From Carson Pass Visitor Center
The following roads are open, so reports Alpine County as of June 13.
Pleasant Valley (Open to top of subdivision)
Airport Rd.
Wolf Creek Rd.
Blue Lakes Road (Open to Lower Blue)
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 15, 2024
Alpine County Road Openings
Posted in Drives | Tags: Alpine Country Road Openings
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 15, 2024
UC Berkeley Botanical Garden Plant Sale
Now through Sunday, June 23
Flowering perennials, shrubs, 30-foot-tall trees;
this is the sale to find a huge variety of plants for your garden!
This sale features a large selection of adaptable and fun plants grown here at the Garden, including specialty Pelargonium primarily from our South African Collection, seldom grown or sold in nurseries.
HOURS:
Saturday, June 15
Members only from 9:00–10:00 am
General Public: 10:00–4:30 pm
HOURS: Saturday, June 15
Members only from 9:00–10:00 am
General Public: 10:00–4:30 pm
Sunday, June 16–Sunday, June 23
10:30 am–4:30 pm
Posted in Garden | Tags: Plant Sale
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 15, 2024
California’s Newest State Park, Dos Rios, Opened June 12 in the San Joaquin Valley
from California State Parks
California State Parks in partnership with Governor Gavin Newsom, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and the California Natural Resources Agency are excited to announce on this Earth Day that California will open its newest state park in the San Joaquin Valley on Wednesday, June 12. The opening day coincides with the launch of the Third Annual State Parks Week June 12-16. This year’s theme is “This is Where You Live” which is befitting for the opening of Dos Rios.
Read more California’s Newest State Park, Dos Rios, to Open June 12 in the San Joaquin Valley
Posted in Park, Uncategorized | Tags: Dos Rios Rios State Park
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 15, 2024
Daycares in Finland Grew Forests, And It Changed Kids’ Immune Systems
Science Alert reports
Playing through the greenery and litter of a mini forest’s undergrowth for just one month may be enough to change a child’s immune system, according to an experiment in Finland.
When daycare workers rolled out a lawn, planted forest undergrowth (such as dwarf heather and blueberries), and allowed children to care for crops in planter boxes, the diversity of microbes in the guts and on the skin of the young kids appeared healthier in a very short space of time.
Read more at Daycares in Finland Grew Forests, And It Changed Kids’ Immune Systems : ScienceAlert
Posted in Environment | Tags: Health Benefts of Nature
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 14, 2024
Hike and Bike the Highway opportunity at Lassen Nat. Park
from Lassen National Park
A 13-mile, connecting section of Lassen National Park Highway is cleared of snow. Until the road opens for vehicle travel in its entirety, this cleared section is a great way to experience your park on bicycle or on foot. Currently, vehicles can travel partially into the park, but the recently cleared section of the road is not yet prepared for vehicle travel. Learn more about this opportunity! https://www.nps.gov/lavo/planyourvisit/hbh.htm
Posted in Drives, Park | Tags: Lassen National Park
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 14, 2024
Rare antelope dies after choking on cap from squeezable pouch
CBS News reports
A rare antelope died after choking on a plastic cap from a squeezable pouch at Bright Zoo in Tennessee over the weekend.
Leif, a Sitatunga antelope, was in his enclosure on Saturday when a zookeeper was conducting a routine check and noticed the animal was “acting odd,” zoo director David Bright told CBS News. Fluid was leaking from the antelope’s mouth and the keeper immediately called in the veterinarian team to dislodge the plastic cap.
Read more at Rare antelope dies after choking on cap from squeezable pouch at Tennessee zoo – CBS News
Posted in Animals | Tags: Sitatunga antelope
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 14, 2024
Serendipity and Salt Ponds Thursday, June 20 @ 7pm Online via Zoom
from Golden Gate Bird Alliance
Serendipity and Salt Ponds on Thursday, June 20 @ 7pm Online via Zoom
California experienced rapid and widespread destruction and modification of natural hydrological ecosystems and wetlands after the Gold Rush, including the loss of nearly all tidal wetlands in San Francisco Bay, many of which were converted to commercial salt production ponds. The South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project is now restoring large swaths of tidal marshhabitat, but they are faced with a new dilemma: many bird species that had used wetlands lost or degraded elsewhere in California, including the Central Valley and Sierra Nevada, have come to use the salt ponds as accidental habitat.
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88676226085?pwd=r_WtCTgK52pi6nI9Q0Csrn3TyPvLVg.gYeESKd1o45Yw10o
Passcode: 743534
Read more at Serendipity and Salt Ponds – Golden Gate Bird Alliance
Posted in Environment, Talks | Tags: Salt Ponds
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 14, 2024
More than third of Amazon rainforest struggling to recover from drought, study finds
The Guardian reports
More than a third of the Amazon rainforest is struggling to recover from drought, according to a new study that warns of a “critical slowing down” of this globally important ecosystem.
The signs of weakening resilience raise concerns that the world’s greatest tropical forest – and biggest terrestrial carbon sink – is degrading towards a point of no return.
Posted in Environment | Tags: Amazon Rainforest
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 13, 2024
California Native Plant Society Upcoming Events
See upcoming events from the California Native Plants Society at Events from June 15 – July 27 – California Native Plant Society
Posted in Talks, Walks & Hikes, Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: CNPS Upcoming Events
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 13, 2024
Webinar: Exploring California’s Oak Woodlands 6/18
from Channel Islands Restoration
Exploring California’s Oak Woodlands A Wildlife Adventure with Mike Watling
Tuesday, June 18, 2024 5:00pm – 6:00pm Hosted Online via Zoom Webinar
Posted in Environment | Tags: Oak Woodlands
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 13, 2024
Regional Park Botanic Garden Photos 6/11/24
Photos taken in the Regional Park Botanic Garden in Tilden Park in Berkeley, CA on 6/11/24.
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 | June 13, 2024
Rare white buffalo born at Yellowstone prompts Lakota Sioux celebration
The Guardian reports
A rare white buffalo has been born in Yellowstone national park, with the arrival prompting local Lakota Sioux leaders to plan a special celebration, with the calf representing a sign of hope and the need to look after the planet.
Read more and see photo at Rare white buffalo born at Yellowstone prompts Lakota Sioux celebration | US news | The Guardian
Posted in Animals, Park | Tags: White Buffalo, Yellowstone
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 13, 2024
Podcast on Warblin’ about Warblers
from Birds Canada
What’s that flash of yellow in the trees? Tune into the latest podcast to find out! Long overdue, this episode is all about warblers! Dozens of species are currently migrating through Canada. Learn about their weird behaviours and wonderful songs, and get pointers on how and where to see them across the country.
Posted in Birds | Tags: Warbler Podcast
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 13, 2024
‘One of the great wonders of nature’: Insect migration superhighway discovered
Sky News reports
Scientists recorded an estimated 17 million flies, wasps, butterflies and dragonflies pouring through a single 30-metre-wide pass on the border of France and Spain each autumn.
Researchers have found the route of one of Europe’s busiest winter getaways – the annual migration of millions of insects heading south through a high mountain pass in the Pyrenees.
Posted in Animals | Tags: Insect Migration
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 12, 2024
California State Parks Week
California State Parks Week is here! Celebrate today’s theme, “Explore New Experiences,” by exploring over 200 in-person and virtual events from June 12 to 16 at parks across the state!
It’s the perfect opportunity for family fun, nature exploration, and community gatherings. Check out CAStateParksWeek.org for details and find an event near you!
Posted in Park | Tags: California State Parks Week
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 12, 2024
A forest restoration project brings birdsong back to Angola’s highest mountain
MOnga Bay reports
- Fires and unsustainable wood harvesting have depleted the Afromontane forests on Mount Moco, Angola’s highest mountain.
- The forests are home to a diverse variety of birds, some found only in Angola.
- Since 2010, a conservation project has sought to regrow some of the forest patches and to protect them from wildfires.
- The work is promoting bird conservation, but also benefiting the local human community by ensuring a reliable flow of freshwater out of the forest.
Read more A forest restoration project brings birdsong back to Angola’s highest mountain
Posted in Environment | Tags: Angola fores Restoration
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 11, 2024
Noxious Weed Biologist – Fish & Wildlife Biologist
from State of Washington
Noxious Weed Biologist – Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2 –
Learn about his position and how to appy at State of Washington Job Opportunities | Work that Matters
Posted in Job Openings | Tags: Job Opening
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 11, 2024
Birding for Beginners, a new free course!
from Birds Canada
Our course “Birding for Beginners” is now available on our new educational website! This free self-guided course will help you develop the foundational skills needed to start birding. You’ll learn about helpful tools and how to identify birds using size, shape, behaviours, habitats, colors, and sounds. The best part is that you’ll learn these skills with some of the most common birds found across Canada.
Posted in Birds, Class/Workshop | Tags: Free Birding for Beginners Class
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 11, 2024
Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are surging “faster than ever” to beyond anything humans ever experienced, officials say
CBS reports
One of the major drivers of the exceptional heat building within Earth’s atmosphere has reached levels beyond anything humans have ever experienced, officials announced on Thursday. Carbon dioxide, the gas that accounts for the majority of global warming caused by human activities, is accumulating “faster than ever,” scientists from NOAA, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the University of California San Diego found.
“Over the past year, we’ve experienced the hottest year on record, the hottest ocean temperatures on record, and a seemingly endless string of heat waves, droughts, floods, wildfires and storms,” NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad said in a press release. “Now we are finding that atmospheric CO2 levels are increasing faster than ever.”
Posted in Environment | Tags: Carbon Dioxide Levels
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 10, 2024
Regional Park Botanic Garden Photos 6/8/24
Photos taken in the Regional Park Botanic Garden in Tilden Park in Berkeley, CA on 6/8/24.
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 | June 10, 2024
Flowers release their perfume in response to electricity of a bee’s touch
Phys.org reports
New research has found that the electrical charge created by visiting bumblebees stimulates some flowers to release more of their sweet-smelling scent. This is the first time a plant has been shown to use the presence of pollinators as a cue to emit more of its attractive perfume—increasing its chances of being visited.
The tiny electrical charge carried by bees is thought to help pollen stick to them during flight but the team of researchers from the University of Bristol, Rothamsted Research, and Cardiff University found that it can also announce their presence to the flowers they visit.
Read more at Flowers release their perfume in response to electricity of a bee’s touch
Posted in Animals | Tags: Bees, Electricity and Pollination, Pollination
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 9, 2024
California Roses in Bloom in my Garden
Posted in Garden, Photos (Sandy's) | Tags: California Roses, Rosa sp.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 9, 2024
Scientists Find the Largest Known Genome Inside a Small Plant
The New York Times reports
A fern from a Pacific island carries 50 times as much DNA as humans do.
Tmesipteris oblanceolata has the largest known genome on Earth. As the researchers described in a study published on Friday, the fern’s cells contain more than 50 times as much DNA as ours do.
Read more at Scientists Find the Largest Known Genome Inside a Small Plant
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 8, 2024
Cedar Grove To Reopen
From King’s Canyon and Sequoia National Parks
Cedar Grove will reopen to public access on June 10, for the first time since severe flooding during the winter of 2022-2023 that caused significant damage.
A huge thank you to all the crews who put in countless hours and effort to complete the necessary maintenance and road repairs, making it possible for us all to enjoy this magical place once again.
Visit nps.gov/seki to learn more and plan your trip!
Posted in Park | Tags: Cedar Grove, King’s Canyon and Sequoia National Parks
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 8, 2024
Job Opening:Botany / Restoration / Invasive Plants
Botany / Restoration seasonal employment (10 months, renewing annually) – CA State Parks – Sierra District – Grass Valley
CA State Parks is hiring up to 2 Forestry Aides (seasonal) stationed in Grass Valley, CA. Duties are invasive plant removal and botanical surveys. Come join State Parks and work in the beautiful Sierra foothills and around Lake Tahoe.
Posted in Job Openings | Tags: Job Opening
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 8, 2024
New Global Wildlife Crime Report Finds 4,000 Species Being Targeted in 162 Countries
EcoWatch reports
A new report from the United Nations’ Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has found that more than 4,000 wildlife species are targeted worldwide for illegal trade, and about 162 countries have active illegal wildlife trading.
According to the latest edition of the UNODC’s World Wildlife Crime Report, the third of its kind, more than 4,000 plant and animal species are illegally traded, often for medicinal, food, pet or ornamental purposes.
Read more at New Global Wildlife Crime Report Finds 4,000 Species Being Targeted in 162 Countries
Posted in Animals | Tags: Wildlife Crime
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 8, 2024
Photos from Crete 4/20/23
Photos from last year’s trip to Crete taken on April 20, 2023
Posted in Photos (Sandy's), Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Wildflowers of Crete
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 7, 2024
Job Opening: Stewardship Program Director
Siskiyou Land Trust currently has a new job opportunity for a full-time
Stewardship Program Director!
For full job descriptions and how to apply, please visit our website at:
www.siskiyoulandtrust.org/job-opportunities
Posted in Job Openings | Tags: Job Opening
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 7, 2024
Tioga Pass Road to Open June 10
From Yosemite National Park
Tioga Road (continuation of Highway 120 through the park) will open to the public on Monday, June 10 by 7 am. We are so excited to welcome visitors and staff back to the high country of Tuolumne Meadows.
Please make sure you are prepared and stocked up before setting off on your way to the high country. There is no food service or fuel available, and campgrounds aren’t open yet.
A reservation is required to drive into Yosemite on weekends and Juneteenth this month, every day from July 1 through August 16, then weekends and holidays through October 27—even if you are only passing through the park.
Posted in Drives, Park | Tags: Tioga Pass Road Opening
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | June 7, 2024
Regional Park Botanic Garden Photos 6/3/24
Photos taken in the Regional Park Botanic Garden in Tilden Park in Berkeley, CA on 6/3/24.
Natural History Wanderings 