Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 21, 2019

 Trump Administration’s Dirty Power Scam

EarthJustice News Release

EARTHJUSTICE DENOUNCES TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S DIRTY POWER SCAM

At a critical moment when experts warn that we only have 12 years to avoid climate catastrophe, the Trump administration is trying to gut the Clean Power Plan, the first and only federal limit on carbon pollution from existing power plants. Earthjustice is part of the legal team that has been fighting to defend the Clean Power Plan against lawsuits brought by fossil fuel interests and allied states.

“With this Dirty Power Scam, the Trump administration is once again giving polluters a free pass and demonstrating its total disregard for public health and the crisis we face on climate,” said Jill Tauber, Vice President of Litigation for Climate and Energy. “But the momentum is on our side. We’ll continue working with our partners to stand up to this administration’s pro-polluter agenda and fight for a swift and equitable transition to clean energy to protect our planet and its people.”

Read More…

The deadline to tell the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service not to roll back protections for the Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo is next Wednesday, June 26. More than 16,000 Audubon supporters have already sent comments—will you join them?  It’s quick and easy to send your own comments through our Action Center.

Read more at  National Audubon Society

Center for Biological Diversity News Release

The Environmental Protection Agency announced so-called “emergency” approvals today to spray sulfoxaflor — an insecticide it considers “very highly toxic” to bees — on nearly 14 million acres of crops known to attract bees.

The approval includes 2019 crops of cotton and sorghum in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Ten of the 11 states have been granted the approvals for at least four consecutive years for the same “emergency.” Five have been given approvals for at least six consecutive years.

“The only emergency here is the Trump EPA’s reckless approval of this dangerous bee-killing pesticide,” said Lori Ann Burd, environmental health director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “It’s sickening that even amid the current insect apocalypse, the EPA’s priority is protecting pesticide industry profits.”

Read More…

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 19, 2019

Tioga Pass Rd. Opens With Limited Access on 6/21/19

Yosemite National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Announces

Tioga Road to open limited hours for access to cross the Sierra

Yosemite National Park announces there will be limited access to Tioga Road (Highway 120 East) for visitors interested in crossing the Sierra. Tioga Road will be open to all vehicles, including bicycles, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am and from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. No parking will be allowed on Tioga Road and day use recreation is not permitted. There is no visitor parking available at either end of the road closure.

There are no visitor services available along Tioga Road. The Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center, Wilderness Center, and the Tuolumne Meadows Campground remain closed. Opening dates for the 2019 season have not been determined. Restroom facilities will be available 5 miles east of Crane Flat Junction and at Tioga Pass.

Read More…

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 19, 2019

Henry Coe Wildflower Update 6/19/19

Henry Coe State Park has updated its wildflower bloom report at the Pine Ridge Association website with photos and a list of flowers now in bloom at: Henry W. Coe – Wildflower Guide.

New Website Link: Henry Coe has updated its website and changed the wildflower link. The new link is https://coepark.net/blooming 

 

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 19, 2019

Wildflowers Around California 6/18/19

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

California Wildflower Tipline has new posts with photos:

  • Malibu State Park
  • Castle Lake, McCloud Middle Falls, and Potem Falls in Shasta Trinity Forest

 

Defenders of Wildlife News Release

VOTE MAKES FOUR NATIVE BUMBLE BEE SPECIES CANDIDATES FOR LISTING UNDER CALIFORNIA ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT

The California Fish and Game Commission has voted to begin the listing process for four native species of bumble bees as endangered, in an attempt to ensure their survival in the state. This process was triggered by a legal petition filed last year by conservation and food safety groups requesting that the western bumble bee, Franklin’s bumble bee, Crotch’s bumble bee and the Suckley cuckoo bumble bee are listed as Endangered under the act.

Read More…

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 18, 2019

Wildflowers Around California 6/18/19

California Wildflower Tipline has two new wildflower photo postings

6/18/19 Just south of Fort Bragg, Mendocino County. Getting to the tail end of our wildflower season. The beautiful golden wild grasses are growing tall and shrouding the flowers.

6/16/19 Wildflower hike. Hope Valley.

See photos at  (4) California Wildflower Tipline

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 18, 2019

Sonoma County Wildflowers: Pinnacle Beach 6/17/19

The Marin CNPS has wildflower photos for Pinnacle Beach in Sonoma County at  (3) Marin Native Plants

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 18, 2019

Loggerhead Sea Turtle Nests Thrive Along the Georgia Coast

The New York Times reported

But if their mothers are any indication, these loggerhead sea turtles, once in such trouble they were designated as “threatened” by the federal government four decades ago, are making a comeback off the coast of Georgia.

And it is beginning to look as if 2019 could be a record-breaking year, in terms of the number of female turtles who nest there.

As of Wednesday evening, 1,779 sea turtle nests had been spotted by researchers along the Georgia coastline this season, which is not yet half-done.

Read full story at  Once Threatened, Sea Turtle Nests Thrive Along the Georgia Coast – The New York Times

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 17, 2019

UC Berkeley Botanical Garden Photos 6/15/19 – updated

Photos of the UC – Berkeley Botanical Garden taken on June 15, 2019

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

See larger high quality photos in a Flickr album at https://www.flickr.com/photos/sandysteinman/albums/72157709116733268

 

 

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 17, 2019

Monitor Pass Wildflowers 6/16/19

See wildflower photos from Monitor pass (1) California Wildflower Tipline

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 17, 2019

Marin Wildflowers: Ring Mt. and Railroad Grade 6/16/19

See new photos from both Ring Mt. and Railroad Grade at the Marin CNPS Facebook page at (1) Marin Native Plants

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 17, 2019

Eastern Sierra Wildflowers 6/16/19

California Wildflower Tipline reports

Cactus are starting to bloom. These particular flowers are off the Wacouba Road off Hwy 168 out of Big Pine. We did use a 4W drive to take the road off Wacouba towards Papoose Flats, plus a little hike across the first real ridge up the road.

See photos at (3) California Wildflower Tipline

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 17, 2019

Hope Valley Wildflowers 6/12/19

Carson Pass Information Station reports

88 to Luther Pass today (June 15th) in Hope Valley. It is a hike I recommended, because of all the snow. It is very close and doable for people who do not want to hike in the snow!”

See photos at (3) Carson Pass Information Station – Home

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 17, 2019

Santa Monica Mountains Wildflowers 6/17/19

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area has one new report

This has been a year when almost any hike you take in a wild place is going to give you a gratifying display of wildflowers. The popular media has frequently provided us all with dramatic flower reports and suggestions of where to see the more spectacular displays. Added to that is the drama and beauty of the recovering burned landscapes here in the Santa Monica Mountains. All in all this is a flower season not to be missed.

Topanga Canyon State Park Santa Ynez Canyon 6/14
         The flowers in this canyon, and then the chaparral beyond, just keep getting better and better. There are many, gorgeous, Humboldt lilies in bloom. I can never tire of seeing them. Otherwise the riparian area, while beautiful, does not have a lot of flowers. There is heart-leaf penstemon, canyon sunflower, wild rose and sticky monkey flower. There are more treats in store when reaching the chaparral area. The scarlet larkspur are in full and beautiful bloom and so are the spectacular Plummer’s mariposa lilies. Also in the chaparral are tiny sapphire wool stars and towering yuccas, white snapdragon, mustard evening primrose, dudley’s and golden star lilies.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 17, 2019

Homestead Valley Land Trust Wildflowers 6/16/19

Homestead Valley has a new wildflower update. See photos Homestead Valley June 16

NEW
– American trailplant blooms with a small white flower at the top of a tall stalk above a bed of arrow shaped leaves.
– American wild carrot blooms with a broad tight cluster of white.
– California spikenard is blooming along creeks in forests with spherical balls tipped with white flowers.
– Purple clarkia is blooming with small purple cups in meadows.
– Featherweed blooms with brown tufts at forest edges.
– Harvest brodiaea blooms with rich purple open flowers in meadows.
– Milkwort blooms with purple irregular shaped flowers.
– Ocean spray blooms white with frothy pendulous clusters in forests.

Read More…

The San Francisco Chronicle reports

After a winter and spring marked by unusually potent weather, the site of the annual Burning Man festival has been replaced by a massive lake of water stretching more than 10 miles long.

Quinn Lake forms every year in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert and usually measures about a mile long but can be even smaller in droughts. This year, it spilled its banks and spread across the desert playa, running directly through the area where 70,000 festival-goers annually set up camp and display their artwork.

Read full story at Massive lake forms in Black Rock Desert after heavy rains: Will it impact Burning Man? – SFGate

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 16, 2019

Tioga Pass Opening Update June 12, 2019

See new update for opening at Tioga Pass Rd. Fully Open July 1;

Yosemite National Park posted the following update for Tioga Road on June 12, 2019

Tioga Road will remain closed at least through this weekend (June 15–16); this does not imply it will open just after the weekend—there is no estimated date for opening. Opening work continues, especially near Olmsted Point. The road is closed to all entry, including vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. This closure is being enforced.

Snowpack in the Tuolumne River basin was at 149% of average this year as of May 1. View a list of previous opening dates. Highways 108 and 4, north of Yosemite, have opened for the season.

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 16, 2019

Henry Coe Wildflower Update 6/15/19

Henry Coe State Park has updated its wildflower bloom report at the Pine Ridge Association website with photos and a list of flowers now in bloom at: Henry W. Coe – Wildflower Guide.

New Website Link: Henry Coe has updated its website and changed the wildflower link. The new link is https://coepark.net/blooming 

 

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 16, 2019

Yosemite Wildflowers: Hetch Hetchy 6/15/19

See wildflowerphotos for Wapama falls trail at Hetch Hetchy Reservoir at Yosemite National Park at (2) California Wildflower Tipline

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 16, 2019

California State Budget Commits to Protect Wildlife Habitat

Defenders of Wildlife Press Release

CALIFORNIA WILDLIFE ORGANIZATIONS CHEER STATE BUDGET’S COMMITMENT TO PROTECT WILDLIFE HABITAT

SACRAMENTO (June 10, 2019) – On Sunday, the 2019 Budget Conference Committee approved a ten-year commitment to appropriate $30 million per year to assure conservation of unique and important wildlife habitat throughout the state.

Initially created by the California Wildlife Protection Act, the Habitat Conservation Fund (HCF) was part of Proposition 117 approved by passed by California voters in June 1990. The Act stated that “… there is an urgent need to protect the rapidly disappearing wildlife habitat that supports California’s unique and varied wildlife resources.” Proposition 117 required an annual transfer of $30 million into the fund until July 1, 2020 and specified how the monies were to be expended. These funds have protected more than 1 million acres of wildlife habitat across California since 1990.

Read more at CALIFORNIA WILDLIFE ORGANIZATIONS CHEER STATE BUDGET’S COMMITMENT TO PROTECT WILDLIFE HABITAT

 

 

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 15, 2019

Mt. Rainier Wildflowers 6/14/19

Mt. Rainier National Park reports

Currently Blooming

Avalanche lilies (Erythronium montanum) are an early-season wildflower. Their flowers have white petals with yellow at the center, distinguishing them from the entirely-yellow flowers of glacier lilies. Avalanche lilies are currently blooming along Stevens Canyon Road near Reflection Lakes, but they are common in many subalpine areas in the park. Watch the Mountain Moment: Avalanche Lilies video for a preview of these wildflowers.

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

  • Stevens Canyon Road, east to west (6/14) – wild strawberry, paintbrush, vanilla leaf, columbine, three-leaved anemone, lupine, goat’s beard, bear grass, Oregon sunshine, thimbleberry, penstemon, yarrow, subalpine daisy, avalanche lily, sitka valerian, sitka mountain ash, tall bluebells, phlox, Jeffrey’s shooting stars
  • Longmire-Paradise Road (6/13) – lupine, Jeffrey’s shooting star, bear grass, penstemon, paintbrush, sitka mountain ash
  • White River Road (6/14) – wild strawberry, vanilla leaf
  • Wonderland Trail Cougar Rock to Carter Falls (6/12) -vanilla leaf, stream violets, trillium (fading to pink), Calypso orchids, penstemon, avalanche lily
  • Nisqually Entrance to Longmire (6/6) – vanilla leaf, cow parsnip (early), three-leaved anemone, Piper’s anemone, big-leaved avens, bunchberry, columbine, tall bluebells, lupine
  • Longmire (6/6) – yellow violets, wild strawberry, Cascade oregongrape, heartleaf twayblade, mitrewort, salmonberry, slender bog orchid, bunchberry, three-leaved anemone, bear grass, alumroot, starflower, foam flower (early)

Wildflower Photos
The photos featured here are usually taken by park staff and volunteers from all over the park. Share your own wildflower photos in the Mount Rainier Flickr group! Higher resolution versions of wildflower photos are available on Mount Rainier’s Flickr page.

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.

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 15, 2019

Wildflowers Around California 6/15/19

Botanical Wanderings – California has new wildflower posts with photos from

  • Lightning Ridge Nature Trail, Angeles National Forest
  • Clover Springs Preserve
  • Ano Nuevo

California Wildflower Report has new wildflower posts with photos from

  • June Lake
  • Gabrielino Trail to get to Sturtevant Falls in Altadena, CA

Marin CNPS has a new post with Flowrs from Ring Mt.

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 15, 2019

Pollinator Week – June 17-23, 2019

Pollinator Week is Society June 17-23, 2019

Pollinator Week is fast approaching–this national celebration extends from Monday, June 17 to Sunday, June 23! The Xerces Society has a wide variety of events from coast to coast during this time, and we invite you to join us. You can also participate remotely by signing up for a webinar on insect declines presented by our executive director, Scott Hoffman Black, on Tuesday, June 18 (click here to register for the webinar). Check out our events page for the full list of activities and registration information. We hope to see you soon!
Find a Xerces Event Near You
More Ways to Celebrate Pollinator Week

Sign the Pollinator Protection Pledge
Join 8,000+ people in making the commitment to protect pollinators. Learn More & Sign

Use the Pollinator Conservation Resource Center to Create Habitat
Get regional information–including plant lists and local seed and plant vendors–to help you build or expand upon pollinator habitat in your garden, on your farm, or in your community.   Learn More

Mobilize Your Community to Protect Pollinators
Bee City USA galvanizes communities to sustain pollinators by providing them with healthy habitat, rich in a variety of native plants, and free to nearly free of pesticides. Colleges and universities can become Bee Campuses, too! Learn More

via Celebrate Pollinator Week with the Xerces Society

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 14, 2019

Marin Wildflowers 6/13/19

See photo for Dias Ridge to Redwood Creek to Miwok Trail loop from the Marin CNPS at Marin Native Plants.

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 14, 2019

Angeles National Forest 6/11/19

California Wildflower Report has the following post

The Gabrielino Trail to get to Sturtevant Falls in Altadena, CA in the Angeles National Forest on June 10, 2019, for my photo hike. I thought the wildflowers superbloom was all over and finished here in Southern California, but I was surprised and delighted to find and photograph some of these wildflower beauties on my way to Sturtevant Falls waterfall!

See photos at California Wildflower Report – Home

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 14, 2019

Plant extinction ‘bad news for all species’

The BBC reports

Almost 600 plant species have been lost from the wild in the last 250 years, according to a comprehensive study.

The number is based on actual extinctions rather than estimates, and is twice that of all bird, mammal and amphibian extinctions combined.

Scientists say plant extinction is occurring up to 500 times faster than what would be expected naturally.

Read full article at  Plant extinction ‘bad news for all species’ – BBC News

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 13, 2019

Carson Pass Wildflower Prediction 6/12/19

Carson Pass Information Station reports

Let’s Talk Wildflowers!Up at the station we are most often called asking about our wildflowers and when they might bloom. The last photo in this set shows what the Carson Pass Trailhead looked like on Tuesday; can you see our information sign still a bit buried in the back? As the snow melts, the flowers and other plants of the Sierras need time, and space to grow. Please give the plants a chance and stay on trail so people can enjoy our wildflowers for decades to come! These corn lilies are just starting to sprout right in front of the station, can you find them all in the second photo? Yesterday it was 65F at the station, the snow is melting, but we don’t think we’ll start seeing flowers until Mid-July. Keep checking in here, and feel free to call the station for updates!

See photos at (3) Carson Pass Information Station – Home

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 13, 2019

Pt. Reyes Wildflowers 6/9/19

See photos from wildflowers of Point Reyes National Seashore taken over the last two weekends at (5) California Wildflower Tipline

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