EuroNews reported
The research comes as communities in Italy and around Europe struggle with the rebound of bear populations due to conservation efforts.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 7, 2026
These Italian brown bears have changed their behaviour due to close interaction with humans
Posted in Animals | Tags: European Brown Bears
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 6, 2026
A sticker covering Trump’s face could now void your national park pass
SF Gate reported
New Interior Department guidance says stickers or coverings on national park passes may invalidate them, amid protests over Donald Trump’s image.
Read on www.sfgate.com/national-parks/article/sticker-covering-trump-void-national-park-pass-21278091.php
Posted in Park | Tags: National Park Passes
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 6, 2026
Researchers find how plants survive without sunlight or sex
ScienceDaily reported
The study reveals how Balanophora plants function despite abandoning photosynthesis and, in some species, sexual reproduction. Their plastid genomes shrank dramatically in a shared ancestor, yet the plastids remain vital. Asexual reproduction appears to have evolved repeatedly, helping the plants survive in isolated, humid forest habitats. The research highlights surprising resilience in these bizarre parasitic species.
Read on www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251214100921.htm
Posted in Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Asexual Reproduction, Parasitic Plants
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 5, 2026
How demand for elite falcons in the Middle East is driving illegal trade of British birds | Birds | The Guardian
The Guardian reported
Exclusive: data reveals hundreds of UK nests have been raided in the past decade amid growing appetite to own prized birds for racing and breeding
Posted in Birds | Tags: Falcons, Illegal bird trade
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 5, 2026
Regional Parks Botanic Garden Photos 1/2/26
Photographed in the East Bay Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park in Berkeley, CA on January 2, 2026.
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 | January 5, 2026
Mammoth Lakes 395 Wildlife Crossing – Eastern Sierra Land Trust
From Eastern Sierra Land Trust
The Mammoth Lakes 395 Wildlife Crossing is a proposed wildlife crossing corridor between the towns of Mammoth Lakes and Crowley Lake consisting of 18 miles of wildlife exclusion fencing, improvements to one existing and three new under crossings, two overcrossings, jump outs, cattle guards, and Intelligent Transportation Systems elements (i.e., flashing beacons).
The Mammoth Lakes 395 Wildlife Crossing will reduce dangerous Wildlife Vehicle Collisions (WVC), increase wildlife connectivity, and enhance access to public lands within this project area.
Read on eslt.org/wildlifecrossing/
Posted in Animals | Tags: Wildlife Crossings
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 4, 2026
No more free entry: National parks reinstating fees on these days in 2026
KRON reports
Several changes are coming to the country’s beloved national parks in 2026, including a new list of free admission days. The Trump administration announced all parks will be offering free admission to U.S. residents on President Donald Trump’s birthday, but five other formerly free days are being dropped.
Last year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day (the third Monday of January), the first day of National Park Week (in April), Juneteenth (on June 19), the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act (Aug. 4) and National Public Lands Day (fourth Saturday of September) were all free admission days for visitors. Starting in 2026, admission fees will be charged on those five holidays.
Free admission is now offered to U.S. residents on eight holidays:
- Feb. 16: Presidents Day
- May 25: Memorial Day
- June 14: Flag Day and Trump’s birthday
- July 3-5: Independence Day weekend
- Aug. 25: 110th birthday of the National Park Service
- Sept. 17: Constitution Day
- Oct. 27: Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday
- Nov. 11: Veterans Day
Fee-free days used to allow free entry to all visitors, but starting in 2026 the fee will only be waived for U.S. residents. International visitors will not only have to pay the entrance fee, but also new nonresident fees.
Starting in January, international guests will be charged a $100 per-person fee at the entrance gate of 10 of the most-visited national parks, unless they have an America the Beautiful pass.
Posted in Uncategorized
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 4, 2026
Regional Parks Botanic Garden Photos 12/30/25
Photographed in the East Bay Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park in Berkeley, CA on December 30 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 | January 4, 2026
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
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 4, 2026
What’s Killing These Oak Trees in the Midwest? Conservationists Believe Drifting Herbicides Are to Blame
Smithsonian Magazine reported
After the herbicide dicamba exploded in popularity among industrial farmers in 2017, some Illinois residents noticed curled and discolored leaves on native oak trees.
Scientists and conservationists are gathering data in hopes of advocating for restrictions on herbicide use, such as tighter regulations on spraying in high winds.
Posted in Environment | Tags: Herbicides, Tree Deaths
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 3, 2026
Santa Cruz Fungus Fair Jan 9-11 !
From Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz
General Information
Did you know that without fungus, we’d have no bread, cheese, beer, or wine? Or that anti-cholesterol medicine was developed from mushrooms?
Come to the Santa Cruz Fungus Fair to learn fascinating and fun facts about beautiful and diverse species of mushrooms! View remarkable mushroom arts and crafts, taste unusual and exceptionally good fungal fare, and experience FFSC’s overriding mission: “We keep the fun in fungus!”
This unique Santa Cruz area tradition draws thousands of visitors each January. Advance tickets usually go on sale by early December.
Buy tickets now for the 2026 Fair, Jan 9-11 !
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 3, 2026
Scientists discover 20 new deep-reef species
Academy scientists discover 20 new deep-reef species and reveal evidence of ocean warming in the ‘twilight zone’
Read more Academy scientists discover 20 new deep-reef species and reveal evidence of ocean warming in the ‘twilight zone’ – California Academy of Sciences
Nearly a decade of data collected from dives to 300+ feet will help inform global conservation efforts for these understudied coral reefs
Posted in Animals
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 3, 2026
Upcoming Bay Nature Events
See the schedule of upcoming Bay Nature Events mailchi.mp/baynature/march-11
Posted in Talks, Walks & Hikes | Tags: Bay Nature Events
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 3, 2026
The deep ocean is fixing carbon in ways no one expected
ScienceDaily reported
A new study reveals that unexpected microbes are quietly fixing carbon in the dark depths of the ocean
Researchers have uncovered surprising evidence that the deep ocean’s carbon-fixing engine works very differently than long assumed. While ammonia-oxidizing archaea were thought to dominate carbon fixation in the sunless depths, experiments show that other microbes—especially heterotrophs—are doing far more of the work than expected. This discovery reshapes our understanding of how carbon moves through the deep ocean and stabilizes Earth’s climate.
Read more The deep ocean is fixing carbon in ways no one expected
Posted in Environment | Tags: How ocean is fixing carbon
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 2, 2026
Winged Migration Festival – SATURDAY JAN. 31 & SUNDAY FEB. 1
MORE HIKES! MORE ACTIVITIES! BIGGER VENUE! MORE PARKING!
SATURDAY JAN. 31 & SUNDAY FEB. 1
10AM TIL 4PM + AREA HIKES TO BE ANNOUNCED
JOIN US AT BUILDING 69, NEXT TO THE COAL SHEDS AT THE INTERSECTION OF 4TH STREET & WATERFRONT AVE ON MARE ISLAND, VALLEJO, CA
Learn more Winged Migration Expo | Pacific Flyway | Vallejo, CA
Posted in Bird Festivals | Tags: Winged Migration Festival
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 2, 2026
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.
— Read on nativeplants.org/events-and-classes/wayne-roderick-lectures/
Posted in Garden, Talks | Tags: Wayne Roderick Lectures
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 2, 2026
Drones Help Identify Viruses in Whales
The New York Times reported
“In northern Norway, scientists detected a disease-causing virus in humpback whales by flying drones over them. It is the first time the virus, known as cetacean morbillivirus, has been identified in Arctic waters”
Read on https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/science/arctic-drones-whales-virus.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 2, 2026
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 | January 2, 2026
5 great forests for birds
From Cornell Lab of Ornithology:
Interesting video/story on 5 great forests in Latin America:
– Selva Maya
– La Moskitia
– Indio Maiz-Tortuguero
– La Amistad
– El Darien
Click here
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 1, 2026
Upcoming CNPS Events
See the calendar of upcoming events of the California Native Plants Society at https://www.cnps.org/events
Posted in Talks | Tags: Upcoming CNPS Events
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 1, 2026
Upcoming CNPS Events
See the calendar of upcoming events of the California Native Plants Society at https://www.cnps.org/events
Posted in Talks | Tags: Upcoming CNPS Events
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 1, 2026
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 | January 1, 2026
Discovery of a unique animal with a secret ability
Earth.com
On a routine wildlife survey in a forest reserve in southwest China, scientists caught a weasel that turned out to be a species no one had recorded before. The animal, now named Mustela mopbie, is the newest member of a famously elusive group of small carnivores.
Read more at Routine expedition ended with the discovery of a unique animal with a secret ability
Posted in Animals | Tags: Mustela mopbie, New Species, weasel
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 1, 2026
Tracking the First Breeding Pair of Secretarybirds: WhatWe’re Learning
HawkWatch International reported
Director of International Programs, Dr. MeganMurgatroyd, watched the map as a female Secretarybird she tagged with a transmitter moved further and further away from her nest. “I thought she had abandoned the nest,” Meg shared.
Over the following days, her movements revealed an unexpected pattern: repeated foraging trips of up to 30 kilometers, followed by consistent returns to the nest. Meanwhile, the male remained close. For the first time, scientists weren’t relying on chance observations or indirect evidence. They were watching the lives of breeding Secretarybirds unfold in real time.
Read more Tracking the First Breeding Pair of Secretarybirds: WhatWe’re Learning – HawkWatch International
Posted in Birds | Tags: Secretarybird
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 31, 2025
Sunset at Elsie Roemer
Photographed Elsie B. Roemer Bird Sanctuary in Alameda, CA on Wed. December 30, 2025.
Posted in Environment, Park, Photos (Sandy's) | Tags: Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary, Sunsets
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 31, 2025
Dodo bird’s closest living relative spotted in remote South Pacific rainforest
The Independent reported
A manumea, the closest living relative of the extinct dodo bird, has been sighted for the first time since 2013, raising hope that the critically endangered species can be saved from extinction.
The Samoa Conservation Society’s latest field survey, conducted from 17 October to 13 November, recorded at least five sightings of Didunculus strigirostris in the South Pacific nation’s rainforest.
Read more Dodo bird’s closest living relative spotted in remote South Pacific rainforest | The Independent
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 31, 2025
‘No one knows where it came from’: first wild beaver spotted in Norfolk in 500
The Guardian reported
A wild beaver has been spotted in Norfolk for the first time since beavers were hunted to extinction in England at the beginning of the 16th century.
It was filmed dragging logs and establishing a lodge in a “perfect beaver habitat” on the River Wensum at Pensthorpe, a nature reserve near Fakenham in Norfolk.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 30, 2025
Who lived in the Sahara desert the last time it was green and lush?
Earth.com reported
About 7,000 years ago, two women were laid to rest in a rocky shelter in today’s southwestern Libya. Their remains have now yielded the first ancient human genomes ever recovered from the central Sahara.
An international study finds that these women carried a long isolated North African lineage now erased as a separate group. Their DNA also helps redraw the map of how people moved, or did not move, across a greener Sahara.
Read on www.earth.com/news/about-7000-years-ago-sahara-desert-was-green-takarkori-rock-shelter-discovery/
Posted in Desert
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 29, 2025
Stingless bees from the Amazon granted legal rights in world first
The Guardian reported
Planet’s oldest bee species and primary pollinators were under threat from deforestation and competition from ‘killer bees’
Posted in Animals | Tags: Stingless Bees Granted Legal Rights
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 29, 2025
Pioneering Climate Solutions in Los Angeles and Beyond
The Nature Conservancy reported
TNC has supported prioritizing restoration projects along the L.A. River that enhance habitat, prevent housing displacement, provide public access to parks and open space, and promote climate resilience. We aspire to create a highly visible new model for urban restoration where habitat, water treatment, public access and climate resilience combine in one place to demonstrate what the future of the L.A. River and surrounding region could be.
Read more at Pioneering Climate Solutions in Los Angeles and Beyond
Posted in Environment | Tags: Nature-based climate solutions
Natural History Wanderings 