BLM, Piedras Blancas Light Station recommence public tours Nov. 14

Bakersfield Field Office will re-open the Piedras Blancas Light Station to public tours on Nov. 14. Tours will follow agency and local county orders to implement COVID-19 protective measures and will be self-guided by reservation only, providing the opportunity to independently explore the light station along the scenic trail. All buildings remain closed; however, restrooms are available. Reservations can be made at this website. (BLM CA News Release)

What happens in the Fall when the flowers have finished blooming and all the plants begin to turn brown?

Join Ranger Tammy at the Fort Ord National Monument and learn about some of the plants that live there, how the seeds move from place to place and why they collect seeds every year. (BLM CA YouTube)

Trails get improvements thanks to Student Conservation Association crews

A crew from the Student Conservation Association has moved from the high desert landscape of the Bald Mountain Trails to the snow-dusted forest setting of the Susan River Canyon, as they continue to assist our Eagle Lake Field Office with recreation trail improvements near Susanville, CA. Over the past several days they have been working on route adjustments and maintenance on the South Side Trail, a rugged, single-track route paralleling the Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail. As always, we thank the crew for excellent work! (BLM CA Facebook)

Five National monuments in and around the San Francisco Bay area

Of America’s 73 national monuments, 11 are located in California. In the San Francisco Bay Area, there are just three national monuments. Here is a brief introduction to those three national treasures along with a few more outside of the Bay Area. (Trending Travel Blog)

Honoring those who served

This week we recognized the heroes who honored our country through their service in the United States Armed Forces. It is a time to reflect and thank all veterans, and their families, for their contributions and sacrifices to keep our country safe and our freedoms protected.

The goats are still working hard!

Seeders used to reestablish native plants after August 2019 wildfire

All-terrain vehicles were pulling seeders across burned public lands north of Susanville during the waning days of October in a project to restore wildlife habitat scorched in an August 2019 wildfire. The lightning-caused Ranch Fire burned about 2,600 acres of rocky, high-desert terrain, consuming sagebrush, bitterbrush, and native grasses important to deer, pronghorn antelope, small mammals, and upland birds. Reestablishing native plants will benefit these wildlife species, help prevent erosion, and keep invasive plant species from taking over the site. (BLM CA Facebook)

Piedras Blancas lighthouse lens has a new caretaker. But will it stay in Cambria?

Responsibility for the circa-1875 First Order Fresnel lighthouse lens from the Piedras Blancas Light Station will shift in March 2021 from the Cambria Lions Club back to the U.S. Coast Guard. But it’s unclear what that will mean for the future display of the lens and whether it will remain in Cambria or be moved somewhere else. (The Tribune)

Earlier this year, the Domestic Names Committee of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names voted unanimously to approve the proposal to name a peak after the Devils Hole pupfish and Ash Meadows Amargosa pupfish. At 4,355 feet in elevation, the previously un-named Pupfish Peak is a high point in an area known as Devils Hole Hills on land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. (Sierra Wave Media)

BLM eases fire restrictions on public lands in NE California, NW Nevada

BLM eases fire restrictions, including allowing campfires on public lands in Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta and Siskiyou counties in northeast California and in a portion of Washoe County in far northwest Nevada.(BLM CA News Release)

BLM Central Coast Field Office allows target shooting starting Nov. 13

The BLM Central Coast Field Office has rescinded the temporary suspension of recreational target shooting on public lands starting Nov. 13. This action is in response to cooler temperatures and higher humidity, and it coincides with the reopening of Panoche and Tumey Hills recreation areas to vehicle access. Some seasonal fire restrictions will remain in place until further notice and are in addition to the year-round statewide Fire Prevention Order. (BLM CA News Release)

BLM lifts some fire restrictions on public lands in NW California

The BLM lifts some fire restrictions on public lands managed by the Arcata and Redding field offices in Humboldt, Mendocino, Del Norte, Trinity, Shasta, Butte, Tehama and Siskiyou counties. Easing of fire restrictions means that campfires are again allowed in these areas with permits.(BLM CA News Release)

Trump Administration grants Gold Star families and military veterans free entrance to National Parks, Refuges and other public lands starting Veterans Day

In recognition and to honor those who have served in the military, Gold Star Families and Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces will now have free entrance to refuges and parks forever. They will have free access to approximately 2,000 public locations spread out across more than 400 million acres of public lands, which host activities to fit any lifestyle, from serene to high octane, including hiking, fishing, paddling, biking, hunting, stargazing and rock climbing. (DOI News Release)

Trump Administration’s unprecedented conservation achievements help tame invasive mussels in Western waters

The Trump Administration continues to fulfill its commitments to Western states and tribes by investing significant funding to help prevent, contain and control invasive mussels that, if left unchecked, can damage water and power supplies, diminish recreational boating and fishing opportunities and devastate the economic and ecological health of Western waters. (DOI News Release)

True or False? California Tiger Salamanders spend most of its life in water.

A. True

B. False.

Keep scrolling to find out!

Photo by Robert Cooper, UCLA

BLM California & R3C Saddle-Trained Horse Adoption - Virtual

Eight saddle-trained wild horses will be available for adoption, Thursday, Nov. 19, in a virtual competitive-bid event starting at 6 p.m. Pacific Time via Zoom. The animals are offered by the Bureau of Land Management in coordination with Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office. Bidders must register in advance. (BLM CA News Release)