Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 10, 2019

Park Service Floats Plan to Shoot Native Elk at Point Reyes National Seashore

Center for Biological Diversity News Release

The National Park Service released a draft plan today that calls for shooting native elk to allow for expanded cattle ranching and commercial agriculture at Point Reyes National Seashore. The plan would allow the killing of tule elk, damage to wildlife habitat, harm of endangered species, degradation of water quality and create new conflicts with other native wildlife species.

The Park Service’s proposed alternative for an amendment to the park’s General Management Plan would enshrine cattle grazing as the primary use of a huge swath of the National Seashore, at the expense of native wildlife and natural habitats.

Read More…

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 9, 2019

Restoring Forests Could Help Put a Brake on Global Warming, Study Finds 

The  New York Times  reported on planting more trees could have a positive impact on slowing global warming

They concluded that the planet could support nearly 2.5 billion additional acres of forest without shrinking our cities and farms, and that those additional trees, when they mature, could store a whole lot of the extra carbon — 200 gigatons of carbon, to be precise — generated by industrial activity over the last 150 years.

Read article at Restoring Forests Could Help Put a Brake on Global Warming, Study Finds 

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 8, 2019

When to View  the 2019  Perseid Meteor Showers 

EarthSky reports

The annual Perseid meteor shower is one of the most beloved meteor showers of the year, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, where the shower peaks on warm summer nights. No matter where you live worldwide, the 2019 Perseid meteor shower will probably produce the greatest number of meteors on the mornings of August 11, 12 and 13. Unfortunately, on the peak mornings in 2019, a bright moon will drown many Perseids from view. For those serious about seeing the greatest number of Perseids in 2019, we recommend viewing several mornings in a row, beginning the weekend of Friday, August 9, to Sunday, August 11. There will be considerably more moon-free viewing time then than at the Perseids’ likely peak from late evening August 12 until dawn August 13.

Read more at  Perseid meteors 2019: All you need to know | Astronomy Essentials | EarthSky

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 8, 2019

During a Solar Eclipse, What Are Plants Doing?

The New York Times reports on how plants react to Solar Eclipses

Research conducted during the Great American Eclipse of 2017 suggested the sun’s midday disappearance shocked some plants.

researchers in Wyoming investigated big sagebrush, a shaggy, aromatic desert shrub that grows throughout the western United States.

Tracking its reactions at the leaf level, scientists saw it experience a slowdown in activity as darkness fell, followed by shock at the sun’s surprise return.

Read article at During a Solar Eclipse, What Are Plants Doing?

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 7, 2019

New Oil Drilling Halted in Carrizo Plain National Monument

from Las Padres Forest Watch

The California Bureau of Land Management has agreed with conservation groups that plans for a new oil well and pipeline in Carrizo Plain National Monument failed to comply with federal environmental laws. The July 12 decision, announced today, said the local BLM office must consider potential harm to California condors, other imperiled wildlife, and the climate.

Read more at New Oil Drilling Halted in Carrizo Plain National Monument

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 6, 2019

Homestead Valley Land Trust Wildflowers 8/5/19

Homestead Valley has a new wildflower update. See photos Homestead Valley August 5

NEW
– Common California aster blooms with purple ray flowers on tall stalks.
– Hayfield tarweed is blooming bright yellow on Kerouac Hill.
– Kellogg’s yampah has white flower umbels on tall naked stems and is blooming in meadows.
– Pink cudweed, a tall straw flower is blooming pink with a yellow center on Homestead Hill.
– Roughleaf aster is blooming in forests.

Read More…

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 6, 2019

Carson Pass Wildflowers 8/5/19

California Wildflower Tipline has three new photo posts for the Carson Pass are including the Woods, Round Top, and Winnemucca Lakes areas

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 6, 2019

 Will we ever have to ask, ‘Where have all the flowers gone?’ 

The LA Times  has an interesting op-ed by a field ecologist on the impact of climate change on California wildflowers

Whatever conservation means in the future, it will be less about yearning for the past and more about identifying the elements of nature we think we can save.

Read article at  Op-Ed: Will we ever have to ask, ‘Where have all the flowers gone?’ – Los Angeles Times

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 5, 2019

Wildflower Reports Around California 8/4/19

 

California Wildflower Tipline has some new photos from a hike to Castle Peak for I-80

Carson Pass Information Center has new photos from a hike to Emigrant Pass

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 5, 2019

Ethiopia bids to plant four billion trees in green push

Climate Change News reports on Ethiopa’s efforts to deal with climate change

The country says it has planted nearly three billion trees already since May.

On Monday, state employees were given the day off as Abiy sought to get the rest of the country involved, and the government claimed a “record-breaking” 350 million trees were planted in only one day.

Read full story at  Ethiopia bids to plant four billion trees in green push

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 4, 2019

Cell Tower Chaos in National Parks

Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility News Release (PEER)

CELL TOWER MIASMA PERVADES NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM
Audit Finds Broad Noncompliance with Eco-Rules and Revenue Collection

The National Park Service does not even know how many cell towers it has, improperly issues approvals for building towers, and fails to collect money owed by telecoms, according to a new audit prompted by a complaint from Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER).  While the NPS promises to fix these problems, PEER charges that these lapses are multiplying rather than abating.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 3, 2019

Carson Pass Wildflowers 8/2/19

Carson Pass Information Station–  reports with photos 

  • hike to Dardanelles Lake today from Big Meadows trailhead. We were searching for wildflowers, found a few, but Laurie thinks because of few thunderstorms this summer, are wildflowers season going to be so, so.
  • Great hike to Frog lake. Perfect weather and trail conditions.

 

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 3, 2019

Mt. Rainier Wildflowers 8/2/19

Mt. Rainier National Park reports

Currently Blooming

Subalpine meadows throughout the park are hitting peak bloom! From Deadhorse Creek Trail in Paradise to Palisades Lake Trail at Sunrise, numerous wildflowers are blooming and filling meadows with color. Another popular and easily accessible destination for wildflower viewing is Tipsoo Lake. Please remember to stay on trails to protect these delicate plants. There are plenty of opportunities for the perfect mountain + wildflower photo from the trails! of cloves, are often buzzing with bees, hover flies, and other pollinators.

Please Note: As snow melts away, it may be tempting to skirt remaining patches of snow that are covering trails. However, by going off trail you are walking on and damaging the wildflowers that you may be coming to see! It is better to stay on trail even if that means crossing snow, particularly in the high-visitation meadows around Paradise and Sunrise.

Wildflower Reports

  • Sunrise (8/1) – Silver Forest Trail: gray’s lovage, scarlet paintbrush, pasqueflower seedheads, sickle lousewort, Cusick’s speedwell, small-flowered penstemon, subalpine daisy, Cascade aster, tiger lily, pussypaws, smooth mountain dandelion, spreading phlox, thread-leaved sandwort; Sunrise to Forest Lake (via Huckleberry Creek Trail): bistort, sitka valerian, gray’s lovage, arnica, pink mountain heather, white mountain heather, elephant head, Jeffrey’s shooting star, Cusick’s speedwell, mountain laurel, beargrass, lupines, magenta paintbrush, subalpine buttercup, sitka mountain ash, avalanche lily, Cascade asters, subalpine daisy, sickle lousewort, pasqueflower seedheads, bird’s beak lousewort, yarrow, agoseris, pearly everlasting, harsh paintbrush, phlox, tolmie’s saxifrage, partridgefoot, small-flowered penstemon
  • Longmire (7/31) – rattlesnake plantain, salal, foam flower, pipsessewa, pathfinder, wall lettuce, berries: red huckleberry, trailing blackberry
  • Paradise (7/31) – Jackson Visitor Center to Myrtle Falls: gray’s lovage, arrowleaf groundsel, broadleaf arnica, pink mountain heather, magenta paintbrush, America bistort, bear grass, sitka valerian, subalpine daisy, sitka mountain ash, rosy spirea, bracted lousewort, Cusick’s speedwell, Jeffrey’s shooting star, pasqueflower seedhead; Deadhorse Creek Trail:, lupine, pink mountain heather, Jeffrey’s shooting star, bracted lousewort, arnica, magenta paintbrush, arrowleaf groundsel, American bistort, cinquefoil, subalpine daisy, sitka valerian, white mountain heather, bracted lousewort, sicklehead lousewort; Alta Vista Trail: avalanche lily, lupine, pink mountain heather, Jeffrey’s shooting star, bracted lousewort, arnica, magenta paintbrush, Cusick’s speedwell, partridgefoot, bistort
  • Snow and Bench Trail (7/31) – rosy spirea, sitka valerian, lupine!!!, bistort, scarlet and magenta paintbrush, subalpine daisy, false hellebore
  • Nerads Fall (7/31) – fleabane, foam flower, bracter lousewort
  • Tipsoo Lake (7/28) – lupine, bistort, magenta and scarlet paintbrush, arnica, sitka valerian, bistort, pasqueflower seedheads, subalpine daisy, partridgefoot, pink mountain heather

See photos at Mount Rainier Flickr group!

Plan Your Visit
Paradise and Sunrise are two of the main visitor center areas at Mount Rainier National Park. Both areas are well known for their impressive wildflower meadows. The park also maintains dozens of trails perfect for wildflower viewing.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 3, 2019

New California Law Protects Mojave Desert

The Desert Sun reports

A bill signed Wednesday evening by Gov. Gavin Newsom will require Cadiz Inc.’s Mojave Desert groundwater pumping project to undergo further review to prove it will not harm the surrounding environment.

The bill, SB 307, was authored by Sen. Richard Roth, D-Riverside, and cleared the Assembly earlier this month. It requires the State Lands Commission to determine that projects involving the transfer of water from a groundwater basin won’t adversely impact the surrounding environment.

Read full article Newsom signs bill requiring further environmental review for Cadiz project

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 2, 2019

Wildflower Reports Around California 8/1/19

 

California Wildflower Tipline has some new photos Box Spring Trailhead of Hwy. 108

Botanical Wanderings – California has a new post for Clover Springs Preserve in Cloverdale in Sonoma County

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 2, 2019

Gull Flies 500 Miles in 7 Days

Alderny Bird Observatory reports

Just had a sighting in concerning a Lesser black backed Gull recorded by the ABO via field observation (ring read) here in Alderney 17th July. Spotted and photographed 24th July in Ares Beach, A Coruna Spain. The individual has travelled 838km in 7 days!

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 1, 2019

Wildflower Reports Around California 7/31/19

 

California Wildflower Tipline has some new photos from Los Osos, Meiss Meadows and Emerald Bay

Botanical Wanderings – California has a new post for Clover Springs Preserve in Cloverdale in Sonoma County

Marin CNPS has new photos for Alpine Lake in Marin County

Carson Pass Information Station has new posts with photos for Horse Canyon trailhead to Carson Pass and Meiss Trail and Meiss Ridge, and Summit City Canyon Trail.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 1, 2019

Acting BLM Director Has Supported Selling Off Public Lands

Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility News Release (PEER)

NEW BLM ACTING DIRECTOR THREATENS AGENCY’S EXISTENCE
Ultra-Right Wing Lawyer William Pendley is Uniquely Unqualified to Run BLM

Washington, DC — William Perry Pendley, an ultra-right wing Sagebrush Rebellion lawyer who has supported the selling off of millions of acres of federal lands, is now the top political official overseeing the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) — barely 2 weeks after joining the agency. Pendley, who until December had served for 30 years as president of the arch-conservative law firm Mountain States Legal Foundation (MSLF), was appointed by Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt as BLM’s deputy director of policy and programs, “exercising the authority of the Director.”

The Federal law that created BLM requires the Director to “have a broad background and substantial experience in public land and natural resource management.”  Not only does lawyer Pendley lack those qualities, he is on record as advocating on behalf of MSLF that BLM should waste away by downsizing its land holdings through massive sell-offs. This would very likely put the formerly public lands into ownership by oil and gas companies and other wealthy corporations, who then could exclude the public. The BLM manages one in every 10 acres of land in the United States, all of which could become private if Pendley is able to exert his power.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 31, 2019

Black Moon Supermoon July 31

Earthsky reports

Depending on where you live worldwide, the new moon falls on July 31 or August 1, 2019. Same new moon … different time zones. Thus this new moon is either the second of two July 2019 new moons. Or it’s the first of two August 2019 new moons. Either way, the second of two new moons in one calendar month is sometimes called a Black Moon. Here, in the United States, the Black Moon – July’s second new moon – falls on July 31. In the world’s Eastern Hemisphere, a Black Moon falls in late August.

Source: Black Moon supermoon on July 31 | Tonight | EarthSky

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 31, 2019

CNPS Field Trips August 2019

August Field Trips for the California Native Plants Society:

(for more information on trips go to chapter websites; also check out late trip postings at chapter websites)

Bristlecone (Mono, Inyo and NE Kern counties) http://bristleconecnps.org/index.php

East Bay CNPS http://www.ebcnps.org/

Marin CNPS http://www.marin.edu/cnps/

Milo Baker (Sonoma county) http://milobaker.cnps.org/index.php/events/field-trips

  • August 17, Fairfield Osborn Preserve

Napa Valley http://www.napavalleycnps.org/

North Coast http://northcoastcnps.org

  • Aug 3, Sat. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Orchids in the Dunes
  • Aug 4, Sun. Lost Man Creek Day Hike

Santa Clara Valley http://www.cnps-scv.org/

Santa Cruz http://www.cruzcnps.org/field_trips.php

  • August 3, Saturday, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Loch Lomond Recreation Area

Yerba Buena (San Francisco/Northern San Mateo) http://www.cnps-yerbabuena.org

If you are interested in information on other chapters go to: http://www.cnps.org/cnps/chapters/

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 30, 2019

Carson Pass Trail Report 7/29/19

Carson Pass Information Station’s  TRAIL REPORT 7/29

The trails are starting to look good out there, the weather has been stellar, and the public has been out in force. Here are the latest trail conditions:

Salt Springs trail: dry tread, clear of brush and windfall to mouth of river

Devil’s lake trail: still some wet spots, clear of brush and windfall to the lake

Tanglefoot trail: dry tread, clear of brush and windfall to Shriner lake and 2 miles beyond Moraine lake

Shealor lake trail: dry tread, clear of brush and windfall to the lake.

Allen Camp trail: clear of brush and windfall to junction with Hidden Lake trail, 10% snow coverage from there to Allen Camp.

Granite lake to Hidden lake: some wet spots, clear of brush and windfall

Minkalo (Silver Lake)Trail: dry tread, only downed trees are at the Plasses end of the trail, clear of brush

Horse Canyon trail: dry and clear of brush and windfall 1.75 miles in, unknown after that

Munson Meadow, Beebe Lakes, Cole Creek lakes, Black Rock lake trails: all unknown, trails probably have up to 20% snow coverage, the road into Allen Camp may still have snow patches on it

Castle Point trail: dry tread, clear of brush and windfall

Thunder Mountain trail: clear of brush and windfall, 20% snow coverage after Sentinels trail junction

Margaret Lake trail: some wet spots, clear of brush and windfall to the lake

Emigrant Lake trail: clear of brush and windfall to the lake, 10% snow coverage after upper stream crossing, both stream crossings are a challenge

Lost Cabin Mine trail: 20% snow coverage after mile 1, trail is wet in many areas

Woods lake to Winnemucca lake: 10% snow coverage after mile 1.5, trail is wet in many areas

CP to Winnemucca lake; trail is clear to the lake, wildflowers have not peaked

Winnemucca lake to Round Top lake: 20% snow coverage, trail is wet in many areas

Round Top Lake to 4th of July lake: 20% snow coverage before the saddle, dry and clear of brush and windfall from saddle to 4th of July lake

Grouse and Evergreen trails: no road access, no report

Forestdale Divide to Summit City: no report, expect to find lots of brush, windfall, and washouts

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 30, 2019

August 2019 Audubon Field Trips

Below is the August field trip schedule for Bay Area Audubon Chapters.

Golden Gate Audubon Society
For more details on trips go to http://www.goldengateaudubon.org/field-trips/field-trips/

  • Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley Friday, August 2, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
  • San Leandro Shoreline Bird and Bike, Alameda County  Saturday, August 3, 9:20 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
  • San Francisco Botanical Garden Sunday, August 4, 8:00–10:30 a.m.
  • Middle Harbor Shoreline Park, Oakland Sunday, August 4, 9 a.m.–noon
  • Lafayette Community Park, Lafayette Sunday, August 4, 8:30–11:00 a.m. (First Sunday bird walk) 
  • Albany Mudflat, Albany Saturday, August 10, 9:00–11:00 a.m.
  • Hilltop Lake Park, Richmond Wednesday, August 14, 9:00–10:45 a.m.
  • Corona Heights, San Francisco Friday, August 16, 8:00–10:00 a.m.
  • UCSF Mt. Sutro Open Space Reserve, San Francisco Saturday, August 17, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
  • Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary, Alameda Saturday, August 17, 4:00–6:00 p.m. (unusual time due to tides)
  • Valle Vista Staging Area, Upper San Leandro Reservoir, Moraga Saturday, August 17, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
  • Fort Mason Community Garden, San Francisco Sunday, August 18, 8:00–10:00 a.m.
  • Fall Bird Walk Series | Golden Gate Audubon Society & Salesforce Park Salesforce Park, San Francisco
  • Dimond Park and Sausal Creek, Oakland Wednesday, August 21, 8:30–10:30 a.m.
  • Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary, Crown Beach, Alameda Thursday, August 22, 8:00–10:00 a.m.
  • Snag Lake Backpack Trip, Lassen Volcanic National Park Friday–Monday, August 23–26
  • McLaren Park, San Francisco Saturday, August 24, 8:00–11:00 a.m.
  • Albany Mudflats, McLaughlin Shoreline State Park, Albany Bulb Saturday, August 24, 9:30 –11:30 a.m.
  • Birdwatching at Lands End with Feminist Bird Club and Golden Gate Audubon Sunday, August 25, 9:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
  • Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park, Oakland  Wednesday, August 28, 9:30 a.m.–noon
  • Evening Bat Walk, Lake Chabot Marina, Castro Valley Thursday, August 29, 7:00–9:30 p.m.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 29, 2019

Wildflower Reports Around California 7/28/19

California Wildflower Report has new photos for Thornburg Trail which is near Markleville. Trail info at https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/htnf/recreation/recarea/?recid=65626&actid=104

California Wildflower Tipline has some new photos from Paradise Meadow trail at Lassen Volcanic National Park.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 29, 2019

Perseid Meteor Shower

EarthSky  reports

The Perseid meteor shower has already begun its slow and steady rise to its peak. In 2019, the peak mornings – around August 11, 12 and 13 – will be troubled by moonlight. Plan to watch for Perseid meteors in early August this year, then be prepared for moonlight at the peak.

Read more at  Perseid meteors 2019: All you need to know | Astronomy Essentials | EarthSky

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 28, 2019

Wildflower Reports Around California 7/27/19

Marin CNPS has a post with photos for Limantour area of Point Reyes National Seashore.

Wildflowers in Plumas County reports  with photos Lakes Basin is in full bloom

California Wildflower Tipline has some new photos from Humbolt Bay Wildlife Refuge/July 27

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 28, 2019

An App to Identify (Almost) Anything (Almost) Anywhere 

Bay Nature  reports

If you ever wander around wanting to know the names of plants and animals around you, Seek, a newly rebuilt app from the iNaturalist team at the California Academy of Sciences, now offers instant identifications through the camera view on a phone.

Read more at  An App to Identify (Almost) Anything (Almost) Anywhere – Bay Nature

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 27, 2019

Mt. Rainier Wildflowers 7/25/19

Mt. Rainier National Park reports

Currently Blooming

Magenta paintbrush is not the only pink wildflower on the mountain. Rosy spirea (Spiraea splendens) is a low shrub with clusters of rose-pink flowers. The flowers, which some think has a sweet scent reminding them of cloves, are often buzzing with bees, hover flies, and other pollinators.

Please Note: As snow melts away, it may be tempting to skirt remaining patches of snow that are covering trails. However, by going off trail you are walking on and damaging the wildflowers that you may be coming to see! It is better to stay on trail even if that means crossing snow, particularly in the high-visitation meadows around Paradise and Sunrise.

Wildflower Reports

  • Sunrise (7/25) – cinquefoil, Cusick’s speedwell, pasqueflower seedheads, lupine, magenta paintbrush, sitka valerian, small-flowered penstemon, pink mountain heather, marsh marigold, subalpine daisy, bistort, bracted lousewort, phlox, Jacob’s ladder, fleeceflower, mountain sandwort
  • Longmire (7/25) – rattlesnake plantain, salal, late: lupine, twin flower, pipsissewa
  • Berkely Park (7/24) – effrey’s shooting star, magenta paintbrush, sitka valerian, lupine, subalpine daisy, cinquefoil, arnica, glacier lily, avalanche lily, beargrass(!), bistort, bracted lousewort, elephanthead, pasqueflower seedhead, paintbrush
  • Stevens Canyon Road (7/23) – goat’s beard, scarlet paintbrush, arnica, oceanspray, sitka valerian, Oregon sunshine, yarrow, harebell, stonecrop, Canada goldenrod
  • Paradise (7/24) – parking/developed area: rosy spirea, avalanche lily, Jeffrey’s shooting star, sitka valerian, magenta paintbrush, Cusick’s speedwell, subalpine daisy, pink mountain heather, bracted lousewort; Nisqually Vista Trail: avalanche lily, lupine, pink mountain heather, Jeffrey’s shooting star, bracted lousewort, arnica, magenta paintbrush; Alta Vista Trail: avalanche lily, lupine, pink mountain heather, Jeffrey’s shooting star, bracted lousewort, arnica, magenta paintbrush, Cusick’s speedwell, partridgefoot, bistort
  • Wonderland Trail, Longmire to Indian Henry’s (7/24) – lupine, cinquefoil, harsh paintbrush, avalanche lily, Cascade aster, subalpine daisy, pine drop, bunchberry, salal, Queen’s cup, coralroot, mountain heather

See photos at Mount Rainier Flickr group!

Plan Your Visit
Paradise and Sunrise are two of the main visitor center areas at Mount Rainier National Park. Both areas are well known for their impressive wildflower meadows. The park also maintains dozens of trails perfect for wildflower viewing.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 27, 2019

Wildflower Reports Around California 7/26/19

Carson Pass Information Station  has posted photos of  Meiss Meadow

California Wildflower Reports has a new post with photos from southern Bishop Creek

California Wildflower Tipline has some new photos from Sonora Pass and Lyons Creek trail

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 27, 2019

Restoring Forests Could Help Put a Brake on Global Warming, Study Finds

The New York Times reported

For the first time, scientists have sought to quantify this thought experiment. How many trees could be planted on every available parcel of land on Earth, where they could go, and what impact could that have on our survival?

They concluded that the planet could support nearly 2.5 billion additional acres of forest without shrinking our cities and farms, and that those additional trees, when they mature, could store a whole lot of the extra carbon — 200 gigatons of carbon, to be precise — generated by industrial activity over the last 150 years.

Read full story at Restoring Forests Could Help Put a Brake on Global Warming, Study Finds – The New York Times

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 26, 2019

Carson Pass Wildflowers 7/25/19

 Carson Pass Information Station  reports

  • Western blue flag, Iris missouriensis, in the meadow at the top of the Meiss hike near Carson Pass. The peak bloom is over, but there are still a lot of Iris blooming. And LOTS of wildflowers on the hike up.
  • “I hiked the Thornburg Canyon Trail today with a friend and was thrilled by the youthfulness of the trail itself and the plethora of wildflowers!”
  • Wildflower Walk with Docent Larry Moore. July 29, 9:30-12. Bring water. Binoculars optional for Birding as well. Limit 15. sorry no dogs. Call The Station to book this guided walk: 209-258-8606.
  • Meet the trees of Carson Pass with Mike Mahoney, July 30, 10-12. Join a guided walk to meet the seven conifers that thrive at 8,500′ and above. Walks are free but donations welcome. Limit 12. Dogs on leash ok. Call The Station to sign up: 209-258-8606

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