The Guardian reports
Group finds elusive deep sea fish that has washed up in California only 20 times since 1901
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 22, 2024
‘Strange and mysterious’: rarely seen, 12ft-long oarfish found in waters off San Diego
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 22, 2024
Thousands of birds and fish threatened by mining for clean energy transition
The University of Cambridge reports
Our increasing demand for metals and minerals is putting over four thousand vertebrate species at risk, with the raw materials needed for clean energy infrastructure often located in global biodiversity hotspots, a study has found.
Posted in Environment | Tags: Conservation Threat of mining for clean energy
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 21, 2024
Sweden to kill 20% of its brown bears in annual hunt
The Guardian reports
Conservationists say the number of hunting licences granted is too high and condemn it as ‘pure trophy hunting’
Read more Sweden to kill 20% of its brown bears in annual hunt | Sweden | The Guardian
Posted in Animals | Tags: Sweden's Hunting of Brown Bears
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 21, 2024
Regional Park Botanic Garden Photos August 18, 2024
Photos taken in the Regional Park Botanic Garden in Tilden Park in Berkeley, CA on August 18, 2024.
The Regional Parks Botanic Garden is a botanic garden of California native plants. The Garden is open Monday through Sunday from 8:30AM to 5:30PM. 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 .
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 21, 2024
Reforestation is more cost-effective than previously thought
UC Berkeley College of Natural Resources reports
A first-of-its-kind study published today in Nature Climate Change sheds new light on reforestation, the restoration of tree cover to deforested areas, and its untapped potential as a powerful and responsive climate strategy.
The analysis, which was co-authored by researchers from Conservation International and UC Berkeley, found that well-planned reforestation projects have up to 10 times more low-cost carbon removal potential than previous estimates from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have indicated. The study is the first to calculate the cost-per-ton of reforestation based on actual data from projects in low- and middle-income countries and is particularly significant as world leaders attempt to meet the targets outlined in the Paris Agreement.
Read more at Reforestation is more cost-effective than previously thought
Posted in Environment | Tags: Reforestation
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 20, 2024
California’s First Maritime Heritage Underwater Trail
The Record-Courier reports on
Every year thousands of visitors flock to Emerald Bay State Park. Many of them enjoy the scenic drive on Highway 89, scores of them hike down to the beach and tour Vikingsholm, hundreds take in the sight of the crystal clear water by boat, kayak, or paddleboard and even a few lucky people get to explore the tea house on Fannette Island.
What many people don’t know is that lurking under the surface of the Bay’s waters is another part of the State Park, a part that the vast majority of visitors don’t get to see; California’s First Maritime Heritage Underwater Trail at Emerald Bay.
Read more at A historical view of Tahoe from under the lake
Posted in Park | Tags: California’s First Maritime Heritage Underwater Trail
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 20, 2024
Wildfire torches 95% of historic Northern California wilderness
SF Gate reports
The Ishi Wilderness just burned in the Park Fire, and it’s probably a good thing.
— Read on www.sfgate.com/california-parks/article/park-fire-torches-ishi-wilderness-19659584.php
Posted in Environment, Uncategorized | Tags: Ishi Wilderness
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 20, 2024
Sep-Oct East Bay Regional Parks In Nature Activity Guide
The Sep-Oct Regional In Nature Activity Guide is now available! In this issue: Upcoming 90th Anniversary Events in the Regional Parks, Coastal Cleanup Day, Garin Apple Festival, Hispanic Heritage Month, and more! www.ebparks.org/rin #EBRPD #EBParks90 #LoveEBRPD
Posted in Park, Walks & Hikes | Tags: East Bay Regional Parks
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 20, 2024
Climate misinformation repeated over and over seems true
Anthropocene reports
Even one repetition of false claim about climate change is sufficient to make it seem a bit truer later on.
Posted in Environment | Tags: Power of Misinformation
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 20, 2024
Yosemite Internship Opportunity
The Yosemite Historic Preservation Crew is seeking another round of interns to learn hands-on skills through the Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP).
Members will receive introductory training in a variety of traditional trades and will develop an understanding of historic resource stewardship while helping to preserve our nation’s historic resources. Projects can include; window restoration, carpentry, roofing, and historic structure condition assessment.
Completion of the internship will allow for hiring through a Public Land Corps Hiring Authority when applying to National Park Service jobs. No experience is required, but applicants must be prepared for moderate to heavy physical effort. This position is a 26-week term starting around October 20. Applicants must be between 18-30 years of age (35 for Veterans with DD-214.) Pay is $18 an hour, plus housing and an AmeriCorps Education award upon program completion.
If you are interested, apply using the link below. Preference is given to applicants who submit their application by August 30.
Posted in Park | Tags: Yosemite Internships
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 20, 2024
Svalbard melts into the Arctic Ocean
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 20, 2024
Essential resources for wildfire resilience and recovery
from California Native Plant Society
We’re in the heart of wildfire season, so this is a great time to check out the new collection of wildfire resources on cnps.org. You’ll find guidance on home hardening and defensible space from the CNPS wildfire community, firewise garden designs, videos on firescaping from Naturehood and This Old House, links to regional resources from the California Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force, and articles on wildfires from the CNPS scientific journal. Also, read Part 1 of our two-part special issue of Artemisia focused on Indigenous perspectives on climate change.
Posted in Environment | Tags: resources for wildfire resilience and recovery
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 19, 2024
Climate Change Has Made California’s Wildfires Five Times Bigger
Scientific American reports
New research finds that the area burned by wildfires during summer in California has increased fivefold since 1971 because of more arid conditions caused by climate change
Read more Climate Change Has Made California’s Wildfires Five Times Bigger | Scientific American
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 19, 2024
A tiny desert fish hits a 25 year population high in one of Earth’s harshest environments
Monga Bay reports
The critically endangered Devils Hole pupfish population has reached a 25-year high of 191 fish, offering hope for the species that lives in the smallest known habitat of any vertebrate.
Above water and SCUBA surveys conducted by scientists twice a year carefully monitor the pupfish population in Death Valley, Nevada, which has fluctuated dangerously in the past, dropping as low as 35 individuals in 2013.
Read more at A tiny desert fish hits a 25 year population high in one of Earth’s harshest environments
Posted in Animals | Tags: Devils Hole pupfish population
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 18, 2024
Abbotts Lagoon, Pt. Reyes Photos 8/17/24
Photos from a CNPS hike at Abbotts Lagoon at Pt. Reyes on August 17, 2024.
Posted in Birds, Photos (Sandy's) | Tags: Birds, Pt. Reyes Abbotts Lagoon, Wildflowers and Other Plants
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 18, 2024
Why are the oceans so hot
NPR reports
Scientists knew that climate change would cause the oceans to heat up a lot. But current ocean temperatures are even higher than expected.
— Read on www.npr.org/2024/08/14/nx-s1-5051849/hot-oceans-climate-science
Posted in Environment | Tags: Warming Oceans
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 18, 2024
Hottest ocean temperatures in 400 years an ‘existential threat’ to the Great Barrier Reef
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 17, 2024
Croatian Adriatic Sea Getting Warmer and Saltier
Total Croatia reports
Constantly rising temperatures are what is very alarming and is a direct result of all these changes that we’re experiencing, especially due to climate change. In the very deep layers of the sea, both around the world and in the Croatian Adriatic Sea, temperatures have been steadily rising for ten years. The current projections say that by the end of this century, we can freely expect a temperature rise of up to three degrees even on the surface of the sea.
Red more at Croatian Adriatic Sea Getting Warmer and Saltier – Total Croatia
Posted in Environment | Tags: Rising Temperature of Sea Water
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 16, 2024
California Fall Color, the beloved foliage-tracking site, has a fresh look
NBC Los Angeles reports on the changes to California Fall Color webite
Eager to go leaf-peeping? The site’s “improved navigation” can assist your fall adventures.
Read story about the updated California Fall Color Site California Fall Color, the beloved foliage-tracking site, has a fresh look – NBC Los Angeles
or just check out website at CALIFORNIA FALL COLOR: Check it out now,
Posted in Fall Foliage | Tags: California Fall Color
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 16, 2024
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 | August 16, 2024
California’s newest state park also helps protect communities from flooding
NPR reports
California’s newest state park just opened this summer — and a visit is like stepping into a time machine as its creators reimagine what a state park can be.
California’s newest state park also helps protect communities from floodin
Read story at California’s newest state park also helps protect communities from flooding : NPR
Posted in Park | Tags: Dos Rios State Park
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 15, 2024
Friends of Inyo Upcoming Events
See upcoming events from the Friends of Inyo at Friends of Inyo Events
Posted in Uncategorized, Walks & Hikes | Tags: Friends of INyo
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 15, 2024
Extreme Heat Threatens Saguaro Cacti
from NPR
During the pandemic, a new fear literally sprouted in metro Phoenix. A record-hot summer toppled the area’s mighty saguaro cactuses at a rate that alarmed casual observers. But experts say it’s not the old cactuses people should be worried about. Human-caused climate change is preventing the conditions needed for baby saguaros to take root and thrive.
📷 See photos of the saguaros and read about how researchers are trying to save them.
Posted in Environment | Tags: Saguaro Cacti
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 15, 2024
Scientists may have discovered ‘dark oxygen’ created without photosynthesis
NPR reports
It has long been understood that photosynthesis creates oxygen, but researchers believe they’ve found oxygen being created in parts of the ocean with no light.
Researchers believe they have discovered “dark oxygen,” or oxygen not made through photosynthesis, being created on the Pacific Ocean floor. The discovery potentially challenges commonly held beliefs about how oxygen is produced on Earth.
Read story at Scientists may have discovered ‘dark oxygen’ created without photosynthesis : NPR
Posted in Environment | Tags: Dark Oxygen, Photosynthesis
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 14, 2024
Cal Parks Wildlife and Native Plant Guide
Discover California’s plants and animals – and where to find them.
Get guide at Wildlife and Native Plant Guide | Cal Parks
Posted in Animals, Park, Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Cal Parks Wildlife and Native Plant Guide
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 14, 2024
Regional Park Botanic Garden Photos August 12, 2024
Photos taken in the Regional Park Botanic Garden in Tilden Park in Berkeley, CA on August 12, 2024.
The Regional Parks Botanic Garden is a botanic garden of California native plants. The Garden is open Monday through Sunday from 8:30AM to 5:30PM. 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 .
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 14, 2024
Park Fire threatening salmon — one of CA’s most iconic species
CalMatters reports
The fire is moving into areas where salmon are waiting to spawn. Already in dire shape, experts worry that the Park Fire could be the deathblow to these fish.
Read more at Park Fire threatening salmon — one of CA’s most iconic species – CalMatters
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 14, 2024
Heathlands under siege: Europe’s birds struggle for places to eat and rest during long migrations
MSN reports
From the deserts of North Africa to the temperate zones of Northern Europe, migratory birds depend on ancient heathlands for rest, food and places to breed.
But soaring temperatures and prolonged heatwaves are causing irreversible damage to these delicate ecosystems and the birds that depend on them. This year 15% less birds are using European heathlands as stopover points.
Read more at Heathlands under siege: Europe’s birds struggle for places to eat and rest during long migrations
Posted in Birds | Tags: Bird migration
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 13, 2024
Zoom Presenation: How Birds Sense the World 8/15
from Golden Gate Bird Alliance
Thursday, August 15 (7pm) Online via Zoom
When you watch and listen to birds, have you wondered about what the birds themselves see and hear? Ed Yong, author of An Immense World, will take us on a magical tour through the sensory lives of our feathered friends.
We’ll learn about the secrets hidden in their plumage and songs, and the incredible ways in which they see, hear, taste, touch, smell, and more.
Posted in Birds, Talks | Tags: How Birds Sense the World
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 13, 2024
Job Announcement: Pesticide Program Specialist
from the Xerces Society
We’re hiring! All applications must be submitted through our online application portal. Remote based position.
- Pesticide Program Specialist, remote, deadline 8/15
Posted in Job Openings | Tags: Job Opening, Xerces Society
Natural History Wanderings 