Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 3, 2025

Photos from the East Bay Regional Park Botanic Garden – late March

Photos taken in the Regional Park Botanic Garden in Tilden Park in Berkeley, CA on March 25 and 31, 2025.

The East Bay Regional Parks Botanic Garden is a botanic garden of California native plants. The Garden is open Monday through Sunday from 8:30 AM to 5 PM.  It is located within Tilden Park in the hills above Berkeley, California.  It is a 10-acre garden for 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. To learn more about the garden visit the website at www.nativeplants.org .

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Posted in Garden, Photos (Sandy's), Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: , ,

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 3, 2025

Wildflower Guides for Sonoma County, Bay Area and Statewide for California

from Sonoma Land Trust

Want to learn more about wildflowers? Need a local guide to boost your wildflower ID skills? There are so many resources available. When outside and hiking, please remember that you are a part of nature and that your actions make a huge difference. Please stay on the main trails, pack out any trash, and respect these special and colorful places where wildflowers thrive. 

Here’s that list of guides and articles from various organizations based in Sonoma County, the San Francisco Bay Area, and California. We hope they add a sense of adventure to your wanderings this spring. 

Sonoma County Guides and Resources 

  • Wildflowers of Sonoma County by Sonoma County Regional Parks; 

Read More…

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 3, 2025

Become a Garden Greeter at the Regional Parks Botanic Garden

Thinking about volunteering, but aren’t sure what you can do?
👉 What about welcoming visitors to the Botanic Garden?
✅ Complete a short training to learn about the history of the garden and more
✅ Two hour shifts on the weekend & holidays offer flexibility and easy scheduling to work with your availability
✅ Share your passion for California native plants with visitors in an ever-changing, beautiful setting
🌟The Regional Parks Botanic Garden is a unique showcase of California’s diverse plant communities, and Garden Greeters play an important role in enhancing visitors’ experiences and understanding of native plant conservation!
📆 Next training is April 26 & May 3 from 9-11am
📧 bgarden@ebparks.org OR greeter_coordinator@nativeplants.org

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 3, 2025

Slovakia backs plan to shoot 350 bears after man killed in attack

The BBC reported

The Slovak cabinet has approved a plan to shoot around a quarter of the country’s brown bears, after a man was mauled to death while walking in a forest in Central Slovakia.

Read more  Slovakia backs plan to shoot 350 bears after man killed in attack

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 3, 2025

Evolution of plant network: 600 million years of stress

ScienceDaily  reported

Without plants on land, humans could not live on Earth. From mosses to ferns to grasses to trees, plants are our food, fodder and timber. All this diversity emerged from an algal ancestor that conquered land long ago. The success of land plants is surprising because it is a challenging habitat. On land, rapid shifts in environmental conditions lead to stress, and plants have developed an elaborate molecular machinery for sensing and responding. Now, a research team has compared algae and plants that span 600 million years of independent evolution and pinpointed a shared stress response network using advanced bioinformatic methods.

Read full story at Evolution of plant network: 600 million years of stress | ScienceDaily

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 2, 2025

1,611 acre Silver Fire burning near Bishop prompts evacuation orders, warnings in Inyo, Mono counties 

 CBS Los Angeles reported an update on the Silver Fire

Firefighters have begun to gain the upper hand on the Silver Fire, which temporarily caused evacuation orders for residents of Inyo and Mono Counties near the California-Nevada border, according to Cal Fire officials. 

The blaze was reported at around 2:10 p.m. on Sunday near Highway 6 and Silver Canyon Road, just north of Bishop.

Cal Fire reported the fire had grown to 1,611 acres and was 70% contained on Wednesday evening. Though the fire had continued to grow through the day, firefighters finally reported stopping the forward spread on Monday afternoon.

Read more at 1,611 acre Silver Fire burning near Bishop prompts evacuation orders, warnings in Inyo, Mono counties – CBS Los Angeles

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 2, 2025

‘Near record’ sightings of gray whales reported in SF Bay

SF Gate reported

The cetacean conservation biology team of the Sausalito-based Marine Mammal Center has been closely monitoring the animals since the beginning of March and reported a “significant uptick” in their presence last week, when at least seven, but up to nine, gray whales were seen in the bay in a single day.

Read more at  ‘Near record’ sightings of gray whales reported in SF Bay

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 2, 2025

Xerces Society Events

The list of events will be updated regularly. To view past webinars, please visit our YouTube channel. We also announce events on social media and via our e-newsletter. If you have questions, please email outreach@xerces.org.
To see current list of events go to  Events | Xerces Society

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 2, 2025

Upcoming Bay Nature Events

See the schedule of upcoming Bay Nature Events mailchi.mp/baynature/march-11

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 2, 2025

A Lifeboat to London for Darwin’s Frogs

The New York Times reported

Males of the South American species incubate their young in their vocal sacs. The London Zoo recently established a breeding colony to save the frog from extinction.

Read more at A Lifeboat to London for Darwin’s Frogs

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 1, 2025

California wildfire threatening forest home of world’s oldest tree

The Guardian reported

Firefighters have managed to make “strong progress” containing a fire burning through eastern California near the world’s oldest trees, but the blaze remains an active threat, officials said.

Since igniting on Sunday afternoon, the Silver fire has scorched nearly 1,600 acres (647 hectares) in the eastern Sierra Nevada and forced residents of about 800 homes to evacuate. Strong winds fanned the flames, which burned through dry grass and brush in Inyo county, threatening neighborhoods, endangered species and the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest.

Rea more California wildfire threatening forest home of world’s oldest tree | California wildfires | The Guardian

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 1, 2025

California State Parks to Introduce “Squirrel Crossing Guards

from California State Parks Foundation
BREAKING: California State Parks to Introduce “Squirrel Crossing Guards” This Spring at Portola Redwoods State Park 🐿️ 🚧
In an effort to improve trail safety and provide career development opportunities to forest friends, California State Parks is officially launching a pilot program to train squirrels as certified crossing guards.
Other new pilot programs to watch out for:
🌊 Otter-led kayak tours of Morro Bay State Park
🦉 Night hikes led by owls in Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park
🐻 Berry picking with bears at Richardson Grove State Park
Okay… you got us. April Fools! 😄
While squirrels in tiny vests might be cute, we at California State Parks Foundation keep wildlife wild. This means we keep our distance from wildlife and store food properly at campsites so we don’t feed any furry friends… even if they ask nicely. We’ll still point out a cute critter when we see one on the trail though!
Happy April Fools’ Day from California State Parks Foundation! 💚 #AprilFools #CaliforniaStateParks #TrailTales #SquirrelSquad #NatureWithAView #OnlyInCalifornia #CSPF #ParkHumor

 

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 1, 2025

Humpback Whales Sing the Way Humans Speak

The New York Times reported

The animals’ complex songs share structural patterns with human language that may make them easier for whales to learn, a new study suggests.

Read on www.nytimes.com/2025/02/06/science/language-humpback-whale-song.html

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | March 31, 2025

Yosemite reservation system in limbo after congressman ‘raised hell’

SF Gate reported

Rep. Tom McClintock took credit for stalling the reservation system

Despite a drafted news release circulating last week about the apparent approval of a 2025 reservation system for Yosemite National Park, no such release has been issued by the National Park Service.

Read more at  Yosemite reservation system in limbo after congressman ‘raised hell’

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | March 31, 2025

Mountain lions in Nevada maimed by traps, killed by the state

Wild Earth Guardians andMissoula Current reported

Every day is open season on mountain lions in Nevada. The majestic cats are under attack on a variety of fronts – as prey for hunters, as unintended victims of traps set for bobcats, and as the primary target of a $900,000 a year state-sponsored effort to cull species deemed problematic by the state.

Between 2000 and 2021, at least 4,229 mountain lions were killed in Nevada by hunters, trappers, and the state’s lethal removal effort, according to data from the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

Wildlife advocates call the predator management project a misguided, wasteful, and ineffective effort to prevent mountain lions from killing mule deer, a prized trophy for Nevada hunters. They’re also calling on state regulators to take action to stem what some call the accidental but barbaric trapping of mountain lions, which can be left ensnared for days.

Read more at  Mountain lions in Nevada maimed by traps, killed by the state

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | March 30, 2025

New Study Shows Extreme and Far-Reaching Impacts of Sackett Ruling on Federal Wetland Protections

Inside Climate News reported

Wetlands and ephemeral streams provide a wide variety of benefits to people and wildlife, from flood protection for local communities, to preventing pollutants from entering the water supply, to breeding grounds for endangered bird species. Wetlands can also act as carbon sinks, sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. 

Since the 18th century, the United States has lost half of its wetlands. In 1972, Congress passed the Clean Water Act to address water pollution, regulating, among other things, the discharge of pollutants into water bodies across the country.

Read on insideclimatenews.org/news/25032025/supreme-court-sackett-decision-threatens-wetlands-nrdc-study-finds/

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | March 30, 2025

Beavers will become a bigger boon to river water quality as U.S. West warms 

Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability reported

American beaver populations are booming in the western United States as conditions grow hotter and drier. New research shows their prolific dam building benefits river water quality so much, it outweighs the damaging influence of climate-driven droughts.

Read more Beavers will become a bigger boon to river water quality as U.S. West warms | Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | March 29, 2025

Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy Upcoming Events

See all Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy Upcoming Events at see all upcoming events

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | March 29, 2025

A Birdwatching Detective

If you are looking for a humorous “Who Done It” in which the detective is an avid birdwatcher, check out the critically acclaimed  “The Residence” on Netflix.

from Wikipedia

The Residence is an American mystery drama television series created by Paul William Davies for Netflix. Inspired by The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House by Kate Andersen Brower, the series revolves around a fictional murder scandal involving the staff of the White House. Produced by Shondaland, the series premiered on March 20, 2025.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | March 29, 2025

‘All the birds returned’: How a Chinese project led the way in water and soil conservation

The Guardian reported

The Loess plateau was the most eroded place on Earth until China took action and reversed decades of damage from grazing and farming

Read article at ‘All the birds returned’: How a Chinese project led the way in water and soil conservation | Conservation | The Guardian

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | March 28, 2025

Trump administration approves 2025 Yosemite reservation system

SF Gate reported

Yosemite National Park will implement a new reservation system in 2025 to manage crowds and protect resources, according to a version of a National Park Service press release provided to SFGATE by a source within the federal government.

Read more  Trump administration approves 2025 Yosemite reservation system

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | March 28, 2025

Upcoming Marin and Sonoma Bird and Nature Walks

Upcoming Bird Walks and Nature Events

Thurs, 4/3: Las Gallinas Ponds, San Rafael, Marin Audubon
Sat, 4/5: Five Brooks & Bear Valley, Point Reyes, Marin Audubon
Sat, 4/12: Shollenberger Park, Petaluma, Petaluma Wetlands Alliance
Sat, 4/26: Ellis Creek Ponds, Petaluma, Petaluma Wetlands Alliance

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | March 28, 2025

New Mexico Passes Law Allowing the State to Conserve Invertebrates

from Xerces Society

Governor Lujan Grisham has signed into law SB5, a bill that gives the newly named New Mexico Department of Wildlife (formerly the Department of Game and Fish) the authority to manage ALL wildlife, including insects and other invertebrates! Xerces was part of a broad coalition of organizations that supported this bill.

You can learn why insect protection through state authority matters, and what Xerces is doing make it happen, in the January 2025 episode of our Bug Banter podcast.

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Posted in Animals, Butterflies | Tags:

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | March 28, 2025

Scientists stunned as rare species reappears after nearly 200 years

The Cool Down reported

The presence of the Asian small-clawed otter has been confirmed in Nepal for the first time in over 185 years.Mongabay News reported that scientists and conservationists have been celebrating the sightings. The Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus) is the world’s smallest otter. Its existence in Nepal hadn’t been confirmed since 1839.

Read more  Scientists stunned as rare species reappears after nearly 200 years: ‘We can finally confirm’

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | March 27, 2025

The best wildflower hiking destinations in the United States

National Geographic writes about thier favorite U.S. wildflower hikes

Spring is in bloom. Here are our favorite places to frolic through fields of flowers, from the Pacific Northwest to the Appalachian Mountains.

There’s never a bad season to travel, but there’s something special about spring. The snow has melted, flowers begin blooming, and the long-winter hibernation mode that many of us experience transforms into an irresistible urge to get out and explore. Add in that the summer crowds haven’t yet arrived so many destinations are calmer, quieter, and less expensive to visit between March and May.

Read article and see their choices  The best wildflower hiking destinations in the United States

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Posted in Walks & Hikes, Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags:

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | March 27, 2025

Upcoming UC Berkeley Botanical Garden Events

See the events calendar for the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden at Garden Events

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | March 27, 2025

Native birds in WA falling sick with mystery illness causing paralysis and death 

ABC News (Australia) reported

Wildlife carers in Perth and the south west have been overwhelmed with hundreds of cases of deadly illness in magpies.

Watch story at  Native birds in WA falling sick with mystery illness causing paralysis and death – ABC News

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | March 27, 2025

Fake dolphins and frantic digging: the army of helpers learning to rescue New Zealand’s stranded whales

The Guardian reported

On a blustery March day in Wellington, a group of would-be whale rescuers wearing wetsuits and hi-vis vests are waist deep in the chilly waters of Scorching Bay. Between them, a two-tonne replica of a pilot whale gently rocks in the swell.

On the sand, another group pours buckets of water over a replica dolphin, while some dig away the sand from beneath its fins. Occasionally, a trainer reminds students to stand back from the tail – if this were a real animal the tail could deliver an unexpected blow.

Read more  Fake dolphins and frantic digging: the army of helpers learning to rescue New Zealand’s stranded whales

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | March 26, 2025

Dozens of bird eggs and chicks rescued from collapsing tree in California

The Guardian reported

Dozens of bird eggs and chicks were rescued from nests in a single wind-damaged eucalyptus tree that was dangerously close to collapsing in a California park.

Now staff at the International Bird Rescue’s Los Angeles wildlife center have been working around the clock to care for the 47 eggs and 12 chicks, all double-crested cormorants, in hopes that they will be able to be released back into the wild in a few months.

Read more: Dozens of bird eggs and chicks rescued from collapsing tree in California | California | The Guardian

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | March 26, 2025

Rare ‘double sunrise’ solar eclipse coming this week

NBC Bay Area reported

A partial solar eclipse is set to rise in the skies over western Europe and eastern North America this week, and a rare “double sunrise” phenomenon could also occur.

According to maps provided by NASA, the partial eclipse will be visible across western Europe and along the eastern seaboard of the United States. Cities like Boston will get nearly half of the sun covered by the moon, with diminishing amounts in New York and Washington, D.C.

Read more Rare ‘double sunrise’ solar eclipse coming this week – NBC Bay Area

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