The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is issuing an urgent advisory following a recent outbreak of amatoxin poisoning linked to the consumption of wild, foraged mushrooms. Confirmed cases have resulted in severe liver damage in both pediatric and adult patients, including one adult fatality. As of December 5, 2025, 21 cases have been identified by the California Poison Control System (CPCS), with significant clusters reported in the Monterey and San Francisco Bay Areas, although there is risk statewide.
Read more Outbreak of Potentially Deadly Amatoxin Poisoning Linked to the Consumption of Wild, Foraged Mushrooms
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 12, 2025
Outbreak of Potentially Deadly Amatoxin Poisoning Linked to the Consumption of Wild, Foraged Mushrooms
Posted in Mushrooms | Tags: Mushroom poisoning
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 12, 2025
Acorn Woodpeckers
Bay Natiure writes about Acorn Woodpeckers in Five Acts
“These clowns of the bird world are actually, it turns out, complicated protagonists,” Marissa Ortega-Welch writes. Fall 2019. Free Read »
Posted in Birds | Tags: Acorn Woodpeckers
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 11, 2025
For Real, a Natural History of Misinformation – The New York Times
The New York Times reported
It’s not just humans who suffer from leading one another astray. So do fish, flies and even bacteria.
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Read on www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/science/evolution-fish-misinformation.html
Posted in Animals | Tags: Misinformation
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 11, 2025
Camera traps capture a smooth-coated otter for the first time
Earth.com reported
During a tiger survey in a forest sanctuary in northern India, researchers accidentally photographed a different predator. Their cameras captured the first confirmed images of smooth-coated otters living in Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary.
Read more Camera traps capture a smooth-coated otter for the first time – Earth.com
Posted in Animals
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 11, 2025
Life in the North Bay for Mountain Lions
Life in the North Bay for Mountain Lions On demand
Dr. Quinton Martins has been monitoring mountain lions in the North Bay for nearly a decade. Join us to learn more about them in this webinar.
Posted in Uncategorized
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 11, 2025
Global use of coal hit record high in 2024
The Guardian reported
Bleak report finds greenhouse gas emissions are still rising despite ‘exponential’ growth of renewables
Read on www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/oct/22/global-use-of-coal-hit-record-high-in-2024
Posted in Environment | Tags: Record Coal Usage
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 10, 2025
Annual Wild Mushroom Advisory in East Bay Regional Parks
Due to this year’s early rainy season, wild mushrooms are popping up in great numbers throughout East Bay Regional Parks. Mushrooms are an ecologically important part of the parklands and can look beautiful—but some of them contain dangerous toxins. The death cap (Amanita phalloides) and western destroying angel (Amanita ocreata) are two of the world’s most toxic mushrooms, and both can be found in Regional Parks during the rainy season.
Read more Annual Wild Mushroom Advisory in East Bay Regional Parks | East Bay Parks
The death cap and western destroying angel mushrooms contain amatoxins, molecules that are deadly to many animals. Symptoms may not appear until up to 12 hours after consumption, beginning as severe gastrointestinal distress and progressing to liver and kidney failure if treatment is not sought immediately.
Both of these mushrooms can be lethal to humans and pets if consumed. Pet owners should contact a veterinarian immediately if they suspect their pet may have eaten a toxic mushroom. They are mainly associated with oak trees and can be found growing anywhere oak roots are present. Collecting any mushrooms in East Bay Regional Parks is not allowed.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 10, 2025
Photos from Pt. Reyes 11/28/25 part 2
Posted in Park, Uncategorized
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 10, 2025
These Hawaiʻi native plants are the last of their kind in the wild
Hawaiʻi Public Radio reported
Hawaiʻi has more endangered plants than all other U.S. states combined. Here’s a look at some of the species that are so rare they only have a single wild plant left.
Read more : These Hawaiʻi native plants are the last of their kind in the wild
Posted in Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Endangered Hawaiian Plants
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 9, 2025
Regional Parks Botanic Garden Photos 12/8/25
Photographed in the East Bay Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park in Berkeley, CA on December 8, 2025.
The Regional Parks Botanic Garden is a California native plant garden. It is located within Tilden Park in the hills above Berkeley, California, It is a 10-acre garden includes many of the state’s rare and endangered plants and a place for visitors to wander among trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses from plant communities throughout the state. There are free weekend and holiday tours. Admission and parking are free. For more information about the garden visit the Friends of the Regional Parks Botanic Garden.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 9, 2025
Mantas on the brink: Global fisheries driving rays toward extinction
Oceangraphic reported
Global study reveals 265,000 manta and devil rays are killed each year, exposing urgent conservation gaps and calls for stronger protections.
Read more Mantas on the brink: Global fisheries driving rays toward extinction – Oceanographic
Posted in Animals | Tags: Devil Rays, Manta Rays
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 8, 2025
San Francisco Bay State of the Birds
SF Bay State of the Birds tracks bird trends as a sign of habitat health to inform restoration and land management decisions across the region. See which birds are doing well and whick are in trouble. Read their findings at https://sfbaystateofthebirds.org/
Posted in Birds | Tags: SF. Bay state of the birds
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 7, 2025
Channel Islands Restoration Events
See upcoming Channel Islands Restoration events at calendar
Posted in Park | Tags: Channel Islands Restoration Events
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 7, 2025
900 Acres Bordering Yosemite Returned to Tribe That Was Expelled 175 Years Ago
The Good News Network reported
In addition to re-establishing the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation as the stewards of Henness Ridge, this project will support and strengthen the Tribe’s case for federal recognition.
Posted in Park | Tags: Returning Land to Native Peoples
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 7, 2025
Troubled Waters? Aquaculture’s Intersecting Animal, Human, and Environmental Harms
The Revelator reported
Aquaculture is not the sustainable or ethical solution to food insecurity that industry or governments claim, nor is it a sound alternative to animal factory farming or wild-caught fishing.
Read more Troubled Waters? Aquaculture’s Intersecting Animal, Human, and Environmental Harms • The Revelator
Posted in Environment | Tags: Aquaculture
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 6, 2025
California officials warn foragers after person dies from poison mushroom | California | The Guardian
The Guardian reported
Several additional people, including children, have severe liver damage amid 21 cases of amatoxin poisoning
Read on www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/06/california-mushroom-poisoning
Posted in Mushrooms | Tags: Mushroom poisoning
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 6, 2025
Photos from Pt. Reyes 11/28/25 part 1
Posted in Uncategorized
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 6, 2025
Jepson Volunteer & Scholarship Applications Open!
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 6, 2025
Upcoming Events at the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 6, 2025
How Nature Restores Our Minds
Psychology Today reported on “”The science behind nature’s power to sharpen focus and support mental health.”
Even brief exposure to nature (about 10 minutes) can measurably improve focus and mood.
Read article at How Nature Restores Our Minds | Psychology Today
Natural environments restore attention by engaging the brain’s effortless “soft fascination.”
Real nature offers multisensory benefits that photos or screens can only partially replicate.
Access to green spaces is a public health necessity, not a luxury.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: Nature And Mental Health, Nature Restores Our Minds
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 5, 2025
Seasonal park ranger positions are open at Sequoia and Kings Canyon!
This job announcement is for wilderness and trailhead rangers, expected to start in May 2026. Wilderness and trailhead rangers serve as search and rescue cadre and also provide trail condition, safety, and regulation information to visitors. The physical demands are high, and the scenery is exquisite. If you’d like to spend a summer in the Sierra Nevada, this may be the job for you!
Applicants are highly encouraged to apply early and give special attention to new resume rules listed in the announcement.
Learn more and apply at https://www.usajobs.gov/job/851424400.
Posted in Job Openings | Tags: Ranger Job Openings
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 5, 2025
How algae learned to harness the Sun without getting burned
ScienceDaily reported
Under the sea, green algae have evolved a clever way to handle too much sunlight. Scientists found that a special pigment called siphonein acts like a natural sun shield, protecting the algae’s delicate photosynthetic machinery from burning out. Using advanced imaging and simulations, researchers showed how siphonein helps algae safely manage excess light energy. The discovery could inspire new solar technologies that mimic nature’s built-in protection systems.
Read on www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251022023110.htm
Posted in Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Algae
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 4, 2025
It’s not a dodo, but this newly discovered bird could share the same fate
Observatorial reported
The famous bird dodo rotund, that lives on the ground and is not afraid of humans, which is a great danger, became an icon of extinction when it disappeared from the island of Mauricio and Earth in the 17th century, shortly after Dutch settlers first found it.
Posted in Birds | Tags: Slaty-masked Tinamou
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 4, 2025
Anza-Borrego Foundation Events
Anza-Borrego Foundation hosts a variety of events and educational programs, including hikes, botany walks, photography workshops, and more. See the schedule at Events | Anza-Borrego Foundation
Posted in Talks, Walks & Hikes | Tags: Anza-Borrego Foundation Events
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 4, 2025
Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association Upcoming Events
See upcoming events calendar of hikes and programs at https://www.abdnha.org/calendar1.htm.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 4, 2025
Photos from the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden 12/1/25
Photos from the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden taken on December 1, 2025.
Posted in Garden, Photos (Sandy's) | Tags: UC Berkeley Bontanical Garden
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 4, 2025
Jepson Workshops
from UC Berkelehy Jepson Herbarium
The University & Jepson Herbaria strive to provide educational opportunities to a broad audience of individuals who are passionate about botanical studies. One way we do this is through our Jepson workshop program! The workshops provide the ability to network, learn from some of the best botanists in California, and gain in-depth knowledge about the California flora.
You can see the 2026 workshop schedule here:
If you are interested in either a scholarship or volunteer opportunity, please fill out our application form at least eight weeks prior to the workshop you are interested in. You will be notified at least six weeks in advance of the workshop if you have been selected.
Please reach out to Nina House (ninahouse@berkeley.edu) or Staci Markos (smarkos@berkeley.edu) if you have any questions.
Posted in Class/Workshop | Tags: Jepson Workshops
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 4, 2025
How woodpeckers turn their entire bodies into hammers
Earth.com reported
Woodpeckers don’t just tap – they strike with astonishing force. Each strike can bring decelerations up to 400 g, a level that would flatten most creatures.
A new study reveals how woodpeckers brace nearly their entire body – head, neck, and abdomen – so the bird becomes, mechanically, a hammer.
Read more How woodpeckers turn their entire bodies into hammers – Earth.com
Posted in Birds | Tags: Woodpeckers
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 3, 2025
Wayne Roderick Lectures
from the Regional Parks Botanic Garden
Join us for our popular Wayne Roderick Lecture series on a broad array of topics related to plants and natural history. The talks take place on Saturday mornings starting at 10:30 a.m. in the Botanic Garden Visitor Center auditorium. These presentations are enjoyable for beginners and professionals alike. All lectures are free and open to the public.
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December 6: Glenn Keator, PhD: “Flora of Western Australia.” Dr. Keator has taught at Merritt College, SF Botanical Garden, College of Marin, and California Academy of Sciences, among others. His primary focus is on California native plants; he initiated the docent training program at the East Bay Regional Parks Botanic Garden, and has been the principal teacher for all the docent training classes.
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December 13: TBA
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December 20: Bob Case: “Alpines of Berthoud Pass, Rocky Mountain National Park, plus some further north alpines of the Rocky Mountains in Montana and Canada.” Bay Area native Bob Case taught biology in the Peralta Community College District for 25 years, and is a retired Deputy Agricultural Commissioner for Contra Costa County. He has traveled most of the Lewis and Clark Voyage of Discovery Trail and is a member of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation.
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December 27: no lecture.
— Read on nativeplants.org/events-and-classes/wayne-roderick-lectures/
Posted in Garden, Talks | Tags: Wayne Roderick Lectures
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 3, 2025
East Bay Regional Parks Upcoming Events
See the calendar of upcoming events for the East Bay Regional Parks at https://www.ebparks.org/calendar
Posted in Park, Walks & Hikes | Tags: East Bay Regional Parks
Natural History Wanderings 