Phys.org reports
A major new study reveals that carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from forest fires have surged by 60% globally since 2001, and almost tripled in some of the most climate-sensitive northern boreal forests.
Read more at Global CO₂ emissions from forest fires have increased by 60% since 2001, study finds
Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: Increased Carbon Emissions fro Forest Fires
The Australian Broadcasting Company reports
In short:
The team behind an attempt to ‘de-extinct’ the Tasmanian tiger says it has made a series of significant advancements, including producing a reconstructed thylacine genome that is 99.9 per cent accurate.
Scientists say while the advancements are exciting, they want to see the progress backed up by data with some remaining unconvinced de-extinction is possible.
What’s next?
The project’s lead scientist says there will be peer-reviewed papers published early next year.
The Cool Down reports
Sustainable farming is making headlines after researchers discovered a unique connection between organic farming and carbon storage in soil, according to an article posted on Phys.org.
As more polluting carbon ends up in the atmosphere and global temperatures continue to rise, scientists are trying to find ways to increase carbon absorption. This will help decrease the carbon in the atmosphere, creating a healthier planet for everyone.
Posted in Environment | Tags: Organic Farming
From National Audubon
A bird by any other name would sound as sweetThe casual observer may apply the term “songbird” to any bird that sings a cheery melody, but for scientists, “songbird” is about more than just carrying a tune.
So, what gives these sirens their special something? A combination of three important traits: precise control over a highly specialized vocal organ called a syrinx, a unique arranged of toes that makes perching on branches a breeze, and a natural talent for mimicry.
But like with most taxonomical matters, birds don’t always fit into tidy categories. Read on for more about what it takes for a bird to become a balladeer.
Posted in Birds | Tags: What is a Songbird
Phys.org reported
California wildlife policymakers have opted to protect the diminutive Western burrowing owl as they consider listing the rapidly declining species as endangered or threatened
Read on phys.org/news/2024-10-owls-underground-candidate-endangered-status.html
Posted in Birds | Tags: Burrowing Owls
From Golden Gate Birding Alliance
Thursday, October 17 (7pm) Online via Zoom
Celebrate the 90th anniversary of the founding of the East Bay Regional Park District with an evening of short presentations about the history of the Park District and its role in protecting birds.
Posted in Birds, Park | Tags: East Bay Parks
EarthSky reports
Comet A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS is now in the evening sky, and you can see it using just your eyes! People around the globe are capturing fantastic images of the comet just after sunset. Here’s how to try to see it for yourself! And in the meantime, enjoy these images from EarthSky community members around the world.
Read more and see photos at The best Comet A3 images, now in the night sky!
Posted in Astronomy | Tags: Comet A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS
Posted in Garden | Tags: California Native Plant Sales
From Mojave Desert CNPS
Posted in Garden | Tags: propagate native plants
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Posted in Talks | Tags: Environmental Justice and Climate Change
from CNPS
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Whether you’re new to native plant gardening or have some years of experience under your trowel, there are steps you can take to maximize your garden for biodiversity. Find out how in our latest blog post, 7 Ways to Bring Biodiversity to Your Garden. It doesn’t matter if your garden is on a patio or an acre of land—you’ll find practical and actionable steps to make it an even more vibrant ecosystem where a variety of native plants and wildlife can thrive. Then head on over to the CA Biodiversity Day website to find more events and ways to celebrate California’s amazing biodiversity. |
Posted in Garden | Tags: Biodiversity in the Garden
Posted in Job Openings | Tags: Job Opening
ScienceDaily reports
Vegetation cover across the Antarctic Peninsula has increased more than tenfold over the last four decades, new research shows.
Read on www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241007115554.htm
Posted in Environment | Tags: Antarctic Greening
See Bay Nature’s calendar of upcoming events at events
Posted in Talks, Walks & Hikes | Tags: Bay Nature Upcoming 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
NPR reports
The Biden administration is establishing a new national marine sanctuary off the Central California coast that will protect over 4,500 square miles of ocean. The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary will be the first to be managed by Indigenous people. It will be overseen in collaboration with local tribes and Indigenous groups that will provide guidance to the federal government. This initiative reflects the Biden administration’s commitment to involving tribes in decisions regarding the lands and waters that were historically taken from them.
Posted in Park | Tags: Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuar
Photos taken in the Regional Park Botanic Garden in Tilden Park in Berkeley, CA on October 13, 2024.
The 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 .
NBC Bay Area reported
Those looking to visit Yosemite National Park on the weekends will no longer need a reservation to explore the park, according to the park’s officials.
Posted in Park | Tags: Yosemite National Park
MongaBay reports
Read more at To save endangered trees, researchers in South America recruit an army of fungi
Posted in Environment, Mushrooms | Tags: How Fungi can save a Tree
Vox reports
Fueled by a late-summer heat wave, several large wildfires have been burning across the Western US, forcing thousands of people to flee their homes and turning the sky in parts of Southern California an eerie orange.
This is of course bad for pretty much everyone. Except for Melanophila beetles.
These insects, which are roughly the size of pumpkin seeds, are pyrophilous — meaning, they love fire. They actually depend on it for their reproduction. When most animals are fleeing from wildfires, these insects fly toward the flames, copulate among the embers, and lay eggs.
Read more at Wildfire season: For fire beetles, climate change is no problem | Vox
Posted in Animals | Tags: Melanophila beetles
The New York Times reports
A commission denied a request to increase the number of rocket launches on the state’s central coast, citing environmental concerns.
Read on www.nytimes.com/2024/10/12/us/spacex-launch-california.html
Posted in Environment | Tags: SpaceX’s environmental impact
National Parks Conservation Association reports
Industrial machinery tore through this wild landscape, razing hundreds of cypress trees and leaving miles of destroyed habitat in their wake.
Read on www.npca.org/articles/3609-new-report-examines-repercussions-damage-from-oil-and-gas-testing-in-big
Posted in Environment, Park | Tags: Big Cypress National Preserve, Destruction in National Parks
NBC Bay Area reports
A report released by the San Francisco Animal Control and Welfare Commission accused the San Francisco Zoo of having “extremely outdated” enclosures and.mismanagement.
Looking for a good listen? Bug Banter with the Xerces Society is a podcast where we explore the world of invertebrates and discover how to help these extraordinary animals.
Spider Sense Part 1: Unraveling the Secrets of Arachnids
Bee City and Bee Campus USA: Protecting Pollinators One Community at a Time
Posted in Animals, Butterflies, Talks | Tags: Bug Banter Podcast
The New York Times reported
For most animals, ending up in a predator’s stomach means all is lost.
But not for Japanese eels.In a study published on Monday in the journal Current Biology, scientists filmed juvenile Japanese eels staging Houdiniesque feats of escape from inside a predatory fish. After being swallowed and deposited into the fish’s stomach, the young eels swam up the hunter’s esophagus and escaped through an opening in its gills, much to the fish’s displeasure.
Read more at The Terrifying Way That Eels Escape a Hungry Fish’s Stomach
Posted in Animals | Tags: How Eels Escape Fish Stomachs
California Curated reports
When you think of Southern California, bustling cities and sprawling suburbs likely come to mind. But amidst the concrete, glass, and steel, there’s a hidden world of wildlife quietly adapting to the rapid changes humans bring. Among the surprising survivors in this urban wilderness are creatures like the western fence lizard, seamlessly blending into the landscape. Yet, these lizards aren’t just surviving—they’re evolving right before our eyes, a living example of how urban ecology drives real-time adaptation and recent evolution.
Read more at California’s Western Fence Lizards Are Evolving in Real-time in Response to Urbanization – California Curated
Posted in Animals | Tags: Western Fence Lizards
from Natural History Museum
View the Wildlife Photographer of the Year images from the current and previous years’ competitions. These images were awarded for their artistic composition, technical innovation and truthful interpretation of the natural world.
See these amazing photos at Gallery | Wildlife Photographer of the Year | Natural History Museum
Posted in Photography | Tags: Wildlife Photographer of the Year
SERG (Soil Ecology and Restoration Group)seeks two (2) Project Managers. The SERG Project Manager helps facilitate habitat restoration, rare plant surveys, and other botany-related projects on San Clemente Island, a Naval installation on the southern-most of California’s Channel Islands. The Project Manager works closely with the Senior Project Manager on all aspects of the program, as well as communicate with US Navy Biologists.
Learn more and to apply go to Island Project Manager – CNPS Forums
Posted in Job Openings | Tags: Job Openings
Posted in Drives, Park | Tags: Chimney Rock, Pt. Reyes
Bay Nature reports on the endangered showy Indian clover (Trifolium amoenum) , Pitkin Marsh lily (Lilium pardalinum ssp. pitkinense), and yellow larkspur (Delphinium luteum)
The Inflation Reduction Act is helping scientists imagine hopeful futures for endangered North Bay wildflower species. It’s been decades since they were first listed.
It’s sort of a last-ditch moment for these [plants],” says Bruce Baldwin, the curator of the Jepson Herbarium at the University of California, …
Read article at A Lifeline for Three Endangered Wildflowers – Bay Nature
Natural History Wanderings 