Spring and summer are prime time for getting out into California’s backcountry — and they’re also prime time for bears to be on the move. The Bureau of Land Management recently put out a reminder for public lands visitors to brush up on bear safety, and given how much time I spend out exploring (and how much time I hope you do too), it seemed worth passing along and bookmarking for the season.
As bears come out of winter dens, they’re searching for food, moving through new habitat, and in some cases protecting cubs — all of which can increase the odds of a surprise encounter on the trail. As BLM’s Acting Director Bill Groffy put it, “Public lands managed by the BLM are wild places, and wildlife safety is visitor safety.” Simple precautions go a long way toward keeping both you and the bears safe. Continue reading
The MAPWaters Act has cleared Congress and is headed to the President’s desk.
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National Bison Day – the first Saturday in November – is a celebration of the American Bison. The bison – commonly called the America Buffalo – is the National Mammal of the United States. These large smelly animals once roamed North America in massive herds, but were brought to the brink of extinction through a combination of commercial hunting, slaughter, and bovine disease transferred from domestic cattle in the 19th century.
It only took 45 years, but the gray wolf has recovered. After being virtually eliminated from the lower 48 states by the early part of the 20th century, the gray wolf is back – and in HUGE numbers! Through a partnership of states, tribes, conservation organizations and private landowners, the once-endangered predator is now flourishing.