Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 11, 2024

Xerces Society Upcoming Events

In the Life of Beetles: Superstars of Soil Health, Pollination, and More!

Jan 25 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM PT / 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM MT/ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM CT/ 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET Webinar

Beetles are one of the most diverse groups of insects on the planet and are endlessly fascinating. Join Jennifer Hopwood to learn more about how beetles are helping us in myriad ways, by contributing to soil health, controlling crop and garden pests, pollinating plants; and learn more about steps we can take to help them.

This webinar will be recorded and available on our YouTube channel. Closed Captioning will be available during this webinar. Learn more and register here today!

See all Xerces Society upcoming events at  Events | Xerces Society

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 11, 2024

Five Ways Bison Benefit Birds

From National Audubon

Standing six feet high at the shoulder and weighing as much as 2,400 pounds, an American bison is a force of nature on its own. In a herd? “They’re ecosystem engineers,” says Jason Baldes, tribal buffalo program manager for the National Wildlife Federation and a member of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe from the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming.

A healthy source of disturbance to dynamic grasslands, American bison—or buffalo, a name traced back to French fur trappers and used by the Lakota, the Shoshone, and other Native nations who have lived alongside the animals for centuries—alter the landscape in myriad ways.

Keep reading

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 10, 2024

50th Anniversary Santa Cruz Fungus Fair January 12 to 14

Come to Santa Cruz and explore the Kingdom of Fungi! Learn about the hundreds of beautiful and fascinating species of mushrooms found in the Santa Cruz/Monterey and Bay Area. Find fungi on display in a re-created woodland habitat. This unique Santa Cruz tradition features three days of fantastic fun, informative speakers and demonstrations, with fungal activities for the whole family. Initiated by David Arora in 1973, this year’s fair represents 50! years of keeping the “fun” in fungi. Join the fun!

Read more at  50th Anniversary Santa Cruz Fungus Fair | Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 10, 2024

Tilden Fungus Fair 1/20/24

Celebrate the fruits of winter! View hundreds of local mushroom specimens, mingle with the mycological community and enjoy presentations by guest speakers at this two-day special event. All ages welcome!No registration required; Drop-in Program only.

Learn more at  Activity detail | East Bay Regional Parks Online Registration

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 10, 2024

Golden Gate Bird Alliance Christmas Count Recap

Oakland CBC

Participant Birders: 304 (267 field observers and 37 feeder watchers)

Total Number of Birds Counted: 93,000+

Total Number of Species: 186

“Best Bird”: Costa’s Hummingbird

SF CBC

Participant Birders: 202

Total Number of Species: 179 species (one higher than last year)

Sample of Uncommon/Rare Birds: Ancient Murrelet, Bald Eagle, Black & White Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Golden Eagle, Gray Catbird, Greater White Fronted Goose, Lucy’s Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Marbled Murrelet, Nashville Warbler, Northern Parula, Orchard Oriole, Pacific Loon, Red Crossbill, Red Phalarope, Red-Necked Grebe, Rhinoceros Auklet, Sage Thrasher, Winter Wren, Yellow Warbler

Richmond CBC

Participant Birders: 175

Total Number of Species: 185

New Species Added this Year: Ross’s Goose, Cinnamon Teal, Black Rail, Surfbird, Ruddy Turnstone, Northern Pygmy-Owl, Prairie Falcon, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Swamp Sparrow, and, most surprisingly, Pine Siskin.

“Best Bird”: Orchard Oriole (Never reported in Richmond Count Circle)

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 9, 2024

Job Openings

Click on each for details:

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 9, 2024

Regional Parks Botanic Garden Photos 1/7/24

Photos from the East Bay Regional Parks Botanic Garden on January 7, 2024.

The Regional Parks Botanic Garden is a  living museum of California native plants. Located within Tilden Park in the hills above Berkeley, California, the 10-acre garden is a sanctuary 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. It is part of the East Bay Regional Parks. Admission and parking are free. For more information about the garden and visiting go to Friends of the Regional Parks Botanic Garden

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 9, 2024

Park service comments on uncertain future of Calif. coastal ‘landmark’

SF Gate reports

The Instagram-famous Inverness shipwreck near Point Reyes has turned more into a wreck than a ship following destructive high tides on Tomales Bay over the past several days.

Though it’s not clear when exactly the S.S. Point Reyes lost the majority of its hull, a recent photo clearly shows the vessel is no longer in the condition that made it famous worldwide.

Source: Park service comments on uncertain future of Calif. coastal ‘landmark’

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 8, 2024

An endangered river dolphin finds an unlikely savior: fisherfolk

NPR reports

An unlikely citizen scientist is helping to save an endangered dolphin that lives in Pakistan’s Indus River. He’s a fisherman who cannot read or write.

Using his battered mobile, Sikander Ali calls a Pakistan representative of the World Wildlife Fund for Nature whenever he sees a river dolphin, which he says is happening more often.

Read more at  Endangered dolphin finds an unlikely savior: fisherfolk : Goats and Soda : NPR

 

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 7, 2024

California has fewer mountain lions than previously estimated – Los Angeles Times

LA Times reports

Scientists have completed the first comprehensive estimate of mountain lions in California, a vital statistic needed to shape puma-friendly land-use decisions and ensure that the predators can find room to roam, mate and find prey.

— Read on www.latimes.com/environment/story/2024-01-07/california-has-fewer-mountain-lions-than-previously-estimated

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 7, 2024

A Year to Remember…for Wildlife

The Revelator reports

In 2023 wild animals stretched boundaries, set records, and inspired conservation across the world. Here’s how mountain lions, grizzlies, condors, hellbenders and other animals gave us reason to cheer.

Read about conservation gains at  A Year to Remember…for Wildlife • The Revelator

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 7, 2024

Monarch butterflies’ migration patterns are changing. Scientists want you to help :

NPR reports

Researchers in the South want people to report Monarch butterfly sightings this winter as more butterflies seem to skip the long migration to breeding grounds in Mexico.

— Read on www.npr.org/2024/01/06/1223287067/monarch-butterflies-migration-patterns-are-changing-scientists-want-you-to-help

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 6, 2024

UC Berkeley Botanical Garden Upcoming programs

See the schedule of upcoming program for the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden at Seasonal Programs & Workshops – UC Botanical Garden

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 6, 2024

Porsche driver faces jail time after going off-road in Death Valley

SF Gate reports

Several off-roading drivers were cited and could face jail time after lodging their vehicles into the mud at Death Valley National Park.

The first event was on Dec. 22, when the National Park Service says that two men drove their rented Porsche SUV into the mud, according to a news release. The men were headed toward a salt flat 2 miles from Badwater Basin, but only made it about 200 yards from the designated road before they got stuck.

However, instead of following directions and waiting for the park service to supervise the rescue, the men allegedly hired a pickup driver to remove their vehicles. The pickup ended up with the same fate as the Porsche SUV…

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 6, 2024

These songbirds sing for hours a day to keep their vocal muscles in shape 

NPR reports

Not all birds sing, but those that do — some several thousand species — do it a lot. All over the world, as soon as light filters over the horizon, songbirds launch their serenades. They sing to defend their territory and croon to impress potential mates.

Read or listen at  These songbirds sing for hours a day to keep their vocal muscles in shape : NPR

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 5, 2024

Job Openings with CNPS

from CNPS

The time to champion California’s rare plants is now! CNPS is hiring for two positions in our Rare Plants Program. 🌿💼
Learn more and apply: http://bit.ly/cnpsjobs-f
Rare Plants Program: Lead Field Botanist / Field Coordinator
🌱Hiring a Lead Field Botanist and Field Coordinator to work remotely within California
🌱 Positions will perform botanical surveys, rare plant mapping, data collection, and voucher collecting. Candidates should be conservation-minded individuals who have a strong background in California plant identification and experience conducting botanical surveys, including CNPS and CDFW survey protocols.
🌱 Work independently and with other Rare Plant Program staff in fieldwork and coordinate with the support of volunteers
🌱 Priority application period ends Jan. 14

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 5, 2024

East Bay Regional Park District’s 90th Anniversary Year Events

Welcome to the East Bay Regional Park District’s 90th Anniversary year. Established in 1934, the Park District has grown to be the largest regional park district of its kind in the nation, with 73 regional parks available for hiking, biking, swimming, horseback riding, boating, fishing, picnicking, camping, and nature discovery. Wherever you live in the East Bay, there is a beautiful regional park close to you.
Celebrate With Us! We will be hosting numerous special events and programs throughout the year to commemorate our anniversary, including a community birthday celebration on May 11 and monthly naturalist-led “Explore Your Parks” adventure programs.
For more information about the Park District’s 90th Anniversary, including events and activities, visit

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 5, 2024

Botanical Activities in Marin and Nearby

from Marin CNPS

  • 1/13 10 am – 2 pm Feeding your Ecosystem Demonstration and activities at the Randall Museum, Yerba Buena Chapter CNPS

Read More…

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 5, 2024

Coyotes Behind Mysterious Seal Pup Deaths in California, Researchers Confirm 

Nature World News reports

California’s coast is home to a diverse array of marine life, including harbor seals, which are often seen resting on the beaches or swimming in the water.These seals are also an important part of the ecosystem, providing food for other animals such as sharks, orcas, and sea lions.However, in recent years, a new threat has emerged for the seal pups: coastal coyotes.

Read more at Coyotes Behind Mysterious Seal Pup Deaths in California, Researchers Confirm | Nature World News

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 4, 2024

Solano Land Trust January Events & Activities

Join the docents and staff of Solano Land Trust to explore the outdoors and experience the beauty of Solano County! For information on meeting locations, directions, and registration, visit the events page at solanolandtrust.org/events. For additional questions, call Di Holokahi at 707-420-1041. January opportunities include:

Sat. January 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Vallejo Swett Ranch
Nature Hike: Come explore the hills between Fairfield, Benicia, and Vallejo. Solano Land Trust docents will share insights about the birds, butterflies, and other wildlife that call the Swett Ranches home, and you will get a vigorous workout! Space is limited. Hike level: Moderate to moderately strenuous. Registration Required.

Read More…

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 4, 2024

CNPS Events from January 20 – November 28, 2024 

See upcoming CNPS events at  Events from January 20 – November 28, 2024– California Native Plant Society

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 4, 2024

Twenty-year study confirms California forests are healthier when burned — or thinned 

UC Berkeley reports

A 20-year experiment in the Sierra Nevada confirms that different forest management techniques — prescribed burning, restoration thinning or a combination of both — are effective at reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire in California.

Read on Twenty-year study confirms California forests are healthier when burned — or thinned | Berkeley

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 3, 2024

Yosemite Park Reservations

Mark your calendars! As a reminder, peak-hours reservations for dates between April 13 and October 27 will be released on Friday, January 5 at 8 am PST at https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10086745. Reservations will be required for all vehicles driving into or through Yosemite on the following dates and times:
• April 13 through June 30: A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and on holidays (May 27 and June 19).
• July 1 through August 16: A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm daily.
• August 17 through October 27: A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (September 2 and October 14).

Read More…

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Posted in Drives, Park | Tags:

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 3, 2024

Theodore Payne Foundation Upcoming Classes and Workshops

See upcoming Theodore Payne Foundation Classes and Workshops at Theodore Payne Foundation Events | Eventbrite

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 3, 2024

50th Anniversary Santa Cruz Fungus Fair 

50th Anniversary Santa Cruz Fungus FairJanuary 12, 2024 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Learn more at  50th Anniversary Santa Cruz Fungus Fair –

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 3, 2024

Low-intensity Fires Reduce Wildfire Risk by 60 Percent | 

Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health reports

There is no longer any question of how to prevent high-intensity, often catastrophic, wildfires that have become increasingly frequent across the Western U.S., according to a new study by researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and Stanford University. The analysis reveals that low-intensity burning, such as controlled or prescribed fires, managed wildfires, and tribal cultural burning, can dramatically reduce the risk of devastating fires for years at a time. The findings are some of the first to rigorously quantify the value of low-intensity fire and be released while Congress is reassessing the U.S. Forest Service’s wildfire strategy as part of reauthorizing the Farm Bill. The study was published in Science Advances(link is external and opens in a new window).

Read more at Low-intensity Fires Reduce Wildfire Risk by 60 Percent, Study Finds | Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 2, 2024

Upcoming  Point Reyes National Seashore Association Programs & Events 

See upcoming Pt. Reyes National Seashore Association Program and Events at  Programs & Events – Point Reyes National Seashore Association

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 2, 2024

East Bay Regional Parks Trail Challenge

Happy New Year – ready, set, GO! Enjoy the Park District’s 2024 Trails Challenge, a free annual program connecting people to nature with 20 designated trails to explore. Downloadable guidebooks are now available online. Pick up a free printed guidebook and T-shirt at visitor centers during regular open hours, while supplies last. www.ebparks.org/tc #2024TrailsChallenge

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 1, 2024

Anza-Borrego Foundation Upcoming Events

Anza-Borrego Foundation hosts a variety of events and educational programs, including hikes, botany walks, photography workshops, and more. See programs at  Events | Anza-Borrego Foundation

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 1, 2024

2024 Meteor shower guide

See a meteor shower guide for 2024 from EarthSky at  Meteor shower guide 2024: Up next the Quadrantids

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