activities, particularly deforestation and hunting, drive the declines in these unique primates.
Read more at Extinction: One third of all lemurs ‘on the brink’ – BBC News
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 10, 2020
Upcoming Webinars: Marine Protected Areas and Farallons
Beyond Polarization: Learning from the Unlikely Story of California’s Marine Protected Areas
July 15, 2020 10:00 AM PST
Hosts: Steven Yaffee of the University of Michigan and Kaitilin Gaffney of the Resources Legacy Fund
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Slow Poison: Killing Zone on Our Farallon Islands?
July 14, 2020 1:00 PM PST Host: Save the Farallones
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Farallon Islands Mouse Eradication Program
July 16, 2020 6:00 PM PST Host: Marin Audubon Society
Posted in Talks | Tags: Farallones, Marine Protected Areas
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 10, 2020
UC Botanical Garden – Reopening Update
The Garden is open by reservation only
Garden Members only Tuesday, July 14 to Monday, July 20
Public Beginning Wednesday, July 22
Modified Hours: Open Daily, 12 – 5 pm
Nursery Hours:
Open daily, 12 – 4 pm with admission
Public Nursery-only Open Hours: Saturdays and Sundays, July 18 to August 9, 10 – 11:30 am
Plants for sale on the Tour Deck with a focus on California natives, cacti, and succulents.
Temporarily Closed:
- Indoor Garden Shop
- Redwood Grove
- Glasshouses
- Water Fountain
- Picnic Tables
Please note that there will be path disruptions throughout the Garden, as we manage visitation flow and allow for important horticultural projects.
Restrooms, benches, and water bottle filling stations will be available
For information on how to make a reservation and guidelines for visiting the garden go to Reopening During COVID – UC Botanical Garden
Posted in Garden | Tags: UC-Berkeley Botanical Garden
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 10, 2020
Right Whales Decline as Deadly Entanglements Continue
Center for Biological Diversity New Release
GLAND, Switzerland— North Atlantic right whales are moving closer to extinction, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) declared today in an update to its “Red List of Threatened Species.” The large whales found off the East Coast of the United States and Canada are declining because of entanglements in commercial fishing gear and ship strikes.
Today’s announcement follows President Trump’s June 5 executive order allowing commercial fishing in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, which could increase the entanglement threat to right whales, as well as the administration’s 2019 rollback of key regulations intended to protect endangered species.
“Entanglements and ship strikes are pushing these amazing animals to the brink of extinction,” said Kristen Monsell, legal director of the Center for Biological Diversity’s oceans program. “The United States and Canada must do more to protect whales from speeding ships and slow, painful deaths in fishing gear.”
North Atlantic right whales, which can reach 55 feet long and weigh up to 70 tons, are among the rarest whales on Earth.
The new IUCN assessment deems right whales “critically endangered,” IUCN’s most serious category of risk. The assessment estimates there are roughly 400 animals left, fewer than 250 of which are mature.. It lists ship strikes and entanglement as the primary threats to the species, and notes that climate change is exacerbating such risks by pushing the animals into new habitat areas as they follow their food.
In April the Center and allies won a lawsuit against the National Marine Fisheries Service for its failure to adequately protect right whales from entanglements in U.S. lobster gear. The parties are now filing legal briefs to settle on the appropriate remedy.
The Center and allies have also been urging the Canadian government to protect right whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and other Canadian waters from ship strikes and entanglements in snow crab and other commercial fishing gear.
“We should be closing more right whale habitat to fishing, speeding the transition to ropeless gear and requiring large ships to slow down,” Monsell said. “These are some common-sense measures both U.S. and Canadian officials should adopt to save these beautiful whales.”
Posted in Animals | Tags: Right Whales
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 9, 2020
Animal Habitat Loss May Lead to More Disease – updated
NPR reports
More diseases that pass from animals to humans, such as COVID-19, are likely to emerge as animals lose their habitats, says a new United Nations report. But don’t stress about whether or not to give your dog the belly rub she has been asking for all day. The animals most likely to harbor zoonotic diseases are rodents, bats, carnivores and nonhuman primates, with livestock acting as a bridge for transmission between the animal hosts and humans. OK, so maybe don’t pet the family cow, pig or sheep until after the pandemic.
Source for post was Animal Habitat Loss May Lead to More Disease – NPR
For more on this issue at CNBC Wildlife habitat destruction and deforestation will cause more deadly pandemics like coronavirus, scientists warn
at ScienceDaily Habitat loss linked to global emergence of infectious disease
Posted in Animals, Environment | Tags: Habitat Loss and Disease
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 9, 2020
The 2020 Audubon Photography Awards Winners
See the winners of the 2020Audubon Photography Awards at The 2020Audubon Photography Awards: Winners | Audubon
Posted in Photography | Tags: Audubon Photography Awards
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 8, 2020
Xerces Society Webinars
Looking to expand your understanding of bumble bee ecology, identifying beneficial insects, creating habitat in small urban spaces, or managing pests in your garden? We are hosting a wide variety of webinars this summer so that we can connect with you. Learn more & register
The Xerces Society hosts webinars and participates in events organized by other organizations. This page lists all the upcoming topics and dates. You can also find updates on our social media and via our enewsletter.
Posted in Talks | Tags: Xerces Society
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 8, 2020
Regional Parks Botanic Garden Photos 7/20/20
Today I visited the reopened Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park in Berkeley. It is a botanic garden of California native plants.
To see how to visit the garden go to Regional Parks Botanic Garden Reopens – reservations required
You also see other photos from the garden on the garden’s Flickr group page Regional Parks Botanic Garden.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 8, 2020
How Immersion in Nature Benefits Your Health
Yale 360 reports
A growing body of research points to the beneficial effects that exposure to the natural world has on health, reducing stress and promoting healing. Now, policymakers, employers, and healthcare providers are increasingly considering the human need for nature in how they plan and operate.
Read article at Ecopsychology: How Immersion in Nature Benefits Your Health – Yale E360
Posted in Park | Tags: Nature Benefits Your Health
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 7, 2020
Webinar: Nature Saves Lives
from the Nature Conservancy
Nature Saves Lives: Reducing Disaster Risk
In this week’s final webinar of “The Determining Decade: A Global Perspective” series we will highlight our work to advance nature-based risk reduction strategies with partners ranging from frontline communities like Paradise, CA to giant federal behemoths like FEMA and the Department of Defense.
Hosted by: Sarah Newkirk, TNC’s Disaster Resilience Strategy Lead
Thursday, July 9th 11:00am-12:00pm PDT
| Register Here |
To learn more about our virtual conservation tours, visit: The Determining Decade: A Global Perspective
Posted in Talks | Tags: Nature Saves Lives
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 7, 2020
Berkeley Street Photos 7/6/20
Photographed in the Claremont, Elmwood and Uplands neighborhoods in Berkeley on July 6, 2020. It was an extension of the walking tour I began a did on July 3 Rockridge Oakland Street Photos.
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
Posted in Photos (Sandy's) | Tags: Berkeley Street Photos, Flowers
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 7, 2020
Supreme Court Rules Against Keystone XL Water-crossing Permit
Center For Biological Diversity News Release
In Yet Another Blow to Keystone XL, Supreme Court Rejects Bid to Revive Key Water-crossing Permit
WASHINGTON— The U.S. Supreme Court today declined a request from TC Energy and the Trump administration to allow the Keystone XL pipeline to proceed under Nationwide Permit 12, a key water-crossing permit for pipelines that a district court found unlawful. The court also issued a partial stay of the district court’s decision as it applies to other pipelines while a full appeal of the decision moves forward.
Posted in Environment | Tags: Keystone XL
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 7, 2020
UC-Berkeley Botanical Garden Opening for Members Only Starting July 14, 2020
The Garden will reopen to Members on Tuesday, July 14th with timed-ticketed entry.
As previously announced, you will need to reserve your visitation time to the Garden via a timed-ticketing reservation system (more information below.) This system has been implemented to manage traffic at the kiosk in a way that promotes social distancing. Temporarily, the Garden open hours will be between 12 pm and 5 pm.
- Step one: Create your Member sign-in to login to our website as a Member. If you have not yet done so, you can follow the link here to create a Member sign-in for our website.
- Step two: Visit our reservations page to pick the date and time you’d like to visit, sign in, and reserve your entry time. Your free admission will be applied at checkout. Groups are limited to a maximum group size of six people.
- Step three: Review our Visitor Guidelines and FAQs page prior to your visit
- For ticket/visit questions: garden@berkeley.edu
Posted in Garden | Tags: UC-Berkeley Botanical Garden
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 7, 2020
Racism Is Killing the Planet
Sierra Magazine reports on how
Racism Is Killing the Planet. The ideology of white supremacy leads the way toward disposable people and a disposable natural world
Read article at Racism Is Killing the Planet | Sierra Club
Posted in Environment | Tags: Disposable Natural World, Disposable People, Racism, White Supremacy
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 6, 2020
Grass Fire in Berkeley at Cesar Chavez Park
Berkeleyside reported
Sparks from model rocket caused 2-acre grass fire in Berkeley
A grass fire that broke out at Cesar Chavez Park in Berkeley Sunday afternoon, was started unintentionally when a model rocket launched by some children sparked the dry grass,
After containing the fire, firefighters continued to put out ‘hot spots’ for about 1.5 hours.
Read full story at Sparks from model rocket caused 2-acre grass fire in Berkeley
Posted in Park | Tags: Cesar Chavez Park Fire
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 6, 2020
Berkeley Street Photos 7/5/20
Photographed in the North and South Berkeley Flatlands on July 5, 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
Posted in Photos (Sandy's) | Tags: Berkeley Street Photos, Flowers
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 6, 2020
Hundreds of elephants found dead in Botswana
The BBC reports
Mystery surrounds the “completely unprecedented” deaths of hundreds of elephants in Botswana over the last two months.
Dr Niall McCann said colleagues in the southern African country had spotted more than 350 elephant carcasses in the Okavango Delta since the start of May.
No one knows why the animals are dying, with lab results on samples still weeks away, according to the government.
Read full article at Hundreds of elephants found dead in Botswana – BBC News
Posted in Animals | Tags: Botswana Elephant Deaths
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 6, 2020
JUDGE ORDERS DAKOTA ACCESS PIPELINE TO SHUT DOWN
EarthJustice News Release
Unprecedented victory for Standing Rock Sioux Tribe after four-year legal battle
Owners of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) must halt operations while the government conducts a full-fledged analysis examining the risk DAPL poses to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, a federal judge ruled today. The court decision delivered a hard-fought victory to the Tribe, which has been engaged in a high-profile struggle against the Dakota Access Pipeline since 2016.
Posted in Environment | Tags: DAKOTA ACCESS PIPELINE
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 6, 2020
Onion Valley Wildflowers
Charlie Russell has posted a wildflower hike for Onion Valley. It is a fen near the Emigrant Gap area in Placer County that has an interesting variety of wildflowers. He has directions, photos, plant and other species lists at Onion Valley Wildflowers
Natural History Wanderings 