Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 8, 2020

Bay Area Park Openings Update

The Mercury News reports

To discourage crowds that make social distancing impossible, Bay Area parks officials are asking people to only visit parks that are close to their homes.

a number of county, state and national parks have remained open during the pandemic for walking, running, biking and other activities, so that people can stay healthy and reduce stress. San Mateo County officials also announced this week that they had reopened 13 of the county’s 23 parks, following state and county orders last week to ease shelter-in-place restrictions on outdoor activities.

Read more about which parks are open in the Bay Area at  Coronavirus: Bay Area parks officials tell non-locals to stay away

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 8, 2020

Saturday, May 9th is World Migratory Bird Day

 Migratory Bird Day was created by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center in 1993. Since then, several alliances have been built to help further migratory bird conservation around the globe. This worldwide campaign is organized around the planet’s major migratory bird corridors, the African-Eurasian, the East Asian-Australasian, and the Americas. There are many things we can do from our homes to support migratory birds, including buying bird friendly coffee and other bird friendly products, helping to reduce building lights at night to assist bird migration, and spreading the word to friends and family about why we should protect migratory birds! Here are seven simple actions you can take right now to help protect migratory birds in 2020 and beyond.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 8, 2020

Climate-Driven Megadrought Is Emerging in Western U.S.

Earth Institute News Release

Climate-Driven Megadrought Is Emerging in Western U.S., Says Study

Warming May Be Triggering Era Worse Than Any in Recorded History

With the western United States and northern Mexico suffering an ever-lengthening string of dry years starting in 2000, scientists have been warning for some time that climate change may be pushing the region toward an extreme long-term drought worse than any in recorded history. A new study says the time has arrived: a megadrought as bad or worse than anything even from known prehistory is very likely in progress, and warming climate is playing a key role. The study, based on modern weather observations, 1,200 years of tree-ring data and dozens of climate models, appears this week in the leading journal Science.

Read more at Climate-Driven Megadrought Is Emerging in Western U.S., Says Study

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 7, 2020

May 9 is Global Big Day

from ebird

Global Big Day is an annual celebration of the birds around you, and this year is no different. While not everyone may be able to leave home to bird this year, Global Big Day is still an opportunity to check in with the birds in and around where you live. Join us on 9 May and be a part of a global birding community by sharing what birds you see around you with eBird.

Participating is easy. Wherever you are, you can be a part of the global community of birders on 9 May. Please remember to always put safety first and follow all local safety guidelines and closures. You can enjoy birds from inside your home and still be part of Global Big Day.

Read More…

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 7, 2020

Berkeley Street Photos 5/6/20

Photos taken along the streets of the North Berkeley Flatlands on May 6, 2020. All photos in this post and on the previous Berkeley and Albany Street photo posts were taken within a mile and a half of home. This is part of my continuing project during this “shelter at home” period.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 6, 2020

East Bay Regional Parks: COVID-19 Park and Trail Updates

From the East Bay Regional Parks
  • Sunol, Coyote Hills, Rienhart Redwood – Redwood Road Entrance, MLK Jr. – Doolittle North Staging Area, Leona Canyon – Canyon Oaks Drive Park Entrance will be reopening Saturday, May 9, 2020.
  • The Briones – Bear Creek Staging Area will be opening Monday, May 11, 2020.
  • Mission Peak Stanford Avenue Staging Area to remain closed until May 31 by mandate of the City of Fremont. The Park District had planned to reopen the staging area May 5 with the return of restroom and trash service. We are disappointed that the City of Fremont has chosen to force the closure of the park access point when residents need it most for fresh air, exercise, and stress relief.
  • Many Restrooms supporting trail use reopened on Monday, May 4. Wash stations or hand sanitizer may not always be available so visitors should bring their own. Health Department-approved PPE has been distributed to park staff for cleaning of restrooms, including cloth masks, KN95 masks, gloves, and coveralls.
  • Restrooms supporting picnic areas and group activities remain closed as those activities are not permitted in accordance with state and local “Shelter in Place” orders.
  • Trash pickup has resumed in all parks. Thank you to all park staff for your commitment to health and public safety.
  • The above parks, park entrances, and staging areas had been closed temporarily due to limited staffing and to limit overcrowding. Park visitation and use will continue to be monitored closely, with closure possible due to overcrowding.

Learn more about the East Bay Regional parks at EBRPD – COVID-19 Park and Trail Updates

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 6, 2020

Judge Vacates Oil and Gas Leases on 145,000 Acres in Montana

The New York Times reports

A federal judge, rapping the Trump administration for its weak environmental assessments, has vacated hundreds of oil and gas leases across a large swath of Montana.

read more Judge Vacates Oil and Gas Leases on 145,000 Acres in Montana – The New York Times

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 6, 2020

Berkeley Street Photos 5/5/20

Photos taken along the streets of the North Berkeley Flatlands on May 5, 2020. All photos in this post and on the previous Berkeley and Albany Street photo posts were taken within a mile and a half of home. This is part of my continuing project during this “shelter at home” period.

The Pipevine Swallowtail photo (even though it isn’t very good) and its eggs are significant as they are on a Pipevine plant in front of our house. Even though there typically aren’t many Pipevine Swallowtails in our immediate neighborhood our plant does seem to very occasionally attract one.  This year it is even laying eggs. Both botanic gardens in Berkeley have many Pipevine plants and many  Pipevine butterflies. They are likely there right now but the gardens remained closed during the shutdown.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 6, 2020

Coronavirus lockdown: Can nature help improve our mood?

I know for myself the best thing I have done since “shelter in place” began has been to go for almost daily walks through out the nearby neighborhoods.

The BBC reports

While the impact of experiencing nature on our physical health is less well documented, a wealth of studies have demonstrated the positive effects of the natural world on our mental health.

Nature-based activities, such as gardening and farming, have been used as part of mental health treatments around the world for centuries.

GPs in London, Liverpool and Dorset have been prescribing nature experiences for patients with depression and anxiety. These include a healthy walk or planting mint to nurture and grow.

Evidence indicates you can also benefit from “bathing” yourself in nature remotely. One experiment installed large plasma displays of real-time natural scenes outside an office, resulting in people’s connection to their wider social community and the natural world increasing.

Read more  Coronavirus lockdown: Can nature help improve our mood? – BBC News

 

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 5, 2020

Expansion, environmental impacts of irrigation by 2050 greatly underestimated 

Princeton University  reports

The amount of farmland around the world that will need to be irrigated in order to feed an estimated global population of 9 billion people by 2050 could be up to several billion acres, far higher than scientists currently project, according to new research. The result would be a far greater strain on aquifers, as well as the likely expansion of agriculture into natural ecosystems as farmers search for water.

Read more Expansion, environmental impacts of irrigation by 2050 greatly underestimated – Princeton Environmental Institute

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 5, 2020

Virtual Visits to Redwood National Park

Redwood National Park announced

Because millions of families across the world are still sheltering at home, we are rebroadcasting a series of eight 360 virtual reality videos which we first aired last autumn. This is our last week of this series. The final two episodes will be shown at 1pm (Pacific Time) on Tuesday and Thursday.

Episode 7: A In this episode a ranger takes you to the most scenic forested road many people will ever see in their lives. Learn about the man this scenic parkway was named after. (Note: Currently this parkway is closed to vehicles) #findyourvirtualpark #findyourpark#lovemyredwoods

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 5, 2020

Mission Park in Fremont Update

The Mercury News reports

The City of Fremont officials and the East Bay Regional Park officials are continuing the tug-of-war over an entrance into Mission Peak. The city and police chief are threatening to block the road to the entrance because of social distancing violations by visitors to the park. — Joseph Geha, 5:50 a.m.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 5, 2020

Berkeley Street Photos 5/4/20

Photos taken along the streets of the North Berkeley Flatlands on May 4, 2020. All photos in this post and on the previous Berkeley and Albany Street photo posts were taken within a mile and a half of home. This is part of my continuing project during this “shelter at home” period.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 5, 2020

Once, America Had Its Own Parrot

The Union Journal reported

When European settlers arrived in North Americathey had been shocked to detect a stunning parot,

In a century, the Carolina parakeet was gone. In 1918, the final captive died in a Cincinnati zoo. Following a few potential sightings from the wild, the species was declared extinct.

Read full story at Once, America Had Its Own Parrot – The Union Journal

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 4, 2020

Biodiversity Presentation & Virtual Garden Tour

The San Francisco Native Plant Society has two virtual events coming up. A presentation on preserving biodiversity and a garden tour
May 7, 7:30pm
Webinar: What’s biodiversity and how can we conserve it?
Register for the Biodiversity Presentation on Zoom here:
http://cnps-yerbabuena.org/calendar/speaker-series/
Speaker: Dr. Brent D. Mishler


May 10, 10am – 1pm

The San Francisco Native Garden Tour LIVE
Register for the Native Garden Tour on Zoom here:
http://cnps-yerbabuena.org/virtual-garden-tour-may-10-2020/

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 4, 2020

Study finds sex bias in bird conservation plans 

Cornell Lab of Ornithology reports

After raising their families in summer, males and females of some bird species spend their winter break apart. At the end of their journey to Central or South America, you might find mostly males in one habitat, and females in another.

Yet conservation strategies have typically overlooked the habitats needed by females, putting already-declining species in even more peril, according to a new study in the journal Biological Conservation.

Read about study at Study finds sex bias in bird conservation plans | Cornell Chronicle

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 3, 2020

Albany and Berkeley Street Photos 5/3/20

Photos taken along the streets of Albany and the North Berkeley Flatlands on May 3, 2020. All photos in this post and on the previous Berkeley and Albany Street photo post were taken within a mile and a half of home. This is part of my continuing project during this “shelter at home” period.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 3, 2020

Calflora’s 6th Annual Photo Contest

Wild California plant photos taken in the month of May and/or added to Calflora in the month of May qualify for the photo contest. Dust off your plant photos from bygone days and add them to the contest!
Q: What does the photo contest winner win?
Q: How do I use a camera to add photos?
A: Put your photos onto your computer and add them here. Here is a video tutorial.
Q: How do I use photos from my phone for the contest?
A: Use Calflora phone app Observer Pro for Apple or Android. Alternatively, load your photos on your computer and add them to Calflora here.
Q: How do I register as a data contributor?
A: From the Calflora home page, click on LOGIN – REGISTER in the upper right. You may also retrieve your password from there.
Q: What if I don’t know the name of the plant?
A: Add it to Calflora as “unknown” or with the genus, then add it to Plant ID Help group.
Q: Which species lack sufficient reference photos?
A: Natives      Non-natives (yes, you may submit non-natives to contest) Calflora’s 6th Annual Photo Contest

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 3, 2020

Endangered Species Act Success Story

The Center for Biological Diversity News Release

Southeastern Flower Recovers in Latest Endangered Species Act Success Story

Cumberland Sandwort Rebounds After Habitat Protection, Management

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced the recovery of the Cumberland sandwort, a small, white flowering plant primarily found in the Big South Fork National Recreation Area in Kentucky and Tennessee. As a result of this recovery, the Service is proposing to remove Endangered Species Act protections for the plant.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 2, 2020

Albany and Berkeley Street Photos 5/2/20

Photos taken along the streets of Albany and the North Berkeley Flatlands on May 2, 2020. All photos in this post and on the previous Berkeley and Albany Street photo post were taken within a mile and a half of home.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 2, 2020

Record Wolf Killings in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest

Center for Biological Diversity News Release

Alexander Archipelago Wolves Need Urgent Help Following Record Killings in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest

JUNEAU, Alaska― Conservation groups today called on the U.S. Forest Service to take immediate steps to protect Alexander Archipelago wolves on Prince of Wales Island in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest following word that 97 percent of the most recent estimated population was killed this past trapping season.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 1, 2020

Berkeley Yard Photos 5/1/20

Photos taken today in my front and back yards.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 1, 2020

Native Gardening | A Balm for Anxious Times

from the California Native Plant Society

Shelter-in-place seems to be triggering a gardening boom, and native plants offer endless possibilities. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, new plants, or how-to advice, we’ve got you covered. Here are four ways to indulge the gardening bug this week:

  1. Attend a live virtual garden tour this Sunday with ecologist Doug Tallamy and CNPS Executive Director Dan Gluesenkamp.
  2. Check out CNPS chapter garden tour photo galleries.
  3. Order from a native plant nursery near you. Many are offering online sales, pre-orders, and no-contact pick-ups.
  4. Start the transition from turf to natives with these seven steps.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 1, 2020

California Detailed List of Outdoor Activities Allowed During Shutdown

California has an updated list of outdoor activities allowed during shutdown

It’s okay to go outside to go for a walk, to exercise, and participate in healthy activities as long as you maintain a safe physical distance of six feet and gather only with members of your household. Below is a non-exhaustive list of those outdoor recreational activities.

Read More…

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 1, 2020

Back the Natives Virtual Garden Tour May 3 and May 10

Sundays in the Garden swith the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour. A tour of Alameda and Contra Costa county gardens in California(Online, instead of in-person. . Free.)This program will be hosted on Zoom, and livestreamed on YouTube.

Please join us for any or all of these online events, which will be held:

  • Sunday May 3 10:00 – 3:00
  • Sunday May 10 10:00 – 3:00

To learn more and get link go to Welcome to Our 2020 Virtual Events « Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 30, 2020

Only Orange County Beaches To Be Shutdown

An update on the beach and park closures

The SF Chronicle reports

No California-wide beach shutdown: Gavin Newsom went for narrow closure

When presented with the option Thursday morning of closing all beaches, Newsom instead chose to limit his order to Orange County, the official said, because other communities had been more willing to restrict beach access to walking, exercise and other activities that would not allow people to congregate for long periods.

Read full article at  No California-wide beach shutdown: Gavin Newsom went for narrow closure – SFChronicle.com

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 30, 2020

Some Closed Bay Area Parks to Reopen on May 4 

Bay Nature reports

As part of a regional easing of shelter-in-place restrictions, parks will start to reopen in Sonoma and San Mateo County after a month of full closure.

Sonoma, which fully closed all of its parks on March 23, will maintain its strictest-in-the-region restrictions, opening parks to pedestrians and cyclists only, while keeping restrooms, parking lots, and coastal beaches closed.

Read more at  Some Closed Bay Area Parks to Reopen on May 4 – Bay Nature

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 30, 2020

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Predicted To Fall Nearly 8% — Largest Decrease Ever 

NPR reports

The COVID-19 pandemic is delivering the biggest shock to the global energy system in seven decades, according to a new report by the International Energy Agency.

Global energy demand is expected to fall by 6% this year, seven times the decline brought by the financial crisis 10 years ago. IEA projections show oil and gas being hit hard. But demand for coal could fall by an extraordinary 8% — the largest decline since World War II.

Read more at  Greenhouse Gas Emissions Predicted To Fall Nearly 8% — Largest Decrease Ever : Coronavirus Live Updates : NPR

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 30, 2020

Now Is The Time To Garden For Birds 

From Golden Gate Audubon

Birding from home has become more important than ever in our current sheltered situation. Many of us are learning that it is possible to bird from our windows, yards and sidewalks. There are easy ways to make your home (and surrounding areas) hospitable for birdlife, even while sheltering-at-home. When we learn to include in our gardens the plants that provide food, shelter, and nesting areas for birds, we can watch native wildlife thrive.

Read more at  Now Is The Time To Garden For Birds – Golden Gate Audubon Society

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 29, 2020

All California State Parks and Beaches Closed Starting Friday

California will close all beaches, state parks starting Friday, report says: Gov. Gavin Newsom intends to announce Thursday that all beaches and state parks in California will be closed effective Friday,

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