#FindYourWay to Where Rivers and Trails Meet

Throughout the nation, rivers and trails weave together some of our most precious and impressive public lands. From the abundant wildlife found on Florida’s Wekiva Wild and Scenic River to worn wagon ruts left behind by pioneers on the Oregon National Historic Trail, rivers and trails that crisscross America connect us to incredible landscapes in our backyards and give us the chance to have fun and learn about ourselves. (DOI blog)

Rivers and Trails 50th Anniversary

Join us in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Wild & Scenic Rivers and National Trails System Acts! Leading up to the anniversary on October 2, 2018, the Bureau of Land Management and our partners invite visitors from all backgrounds to #FindYourWay and explore America’s vast system of designated rivers and trails. (BLM website)

Eel River Groups and Federal Agencies Celebrate 50th Anniversary of Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

The Eel River Recovery Project (ERRP) is teaming up with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the U.S. Forest Service, and California Wilderness Coalition (CWC) to celebrate 50 years of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The celebration includes events, hikes, and floats in the Eel River basin and culminates with a Wild and Scenic and Wilderness conference on November 4. (ERRP news release)

50th Anniversary of the Rivers & Trails Systems: California Rivers and Trails #FindYourWay!

National Scenic and Historic Trails are signature components of the National Trails System, and protected by the BLM as a part of the National Conservation Lands. Congress established the National Trails System in 1968 and designated the Appalachian and Pacific Crest as the first national trails. From that time on, the BLM engaged with other agencies and volunteers along the Pacific Crest, and on many other trails later enacted. (BLM California facebook)

Related: (https://www.rivers.gov/wsr50/)

Related: (https://www.trails50.org/)

Related: (BLM  tumblr)

BLM Plans Prescribed Burning Projects in Lacks Creek Area Near Arcata

With the arrival of cooler fall weather, Bureau of Land Management fire crews will begin burning projects designed to improve habitat at the Lacks Creek area northeast of Arcata. Projects could begin the week of Oct. 10 and will continue on days when weather conditions allow for safe and successful burning. (BLM news release)

BLM Will Begin Replacing Damaged Culverts on Sacramento River Rail Trail

A project to replace damaged culverts on the Bureau of Land Management Sacramento River Rail Trail gets underway Tuesday, Oct. 9. Access will be limited during the work that may take up to six weeks to complete. (BLM news release)

BLM Ukiah Field Office Lifts Fire Use Restrictions

The Bureau of Land Management Ukiah Field Office has lifted fire use restrictions for Colusa, Glenn, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties, due to cooler temperatures and measurable rain.(BLM news release)

Related: (Prevent Wild Fire California)

Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center Adoption

Wild horse enthusiasts from across California visited the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department wild horse training ranch on Saturday, Sept. 15, and took home all 11 horses available for adoption. (BLM California facebook)

Related: (Sacramento Bee news story)

Ukiah Field Office Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

October 2nd and 3rd, BLM Ukiah Field Office helped in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by learning from Interagency National Monument Fellow Fabiola Torres-Toledo the folklore tradition of creating Vejigante masks, or mask of the “devils” typically made of paper mache or coconuts, and painted in vivid colors with polka dots. A mask that is worn in cultural events like festivals, carnivals, and is sold as a typical souvenir. (BLM blog)

Related: (DOI photo gallery)

Related: (Fox News Latinos)

BLM To Modify Fire Restrictions in the California Desert District

As of October 3, the Bureau of Land Management will reduce current Stage II Fire Restrictions to Stage I and continue the Stage III Fire Restrictions for BLM-managed public lands within Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Mono, and San Diego counties. These restrictions will remain in effect until further notice. (BLM news release)

Secretary Zinke Proclaims October as National Hunting and Fishing Month

Today, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke proclaimed the month of October 2018 as National Hunting and Fishing Month while visiting the Wonders of Wildlife Museum in Springfield, Missouri. The Trump Administration has prioritized public access to Federal lands for sportsmen and sportswomen to expand opportunities for all citizens to enjoy hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation across our nation. (DOI news release)

Secretary Zinke Joins Tribal Chiefs in Celebrating Federal Recognition for Seven Virginia Tribes at Site of Historic Powhatan Headquarters

At the center of the celebration were leaders of the seven tribes who recently received federal recognition: Chief Stephen Adkins of the Chickahominy; Chief Gerald Stewart of the Chickahominy, Eastern Division; Chief Dean Branham of the Monacan; Chief Lee Lockamy of the Nansemond ; Chief Robert Gray of the Pamunkey; Chief G. Anne Richardson of the Rappahannock; and Chief W. Frank Adams of the Upper Mattaponi. (DOI news release)

More Than $50 Million in Grants from Interior Department Will Support State Wildlife Conservation Projects

The State Wildlife Grants Program helps states implement approved State Wildlife Action Plans, which list species and habitats in need of assistance. All 50 state and U.S. territorial wildlife agencies have these plans, which include detailed strategies to proactively protect species in greatest conservation need. (DOI news release)

Bureau of Reclamation Selects 54 Projects to Receive $26.5 Million to Improve Water Efficiency in the West

The projects funded with these grants include canal lining and piping, automated gates and control systems, and installation of advanced metering. (DOI news release)

Interior Celebrates National Wildlife Refuges in Urban Areas

The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives recognized the value of wildlife refuges in urban areas through bipartisan resolutions designating Sept. 29, 2018 as Urban National Wildlife Refuge Day to highlight the more than 100 urban wildlife refuges across the country. (DOI news release)

Interior Department Reopens Royalty Policy Committee Nomination Process

Interior is seeking nominees that represent Indian Tribes, mineral and/or energy stakeholders, states, and academia/public interest groups, for consideration as Royalty Policy Committee members. (DOI news release)

Fall in Love With 20 Amazing Public Lands in Autumn

Public lands are amazing all year, but there’s something really magnificent about the arrival of fall colors. As whole forests transition into bright reds, oranges and yellows, leaf peepers head to their favorite spots to enjoy cooler temperatures and this gorgeous natural spectacle. Check out a few of our favorite places to welcome autumn. (DOI blog)

Why Do Animals Hibernate? 

For people who aren't fans of winter, animals that hibernate seem to have the right idea: It's the equivalent of burying your head under the covers until spring comes—isn't it? Not quite.

Find out more behind the science of hibernation below.

October 1-5: BLM to Co-Sponsor Nevada County Tire Amnesty Week

The Bureau of Land Management’s California State Office and Mother Lode Field Office, along with Tahoe National Forest, Waste Management and Nevada County are hosting a tire amnesty event daily from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oct. 1-5, to help keep the environment clean. Participants must be Nevada County residents. (BLM news release)

October 5-7: Bring Home Your Own Wild Horse or Burro

Wild mustangs and burros will be offered to qualified adopters at the George Ingalls Event Center, 3737 Crestview Dr. Norco, Calif. on Oct. 5, 6 and 7 through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Adopt-A-Horse or Burro Program. There will be 20 horses and 10 burros available for adoption. (BLM news release)

Related: (BLM California facebook)

Related: (BLM Wild Horse & Burro Program facebook)

October 6: BLM Bakersfield Hammering out Historic Home Restoration and Sprucing up Carrizo Plain for National Public Lands Day

Join the Bureau of Land Management Bakersfield Field Office for two National Public Lands Day events sprucing up the Goodwin Education Center at the Carrizo Plain National Monument and restoring the historic Walker Cabin in the Keysville Special Recreation Management Area near Lake Isabella. (BLM news release)

October 12: Public Comment Period Ending for Proposed Keystone Exploratory Project

 The Bureau of Land Management Ridgecrest Field Office has made available for 30-day public comment an Environmental Assessment for the Keystone Exploratory Drilling Project located on existing unpatented lode mining claims on public lands. The public comment period for the EA will end on Oct. 9. (BLM news release)

October 12: Public Comment Period Ending for Proposed Route Designation Project in San Bernardino County

The Bureau of Land Management’s Barstow Field Office has made available for 30-day public comment an Environmental Assessment on a route designation proposal affecting 130 miles of routes located on BLM public lands currently maintained by the county of San Bernardino’s Public Works Department. Segments of these routes that are under county management are limited to street legal vehicles, as defined by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. (BLM news release)

October 13: Participants Will Learn about the past in Archaeology Day event

The Bureau of Land Management will offer a hands-on look into the lives of northeast California’s early inhabitants during Archaeology Day, a free, family-friendly event, Saturday, Oct. 13, at the Hobo Camp Day Use Area along the Susan River just west of Susanville.  Events run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (BLM news release)

October 14: BLM and Bishop Area Climbers Coalition to Host Volcanic Tableland Stewardship Event

The Bureau of Land Management Bishop Field Office and Bishop Area Climbers Coalition
will host a volunteer stewardship event on Sunday, Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Volunteers will
rehabilitate areas of the Volcanic Tableland impacted by dispersed camping and prepare the Pleasant Valley Pit
Campground for the annual influx of campers for the Eastern Sierra’s busy rock climbing season. (BLM news release)

October 20: Annual Fall Colors Ride on Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail

The Bureau of Land Management will offer a special fall colors bike ride and bike shuttle Saturday, Oct. 20, on the Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail near Susanville.  Participants can get some exercise and enjoy spectacular fall colors.  The ride will be on a smooth and wide gravel trail.(BLM news release)

Now - 2019: Bring Home a Wild Horse or Burro

The BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program is excited to announce nearly 70 events this year as part of BLM's efforts to find good homes for our nation's wild horses and burros. Known for their intelligence, endurance and loyalty, wild horses and burros, with the right training, are outstanding for trail riding, packing, working and have successfully competed for awards in numerous fields from endurance riding to dressage. With more than 81,000 wild horses and burros on BLM-managed public lands, these wild icons of our American history need your help more than ever. Without any natural predators that can control population growth, wild horse and burro herds grow rapidly on the range and can quickly overcome the land's ability to support them. The BLM works to maintain healthy wild herds by gathering excess animals and placing them into good homes. (BLM website)