The BBC reports
Wild chimpanzees eat plants that have pain-relieving and anti-bacterial properties to heal themselves, according to scientists.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 8, 2024
Chimpanzees ‘self-medicate’ with healing plants
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
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 5, 2024
Galapagos Islands and many unique creatures threatened by warming ocean waters | PBS News
PBS News reports on Galapagos Islands and many unique creatures threatened by warming ocean waters. Below are a few excerpts. Read full article at Galapagos Islands and many unique creatures threatened by warming ocean waters | PBS News
Warming oceans affect the food sources of many of the seagoing animals in the Galapagos. Marine iguanas — one of many species that are endemic, or unique, to the Galapagos — have a harder time finding the red and green algae they prefer. Sea turtles struggle to nest in warmer temperatures. Raising young gets harder as water warms and fewer nutrients are available.
While temperatures vary depending on the season and other naturally-occurring climate events, ocean temperatures have been rising because of human-caused climate change as oceans absorb the vast majority of excess heat in the atmosphere. The ocean experienced its warmest decade since at least the 1800s in the last 10 years, and 2023 was the ocean’s warmest year on record.
Posted in Uncategorized
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 4, 2024
E-Sales of a Wild Bat Sold as Décor Threaten Species
From UC Davis
From wall art to necklaces, a vulnerable Asian bat species is being sold for decor on Etsy, eBay and Amazon sites in the U.S. and globally. It could threaten the species’ survival, warns a UC Davis and CUNY study.
— Read on www.ucdavis.edu/climate/news/e-sales-wild-bat-sold-decor-threaten-species
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 4, 2024
Today Is Owl Awareness Day
Owl Awareness Day is a special occasion celebrated on August 4th each year to raise awareness about these magnificent nocturnal birds of prey. This day serves as a reminder of the importance of conserving owl populations and their natural habitats around the world.
— Read on savetheeaglesinternational.org/what-is-owl-awareness-day/
Posted in Birds | Tags: Owl Awareness Day
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 4, 2024
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 | August 4, 2024
Sick sea lions stranded on California coast as experts fear algae poisoning
The Guardian reports
At least 23 sea lions with suspected domoic acid poisoning rescued from Santa Barbara and Ventura beaches
Sea lions are stranding themselves on a long stretch of the California coast in what experts say could be a sign of widespread poisoning by a harmful algae bloom this summer.
The Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute (Cimwi) said that since 26 July, it had been inundated by daily reports of sick sea lions along the shoreline in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
The marine mammals are suffering from domoic acid, a neurotoxin that affects the brain and heart, the institute said in a statement. The poisoning event is largely affecting adult female California sea lions, it said.
Read more at Sick sea lions stranded on California coast as experts fear algae poisoning | California | The Guardian
Posted in Animals | Tags: Sea Lions stranded and poisoned
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 4, 2024
‘Extinct’ trees found in Tanzania spark hope for ecosystem recovery
MongaBay reports
- Conservationists in eastern Tanzania have found two specimens of a rare tree feared to be extinct.
- Millettia sacleuxii was only known from six specimens in forest reserves that have almost disappeared.
- Thousands of seeds have been collected and seedlings raised, and these are due to be planted out as part of a reforestation project in the Nguru Mountains.The two surviving Millettia “mother trees” were found near an area that conservationists hope to soon turn into a wildlife corridor.
Read more at : ‘Extinct’ trees found in Tanzania spark hope for ecosystem recovery
Posted in Environment | Tags: Millettia sacleuxii
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 3, 2024
East Bay Regional Park Happenings for August
Safety Tips During Hot August Days, Public Safety’s Second Annual National Night Out, Crab Cove’s Fish Festival, and much more!
— Read on www.ebparks.org/about-us/whats-new/news/park-happenings-august-0
Posted in Park | Tags: East Bay Regional Parks
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 3, 2024
Theodore Payne Foundation Upcoming Events
See upcoming Theodore Payne Foundation Classes and Workshops at Theodore Payne Foundation Events | Eventbrite
Posted in Class/Workshop, Garden, Talks | Tags: Theodore Payne Foundation Events
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 3, 2024
Naturalist Series at Sonoma State University’s Osborn Preserve
Learn how to share nature’s secrets with others while exploring the stunning ecosystems of Sonoma Mountain with university faculty and other experts. This outdoor Naturalist Educator Series will give you new insights into environmental education concepts and the skills to share your knowledge with elementary school children. Topics include plants, animals, human history and more! Join an “Environmentally Ready” community working to eradicate Nature Deficit Disorder in the North Bay!
Become an Osborn Naturalist or attend one or more events on a space available basis.
8/17 1:30 – 4:30 pm Reptiles of Sonoma Mountain
8/17 5:30 – 8:30 pm Owls of Sonoma Mountain
8/18 11 am – 4 pm Trail Activities & Planning Visits
8/24 10 am – 1 pm Fish of Osborn Preserve
8/25 10 am – 1 pm Plants on Sonoma Mountain in August
8/25 2 pm – 4 pm Human Relations with the Osborn Preserve
Posted in Class/Workshop | Tags: Osborn Preserve Naturalist Series
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 3, 2024
Maine’s coastal marshes are at risk as sea levels rise
The Maine Monitor reports
Between 28 and 57 percent of the state’s coastal marshes could disappear by the end of the century, victims of a rising sea, coastal development and polluted runoff.
Read more Maine’s coastal marshes are at risk as sea levels rise
Posted in Environment | Tags: Coastal Marshes at Risk, Sea Level Rise
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 2, 2024
Butterfly Tours 8/18 at Regional Parks Botanic Garden
Our checklist of butterflies recorded in the Botanic Garden currently stands at 40 species. What butterflies we see on our walks will change over the season. It’s normal to see 8 or 10 species during a one-hour walk at this time of year. Groups with especially good karma could see up to 15 species, if there’s good butterfly weather (sunny, warm, and not too windy). It is sometimes hard to get a good look with the naked eye. Please bring binoculars if you have them (close-focus binoculars work best).
Posted in Butterflies, Garden, Walks & Hikes | Tags: Butterfly Tours
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 2, 2024
Upcoming Marin County Bird Walks & Nature Events
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Posted in Birds, Walks & Hikes | Tags: Marin County Bird Walks
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 2, 2024
Thousands of birds and fish threatened by mining for clean energy transition
University of Cambridge reports
New research has found that 4,642 species of vertebrate are threatened by mineral extraction around the world through mining and quarrying, and drilling for
Posted in Animals, Environment | Tags: Mining threats to animals
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 2, 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 2, 2024
CNPS announces the release of Calscape 2.0
Calscape.org is a unique online tool that lets you discover which plants grow native to your specific location. Use it to plan your garden, build plant lists for your garden, see growing instructions, and find native plant nurseries and landscape professionals near you. Try out the new virtual garden planner.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 2, 2024
Harnessing ‘invisible forests in plain view’ to reforest the world
MongaBay reports
Tony Rinaudo had been attempting to reforest degraded land in Niger in the 1980s at a rate of 6,000 trees a year, but most of them died. While driving to a village hosting one such project, he caught sight of what he initially thought was a bush. Upon closer inspection, though, it turned out to be the inspiration he was looking for.“
In that instant, everything changed because I realized it’s not a bush, it’s not even a weed. That’s a tree,” he says, growing out of an old stump. The degraded land he was attempting to reforest in fact contained “millions and millions” of them, which, if protected from browsing animals and encouraged to grow, would sprout trees to rebuild the region’s depleted soil and water tables, and provide nutrients and partial shade that farmers’ crops could grow better in, via a system called agroforestry.
Read more at Harnessing ‘invisible forests in plain view’ to reforest the world – Conservation news
Posted in Environment | Tags: reforesting
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 1, 2024
Job Opportunities at Birds Canada | Oiseaux Canada
See BIrds Canada job announcements at Job Opportunities – Birds Canada | Oiseaux Canada
Posted in Job Openings | Tags: Job Openings
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | August 1, 2024
Perseids Meteor Shower Early to mid-august
Earthsky reports
Early to mid-August meteors … the Perseids
Predicted peak: The peak is predicted** for August 12, 2024, at 14:00 UTC.
So the mornings of August 11, 12 and 13 are probably your best bet.
When to watch: The moon will be a 1st quarter and 50% illuminated during 2024’s peak of the Perseid meteor shower. So the best time to watch for Perseids will be starting around midnight until dawn. This shower rises to a peak gradually, then falls off rapidly. And Perseid meteors tend to strengthen in number as late night deepens into the wee hours before dawn. The shower is often best just before dawn.Readmore at Perseid meteor shower 2024: All you need to know
Posted in Astronomy | Tags: Meteor Showers, Perseids Meteor Shower
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | July 31, 2024
Underwater robot finds new circulation pattern in Antarctic ice shelf
Phy.org reports
More than merely cracks in the ice, crevasses play an important role in circulating seawater beneath Antarctic ice shelves, potentially influencing their stability, finds Cornell University-led research based on a first-of-its-kind exploration by an underwater robot.
The remotely operated Icefin robot’s climb up and down a crevasse in the base of the Ross Ice Shelf produced the first 3D measurements of ocean conditions near where it meets the coastline, a critical juncture known as the grounding zone.
See video and read more at Underwater robot finds new circulation pattern in Antarctic ice shelf
Posted in Environment | Tags: Antarctic ice shelf
Natural History Wanderings 