LiveScience reported
A previously-undetected flood over Greenland’s ice sheet has confounded model predictions about how the region’s meltwater should leak.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 3, 2025
Huge hidden flood bursts through the Greenland ice sheet surface
Posted in Environment | Tags: Greenland, Ice Sheet Leaks
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 3, 2025
Job. Announcement: Parks Interpretive Specialist (PIS) position at Samuel P. Taylor State Park!
We’re hiring!
The application is now open for a Parks Interpretive Specialist (PIS) position at Samuel P. Taylor State Park!
Follow the link in the below https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=486149
Posted in Job Openings | Tags: Job Announcement
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 3, 2025
Scientists Just Found Out Plants ‘Talk’ to Each Other — Especially About Their Natural Enemies
NewsBreak and GreenMatters reported
Beyond the naked eye of humans, plants live in a fascinating world of fantasy. Unfathomable to human imagination, plants usually remain surrounded by a fine mist of airborne compounds that hang in the air. Whenever an insect or an animal attacks a plant, the injured plant silently alerts its fellow plants to activate their defense mechanism. A team of Japanese researchers recently explored this phenomenon of plant chattering and published some noteworthy findings in the journal Nature Communications, with a YouTube video.
Read more at Scientists Just Found Out Plants ‘Talk’ to Each Other — Especially About Their Natural Enemies – NewsBreak
Posted in Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Plant Communication
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 2, 2025
Monarch butterflies’ mass die-off in 2024 caused by pesticide exposure – study | California
The Guardian reported
A 2024 mass monarch butterfly die-off in California was probably caused by pesticide exposure, new peer-reviewed research finds, adding difficult-to-obtain evidence to the theory that pesticides are partly behind dramatic declines in monarchs’ numbers in recent decades.
Researchers discovered hundreds of butterflies that had died or were dying in January 2024 near an overwintering site, where insects spend winter months. The butterflies were found twitching or dead in piles, which are common signs of neurotoxic pesticide poisoning, researchers wrote
Read on www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/01/monarch-butterflies-mass-die-off-pesticides
Posted in Butterflies | Tags: Monarch Butterflies
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 2, 2025
Bay Area congressmembers call for NOAA investigation into rising whale deaths
Local News Matters reported
Bay Area congressmembers want the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association to investigate why gray whale deaths in the region are at their highest in 25 years.
Read more Bay Area congressmembers call for NOAA investigation into rising whale deaths – Local News Matters
Posted in Uncategorized
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 2, 2025
Upcoming Events and Hikes at Carson Pass
See the free upcoming Carson Pass hikes and events from the Eldorado National Forest Interpretive Association at Calendar – ENFIA
Posted in Walks & Hikes | Tags: Upcoming Events and Hikes at Carson Pass
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 2, 2025
Upcoming UC Berkeley Botanical Garden Events
See the events calendar for the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden at Garden Events
Posted in Class/Workshop, Garden | Tags: UC Berkeley Botanical Garden Events
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 2, 2025
Once-Extinct Species Makes a Miraculous Return in the Galápagos
Indian Defense Review reported
A once-thought-extinct species, the leaf-toed gecko (Phyllodactylus maresi), has made an astonishing return to Rábida Island in the Galápagos, thanks to an ambitious restoration and rewilding project. This small, enigmatic reptile, measuring only about eight centimeters, had been known solely through 5,000-year-old fossils until recent years. Its rediscovery on the island has generated excitement in conservation circles, especially as this event was not just a natural occurrence but the result of carefully planned and executed human intervention. A recent study published in PLOS ONE provides detailed insights into the gecko’s return, further emphasizing the importance of these conservation efforts.
Read more: Once-Extinct Species Makes a Miraculous Return in the Galápagos
Posted in Animals | Tags: Galápagos, Leaf-toed Gecko, Phyllodactylus maresi
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 1, 2025
Los Nogales Nursery is Now Open 🪴
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Posted in Garden | Tags: Los Nogales Nursery i
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 1, 2025
Tick Bites Highest In 5 Years, CDC Says. How to Protect Yourself
Healthline reported
Health officials report an increasing number of tick bites across the United States as the regions where the insects typically breed have expanded.
Experts cite climate change as a major factor in the rise and spread of tick populations and the diseases they carry.
Infected ticks can transmit Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and other illnesses by biting humans.
You can reduce your risk of tick bites by wearing clothes that cover your arms and legs and checking yourself and your pets for ticks after outdoor activities.
Read on www.healthline.com/health-news/tick-season-2025-how-to-protect-yourself
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 1, 2025
Tourist discovers ‘extinct’ jellyfish while rock-pooling in Outer Hebrides
The Guardian reported
For nearly 50 years, there has been no trace of Depastrum cyathiforme, a stalked jellyfish that resembles a thistle flower.
The distinctive jellyfish was feared globally extinct after being last spotted in Roscoff, northern France, in 1976.
But a holidaymaker who was rock-pooling on South Uist in the Outer Hebrides found four of the creatures, which attach themselves to rocks rather like anemones, and took what turned out to be the first ever photographs of the species, previously only known from historic drawings and paintings.
Posted in Animals
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 1, 2025
Theodore Payne Foundation Upcoming Events
Theodore Payne Foundation inspires and educates Southern Californians about the beauty and ecological benefits of California native plant landscapes.We are located on 22 acres of canyon land in the northeast corner of the San Fernando Valley. Our full-service native plant nursery, seed room, book store, art gallery, demonstration gardens, and hiking trails are open to the public year round. We offer garden tours and classes for adults and families, as well as field trips to TPF and in-classroom programs for children. Friendly on-leash dogs are welcome and there is no admission charge!
See upcoming events at Theodore Payne Foundation Events – 20 Upcoming Activities and Tickets | Eventbrite
Posted in Class/Workshop | Tags: Theodore Payne Foundation Upcoming Events
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 1, 2025
The Lost Birds of Point Reyes –
Bay Nature reports
As birding became more popular in the 1970s and 1980s, records of the rare sightings accumulated from Point Reyes and other local “vagrant traps,” coastal sites with high concentrations of vagrant birds.
What accounts for the appearance of birds from the northern U.S. and Canada ending up at Point Reyes?
Read story at The Lost Birds of Point Reyes –
Posted in Birds | Tags: Vagrant Birds at Pt. Reyes
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 31, 2025
Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy Upcoming Events
See all Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy Upcoming Events at see all upcoming events
Posted in Park | Tags: Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy Events
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 31, 2025
Explore These Short Hikes in California State Parks
from California State Parks Foundation
In our guide, you’ll find: Tips for hiking in state parksHikes in Northern California, Central California, and Southern CaliforniaBeach strolls, nature trails, and a few short but strenuous hikes that have a view at the top!
Read more and get guide at Explore These Short Hikes in California State Parks | Cal Parks
Posted in Park, Walks & Hikes | Tags: California State Parks Shor Hikes guide
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 31, 2025
Happy World Ranger Day!
from Organ Pipe Cactus National Park
Today, we celebrate the park rangers who protect and preserve natural, historical, and cultural resources across the world.
From building and maintaining trails, enforcing laws, monitoring plants and wildlife, restoring sensitive habitat, educating visitors, and more, it’s clear that rangers wear MANY hats (including the funny looking one.) Every day in the United States and across the globe, rangers put their brains and bodies on the line to preserve important public resources.
The next time you visit a national park, be sure to thank the public servants who work hard to make your visit enjoyable, memorable, and safe!
Posted in Park | Tags: World Ranger Day
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 31, 2025
New resort near Calif. national park a ‘giant red flag,’ locals warn
SF Gate reported
For years, residents of the desert city of Twentynine Palms have debated what to do about Ofland. The eco-style resort project, a collection of deluxe cabins set across 152 acres with access to amenities such as an outdoor movie theater, pool and hot tubs, has been hailed as an economic and tourism engine for the area east of the city of Joshua Tree by some and vilified as a nuisance — or worse — by others. Whichever side you fall on, Ofland now seems here to stay.
Read more New resort near Calif. national park a ‘giant red flag,’ locals warn
Posted in Park | Tags: Joshua Tree National Park
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 31, 2025
Amur leopards, once nearly extinct, are making a comeback in Far East Asia
Monga Bay reported
The Amur leopard lives in isolation in the freezing forests of southeast Russia and northeast China. It’s one of the most endangered of eight leopard subspecies in the world. Today, its population is on the upswing.
Posted in Animals | Tags: Amur Leopards
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 30, 2025
Upper Valley conservationists hope to bring back the American chestnut
Valley News reported
New London conservationists are eagerly awaiting the first nuts from their crop of about 100 American chestnut trees, as their counterparts in Grantham embark on a similar adventure to preserve the so-called “redwoods of the East.”
Read more Valley News – Upper Valley conservationists hope to bring back the American chestnut
Posted in Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: American Chestnut
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 30, 2025
How Wimbledon Tennis Balls Are Helping Vulnerable UK Harvest Mice
Country LIving reported
55,000 tennis balls are used at the tennis tournament each year – here’s what happens to them afterwards.
While many are sold on-site to raise funds for the Wimbledon Foundation, the All England Lawn Tennis Club has another second act for the fuzzy yellow orbs – one that supports British wildlife and the environment.
After the tournament wraps up, used balls are donated to the Wildlife Trusts, a grassroots movement of 46 independent charities working to bring back and support wildlife.
Read more at How Wimbledon Tennis Balls Are Helping Vulnerable UK Harvest Mice
Posted in Animals, Environment | Tags: Wimbledon Tennis Balls Helping Harvest Mice
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 29, 2025
Photos from my Garden – 7/28/25
Here are some of photos of what is happening in my garden now.
Posted in Garden, Photos (Sandy's) | Tags: Garden Photos
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 29, 2025
In Alabama, a Social Media Influencer Really Gets Wild
The New York Times reports on a social influencer encouraging people to learn about native plants
Kyle Lybarger built a loyal following online by talking about native plants and why biodiversity matters.
Read more at In Alabama, a Social Media Influencer Really Gets Wild
Posted in Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Native Plants
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 28, 2025
Job Opening: Gardener
The Regional Parks Botanic Garden has an opening for a full-time Gardener position. For an application and additional information, please follow this link to the East Bay Regional Park District website:
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/ebparks/jobs/4962212/gardener
Posted in Job Openings | Tags: Job Opening, Regional Parks Botanic Garden
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 28, 2025
One of the Bay Area’s best hiking trails closed indefinitely
SF Gate reported
The popular Steep Ravine Trail in Mount Tamalpais State Park has been indefinitely closed after fallen redwood trees and erosion led to “unsafe” conditions.
Read on www.sfgate.com/local/article/steep-ravine-trail-bay-area-closed-20781233.php
Posted in Park, Walks & Hikes | Tags: Mt. Tamalpais, Stemp Ravine Trail
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 28, 2025
Mojave lichen defies death rays—could life thrive on distant exoplanets?
ScienceDaily reported
Lichen from the Mojave Desert can survive, and replicate, under levels of extreme solar radiation found on Earth-like planets in other solar systems.
Lichen from the Mojave Desert has stunned scientists by surviving months of lethal UVC radiation, suggesting life could exist on distant planets orbiting volatile stars. The secret? A microscopic “sunscreen” layer that protects their vital cells—even though Earth’s atmosphere already filters out such rays.
Read more Mojave lichen defies death rays—could life thrive on distant exoplanets? | ScienceDaily
Posted in Wildflowers and Other Plants
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 27, 2025
World’s smallest-known snake found under rocks in Barbados after nearly 20 years
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 27, 2025
Female baboons with strong relationship to fathers found to live longer
The Guardian reported
Study suggests role of male parents may be under-appreciated in some primate species
Read on www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/18/female-baboons-strong-relationship-fathers-live-longer
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 26, 2025
Why Yosemite National Park experts are mad at Netflix’s ‘Untamed’
SFGate reported
Netflix’s new No. 1 show is filled with inaccuracies about Yosemite National Park.
Posted in Park | Tags: Untamed, Yosemite National Park
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 26, 2025
Bay Nature’s 2025 Summer Guide! – Bay Nature
For this summer, we’ve pulled together a few of our favorites—reads, guides, coastal trails and summer volunteering opportunities.
— Read on baynature.org/2025/05/16/bay-natures-2025-summer-guide/
Posted in Park, Walks & Hikes | Tags: Bay Nature Summer Guide
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 26, 2025
Soil conditions significantly increase rainfall in megastorm hotspots
University of Leeds reported
Large contrasts in soil moisture levels over a wide area can increase the size and intensity of so-called megastorms which cause flooding and mudslides in hotspots across the globe.
Posted in Environment | Tags: Soil condition impact on mega storms
Natural History Wanderings 