Category Archives: California

National Parks

Yosemite’s Merced River opens to kayaking and rafting

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Eugene Buchanan has penned a post over at the Adventure Journal website about the new playground that kayakers and rafters have acquired.  From the post:

Kayakers and rafters have a new cliff-lined paddling playground in the heart of Yosemite National Park. While California’s Merced River has long been a hotbed of paddling outside the boundaries of the park, paddlers have now gotten the green light for a coveted section within the park as well. Yosemite National Park recently released its new Wild and Scenic Final Comprehensive Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for California’s Merced River, putting paddling on the same footing as climbing and hiking within the park’s boundaries.

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Wildlife

California officials take down aggressive mountain lion in Orange County

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

 

On March 30th Mission Viejo resident Madison Smith and her two children were out for an afternoon walk on Borrego Trail when a mountain lion began acting aggressively towards them. The big cat stalked the group and came within about 6 feet of her 5-year-old son, which is easy pouncing distance for a full-sized mountain lion.

Luckily, there was another hiker on the trail who began shouting at the lion and throwing rocks at it. This allowed the family to get away.

After a call to 911, Orange County Sheriff deputies and a California Department of Fish and Wildlife game warden located the big 1-year old, 60-lb mountain lion some bushes just a few feet off Borrego Trail at about 5 p.m. Sunday. According to reports, they attempted to scare the animal away, but the big cat wasn’t in the mood. It began acting aggressively towards the officers, showing no fear whatsoever. The DFW game warden was forced to put the animal down.

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State Parks

Become a volunteer with California State Parks and help make a difference!

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The California State Parks are looking for volunteers!  From their brochure:

In addition to ongoing opportunities in parks, one-day events are scheduled for Earth Day and Trail Days in the spring and Coastal Cleanup Day in the fall. These days offer great opportunities to spend time with your family or to make new friends as you get out and help make a difference. In many parks, annual and special events take place to celebrate our resources while teaching visitors about the wonders of nature and history. Join us—be part of what makes California so extraordinarily unique and wonderful!

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State Parks

Anza-Borrego, a Park Dealing With a Drought on Top of a Drought

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Lisa Morehouse has posted a great article about the Anza Borrego Desert State Park over at KQED.org‘s website. From the post:

A desert is, by definition, dry. But even a desert can have a drought, complete with impacts for native flora and fauna on the one hand and for the humans who live and visit on the other.Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California’s biggest state park by far, is in the third straight year of drier-than-usual weather. The long dry spell has had a visible impact. The lack of rain has muted Anza-Borrego’s wildflower bloom, the one event every year that brings a crowd of visitors to the community of Borrego Springs and other desert destinations.

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Activities, Adventures, National Forests, National Parks

Wells Fargo Foundation funds NatureBridge’s Yosemite Summer Field Research Course

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The Wells Fargo Scholars program, generously funded by a grant from the Northern and Central California Region of the Wells Fargo Foundation, gives students from Kings, Fresno, Tulare, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, and Stanislaus counties an opportunity to attend NatureBridge’s Summer Field Research Course in Yosemite National Park.

Students have the chance to receive a full or partial scholarship based on the strength of their application, recommendations from supportive educators and community leaders, and the individual’s financial need.

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