The Guardian reports
Bear, which was eating granola bars that come as part of class’s emergency earthquake kit, was safely removed
— Read on www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/aug/12/bear-california-classroom-school
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 13, 2024
California teacher shocked to find bear enjoying a snack in classroom
Posted in Animals | Tags: Bear Behavior
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 13, 2024
She’s the Oldest Common Loon in the World. She Just Had Her 42nd Chick
Smithsonian reports
Fe, who is at least 38 years old, initially rose to fame as one half of the “resident power couple” at Michigan’s Seney National Wildlife Refuge
Read more at She’s the Oldest Common Loon in the World. She Just Had Her 42nd Chick | Smithsonian
Posted in Birds | Tags: Oldest Common Loon
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 12, 2024
Grand Teton Gains Controversial Property
NPR reports
The land not far from the resort town of Jackson Hole, Wyo., is still untamed. Grand Teton National Park borders the land on three sides. Birds and butterflies cruise over the sloping hills of sagebrush and aspen groves by the mountains. In March, after an outcry over a proposal to auction it off, state legislators detailed a plan to sell the state-owned, 640-acre parcel to Grand Teton National Park for $100 million. Now the land has become a bargaining chip for leaders who are asking for a few other things, too.
📷 See photos of the land and read more about what could happen.
Posted in Park | Tags: Grand Teton
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 12, 2024
Test results released in death of Chicago’s beloved Lincoln Park owls
CBS Chicago reports
A newly released report provided insight into the sudden loss of a family of owls who gained attention on Chicago’s North Side.
In March, local bird watchers and Lincoln Park neighbors fell in love with the great horned owls, known by some as the “rockstars of the neighborhood.”
The Head Veterinarian at the DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center found that rodenticide toxicosis was the cause of death for all three owls.
“Rodenticide” is more commonly known as “rat poisoning.”
Read more at Test results released in death of Chicago’s beloved Lincoln Park owls – CBS Chicago
Posted in Uncategorized
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 12, 2024
How Close Are the Planet’s Climate Tipping Points?
From the New York Times
Earth’s warming could trigger sweeping changes in the natural world that would be hard, if not impossible, to reverse.
Right now, every moment of every day, we humans are reconfiguring Earth’s climate bit by bit. Hotter summers and wetter storms. Higher seas and fiercer wildfires. The steady, upward turn of the dial on a host of threats to our homes, our societies and the environment around us.
We might also be changing the climate in an even bigger way.
For the past two decades, scientists have been raising alarms about great systems in the natural world that warming, caused by carbon emissions, might be pushing toward collapse. These systems are so vast that they can stay somewhat in balance even as temperatures rise. But only to a point.
Once we warm the planet beyond certain levels, this balance might be lost, scientists say. The effects would be sweeping and hard to reverse. Not like the turning of a dial, but the flipping of a switch. One that wouldn’t be easily flipped back.
Read more at How Close Are the Planet’s Climate Tipping Points
Posted in Environment | Tags: How Close Are the Planet’s Climate Tipping Points
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 11, 2024
Fin whale washes up on Torrance California beach
The Sacramento Bee reports
A 40-foot fin whale died after washing up on Torrance Beach in Southern California: Los Angeles County lifeguards. Experts want to know why.
— Read on www.sacbee.com/news/california/article290958249.html
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 11, 2024
Scientists Find First Evidence That Butterflies Crossed an Ocean
The New York Times reports
Researchers discovered painted ladies on a South American beach and then built a case that they started their journey in Europe or Africa.
Read more at Scientists Find First Evidence That Butterflies Crossed an Ocean
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 10, 2024
Upcoming Events and Hikes at Carson Pass
See the free upcoming Carson Pass hikes and events from the Eldorado National Forest Interpretive Association at Calendar – ENFIA
Posted in Walks & Hikes | Tags: Upcoming Events and Hikes at Carson Pass
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 10, 2024
CDFW, VegCAMP is hiring contract positions
CDFW, VegCAMP is hiring contract staff through Chico State Enterprises! See the job ads below and consider applying to work with this fun and exciting team to help further vegetation data for the conservation and management of California natural communities.
Ecological Data Curators: https://www.csuchico.edu/cse/_assets…obs/id-189.pdf
Project Manager III Vegetation Data Specialist: https://www.csuchico.edu/cse/_assets…obs/id-188.pdf
Please reach out if you have questions. Rachelle.Boul@wildlife.ca.gov
— Read on forum.cnps.org/
Posted in Job Openings | Tags: Job Openings
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 10, 2024
Free Mount Diablo Trail Map
Get a free trail map from Save Mount Diablo at savemountdiablo.org/experience/trail-map/
Posted in Park, Walks & Hikes | Tags: Mount Diablo Trail Map
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 10, 2024
Utah’s famed ‘Double Arch’ geographical feature collapses
The Guardian reports
Park rangers suspect changing water levels and erosion to blame for the collapse of the popular tourist attraction
— Read on www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/aug/10/utah-double-arch-collapses
Posted in Park | Tags: Arches National Park
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 10, 2024
Wetland plant once nearly extinct may have recovered enough to come off the endangered species list
AP News reports
The federal wildlife service on Tuesday proposed that a wetland plant once in danger of going extinct be taken off the endangered species list due to its successful recovery.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is asking that the northeastern bulrush be delisted. The plant is a leafy perennial herb with a cluster of flowers found in the Northeast from Vermont to Virginia. The federal service’s proposal opens a 60 day comment period.
Read more at Wetland plant once nearly extinct may have recovered enough to come off the endangered species list | AP News
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 9, 2024
Perseid Meteor Shower 2024: Peak Time and How to Watch This Weekend
The New York Times reports
Our universe might be chock-full of cosmic wonder, but you can observe only a fraction of astronomical phenomena with your naked eye. Meteor showers, natural fireworks that streak brightly across the night sky, are one of them.
The latest observable meteor shower will be the Perseids, which have been active since mid-July and are forecast to continue until the end of August, at the latest. They reach their peak Aug. 11 to 12, or Sunday night into Monday morning.
To get a hint at when to watch, you can use a meter that relies on data from the Global Meteor Network showing when real-time fireball activity levels increase in the coming days.
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2024/08/09/science/perseids-meteor-shower-how-to-watch.html
Posted in Astronomy | Tags: Perseid Meteor Shower
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 9, 2024
Astronomy Volunteer Position at Organ Pipe
Attention all star watchers
Organ Pipe Cactus is seeking a volunteer to join us for a winter in the Sonoran Desert! Come experience some the darkest skies in the U.S. and share your passion for astronomy with the public!
In this volunteer position, you will research, prepare, and deliver night sky programs alongside our interpretive rangers using traditional, digital, and electronically assisted telescopes. Those applying to this position are expected to have knowledge of basic telescope operations and maintenance.
Applicants must be able to arrive in their own self-contained RV unit. In exchange for 32 hours a week in volunteer time across two months, a dedicated site in the volunteer-only campground complete with all hook-ups and utilities, as well as a community room with Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, showers, and freezers, will be set aside.
Applications close August 16th!!
Learn more and apply at https://ow.ly/XO4W50SUeKj
Posted in Astronomy, Park | Tags: Astronomy Volunteer Position
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 9, 2024
Tourists Accused of Defacing Joshua Tree National Park With Paintballs
The New York Times reported
Three tourists from Germany shot paintballs at signs, bathrooms and dumpsters, officials for the park said, violating rules against defacing federal property.
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2024/08/09/us/joshua-tree-paintball-tourists.html
Posted in Park | Tags: Destruction of National Park property, Joshua Tree National Park
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 9, 2024
Tuleyome is Hiring!
Tuleyome is seeking a highly motivated and experienced individual to serve as Policy Director and advance our expansion, protection and engagement efforts for lands, waters and biodiversity in the region. Full job description is available here.
Posted in Job Openings | Tags: Job Opening
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 9, 2024
10,000 square foot Inner Harbor Wetland attracting nature to downtown
Wmar2news reports
The Aquarium has used a combination of private donations like from CFG Bank along with state and federal funds to build this 10,000 square foot floating habitat. It’s the first of it’s kind in the United States to be installed in a tidal area. Dahlenburg tells us the technology being used is most often used in retention ponds for developments. But as it turns out, it provides the right kind of waterflow for what she and the team are trying to accomplish.
Read more at 10,000 square foot Inner Harbor Wetland attracting nature to downtown
Posted in Environment
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 8, 2024
Webinar: The Future of Salmon: Restoring Wild Waters 8/11/24 at noon
From the Nature Conservancy
The Future of Salmon: Restoring Wild Waters Sep 11, 2024 12:00 PM PT
California’s native salmon populations have declined to near extinction. Recovering these species will not only help revitalize our forests, the work will fortify some of California’s deepest cultural connections to nature. But what will the future of salmon look like? TNC is restoring salmon habitat up and down the North Coast, from critical birth streams to the estuaries and marine environments salmon need as they migrate out to sea. Find out how you can help make sure these amazing fish have a future in California.
Register: : Webinar Registration – Zoom
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 8, 2024
National parks reservations are hard to score. Now you can get alerts.
MSN reports
Recreation.gov has launched a booking alert system for campgrounds, tours and ticketed entry on public lands run by 14 federal agencies, including the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service.
The timesaving tool allows parkgoers to sign up for push notifications flagging availability for online reservations. Previously, travelers had to repeatedly visit the site or refresh the reservation button, hoping for an opening.
Posted in Park
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 8, 2024
Chimpanzees ‘self-medicate’ with healing plants
The BBC reports
Wild chimpanzees eat plants that have pain-relieving and anti-bacterial properties to heal themselves, according to scientists.
Posted in Animals | Tags: Chimpanzees
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 7, 2024
Photos From My Garden 8/5/24
Posted in Garden, Photos (Sandy's)
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 7, 2024
Managing Invasive Plants 8/12/24
“Managing Invasive Plants, tips and tools for everyday use” 8/12 7:30 pm
Speakers: Constance Taylor, Conservation Specialist at Cal-IPC, and Jutta Burger, PhD, Science Program Director at Cal-IPC
Zoom Registration Link
Posted in Talks | Tags: Managing Invasive Plants
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 7, 2024
Australia platypus conservation centre, world’s largest, welcomes first residents
Reuters reported
Read more at Australia platypus conservation centre, world’s largest, welcomes first residents
The world’s largest platypus conservation centre has welcomed its first residents as part of a project to protect the semi-aquatic mammal found only in Australia amid threats to its habitat from extreme weather and humans.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 7, 2024
World’s smallest elephant slides towards extinction
The BBC reports
The world’s smallest elephant is in danger of dying out as numbers reach just 1,000 in the wild, but there’s hope it can be saved.The conservation body, the IUCN, which compiles the ‘red list’ tally of threatened species, says the Bornean elephant has lost much of its habitat to deforestation.The diminutive elephant, which stands at three feet smaller than its bigger Asian cousins, is found only on the island of Borneo.
Read more World’s smallest elephant slides towards extinction
Posted in Uncategorized
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 6, 2024
Picturesque glacier releases water down a river in Alaska. More than 100 homes are damaged
The Seattle Times reports
An outburst of flooding from a lake dammed by Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier damaged at least an estimated 100 homes in what has become a perennial hazard for nearby neighborhoods.
The lake formed in a basin that was left behind when a nearby glacier retreated. It fills with rainwater and snowmelt during the spring and summer and at a certain point builds enough pressure to force its way out through channels it carves beneath Mendenhall Glacier. Since 2011, the phenomenon has at times caused flooding of streets or homes near Mendenhall Lake and Mendenhall River.
Posted in Environment | Tags: Glacial Flooding in Juneau, Mendenhall Glacier
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 6, 2024
Hottest Month in Death Valley History
Death Valley National Park reports
Death Valley National Park experienced the hottest month on record this July, with a with an average 24-hour temperature of 108.5°F (42.5°C). This beats the park’s previous record of 108.1°F (42.3°C) set in 2018.
Read more at Hottest Month in Death Valley History – Death Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
Posted in Uncategorized
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 6, 2024
Upcoming Botanical Programs at the San Franicsco Library
Three plant oriented programs coming up at the San Francisco Public Library. Click on each for more details
Botanical Self-Expression
Thursday, August 08 2024 2:00 PM
Excelsior
Succulent Planters with Fog City Gardener
Saturday, August 10 2024 4:00 PM
Western Addition
Urban Native Plants in the Bernal Cut
Sunday, August 11 2024 2:00 PM
Glen Park
Posted in Garden, Talks, Walks & Hikes | Tags: Botanical Programs at the San Franicsco Library
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 6, 2024
Retreating Andean rocks signal the world’s glaciers are melting far faster than predicted, report scientists
MSN reports
Rocks recently exposed to the sky after being covered with prehistoric ice show that tropical glaciers have shrunk to their smallest size in more than 11,700 years, revealing the tropics have already warmed past limits last seen earlier in the Holocene age, researchers from Boston College report in the journal Science.
Posted in Environment | Tags: Glacier Melt
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 6, 2024
LA Water & Power delays Critical Creek Restoration
The Mono Lake Committe in the article “Another delay for Rush Creek restoration”
Aging Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (DWP) infrastructure is further delaying the construction of the long-awaited modification to Grant Lake Reservoir necessary to reliably deliver the high flows needed to restore Rush Creek.
Moving water around Grant Dam into Rush Creek has long involved an engineered work-around with limited ability to mimic natural runoff in wetter-than-average years.
Read more at Another delay for Rush Creek restoration
Posted in Environment | Tags: Grant Lake Reservoir, Rush Creek restoration
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 5, 2024
Weeding the Grand Canyon
From the National Parks Conservation Association
The search for an invasive plant, ghosts of the past and belonging on a journey downriver.
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Posted in Environment, Park | Tags: Grand Canyon, Invasive Aliens
Natural History Wanderings 