News and Insights

Monumental Questions - What is iNaturalist?

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:40:24 GMT

Have you ever been hiking in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument (or almost anywhere else in the world for that matter) and come across a plant or animal and not been able to identify it? Have you ever thought, “hmmm, if only there was an easily accessible phone app that could help me identify this thing nearly instantly?” If that exact thought wandered through your cranium; boy, oh boy are you in luck! Enter iNaturalist!

The iNaturalist app is primarily an online social community sharing their findings and information to network and help others learn about the environment. The iNaturalist website states that “INaturalist is crowdsourced species identification system and an organism occurrence recording tool. You can use it to record your own observations, get help with identifications, collaborate with others to collect this kind of information for a common purpose, or access the observational data collected by other iNaturalist users.”

iNaturaist was developed as a Master’s final project by Ken-ichi Ueda, Nate Agrin and Jessica Kline at UC Berkeley’s School of Information back in 2005; the same year that YouTube and Reddit were initially introduced to the public - a vintage year for social media developments! It officially launched in 2008 and work continued on the site and iNaturalist, LLC was born in 2011. By 2017 National Geographic was onboard and in 2023, what began as a student project became an independent nonprofit organization that grew into a globally recognized Citizen Science driven platform that connects millions of people to the biodiversity around them. iNaturalist is a compilation database that contributes valuable collective intelligence to conservation and science from around the world. iNaturalist is a valuable tool for species identification as well as organism occurrence crowdsourced information, it is also a practical resource for species identification and distribution. And guess what else! It’s free to use.

Sound good? Want to know how you can benefit from iNaturalist?

You can use iNaturalist to record your own species observations and locations. You can use it to help identify species you aren’t sure about or may be new to by using other individuals' entries. You can even work with other users to collaborate and continue to add information to the site or you can access other’s information regarding species observations and occurrences. You can look up and enter data using scientific nomenclature or common names. You can look at other’s photos and locations for reference and contribute your observations. Students and Professors alike are using and recommending iNaturalist.

So how’s it been going? On March 20, 2008, the very first entry was made into iNaturalist. To save you from doing the math I’ll tell you that iNaturalist just had its 18th birthday! Guess how many observations people have recorded in those 18 years… you’ll never guess so I’ll just tell you - iNaturalist has over 3.5 million individual observations ! And it’s increasing every moment, you can literally watch the counter on their homepage rise. Guess how many individual species have been recorded! Not to be disparaging but you’ll never get it...iNaturalist is up to just under 560,000 species ! There are currently over four million registered individuals making and recording observations and more than 483,000 people helping other people by making identifications. In just 18 years, a student project has grown into a globally recognized and respected tool to make and record species observations adding information to a world-wide biodiversity database. If you want to be a part of this community simply download the iNaturalist app or go to their website and get out there and start entering your observations. The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region is an incredible place to practice using iNaturalist because it hosts such a huge diversity of habitats and species.

Enjoying Outside! - Pestiferous Foxtails

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:39:58 GMT

I’m sure a lot of us already know the danger that foxtails pose to our dog and cat friends and hopefully nobody reading this minds, but I’d like to try extra hard to make sure that everyone reading this knows about the menacing nature of foxtail barley.

Foxtail barley ( Hordeum sp.) is a member of the grass (Poaceae) family and is native (I just learned this!) to North America. Although it is a native species, it is considered “weedy” because it readily establishes and can outcompete other species because it thrives in both moist and drought prone environments. It is also known by other cute little woodland creature names such as squirreltail barley, bobtail barley and skunktail barley but lemme tell you, it’s not as endearing as the common names suggest. The name “foxtail” is a general term for grasses in the Hordeum (barley genus). Foxtail barley (foxtail) is a perennial bunch grass that thrives in previously disturbed areas and is somewhat unique in that it is tolerant of saline and/or alkaline soils where the majority of other upland species cannot survive. Foxtails can germinate in the spring or the fall and those that germinate in the fall resume growing early the following spring often outcompeting other spring germinating plant species. Because it is salt tolerant it can be found on coastal beaches and along the edges of brackish and salt marshes as well as road sides, yards and fields. Foxtail usually doesn't exceed one three feet tall when left undisturbed but if the plants are mowed, they can flower and produce seed much closer to the ground as well. Seed heads are pale green and appear as a square-shaped (characteristic of barley) bushy spike. The stems are erect with soft blue-ish gray-green rolled leaves and seed heads have long awns. Since plants can’t get up and wander about, they need a method to disperse their seeds. That method for foxtails is mainly by hitchhiking on other things that move from one location to another. Up close, individual seeds look like a fox’s bushy tail and their shape helps them to attach to your pets and you. And because the seeds are barbed, they can get embedded in our furry friend’s ears, eyes and skin and often requires a vet’s steady hand (and your pocketbook) to remove them. They can be especially dangerous and sometimes fatal if they get into your pets nose or blood stream.

Right now, at least for a few more days, the foxtails are still green and soft. But, as the temperatures rise and the vegetation begins to dry out, the hazards posed by foxtails begin to rise with the mercury. As the seed heads mature they become golden in color and very fragile. This is when they are the most dangerous to our pets as they are easily broken apart from the plant. Eventually the seeds get harder and drop to the ground where if stepped on they can embed themselves into your bare feet or your pet’s paws.

Although it seems nearly impossible to avoid foxtails there are some ways to help you and your furry buddy continue to enjoy hiking through the Berryessa Snow Mountain National monument or a leisurely stroll through your neighborhood.

Avoid areas where you’ve seen foxtails before and pay attention to where your friend wanders - especially during the summer months when the foxtails are dry and brittle
Keep your dog’s fur trimmed and short so there’s less surface for the seeds to attach to
Do a quick nose to tail check for foxtails after each walk or hike being sure to check between their foot pads
A basket muzzle may help keep their nose and mouth clear of foxtails while still allowing your pup to pant

If your furry friend is coughing, gagging, sneezing, snorting or pawing at their face or ears or limping, there may be an embedded foxtail that you aren’t able to see. It’s best to have them checked out by a vet to make sure they are all clear. If they have picked up a foxtail, removing it as soon as possible is usually less invasive for your companion and your wallet.

Just by spending a little extra time and effort, you and your pets can still Enjoy Outside even during foxtail season!

Science Corner -Swainson’s Hawk, an impressive long-distance migrant!

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:39:12 GMT

Finally, they’re back!! I’ve been waiting and watching for them and just this week I heard the first one of the summer. Swainson’s hawks ( Buteo swainsoni ) make an impressive journey every fall and then do it again in reverse every spring. Where do they go and why is it so impressive you ask? Stay tuned and find out!

Our Swainson’s hawks, the hawks that summer here in California’s Central Valley, that raise their babies in old cottonwoods and valley oaks along our riparian areas, the same hawks that weigh less than two pounds and gorge themselves on grasshoppers and rodents all summer long, travel all the way to ARGENTINA! That is nearly 6,500 air miles and would take 18-20 hours on a commercial flight without any layovers. Are you impressed? If not, consider the fact that they do that epic journey TWICE a year!

Swainson’s hawks are a close relative of our year-round resident, the Red-tailed hawk and are similar in size and habitat requirements. Swainson’s hawks have two color morphs; a light morph and a dark morph, and although both sexes wear the same colors and patterns, females are typically slightly larger and heavier than males. In the light color morph both females and males sport a chocolate-colored “bib” with a white throat and face patch and bright yellow rostrum. Their tails are barred and their flight feathers are dark with a light-colored leading edge - a unique color pattern in North American raptors. Dark morphs are all dark chocolate brown with the same barred tail with a light patch just under it. Swainson’s hawks occur roughly west of the Missouri River during the warm summer season and like some people I know, take off for warmer regions when the summer weather turns chilly.

In California, Swainson’s hawks nest primarily in the Central Valley although there are small populations in northeastern California, Shasta Valley, Owens Valley and the Mojave Desert. Historically it was estimated that California supported over 17,000 breeding pairs but in 1980 that number had declined to only 375 breeding pairs. In 1988 it was up to an estimated 550 breeding pairs statewide and in 2005 the number of breeding pairs had inched up to just under 2100. They were listed as a threatened species in California in 1983 due primarily to habitat loss.

An endorsement of their adaptability, Swainson’s hawks have not only learned to co-exist with many agricultural practices but they in fact thrive alongside irrigated pastures and tractors which has helped their number improve. Swainson’s hawks have learned that the rumble of a tractor pulling a harrow disk equates to what we might consider a drive through meal. They’ve also learned that when a rancher turns on the water and begins to flood irrigate a pasture, that advancing waterline flushes out underground rodents resulting in a heavenly smorgasbord of unwelcome pests to the human behind the water controls. I’ve seen 20 hawks lined up following the waterline with 20 more circling waiting their turn at the chow line. If their migratory journey hasn’t impressed you, their rodent/lizard/grasshopper eating capacity surely will. These gourmands will gorge themselves so heavily that they realistically cannot lift themselves off the ground for a time which results in oodles of hawks hopping about like unathletic feathered toads. Mutualism at its finest - the hawks get a gourmet meal and farmers and ranchers get free pest control.

If their stamina and gluttony doesn’t impress you, maybe this will. It’s not uncommon for wild Swainson’s hawks to live and continue breeding into their 20’s. But that’s not just hanging around and raising babies in the laid back summer months. During those 20 years, that individual bird has flown about 260,000 miles to safely return to the same area, perhaps the same tree, that held the nest that it fledged from. That’s undeniably impressive!

Tuleyome's Impact

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:38:40 GMT

Tuleyome's Impact Report (2024 - 2025) encapsulates both a tumultuous and an amazing two years. At a time when it seems like forces are trying to tear us apart from each other and our deep home place, we are reminded of the many things that bring us together. They are much more plentiful than the things that tear us apart. Our love for family and friends, our country, a good meal, sun on our face, our favorite team, freedom, laughter, peace, the sight of a hawk soaring across the sky, safety, a wildﬂower, our favorite hike, this amazing region, its people and its places.

It is a time when we have seen unprecedented change and heartbreaking destruction. The challenges have been immense, both within Tuleyome and within the larger community. Yet we have also seen our partnerships in the region broaden and deepen.

Conservationists, scientists, recreationists, business owners, Indigenous people and Native American Tribes have come together to protect our public lands and the natural and cultural resources they hold. We all came together to defeat attempts to sell oﬀ more than 250 million acres of our public lands. And, together, we added Molok Luyuk to Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and enshrined Tribal co-stewardship.

In a collaborative eﬀort, Tuleyome and our regional preserve partners are connecting kids to nature. Tuleyome’s outdoor youth programs nearly doubled in 2025.

Tuleyome’s impact is propelled by our amazing team and the remarkable individuals, volun-teers, supporters, organizations, businesses and communities with which we work. Because of you, Tuleyome survived the loss of hundreds of thousands in federal funding. This is why we are excited for the future and hopeful of what we can achieve with your support and in partnership with community. We will stand together as a community to enjoy, explore and protect this special place, its people, its communities, to protect our deep home place.

You can download the full Impact Report here .

Spring Thing Recap - Birds Soar and S'mores Galore!

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:38:14 GMT

Tuleyome’s 5th annual Spring Thing, co-hosted with the City of Woodland, is in the books! March 21st was a beautiful day at Woodland Regional Park Preserve, where over 30 Tuleyome staff, board members, and volunteers came together to welcome the public for a day of fun in the sun.

The day got started with opening remarks from local leaders including Yolo County Supervisors Angel Barajas and Sheila Allen, City of Woodland Water Conservation Coordinator Mary Lehman, and Tuleyome’s Board of Directors President Lyndsay Dawkins. The speakers shared their reflections on the importance of public lands and the power of collaboration between local governments and organizations like Tuleyome.

There were a wide range of activities scheduled throughout the day. For kids, we had face-painting, fort-building, arts and crafts, story times from the Woodland Public Library, and a performance of Superbird by Nature’s Theater. For adults, we had guided tours of the Preserve, live music, a silent auction, and a speaker panel with Bob Schneider and Dr. Glen Holstein. For kids and adults alike we had a campfire and build-your-own s’mores all day, including gourmet options for s’mores connoisseurs.

In addition to the activities, we had great informational tables from Tuleyome and a wide range of partner groups, including the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, the City of Woodland, Yolo County Integrated Waste Management, Yolo County Library, Woodland Public Library, UC CalFresh, UC Natural Reserves, REI, Norcal Bats, and Save the Snakes.

You can view the full photo album from the day here . Thank you to all of our partners and volunteers who helped make the event happen and to everyone who joined us to celebrate all that Tuleyome does!

We would especially like to thank our Official Sponsor:

Cassidy and Associates

We would also like to thank our sponsors:

Tom and Evelyn Wendt

Our Busiest March yet for K-12 field trips!

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:37:49 GMT

2 ^nd graders from Woodland Prairie Elementary

We had our busiest March on record for K-12 field trips – we did six field trips, bringing nearly 250 students to Woodland Regional Park Preserve for fun and educational experiences in nature! Our first trip of the month was with two classes of 2 ^nd graders from Woodland Prairie Elementary on March 3 ^rd . Tuleyome staff members Geoff and Kristie led the students through the Ecosystems Trail, which included a nature walk with binoculars and a comparison of different habitats around the Preserve.

A Woodland Prairie 2 ^nd grader observing birds

Our second trip of the month was with two more classes of 2 ^nd graders from Woodland Prairie Elementary on March 4 ^th . Tuleyome staff members Geoff and Kristie and volunteer Gretchen led the students through the Ecosystem Trail. The students enjoyed a nature walk, seeing a red-tailed hawk nest, and learning about different habitats at the Preserve.

Education Associate Geoff Benn teaching Southport Elementary 3rd graders about cattails

For our 3 ^rd trip of the month, on March 11 ^th , we had one class of 3 ^rd graders from Southport Elementary in West Sacramento. Tuleyome staff member Geoff and volunteer Gretchen led the students through the Ecosystems Trail. The students had prepared for the trip by watching our game camera videos from the Preserve and were excited to see some of the animals from the videos in person, including a pair of jackrabbits!

Southport Elementary 3 ^rd graders getting excited while bird watching at the Preserve

For our 4 ^th trip of the month, on March 13 ^th , we hosted two more classes of 3 ^rd graders from Southport Elementary at the Preserve. Tuleyome staff members Geoff and Kristie and volunteer Gretchen led the students through the Ecosystems Trail. The students enjoyed observing turtles with their binoculars and pretending to be birds as part of a seed dispersal activity.

Jefferson Elementary 3 ^rd graders work on the Bird Beaks and Feet activity

For our 5 ^th trip of the month, on March 24 ^th , we hosted two classes of 3 ^rd graders from Jefferson School in Natomas. Tuleyome staff members Geoff and Kristie led the students through the adaptations trail. The students enjoyed exploring the Preserve and learning about how birds are adapted to utilize different food sources.

Maxwell Elementary Kindergarteners observing geese at the Preserve

Our 6 ^th and final trip of the month took place on March 26 ^th , with two classes of Kindergarteners from Maxwell Elementary in Woodland coming out to the Preserve to complete the Adaptations Trail. Tuleyome staff members Geoff and Kristie taught the students about the resources that are needed by plants and animals, while leading them on a nature walk through the park. We concluded the trip by placing game cameras out to get video of a river otter that was recently spotted in the park – we’ll share the footage with the kids in a few weeks!

This busy month of field trips was made possible by the hard work of our volunteers Gretchen, Karen, and Marita, who helped lead trips and prepare materials for the kids. We greatly appreciate their contributions!

Tuleyome’s K-12 field trips are free for public school groups and take place at Woodland Regional Park Preserve and Conaway Ranch. Each trip features a nature walk with binoculars and 3-5 activities associated with a theme (we call these “Trails”) chosen by the teacher. Current Trail offerings include Adaptations, Ecosystems, Evolution, Land, Sun, Weather, and Water. You can learn more about our programs here or by contacting Geoff Benn at gbenn@tuleyome.org.

Nature and You Lectures –Wildflowers and Bears!

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:37:11 GMT

Our March Nature and You lecture was presented by Dr. Glen Holstein, a volunteer member of Tuleyome’s board of directors. Glen took viewers on a virtual wildflower tour through Molok Luyuk and Bear Valley, using photos from our wildflower tours over the past several years. Check out the recording here to see some beautiful flowers and learn what springtime botanical treasures await you in and around the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument!

Our April Nature and You speaker is Dan Ruka, a recent graduate of the M.S. program in ecology at UC Davis. He will give an overview of bears in California, discuss human-bear interactions, and explore how wildfires are impacting bears. Please join us via Zoom at 7pm on April 23rd to hear Dan’s talk – register here to receive the Zoom link.

If you have any questions about the Nature and You lecture series or have suggestions of potential speakers or topics, please contact Education Associate Geoff Benn at gbenn@tuleyome.org.

Give your kids the boot(s) with our Youth Boot Bank!

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:36:45 GMT

Are you looking to get your kids out of the house and onto the trails this Spring? Tuleyome’s Youth Boot Bank is here to help!

We provide free 6-month loans of hiking boots to kids up to age 18, so parents can skip the expense and waste of buying a new pair every year as their kids grow.

Stop in to see us at our office hours on the first Wednesday of each month from 2:30 – 5:30 (our next office hours are on 4/1/26 and 5/6/26). Office hours are the place to borrow, return, or donate hiking boots! We have over 300 pairs of boots in our inventory, in a wide range of sizes and styles, so you are sure to find something that will work well for your kids.

The Youth Boot Bank also provides short-term loans of camping gear to local organizations that are hosting camping outings. For more information about the Youth Boot Bank program, please contact Education Associate Geoff Benn at gbenn@tuleyome.org.

Otter at Woodland Regional Park Preserve!

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:36:14 GMT

There’s an otter at Woodland Regional Park Preserve!

Tuleyome staff members Geoff and Kristie first spotted the otter darting up onto the trail at the Preserve prior to a school field trip on March 24th. We then decided to set up a game camera with the help of class of Kindergarteners from Maxwell Elementary on March 26th – we retrieved the camera the following week and got footage of the otter heading into the pond! You can view the full video here .

These are only the second and third sightings of otters at the Preserve, so we don’t know if the otter is planning on taking up permanent residence or if it’s just visiting from the neighboring Conaway Ranch, where otters are a common sight on our game cameras . Exciting either way!

Let us know if you spot the otter at the Preserve by reaching out to Geoff at gbenn@tuleyome.org.

Waking up Next to Beautiful Lake Berryessa

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:35:41 GMT

In early March, Tuleyome led a group of adventurers on an overnight trip along the Pope to Putah Trail. The trail, connecting Pope Creek to Putah Creek on the west side of Lake Berryessa, is a challenging but rewarding hike. The trails features multiple steep climbs, a couple of small stream crossings, and many different ecosystems. The area has rebounded after the 2020 LNU Lightning Complex Fire and the trail is in need of maintenance. If you attempt to hike this trail, be sure to have a reliable GPS device and please respect private property.

Photos from the overnight trip can be found here . Thank you to all of our adventurous explorers who joined us on the trip!

Bear Valley is Blooming!

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:35:00 GMT

Wildflower season in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region is here!

In the past couple of weeks, Tuleyome has led multiple trips to Bear Valley, one of the best places in northern California to see large numbers of native wildflowers. On March 28, we partnered with Latino Outdoors to showcase this amazing area and then took a group the following weekend . It is amazing how the flowers change from week to week!

Additionally, Tuleyome's Program Director, Nate Lillge and volunteer Board member, Dr Glen Holstein, took Daniel Hennessy and Shelley Ho from Abridged/KVIE on a tour of this wonderful area ! If you have not seen the article, check it out here .

Tuleyome is hosting two more guided trips to Bear Valley this spring. Be sure to join one of these expert-led trips - you will see more flowers with Nate and Glen!

Congratulations, Nate!

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:47:10 GMT

Tuleyome is pleased to announce that Nate Lillge has been promoted to Program Director where he will oversee Tuleyome’s land conservation and stewardship program and our adventures, outreach and education program.

Nate joined Tuleyome ten years ago. A talented manager with a passion for the outdoors and sharing it with others, Nate has been key to Tuleyome’s successes, from the design, building and maintenance of some of our region’s iconic trails to the expansion of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument with the addition of Molok Luyuk.

Nate is a true partner to all, dedicated to this place and its communities, an authority on the region, and a true champion of the land. Nate has spent his career dedicated to the experience and stewardship of place. Fun, knowledgeable, dedicated and brilliant, Tuleyome welcomes our new Program Director, Nate Lillge.

Policy Corner: Congress Is Using a Little-Known Law to Remove Your Voice from Public Land Management

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:47:04 GMT

Just months after we rejected the notion of selling off our public lands, some in Congress are at it again. This time, the attack is more calculated; bypassing the communities, tribal nations, and local stakeholders who spent years shaping how our public lands are managed. Whether you hunt, fish, farm, hike, or simply love the outdoors, Congress is now overriding your voice and threatening the legal foundation that protects your access to these lands.

What is the Congressional Review Act?

The Congressional Review Act (CRA) was passed in 1996. It required that all federal agency “rules” be submitted to Congress and gave Congress 60 days to pass legislation to disapprove the rule. If Congress takes no action, the rule goes into effect. For nearly 30 years, the CRA was used sparingly, only used to review federal regulations.

But Congress has now started using the CRA in a new and unprecedented way: to overturn Bureau of Land Management Resource Management Plans (RMPs) and National Monument Management Plans ; the blueprints that guide how our public lands are managed and protected.

Resource Management Plans (RMPs) and National Monument Management Plans aren’t just paperwork. They are the result of years of public engagement that include tribal consultation, community input and scientific analysis that determine how millions of acres of public land are used and protected. These plans govern everything from recreation use and grazing permits to oil and gas leases, conservation designations, and wildfire management.

Why this is everyone’s problem

For decades, neither BLM nor Congress considered these plans to be “rules” subject to congressional review. They were understood as long-term planning documents: overarching guidance for how agencies managed land, embracing principles appropriate to the particular lands and their characteristics. Land management plans have never, in the 50 years we’ve been preparing and following them, been considered rules. That is, not until this Congress.

Since October 2025, Congress has rescinded five BLM management plans covering tens of millions of acres in Alaska, Montana, and North Dakota and overturned a decision that protected the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from oil and gas leasing. By treating these plans as “rules” subject to the CRA, Congress has called into question the legal validity of every management plan finalized since 1996. At threat are 123 BLM plans and 176 active Forest Service plans covering over 166 million acres, 14 of them are in California, including those governing Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and other lands in the region

An Attack on One Monument is an Attack on All

The CRA threat has now reached our National Monuments. As of February 26, 2026, Senator Mike Lee formally began the process of fast-tracking the destruction of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Management Plan in Utah, the first time the CRA has ever been applied to a National Monument.

The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Management Plan took years to develop. BLM engaged in extensive government-to-government consultation with tribal nations who have lived in and around the monument since time immemorial; nations whose ancestral cultural sites are woven throughout the monument’s 1.9 million acres. Local governments, ranchers, outfitters, scientists, conservationists, and community members all had a seat at the table. The result is a plan that balances wildlife protection, outdoor access, dark night skies, grazing, and cultural preservation, reflecting the full breadth of what makes Grand Staircase-Escalante, known as the “Science Monument”, so remarkable.

What makes the decision particularly alarming is the irreversibility. Once Congress rescinds a management plan under the CRA, BLM is barred from issuing another plan that is “substantially the same.” without another act of Congress.

Years of tribal consultation, community collaboration, and scientific analysis cannot simply be redone, and the protections that came from that work cannot be easily restored. The monument’s geology, fossils, wildlife habitat, grazing access, and cultural resources would all be left in a management vacuum, vulnerable to illegal vehicle use, landscape-level clearcutting of native pinyon-juniper forests, and unchecked extractive activities.

This is the pattern. What happens in Utah, Alaska, Montana, and North Dakota today sets the precedent for what can happen at Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and every other monument. Once Congress establishes that Monument Management Plans are fair game to be overridden through congressional review, no monument, no matter how beloved, no matter how many years of work went into its protection is truly safe. An attack on one monument is an attack on all of them.

What Tuleyome is doing about it

We’re working with a nationwide coalition to prevent further misuse of the CRA. We are supporting legislation clarifying that land management plans are not subject to the CRA. We are ensuring that our elected officials know how much the public supports public lands and wants them protected.

We are committed to fighting back, working alongside community members, tribal nations, and coalition partners to keep our public lands in public hands.

We will continue to monitor developments and keep you informed.

What you can do about it.

Contact your representatives and let them know that public lands belong to all of us, and decisions about how they are managed should stay rooted in our communities, not decided in Washington D.C. Ask them to vote against resolutions that use the CRA to roll back our resource management or monument management plans.

Monitor Tuleyome’s social media to stay up to date on fast moving issues and see how you can help. Connect with efforts to protect the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Management Plan. Stay tuned. We’ll let you know what’s happening and how you can make a difference.

Monumental Questions - Monumental Vegetable?

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:46:54 GMT

Yes, indeed! Although I do not advocate for eating things you find in nature, there is one plant in particular that is both lovely to look at and to nosh on.

As you may have heard, we here at Tuleyome are beginning to schedule wildflower tours of our very own “deep home place”, the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument (Monument). One of the plants that is a reliable observation, easily identifiable and flowering right now as we speak is miner’s lettuce!

I must first say please do not harvest miner’s lettuce from the Monument as it is not only delightful for us to look at, it is an important food source for caterpillars and butterflies.

Miner’s lettuce ( Claytonia perfoliata ) belongs to the Purslane family - Montiaceae. Claytonia is one of 17 genera and 230 known species that range from small, herbaceous plants to woody shrubs. Many of the genera of Montiaceae are edible and that does include miner’s lettuce.

Miner’s lettuce is native to western North America from Mexico to as far north as British Columbia. Apparently European explorers liked it so much that they carried it back to Europe with them in the 18th century and cultivated it at the Kew Botanical Gardens in London, It has since naturalized throughout the natural landscape.

Utilized by Native Americans for generations, miner’s lettuce is a valuable source of vitamins and minerals. During the gold rush, settlers ate it to prevent scurvy, hence the clever common name. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, a mere 100 grams of miner’s lettuce, about the size of a dinner plate, contains about 35% of your recommended daily amount of vitamin C, 22% of vitamin A and about ten percent of the iron required daily. It also contains protein and the entire plant, with the exception of the roots, is edible, even the itty bitty flowers. Young stems are tender and sweet while the succulent leaves have a bright, fresh taste and seem to melt in your mouth. Strangely enough, we found out last weekend that domestic goats do not care for it; apparently chewing on the rope holding the fence panels together was more tantalizing. It’s also been noted that deer tend to ignore it as well. Entire pages have been dedicated to the plant lauding it for its yumminess in salads, sandwiches and even sushi. Although it is delicious raw, personal experience speaking here, with a very light salad dressing or even just a splash of lemon juice; it can also be cooked as used as you would spinach. However, like spinach, the plant can contain toxic amounts of sodium oxalate which may potentially promote kidney stones among other terrible things.

Miner’s lettuce is common in the spring and can usually be found in a moist, shady environment. After a good rain it may pop up in sunny areas but the best stands are usually in well-shaded, cool areas. As the temperatures rise, the plants in the sunny areas begin to dry up and turn blush pink to a deep red. Plants in dryer locations have a bitter taste. It is easy to identify with its basal rosette, many long petioles and leaves that wrap completely around the stem looking like saucers or little lily pads. In young plants these leaves will be bright green and heart-shaped but as the plants mature, they become more rounded or cup-shaped. Mature plants may also have tiny, dainty white to light pink flowers dangling from the center of the saucer-shaped leaf. The plant usually flowers from February to May or even June if conditions are right.

While I most definitely do not promote harvesting plants in native or natural ecosystems, miner’s lettuce can easily be cultivated in your own backyard! The best flavor comes from a cool, shady, damp location so plan for an early crop. But, it can also tolerate full sun if the soil remains good and moist. Miner’s lettuce also seems to favor occasional minor ground disturbance and growing it as a seasonal ground cover can be pleasing to the eye and the tummy! Miner’s lettuce can be planted in late summer to early fall in mild climates and harvested all winter. It can also be sown in the spring and with apple water be harvested until the summer heat arrives. The plants can be cut and allowed to regrow several times a season as long as they are eventually allowed to finally flower and set seed as they are an annual species and reproduce by seed. Miner’s lettuce can be used in any recipe that calls for fresh, steamed or cooked greens. Eat your vegetables!

Next time you’re hiking in our favorite Monument (you know which one!) keep an eye out for miner’s lettuce and give it a nod. You might find it in several of the habitat types there including chaparral, oak woodlands, riparian and maybe even a parking lot!

Enjoying Outside! - 2026's Full Moon Exposition!

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:46:47 GMT

Historically, full moons were used to track seasons and were used as a way of keeping time. They were given significant names based on conditions found in nature during that time. Most of us are probably familiar with some of the names given to specific full moons such as “harvest” moon or “blue” moon but there are lots of others on the calendar - one a month it turns out!

According to the final (sadly its the end of an era) Old Farmer’s Almanac for 2026, the full moons were named for Native American traditions or Colonial American sources and passed down from generation to generation. Some of the names are a reflection of nature while some of them are thought to have European origins and were carried to North America by European settlers. Many of the Native American moon names were given to the entire month showing a significant connection to the season of the year and the natural state of the landscape occurring then.

Full moons happen about every 29 and a half days but exact timing varies by location and time zone. Most years have twelve full moons but about every 33 months, there are thirteen full moons in a calendar year. This is because our modern calendar year (365.25 days) is longer than 12 lunar cycles (354 days) and over time, that extra quarter of a day adds up and results in an extra full moon. This moon is commonly referred to as a Blue Moon. In case that math isn’t confusing enough, a Blue Moon is also the name given to a second full moon to occur in a single month. Now I’m curious if there’s ever a Blue, Blue Moon?

The first full moon of the year, the Wolf Moon, occurred as early in the year as it possibly could on January 1, 2026. This was also the first supermoon (a full moon that appears bigger and brighter than normal because it is closer to the Earth) of the year. It is believed that it became to be known as the Wolf Moon because wolves were often heard howling during this time. It was originally thought that was because they were hungry during the winter but we now know it’s for social, territorial and hunting ambitions and aspirations.

February’s full moon is called the Snow Moon for seemingly obvious reasons. It occurred on February 1, 2026 this year. Usually the shortest month of the year, February is also the month with the heaviest amount of snowfall and on average is the United States snowiest month of the entire year. I’m going to take a not-so-wild guess and say that year is no exception.

March’s full moon is called the Worm Moon and occurs on March 3, 2026. This full moon is named for the returning earthworms and beetle larvae after winter and symbolizes the return of spring, renewal and rebirth. Bonus material - the Worm Moon coincides with a total lunar eclipse this year! Earth’s shadow will gradually glide across the full moon giving it a warm coppery glow. It is completely safe to enjoy this outdoor spectacle without any protective eyewear.

April’s full moon, the first full moon of spring, occurs on April 1, 2026 and is called the Pink Moon. It was named for a native pink North American wildflower called creeping phlox. Creeping phlox is generally in full bloom during the full moon. No joke! Get it? April fools. Anywho, enjoy the Pink Moon.

May actually has two full moons in 2026. The first full moon is called the Flower Moon and can be viewed on May 1 while the second full moon that occurs during a single month is routinely called a Blue Moon. May’s Blue Moon occurs May 31, 2026 and the moon will be at its farthest point from Earth making it look smaller (called a micromoon). The Flower Moon is not surprisingly named for the abundance of wildflowers blooming in May. It seems fitting to have a full moon that occurs on May Day be called a Flower Moon!

The Strawberry Moon occurs in late June and can be viewed on June 29, 2026. Named for the ushering in of summer and customarily associated with the ripening of berries and the beginning of strawberry season. Yum!

The Buck Moon occurs near the end of July and can be seen on July 29, 2026. It is named the Buck Moon because the month of July is when male deer, called bucks, are regrowing their antlers. Each year bucks shed their antlers and regrow bigger and more impressive set of them the next summer.

August’s full moon is called the Sturgeon Moon and will be seen on August 28, 2026. It is named for the huge fish called sturgeon that are native to the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain. Although once abundant and fairly common, they are relatively rare today. The sturgeon were an integral part of that region's Native American diet.

Science Corner - Earthworm Motivation

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:46:42 GMT

Have you ever noticed a platoon of earthworms sliding across a wet sidewalk after a good, soaking rain. I always feel sorry for them. I’m thinking surely they are doomed for either a death by desiccation and worm jerky (my dad’s dog used to think this was a glorious find) or they will be unsuspectingly blitzed from above a hungry scrub jay. Either way, it can’t be a good ending for them so I usually fling them back into the grass to live another day. Turns out they were out there for a well-founded reason but it wasn’t the one I thought it was!

Earthworm is a general term used for those longish, pinkish, wettish, segmented worms that live in the soil. California has both native species, including some endemics - meaning they occur only here, as well as non-native species of earthworms. The native California species date back about 100 million years, making them some of California’s oldest inhabitants! Through the years these species have adapted to habitat and climate changes allowing them to continue to thrive. They can be found in soils of nearly all habitat types ranging from semi-desert, chaparral, coastal forest, oak savannah and grassland. Studies have shown that the only places that native species have failed to survive are areas heavily affected by habitat loss and degradation such as irrigated croplands and orchards, deforestation and urban uses. In these areas, native species have been displaced primarily by non-native species from Asia, Europe and Latin America.

All of them, native or not, influence the fertility of the soil in important ways. Beneficial species mix the plant residue on the surface of the ground with bacteria and fungi found within the layers of soil, they physically and chemically alter soil composition by burrowing and casting (a nice way to describe nutrient-rich, organic worm poo) activities, and by being a food source for other species of insects, birds and mammals as well as microbial and animal scavengers. Although most species are beneficial to the soil, a few of them are actually detrimental to soil composition. The jumping worm is native to eastern Asia and alters the soil in ways that make it harder for native plants to prosper which allows for non-native invasive vegetation to become established. Jumping worms grow bigger and faster than beneficial species and reproduce in a plenitudinous fashion. They consume more nutrients and in large numbers leave the soil degraded and dry.

Ok, so we know that worms are important to our ecosystem but did you know that when it rains they come out of their burrows not because they’re drowning and trying to escape their flooded tunnels; they emerge now, simply because they are more effective at moving through soil and overland when things are wet. Earthworms don’t have lungs and they don’t need to breathe air. They absorb oxygen through their skin so as long as there is oxygen in the water that they’re surrounded in, they can survive for days, even weeks. And, because the rain helps maintain temperatures in the air and soil, it’s much easier for them to move about quickly. Quickly. Not a word an earthworm uses very often.

So, short answer long - they venture out during or after a rain storm simply because they can. This is an opportune time for them to explore for food and to find a mate. But what about predators you ask? Isn’t being exposed above ground dangerous for them? Yes, but since they like to be out when it’s raining and wet, most of their predators are less active during these conditions so it gives them a window for fellowship, food and frolicking. As worms do I guess.

Fun Facts!

There are 9000 species of earthworms in 23 different families!
They do not have eyes but have receptor cells that are sensitive to light and vibrations.
They can not smell but have chemoreceptors that are reactive to chemicals.
They move by groups of bristles on each segment that help grip surfaces.
If an earthworm is cut in half, the half with the head can grow a new tail but the half with the tail cannot grow a new head.
Earthworms do have brains that connect nerves from the worm’s skin and muscles to control how it moves.
Earthworms can move forward and backward but tend to usually go forward.
If an earthworm’s skin dries out, it will become paralyzed and die.
Earthworms can not swim and will eventually drown if they can not get out of the water.

Fun, sort of unrelated fact - insects do not have lungs but spiders do!

So help a worm out, watch where you step and, flip them out of puddles and toss them back into the grass, especially if the sun is starting to shine.

Join us for Spring Thing on March 21st!

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:46:29 GMT

Our 5 ^th annual Spring Thing is coming up on Saturday, March 21 ^st – join us at Woodland Regional Park Preserve from 10am to 4pm for a day of nature-related activities for kids and adults, live music, a silent auction, food truck, and more!

Activities for kids will include:

Performances of SuperBird by Nature’s Theater
Storytimes from Woodland Public Library and Tuleyome
Kids craft zone
Fort-building
Our Youth Boot Bank will be on hand to provide free loans of hiking boots
An opportunity to meet Smokey the Bear, courtesy of our partners at the U.S. Forest Service

Activities for all ages will include:

Walking tours of the Preserve led by local naturalists
Live music
Storytelling from Tuleyome co-founders and long-time board members
A campfire with a s’mores station (stick around until 3pm for gourmet s'mores!)
Informational tables on Tuleyome’s programs and the opportunity to chat with staff and board members about what we do
Tables from a wide range of partner organizations, including the City of Woodland, U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Yolo County Integrated Waste Management, Yolo County Library, Woodland Public Library, UC CalFresh, UC Natural Reserves, REI, Norcal Bats, Save the Snakes, and Yolo Basin Foundation

The Spring Thing is also a great time to support Tuleyome by making a donation, purchasing a book, or bidding on items in the Silent Auction. This year’s silent auction will feature great items and experiences including private guided hikes, artwork, tickets to concerts and sporting events, and much more!

The full schedule will be posted on our event page soon – check back there for updates as the event gets closer.

Planning to attend Spring Thing? Please be sure to register to let us know you’re coming. All attendees who register for the event will be entered into a raffle for a gift card to local businesses.

If you have any questions about Spring Thing, please contact Education Associate Geoff Benn at gbenn@tuleyome.org .

Thank you to our sponsors for helping make Spring Thing a success:

February K-12 Field Trips

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:46:23 GMT

Esparto 6 ^th graders working on an activity where students take turns describing the landscape to a partner who makes a drawing based on that description.

Our 2026 field trip season got off to a good start in February with field trips for classes from Esparto and Davis. On February 10 ^th , we hosted two classes of 6 ^th graders from Esparto Middle School at Woodland Regional Park Preserve (the Preserve). Tuleyome staff and volunteers led the students through our Social Emotional Learning Trail, which emphasizes the benefits of being mindful in nature through focused observation activities. In addition to the mindfulness activities, students also enjoyed a nature walk with birdwatching, including getting to see a red-tailed hawk at its nest.

Tuleyome Education Associate Geoff Benn explaining how to use a windsock to 1 ^st and 2 ^nd graders from Korematsu Elementary

Our second trip of the month took place on February 25 ^th , when we hosted a combined 1 ^st and 2 ^nd grade class at Woodland Regional Park Preserve. We led the students through our new Weather Trail, which included a weather forecasting activity (predicting the temperature at the end of the trip) and measuring wind direction in different locations around the Preserve. Students also enjoyed seeing the locations from our game camera videos and examining freshly emerged mushrooms.

Tuleyome Education Associate Geoff Benn talking to Korematsu students about cattails

Tuleyome provides free K-12 field trip programs at Woodland Regional Park Preserve and Conaway Ranch with activities that are aligned with CA educational standards. If you are interested in booking a field trip for your class, please contact Geoff Benn at gbenn@tuleyome.org.

Nature and You Lectures – Process Based Restoration and Wildflowers

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:46:16 GMT

Our February Nature and You Lecture was presented by Paige Tomson of Swift Water Design, who discussed process based restoration. The talk was a fascinating exploration of how humans have altered the behavior of rivers and streams and how we can reverse some of that damage through the use of tools such as beaver dam analogs. If you missed it, you can view the recording here .

Our March Nature and You lecture will be presented by Tuleyome board member Dr. Glen Holstein, who will discuss wildflowers of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. Dr. Holstein’s talk will take place on Zoom at 7pm on March 26 ^th – register here to receive the Zoom link .

If you have any questions about our Nature and You lecture series, please contact Education Associate Geoff Benn at gbenn@tuleyome.org.

Kids need new boots? Check out our Youth Boot Bank!

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:46:09 GMT

Are you looking to get your kids out on the trails this Spring? Tuleyome’s Youth Boot Bank is here to help!

We provide free 6-month loans of hiking boots to kids up to age 18, so parents can skip the expense and waste of buying a new pair every year as their kids grow.

Stop in to see us at our office hours on the first Wednesday of each month from 2:30 – 5:30 or at our Spring Thing event at Woodland Regional Park Preserve on March 21 ^st . Office hours are the place to borrow, return, or donate hiking boots! We have over 300 pairs of boots in our inventory, in a wide range of sizes and styles, so you are sure to find something that will work well for your kids.

Immerse Yourself in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument at Tuleyome's Certified California Naturalist Course at Wilbur Hot Springs

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:46:02 GMT

Tuleyome is excited to offer the Certified California Naturalist course at Wilbur Hot Springs Resort! The California Naturalist course was developed by UCANR to introduce “Californians to the wonders of our unique ecology and engages the public in study and stewardship of California’s natural communities.” Tuleyome’s course focuses on the Northern Inner Coast Range Mountains, specifically the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.

Wilbur Hot Springs is the perfect classroom for the course – located in the Inner Coast Range Mountains surrounded by the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. This location provides participants with the opportunity to see firsthand the unique geology, flora, and fauna that makes this region so special. The Resort allows people to get away from their busy routines and fully immerse themselves in nature.

Tuleyome’s program uses science curriculum, hands-on learning, problem-solving, participatory science, and community service to instill a deep appreciation for the natural communities of the state and to inspire individuals to become stewards of their local resources. Through the course, participants build a sense of community with each other and the Monument region to take back to their “normal” day-to-day lives.

For more information about our upcoming course, visit our website or contact Nate ( nlillge@tuleyome.org ).

A Beautiful Day for a Beautiful Hike at Beautiful Moore Creek Park

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:45:54 GMT

Last Saturday was a beautiful day to explore Moore Creek Park in Napa County. Tuleyome's Program Director and Certified California Naturalist, Nate Lillge, lead the groupl on the Valentine Vista and Dry Foot Trails. The group was treated to green grass, blue skies, and many different colors of early-season wildflowers.

Moore Creek Park is a Napa County Park located by Lake Hennessy and offers hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails. Trails lead users through oak woodlands, grasslands, chaparral, and Douglas Fir and Madrone forests. Although the majority of this group chose to keep their feet dry on the appropriately named Dry Foot Trail, a few adventurous souls hiked back to the parking lot via Moore Creek Trail. They caught up to the rest of the group with smiles and wet feet and ankles due to the numerous creek crossings.

Check out the photos from the event on our Flickr site . If you are interested in joining a Tuleyome event, visit our Events page .

Policy Corner: California's 30x30 Initiative

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 22:24:15 GMT

In 2020, Governor Newsom committed California to an ambitious goal: conserve 30% of our lands and coastal waters by 2030. This “30x30” initiative isn’t just about setting aside more protected areas; it’s a comprehensive strategy to protect biodiversity, expand equitable access to nature, and build resilience to climate change across California’s diverse landscapes and waters.

California has made meaningful progress towards the 30x30 goal. Currently, 24.4% of our lands and 16.2% of coastal waters meet the 30x30 conservation criteria, defined as areas that are durably protected and managed to sustain functional ecosystems and the diversity of life they support. But with less than five years remaining, we still need to conserve millions of additional acres to reach this critical goal.

The Power In Nature Coalition

No single organization can achieve 30x30 alone. That’s why Tuleyome is a proud member of the Power In Nature Coalition; a network made powerful by the collective work of over 250 community groups, conservation organizations, land trusts, and Indigenous organizations working together to conserve and protect the diverse landscapes of California. This statewide network coordinates advocacy, identifies priority conservation projects , and ensures that 30x30 implementation protects biodiversity, fosters meaningful relationships, and partners with state agencies and diverse communities.

Power In Nature works on multiple fronts: defending conservation funding in state budgets, identifying potential 30x30 projects across California, and advocating for policies that support rather than undermine conservation progress. Power In Nature has multiple regional groups to elevate geographical priorities and empower local organizations to connect state-level policy to on-the-ground conservation work in their communities.

Tuleyome’s Role in Advancing 30x30

At Tuleyome, our work protecting the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument directly contributes to California’s 30x30 goals. We’re actively engaged with Power In Nature’s Sacramento Valley regional group, as well as the Far North and Bay Area regional groups, helping coordinate conservation efforts across our region and connecting local priorities to statewide advocacy. Tuleyome has also participated in Power In Nature Advocacy Days, where we met with state elected officials to discuss policies and legislation that further or hinder the 30x30 conservation goals.

How You Can Support 30x30

Whether you’re a landowner, community member, or fellow conservation advocate, there are many ways you can support 30x30 progress. There are multiple qualifying conservation lands that have not been added to the Conserved Areas Explorer and this is one of the many ways people can get involved to help track areas protected. If you’re interested in learning more about 30x30 activities in your region, check out the Power In Nature regional groups and sign up to attend monthly regional meetings or gain access to Power In Nature’s newsletter.

Most importantly, through Power In Nature, you can make your voice heard by participating in local advocacy days or contacting your state legislators to encourage their support for full funding to conservation agencies and protection of environmental review processes. California’s commitment to conserve 30% of our lands and waters by 2030 is achievable, but only if we work together to make it a reality. If you have questions about how to get involved with 30x30 or Power In Nature, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Bryan Pride

Tuleyome Policy Director

Monumental Questions - Even Better Birding in the Monument?!

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 22:23:46 GMT

You might already know that the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument (Monument) is a wonderland for birdwatchers. With a range of habitat types from aquatic, riparian, native grassland, oak woodlands, conifer forests to subalpine the range of species found in the Monument is staggering. If you prefer to break it down by county rather than habitat, western Colusa County boasts a birders paradise in Bear Valley and Lake County offers the shores of Clear Lake. Napa County showcases Quail Ridge Reserve and Lake Hennessey. Yolo County puts forth a plethora of hot spots including Putah Creek, Lake Solano, and the Cache Creek preserve which is home to Bald and Golden Eagles, Osprey and others! And, this is just a smattering of the treasure trove for bird nerds to enjoy in the nearly 345,000 publicly accessible acres of Monument.

But, how do you know where and when to go to see what? Even if you’re an experienced birder, it can be overwhelming to know where and when to begin. I know people that travel to different states to check birds off of their “life list”. I also know people, some of them are those same people, that travel all over the globe to get a glimpse of a rare bird - or maybe it’s just rare to someone from Sacramento. Either way it’s enticing and rewarding to be part of a community with a common interest. There’s almost a secret code between birders. There’s definitely a code to name abbreviations and a spiffy way to keep count if you’re recording them. There’s also a way to estimate the number of birds in a flock but if you’re just wanting to sneak up on a feathered friend near or far, how do you know where to start?

Try downloading the Cornell Lab eBird app. The app lets you input your own findings as well as investigate other people’s observations. You can base your search on your location or use a near or far location that you’d like to go explore. Or, you can browse by species and see exactly where to go to find them. The eBird app uses citizen science and operates similarly to the iNaturalist app, a favorite among biologists, naturalists and other interested folks. With the eBird app, you can contribute your sightings or even sound recordings to the community platform making it the largest birding community in the world. You can also create your own lists and have the app track them for you.

The app not only makes birding more inclusive and interesting for individual birders but it is beneficial for the network of scientists as well. The combined data from the app helps conservationists understand how numbers of birds shift as well as aiding in developing genetic species distribution models that show where and when birds are in the region. This information helps develop and establish better conservation strategies for individual species and collective populations of birds.

The app is easy, fun and rewarding for novice and veteran birders, conservationists, scientists and ultimately the birds themselves.

Enjoying Outside! - Visit the Capay Valley Almond Festival!

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 22:23:13 GMT

The Capay Valley Almond Festival has been a regional tradition since 1915. It showcases the Esparto/Capay Valley region and was originally held in the fall after the almond harvest was complete. Years later it was rescheduled to occur on the last Sunday in February to celebrate the almond trees while in blossom. The Almond Festival is the only local celebration that not only incorporates the dazzling landscape but it also honors five Capay Valley towns: Esparto, Capay, Brooks, Guinda and Rumsey. The 21-mile route along Highway 16 covers each town, offering their own unique ambiance and activities all while celebrating the almond bloom in Yolo County. You will also find local crafts, family fun, delicious food and other entertainment at each location.

A bit about California’s almond history!

Much like the European Starling’s initial introduction into the United States, the first attempt at almond production in California was not as glorious as anticipated. Almond trees were first planted in California as early as 1853 using European varieties that were not adapted for our climate conditions. Most of these subpar trees were either converted into other fruit trees or used for firewood. Even though the inaugural attempt wasn’t fruitful (haha, get it?), lessons were learned about cross pollination and where to plant the next go-around. Science happened and by the 1880’s other varieties were being cultivated and during the Citrus Fair in 1886, the two varieties that are still grown today were introduced. By the 1900’s cross pollination tactics advanced and were in place and our commercial production was on its way. This combined with the fact that almond trees were productive in soils that were too sandy for other fruit trees and could be prolific without the use of much artificial water, the crop finally seemed to be destined for success. During the twenty year span between the mid 1960’s and the mid 1980’s, irrigation methods advanced and became more available to land in the San Joaquin Valley, which held ideal conditions for almond production, creating a booming industry that still remains today. In 2020, 1.25 million acres of California were in almond production. We yield 2.8 BILLION (!) pounds of almonds which provides 100% of the United States commercial supply and over 80% of the world’s demand. Almonds are in the top five most valuable California exports bringing in almost five billion dollars.

Science Corner - Tule fog, what is it?

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 22:22:31 GMT

Well, I can tell you what it isn’t. I recently watched the movie “The Mist”. It came from Stephen King’s brain which, not surprisingly, makes it a horror film. In the movie, a dense fog overtakes a small town in Maine following a violent thunderstorm. Inside the fog are icky, man-eating creatures. Several people end up trapped inside a supermarket as the fog surrounds the parking lot outside the glass doors. The film ends up being more about how people relate to each other and to their conditions while under duress, rather than what to do about the things inside the fog that’s keeping them held captive in a store filled with food, water and other essential items (doesn’t really seem so bad). The ending was very unsatisfying so if you’ve never seen it, maybe don’t bother. Anywho, back to our Tule Fog that doesn’t contain man-eating creatures but can still be a source of hazardous driving conditions and emotional strain if you like sunshine like I do.

Did you know that there are several types of fog? They include: radiation, precipitation, advection, steam, upslope, valley, freezing and snow fog. Based on that list, you might have guessed that our Tule Fog is also sometimes called Valley fog. Tule Fog is a dense form of radiation fog that is caused when waterlogged air and the rapid cooling of ground surfaces intermingle; moisture condenses and clings to tiny particles like dust and pollutants and creates a dense, seemingly relentless layer of fog. Because the Central Valley is surrounded by two different mountain ranges, the Sierra Nevada on the east and the Coastal Range to the west, the fog blanket becomes trapped in the valley. The perfect storm for Tule Fog includes damp ground, cold temperatures, clear skies and little to no wind - pretty characteristic of our Mediterranean climate. This recipe allows the fog to dawdle, smothering the valley for days on end sometimes stretching into two or three wet and gray weeks. Can you tell I don’t like it very much?

You know how California has many endemic species, meaning those things only occur here in California? Tule Fog is one of those things! In fact, it’s unique only to California’s Central Valley - that big, foot-print down the center of California, that extends about 400 miles from Redding to south of Bakersfield. Tule Fog is named for tules, also called bullrush ( Schoenoplectus sp.), the native aquatic vegetation that co-dominated the long since gone marshes of California’s Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys. Radiation fog occurs throughout the world but Tule Fog is considered a remarkable weather phenomenon with unique circumstances including intensity, distribution and geographic setting.

Tule Fog can create near-zero visibility conditions by appearing rapidly and causing a sudden wall of white, reducing visibility to just a few feet, sometimes less than even ten. I once drove from Bakersfield to Sacramento on Christmas Eve enveloped by tule fog the entire 300 mile drive. It made a normally four hour drive into a stressful, soggy and cold eight hour drive following absolutely nothing but the white line on the shoulder of the road and white knuckles on the steering wheel. Recently there was a 43 vehicle pileup on Highway 58 near Bakersfield due to the Tule Fog and in January of this year there was a 150 vehicle chain-reaction pileup near Earlimart on Highway 99. The National Weather Service has published safety tips for driving in the fog :

Slow down and allow extra time
Only use your low-beam headlights, high-beams causes glare and makes it more difficult to see
Use your fog lights if you have them
Leave extra space between you and other vehicles to allow for sudden changes
Follow the lines on the road if visibility is reduced to ensure you stay in your lane
In extremely dense fog pull off into a parking lot and turn on your hazard lights. If there is no parking lot, pull as far off the road as possible, set your parking brake, turn on your hazard lights and turn off your headlights and take your foot off the brake so other cars do not mistake your position for the road and run into you.

As much as I don’t like Tule Fog, there are benefits to it. It is an important part of our agricultural industry and seasonal climate. The presence of Tule Fog ensures that deciduous fruit and nut trees go through proper dormancy by providing the correct duration of cold temperatures at night (also called “chill hours”). Tule Fog also prevents frost damage by keeping the tree and ambient air temperature similar. Fog during daylight hours can shield a newly budding tree from the sun causing it to overheat and break dormancy. Fog also provides moisture keeping the ground moist, aids in orchard maintenance and regulates the climate by trapping heat at night and blocking the sun’s radiation during the day.

All in all, thanks to California’s stringent air quality regulations and a reduction in pollution, episodes of Tule Fog haven’t been as intense or as frequent as in past decades. This is a good thing for people that prefer sunshine but less so for farmers.

Explore the Berryessa Snow Mountain Region with New Illustrated Guidebook

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 22:21:54 GMT

Join Bob Schneider, one of the authors of "Exploring the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Region" at the Avid Reader Bookstore in Davis on Thursday, March 19 from 6:30 - 7:30 PM. This is your opportunity to meet with one of the authors of this new book showcasing the incredible Berryessa Snow Mountain Region.

“Exploring the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Region” is a newly released guidebook that helps you explore and learn about this extraordinary yet under-recognized region in our own backyard. Located in the northern Coast Ranges between the Central Valley and the Pacific Coast, this region has world renowned geology, extraordinary biodiversity, and rich cultural history, a story unlike any other in California. It is a wild expanse of steep canyons, ancient subduction zones, uplifted ocean crust, extraordinary biological hotspots, and traditional home to many Native peoples—all within a short drive of the Bay Area and Sacramento. In one day’s drive, you can get sweeping views of Clear Lake from Bartlett Mountain Summit, pick up rocks formed on the ocean floor, drive through spectacular wildflower displays in Bear Valley, see tule elk and bald eagles, and soak in historic Wilbur Hot Springs.

Science fiction author and longtime California observer Kim Stanley Robinson notes, “Every bioregion deserves a book this good, but very few have them,” adding that the book’s cross-disciplinary approach creates “a kind of bedrock for a living relationship between active readers and the land we live on.” Jim Smith, long-time editor of The Daily Democrat in Woodland, says “It will captivate any reader who wants to know more about where we live and how to get out and explore nature’s marvelous diversity.”

Volunteers Needed – Spring Thing 2026!

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 22:21:20 GMT

Our 5 ^th annual Spring Thing is coming up on Saturday, March 21 ^st and Tuleyome needs your help to make it happen!

The Spring Thing is a family-friendly event held at Woodland Regional Park Preserve that will feature nature-related activities for kids and adults, live music, a silent auction, a food truck and more. The event is made possible by the hard work of our volunteers, who help prepare materials and the site beforehand, staff tables and activities at the event, and help tear down at the end of the day.

Volunteering at Spring Thing is a great way to support Tuleyome in putting on a fun community event! If you’d like to volunteer or learn more about volunteer opportunities at Spring Thing, please check out our volunteer interest form .

Not able to volunteer, but planning to attend Spring Thing? Please be sure to register to let us know you’re coming.

If you have any questions about Spring Thing, please contact Education Associate Geoff Benn at gbenn@tuleyome.org .

Thank you to our sponsors for helping make Spring Thing a success:

Nature and You Lectures: Trails, Exploring the Monument, and Process-Based Restoration

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 22:20:18 GMT

Andrew Fulks on the Berryessa Peak Trail

Our Nature and You Lecture series returned from its holiday hiatus this month with a lecture from Tuleyome co-founder Andrew Fulks. Andrew used Google Earth to show off his favorite trails in and around the monument, discussed plans for new trails, and then demonstrated how to use CalTopo to find historic trails and other features of interest on the landscape. If you missed his talk, you can view the recording here .

Our February Nature and You lecture will take place on Zoom at 7pm on February 26 ^th . The lecture will be given by Paige Tomson of Swift Water Design. Paige will discuss Process Based Restoration - the "art and science of removing ecosystem constraints" by using human power and nature's energy to improve the landscape. To receive the Zoom link, please register here .

If you have any questions about Tuleyome’s Nature and You lecture series, please reach out to Tuleyome Education Associate Geoff Benn at gbenn@tuleyome.org.

Got Boots? Upcoming Youth Boot Bank Office Hours

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 22:19:18 GMT

Are you looking to get your kids out on the trails this Spring? Tuleyome’s Youth Boot Bank is here to help!

We provide free 6-month loans of hiking boots to kids up to age 18, so parents can skip the expense and waste of buying a new pair every year as their kids grow.

Upcoming Certified California Naturalist Course at Wilbur Hot Springs

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 22:17:59 GMT

For more information about our upcoming course, visit our website or contact Nate ( nlillge@tuleyome.org ).

Wood You Be Mine? See our latest footage of a beaver pair at Conaway Ranch

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 22:13:29 GMT

Our latest game camera footage from Conaway Ranch is now available on our YouTube channel! This month, we captured some great footage of a pair of beavers, most likely a mated pair, climbing in and out an irrigation canal, gathering plant material, and investigating our game cameras. We also caught an adorable masked bandit going for a swim. Check out the action here .

Tuleyome works with Conaway Preservation Group to offer educational programs at Conaway Ranch, including field trips for K-12 students and our game camera program. If you have any questions, please contact Education Associate Geoff Benn at gbenn@tuleyome.org.

Policy Corner California Defends What's Ours

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 21:25:18 GMT

Last year tested us. We watched as the administration attempted to auction off millions of acres of public lands, an unprecedented attack on places we’ve fought to protect for decades. We saw rollbacks of critical environmental protections and threats to lands that belong to all of us.

But we also showed up. Together, as a community, we rallied, we organized, and we pushed back against some of the most aggressive land sell-offs ever proposed. And we won some of those fights.

In December, just before Congress recessed, Senator Padilla introduced the Protecting Unique and Beautiful Landscapes by Investing in California (PUBLIC) Lands Act , a beacon of what’s possible when we refuse to give up. This isn’t just another bill. It’s a statement that California is refusing to let our public lands become bargaining chips.

The PUBLIC Lands Act would protect over 1.7 million acres of California public lands throughout northwest California, the Central Coast and Los Angeles County. That protection includes 550,000 acres of new wilderness and nearly 700 miles of wild and scenic rivers. It includes provisions for forest restoration and fire resilience on another 871,000 acres, work that is desperately needed.

This package pulls together three essential bills:

Congressman Huffman's Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation and Working Forest Act , which protects 484,733 acres and 479.8 miles of rivers, old-growth forest, salmon streams and wild places that define the North Coast.

Representative Carbajal’s Central Coast Heritage Protection Act secures 385,842 acres including critical habitat in Los Padres National Forest, home to California Condors and threatened watersheds.

Representative Judy Chu’s San Gabriel Mountains Foothills and Rivers Protection Act that protects 35,335 acres, expanding access to nature for millions of Angelenos who live in communities with some of the lowest park access in the country despite having mountains right in their backyard.

The PUBLIC Lands Act matters because it’s happening now when our public lands face their greatest threats. Our champions in Congress aren’t waiting for a better political moment, they’re fighting for these places when the fight matters most.

We will be tracking this bill closely and keeping you updated as it moves through Congress. In the meantime, call your representatives and thank Senator Padilla , Representative Huffman , Representative Carabajal and Representative Chu for introducing this legislation. Let them know you support it. Our voices help move good legislation through Congress, especially when the opposition is loud.

If 2025 taught us anything, it's that defending our public lands isn’t a one-time battle. It’s the work we do together, every single day.

Bryan Pride

Tuleyome Policy Director

Monumental Questions - Did you Know Tuleyome Has a Trail Guide for Part of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument?

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 21:25:13 GMT

It’s true! Tuleyome’s Adventures and Engagement Director Nate Lillge has assembled an incredible guide to the trails located throughout the southern portion of our newly expanded favorite monument.

As you may know, the monument is jointly managed by both the Bureau of Land Management (under the United States Department of Interior) and the United States Forest Service (under the United States Department of Agriculture). The two agencies collectively manage and maintain 344,476 acres of natural wildlands in the Inner Coastal Range available for the public to appreciate and explore. That’s where Tuleyome comes in, we want to help you traverse and investigate those acres.

Tuleyome’s trail guide not only provides a map of the southern portion of the monument with the trailhead names and locations, but it also shows names of the various trails that can be accessed by those trailheads along with the difficulty rating. It also contains a QR code that will take you to detailed information for each trail, including driving directions, trail maps and hike descriptions. If you’d rather go with a group, Tuleyome can help there too. Check out the Upcoming Events tab on our website to register for one or more of our organized hikes.

So, if your New Year’s Resolution was to get out on more hikes in 2026, Tuleyome’s got you covered! Check out the Trail Guide here or look for our booth at one of the many community events that we participate in and pick up a printed copy. And don’t forget about our Youth Boot Bank program if your little hiker needs to borrow some boots; just come see Tuleyome’s Education Associate, Geoff Benn, during Boot Bank office hours, which are also listed under the events tab, and we’ll get your little ones outfitted for the trails too.

Happy Hiking!!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Enjoying Outside! - Snow Goose Festival of the Pacific Flyway

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 21:25:10 GMT

Stretching from the Bering Straight off the coast of Alaska south to majestic Patagonia, the Pacific Flyway is one of the paramount migratory pathways in the entire world. Hundreds of species ranging from tiny hummingbirds, songbirds like sparrows and warblers, shorebirds like avocets, sandpipers and whimbrels, waterfowl including many species of ducks and geese to great Bald Eagles combine to equal the billions of birds that use the Pacific Flyway each migration season. With California's mild winters, available wetlands and flooded rice fields, and oodles of food, it’s not hard to see why waterfowl species like the striking white and black Snow Goose spend their winters here. As many as a million and a half Snow Geese will be using the Pacific Flyway and tens of thousands of them will remain here, in our region, for the winter. The City of Chico and surrounding communities come together to celebrate “this magnificent spectacle of nature with the Snow Goose Festival of the Pacific Flyway.” By connecting and showcasing artists, authors, educators, guides and volunteers the festival aims to excite and unite the community by increasing appreciation, awareness, conservation and understanding of the resident and visiting wildlife and their habitats in the Northern Sacramento Valley. The three day festival features art and an auction, a banquet, field trips, family activities and exhibits and workshops!

Snow Geese (Anser caerulescens) breed in Greenland, Canada, Alaska and the northeastern tip of Siberia and winter in the warmer regions of southwestern British Columbia, south through the United States and Mexico. There are two color morphs, white which are called “snows” (shocking, I know) and the dark morphs which are called “blues”. Snows are all white with black wingtips while blues have dark bluish-gray plumage and a white head, neck and tip of the tail. Both color morphs have orangy-red legs and feet and a pink bill with black edges that makes it look like they are grinning. Sometimes minerals in the soil or water where they’re feeding can stain their white heads making them look orange. Snow Geese are vocal. Very vocal. Some may say they are extremely vocal and they can often be heard from more than a mile away. Frequently Snow Geese and Greater White-fronted Geese travel together as they are very similar in size and needs. Combined flocks of them can often be heard on winter days and nights as they fly high overhead to their feeding grounds.

If you’re looking for a fun way to Enjoy Outdoors and learn more about the Pacific Flyway, Snow Geese and their fellow travelers, venture on up to Chico during the weekend of January 22-25, 2026. They’d love to see you at one of the many events! Please visit the website ( https://snowgoosefestival.org/ ) for a list of activities, to register and for more information.

Snow Goose Fun Facts!

When Snow Geese are resting or feeding, lookouts keep an eye to the sky watching for threats such as Bald Eagles or other predators which prey on old or injured geese. The lookout will vocalize and the entire flock may spontaneously take flight which is pretty stunning to watch.
Snow Goose eggshells stain easily which makes aging the eggs easy, the older eggs will appear dirtier while the more recently laid eggs remain creamy white.
Snow Geese populations dropped so low in the early 1900’s that hunting was no longer allowed in the eastern states. From the 1970’s and on, the population has boomed so much that some of their tundra nesting grounds are being impacted by their numbers.
Once females arrive at their breeding grounds they may spend up to 20 hours a day foraging but consume nearly nothing once they begin incubating eggs.
Snow Goose digestion is remarkably quick, requiring only about an hour or two to go from gullet to ground.
Snow Geese make epic journeys by wing but they are not lazy on foot either. Within the first month after hatching, goslings may walk about 50 miles with their parents. When waterfowl molt they lose their ability to fly but a molting Snow Goose can outrun many predators.
The oldest known Snow Goose was over 30 years old!
Word Play. A group of geese on the ground or water is called a gaggle . That same collection of geese but now in the air are called a skein , a wedge or a team . Hunters use the term “ grind ” for an assemblage of geese while culinary artists use the same term to mean goose meat . BUT, if you simply call them a flock of geese, everyone will know what you’re talkin' about!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Science Corner - The Giant Garter Snake!

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 21:25:06 GMT

Did you know that the great state of California now has an official state snake? In October, Governor Newsom signed a bill that established the Giant Garter Snake as our sanctioned state snake!

The Giant Garter Snake ( Thamnophis gigas ) is the largest member of the garter snake family measuring at up to nearly 64 inches long. It is semi-aquatic which means that it spends part of its life in water and part on land. The Giant Garter Snake, or GGS as it is affectionately known to admirers of the snake, historically occurred along the edges of freshwater marshes, flood basins and smaller waterways throughout California’s Central Valley from Butte County south to Kern County. Today however, their range is believed to terminate around Fresno County due to habitat loss and fragmentation. Good news though, the GGS has adjusted and adapted and can now be found living in harmony with a variety of agricultural practices including irrigation canals, rice paddies and natural and managed wetlands such as sloughs, ponds and lakes and slow moving streams. They are endemic to California’s Central Valley which means they are found only here and nowhere else in the world.

Fun Fact(s) - other California Central Valley endemic species include the Yellow-billed Magpie (all other California magpies have black bills!), Tricolored Blackbird, San Joaquin Kit Fox, Blunt-nosed Leopard Lizard, several species of kangaroo rats and our friends that call the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument home - Tule Elk!

Being semi-aquatic, GGS forage and rest in still to slow moving water bordered by taller vegetation that it uses for cover. GGS are ectotherms or cold-blooded organisms which means that they rely on external sources to heat their bodies. This makes the upland habitat adjacent to their wetland habitat a necessity for them to bask and find shelter. GGS use underground burrows constructed by small mammals such as ground squirrels and other rodents in the upland habitat for shelter during the cold winter months. When temperatures drop, GGS undergo a reptile-specific type of hibernation called “brumation”. During brumation, their metabolism slows but they may still occasionally move about which differs from true mammalian hibernation. On especially warm, sunny days GGS may emerge to bask and even drink.

GGS look like a typical garter snake species with a prominent lateral stripe that is cream to yellow to orange down the center of its back with two lighter lateral stripes down its sides against an olivey-brown background. Many other common garter snakes have red stripes while GGS display no red at all. You may or may not see black spots between the lateral stripes and their undersides are cream, orange, olive brown or even pale blue. Their large, round eyes are shiny golden yellow with black irises. They emerge from brumation in early spring and remain active until late fall but it all depends on ambient and water temperatures. Once the water reaches 68 degrees Fahrenheit or higher the snakes become more active. Breeding occurs from March to about May with female snakes generally being larger than male snakes as is common with garter snake species. Like all members of the Thamnophis genus, GGS carry eggs internally but give birth to live young with an average of around 15-17 snakes per litter. Larger females typically have a greater number of young but interestingly, smaller females tend to have larger individual snakes. The babies often fall prey to other snakes such as California Kingsnakes and Gopher Snakes as well as mature bullfrogs while the adults are taken by raptors. GGS primarily forage in the water with small fish, frogs and tadpoles being their favorite snacks. GGS are quite docile and often prefer to leave a lasting stink on you by emitting musk through their cloaca rather than bite - although all garter snake species are capable of “musking”, many other species are overly feisty and seem to enjoy biting AND musking (sort of like a “buy one, get one free promotion”). But I get it, they’re small and scared and trying their best to intimidate you even if you’re just relocating them to a safer place.

Currently, only about five percent of California’s historical wetlands remain in the Central Valley. Because the snakes are dependent on water, habitat fragmentation and land use changes have caused the GGS to become a vulnerable species. Flooding can displace them or drown brumating snakes while drought causes water sources to be unreliable or even completely disappear when needed. The historic GGS population has declined by 90% and was listed as threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act in 1971 and the California Endangered Species Act in 1993. Being designated as the California State Snake acknowledges the importance of the species and their role in the Central Valley’s spectacular ecosystem.

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Be a part of Tuleyome's Spring Thing - Sponsors and Silent Auction Donations Needed!

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 21:24:59 GMT

Tuleyome's 5th annual Spring Thing Event is coming up on March 21st, 2026 at Woodland Regional Park Preserve. This is a family-focused event that is co-hosted by the City of Woodland and attracted over 350 visitors last year! The Spring Thing features nature-focused activities for kids and adults, live music, a silent auction, remarks from local elected officials, and opportunities to connect with our programs, including our Youth Boot Bank, which provides free loans of hiking boots to kids. We will also have tables from a number of partner organizations, including the Woodland Public Library Book Mobile, NorCal Bats, Save the Snakes, UC Davis Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve, and the CalFresh Program.

To make the Spring Thing happen, we need your support! We are looking for local businesses or individuals to become event sponsors (we have sponsorship levels starting at $250) or provide donations of products for our silent auction (e.g. a gift card or gift basket of products from your business, artwork, or passes to an experience like a class or outdoor excursion).

If you are interested in sponsoring the event or making a donation to the silent auction, please reach out to Geoff Benn at gbenn@tuleyome.org for more information.

December K-12 Field Trips

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 21:24:49 GMT

Plainfield Elementary kindergarteners after their 12/2 field trip at Woodland Regional Park Preserve

In December, we wrapped up our busiest Fall K-12 field trip season in recent memory, serving a total of 19 classes and 487 students! All of the trips included a bird walk with binoculars and activities from one of Tuleyome’s seven educational Trails (Adaptations, Ecosystems, Evolution, Land, Sun, Water, and Weather).

Plainfield Elementary Kindergarteners in a shelter they constructed as part of the Sun Trail

We got the month started on December 2 ^nd with a field trip at Woodland Regional Park Preserve (the Preserve) for two classes of Kindergarteners from Plainfield Elementary School in Woodland. The students completed the Sun Trail, which included experimenting with the impacts of sun and shade on objects, doing a nature walk with binoculars, and building sun shelters. The students particularly enjoyed shelter building and watching the white-tailed kites hunting the hills of the park.

A 4 ^th grader tries out an ear modification on the Adaptations Trail

Our second trip of the month took place on the 5 ^th and was for a class of 4 ^th graders from Plainfield Elementary in Woodland. The students completed the Adaptations Trail, which included a nature walk with binoculars and series of activities related to sensory adaptations, particularly hearing. Students practiced listening quietly to the environment, tried out different ear shapes, and played a “predators and prey” game that used their sense of hearing and also demonstrated the impact of noise pollution on wildlife.

2 ^nd graders practice using binoculars as part of the Social Emotional Learning Trail

Our final trip of the month took place on the 17 ^th , with two classes of second graders from Birch Lane Elementary in Davis visiting the Preserve to complete the Social Emotional Learning Trail with Tuleyome. As part of the program, we discussed ways that time in nature can help us regulate our emotions, we practiced nature mindfulness, communication, and seeing the environment from the perspectives of different animals. At the end of the trip, the students got to select locations for Tuleyome game cameras at the Preserve – they were so excited to see the footage that they asked their teacher to do a calendar reminder for after the holiday break!

If you’re a teacher or youth group leader and are interested in bringing your kids out for a field trip with Tuleyome, you can learn more about the program here . Once you’re ready to book a trip, you can submit an interest form on the website or reach out to Geoff at gbenn@tuleyome.org .

Nature and You Lecture: Hikes, Trails, and Mapping Tools with Andrew Fulks

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 21:24:44 GMT

Andrew Fulks on the Berryessa peak Trail

The arrival of 2026 means that our Nature and You lecture series has returned from its annual holiday season hiatus! Our first talk of the year will take place on Zoom at 7pm on January 22 ^nd and will be delivered by Tuleyome co-founder and Advisory Council member Andrew Fulks. Andrew will discuss his favorite trails and hikes in and around the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. He will also walk us through some of his favorite mapping and imagery tools for learning about and exploring the monument region. This is sure to be an interesting talk – register here to receive the Zoom link .

If you have any questions about this talk or the lecture series in general, please contact Geoff Benn at gbenn@tuleyome.org .

Youth Boot Bank Office Hours

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 21:24:40 GMT

Showing off their new boots at our December office hours

December and January were busy months for the Youth Boot Bank – our office hours were well attended, with a range of folks coming in to check out boots, return boots, and donate boots to the program!

Our December office hours brought our 2025 totals up to 51 pairs of boots loaned out and 50 pairs of boots donated to the program, increases of 42% and 355% over 2024, respectively!

Our next office hours are coming up on February 4 ^th and March 4 ^th – stop by the Tuleyome office from 2:30pm to 5:30pm if you’d like to pick up, return, or donate boots. We offer free 6-month loans of hiking boots to youth up to age 18.

If you have any questions about our Youth Boot Bank program , please contact Education Associate Geoff Benn at gbenn@tuleyome.org .

New Game Camera Footage!

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 21:24:33 GMT

A racoon investigates a game camera at Woodland Regional Park Preserve

We’ve got new game camera footage! This month, we have footage from two cameras we placed at Woodland Regional Park Preserve – the locations of the cameras were chosen by 2 ^nd graders from Birch Lane Elementary School as part of their field trip to the Preserve with Tuleyome. We captured footage of racoons, rabbits, an opossum, and several species of birds – you can watch the full video here .

Tuleyome leads K-12 field trips at Woodland Regional Park Preserve and Conaway Ranch. We now offer teachers a pre-trip worksheet that utilizes game camera videos from locations that students will be visiting – this helps get them excited about the trip and allows them to see nocturnal animals that likely won’t out during the day.

If you have any questions about our game camera or K-12 field trip programs, please contact Geoff Benn at gbenn@tuleyome.org .

Cedar Roughs Wilderness Hike

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 21:24:21 GMT

In December, Tuleyome led a hike to Cedar Roughs Wilderness, 6,287-acres managed by the Bureau of Land Management on the west side of Lake Berryessa. This area is highlighted by steep valleys, flat ridge tops, and Sargent Cypress ( Hesperocyparis sargentii ) trees. These trees were mis-identified as a type of cedar trees by European settlers, leading to the name.

Currently, the only public access to Cedar Roughs is via a trail on the north end which takes visitors to an overlook but does not provide easy access to the rest of the wilderness area. For the December hike, Tuleyome coordinated with partners to lead a hike to Iron Mountain in the southern portion of Cedar Roughs. Participants used the Smittle Creek Day Use Area, one of the Bureau of Reclamation's use areas on Lake Berryessa, to park and assemble for the hike. Napa County Regional Parks and Open Space District (NCRPOSD) granted Tuleyome access to Cedar Roughs through their Smittle Creek Parcel.

As it was in central valley for all of December, the day started chilly and very foggy. However, participants were soon able to shed layers and put on sunglasses after climbing above the clouds - a very welcome treat. The remoteness and wilderness aspects of the area were on full display throughout the hike. Numerous birds, bear, bobcat, deer, raccoon, and at least one large mountain lion make Cedar Roughs Wilderness home.

Photos from the hike are available on our Flickr site . Thank you to the Bureau of Reclamation and NCRPOSD for partnering!

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Tuleyome Book Recommendations 2026

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 19:26:27 GMT

See Tuleyome's Book Recommendations for 2022 , 2023 , 2024 , and 2025 .

January 2026

Exploring the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Region

by Marc Hoshovsky, Peter Schiffman, Bob Schneider, and Tim Messick

Policy Corner: The San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 19:42:04 GMT

In October, Tuleyome hosted a community walking tour showcasing Mare Island’s southwestern coastal wetlands, a notable potion of the six distinct parcels proposed to be included in The San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act. By law, National Wildlife Refuges overseen by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), are legally mandated to conserve migratory bird and endangered species habitat while allowing for public access and recreation compatible with those mandates.

This boundary expansion legislation is expected to be introduced in the 119 ^th Congress by Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-08), Jared Huffman (D-CA-02) and Mike Thompson (D-CA-04) and Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA). Approximately 6,934 new acres would be included in the boundary expansion.

The boundary expansion aims to enhance the existing refuge’s 24,390 acres of essential wetland habitats along the coastlines of Sonoma, Solano, and Napa Counties. These tidal marshes, mud flats, and seasonal wetlands all host migratory birds, small

mammals, and form the nursery grounds to sensitive fish species. Some iconic species include the California clapper rail, salt marsh harvest mouse, San Pablo song sparrow, and Suisun shrew.

Current owners of the parcels that are proposed to be included within the refuge boundaries are the State Lands Commission, the State Coastal Conservancy, and the Sonoma Land Trust, all who support the proposal.

The community tour represents a key tenet in Tuleyome’s mission: to highlight public opinion, ensuring elected officials translate their constituent’s community values regarding public lands into policy debates and legislative action. Local conservation and

environmental efforts to preserve and restore wild habitat must be founded on unequivocal public support to succeed. During the tour, non-profit organizations and individuals took advantage of the attendance of Garamendi’s legislative staff to ask questions and voice concerns.

Two important questions seemed to be on everyone’s mind. “How does this boundary expansion affect land use rights on lands owned by the City of Vallejo that border the acquisition boundary?” and “Why now?”

The expansion has no effect on Vallejo’s lands. U.S. Representative Garamendi ensured that the expanded boundary would not affect private land ownership or local land use decisions in any way and the proposal prohibits the use of eminent domain or condemnation.

Along with questions regarding land use rights, many people remained concerned with allowing the federal government to increase federal land during an administration which seeks to rollback regulatory public land protections such as the Roadless Rule and the Public Lands Rule . Bryan Pride, Tuleyome’s Policy Director, explained why action now is important, “The San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge expansion is a slow process. Even with an unpredictable federal administration, we can’t afford to wait until a more ‘favorable’ time. We must preserve land now as leaving it unprotected does not shield it from development, industry pressure, or policies that don’t reflect community values.” Furthermore, the boundary expansion is a preliminary step that would only allow for agreements of co-management or land acquisition by the USFWS with the consent of existing owners. This does not mean that existing landowners would be forced to make land transfers now, or in the future, but does give them the legislative framework to voluntarily do so.

In essence, while political cycles are short, habitat fragmentation, biodiversity decline, sea-level rise, and growing need for flood mitigation are all long-term issues that require action now. While it is understandable some may feel hesitant to rely on the federal government during period of uncertainty, fear should not paralyze progress.

Perfect political conditions simply do not exist and by waiting we risk further degradation or loss of the landscapes we love and recreate on. Expanding the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge boundary is a community commitment to safeguarding and stewarding a crucial ecosystem even during times of uncertainty.

- Diego Barraza ( dbarraza@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Policy Intern

Monumental Questions - The United States Endangered Species Act

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 19:41:57 GMT

You may have heard that there are some modifications brewing regarding the protections afforded species by the United States Endangered Species Act (ESA). Often regarded as one of the most powerful and effective (as well as sometimes controversial) environmental laws in the United States, the ESA was written into law with bipartisan support on December 28, 1973. The purpose of the ESA was to provide the infrastructure to conserve species and their habitats here in the United States and elsewhere. To date 99% of the species listed under the ESA have avoided becoming extinct. Under the law, organizations as well as individuals can petition to have a species listed as threatened or endangered under the ESA. The petitions then undergo extensive evaluation and review by scientists and the public prior to a decision being made about whether the species in question should be listed under the ESA. The ESA also requires that critical habitat areas also be protected as well as recovery plans be drafted for the species. Although this sounds very rigid, the law does allow for flexibility and requires coordination between federal, state, tribal and local agencies to conserve and protect species and their habitat.

As the ESA currently stands, once a species is listed as threatened or endangered under the ESA, it and its habitat is afforded formal protection. Any impacts to the species itself or its habitat will likely require a permit and possibly remediation from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service or other leading agency. Under the required recovery plans, populations are monitored over several years to determine if efforts being made are aiding to its recovery. Once a species is considered recovered, it is removed from the special-status species list. Admittedly it is a long process but it is successful. One of the most illustrious delisting is that of the Bald Eagle ( Haliaectus leucocephalus ) in 2007 following the banning of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and a recovery period for the eagles. Another celebrated species that has been delisted from the ESA is the American Peregrine Falcon ( Falco peregrinus ) in 1999 following a captive breeding program and other intense conservation efforts. In 2016, more species were removed from the special-status species list than ever before.

The other way that species can be removed from the special-status species list is if the decline has become irreversible and they are unfortunately classified as extinct. Habitat loss, overuse, competition from invasive non-native species and disease introduction are often human-caused and can be reversible if caught early enough.

The goal of the ESA is to strengthen and highlight conservation efforts for species and their associated habitats. In addition to the ESA, the United States also works in cooperation with Migratory Bird Treaties with Canada, Mexico and Japan as well as the Convention on Nature Protection and Wildlife Preservation in the Western Hemisphere, the International Convention for the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries, the International Convention for the High Seas Fisheries of the North Pacific Ocean, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and other international agreements. The ESA also offers assistance to states and other associated parties to develop and utilize conservation programs that meet national and international conservation standards for the best interest of the US citizens and our heritage in fish, wildlife and plants.

The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument is home to several species protected under the ESA including the federally threatened Northern Spotted Owl ( Strix occidentallis caurina ), the federally endangered Pacific Marten ( Martes caurina ) and the Pacific Fisher ( Pekania pennanti ), the federally threatened California Coastal Chinook Salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytseha ) and the Northern California Steelhead ( Oncorhynchus mykiss indeas ).

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Enjoying Outside! - Wild Turkeys

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 19:41:50 GMT

Urban legend has it that our national symbol was nearly the Wild Turkey. Ben Franklin called them a “bird of courage” and it’s been said that he suggested that the Bald Eagle be replaced with a Wild Turkey. I’m not sure if that is true but I will say that after having a confrontation with the turkey brigade, they are not to be messed with.

There are only two species of Wild Turkey world wide; the one we’re familiar with here in North America (Meleagris gallopavo) and the Ocellated Turkey (M. ocellata) found in Central America. For different reasons, the Wild Turkey is probably one of the most recognizable birds in the United States. Although I think they look best foraging under oak trees, some think they look even better on a platter surrounded by all the Thanksgiving accoutrements.

Wild Turkeys are upland game birds and belong to the family Galliformes. The domesticated white turkey is a relative of our pretty Wild Turkey. Adult males have featherless red heads, long reddish-yellow legs with three toes facing forward and one rear-facing toe just below a nasty spur that they use to fight other males with. Their body feathers are generally dark brown and black with a stunning coppery sheen and a fan shaped tail. His iridescent feathers have areas of bronze, copper, green, gold, purple and red. Females on the other hand are about half the size of males and in following female upland game bird dress code, are mainly drab brown to camouflage while sitting on the nest.

Ironically, this hefty brute that tries to intimate shoppers in the grocery store parking lot or corner toddlers in the neighborhood park was nearly extinct by the 20th century. By the early 1900’s only about 200,000 individuals were left roaming the country-sides of the United States due to habitat loss and over-hunting. Thanks to conservation efforts and responsible hunting practices, today their population is estimated at 6.5 billion wild birds in the United States. While several states have “turkey-rich refuges” here in California it seems that the birds have badgered their way into many of our urban and suburban areas.

Wild Turkeys have funny appendages with funny names. The wattle is the skin flap that hangs from the beak to the neck and the snood is the piece of flesh that dangles from the beak. Can you guess what a caruncle is? Naturally, they’re the little bumps of flesh that cover the bird’s necks and heads. And of course we can’t forget about their beards - those are the bundle of stiff feathers that grow from their chests. All males have them and so do a few females but theirs is not nearly as glorious as the males’. The beard gets longer as the bird ages and biologists still don’t know what the purpose they serve.

Very young turkeys are called poults and eat insects like they were gummy bears. As they age they develop a more refined and mature pallet and begin to incorporate some vegetation. Adult turkeys eat acorns, nuts, seeds, berries, insects and even small reptiles and amphibians. Young males are called jakes and adult males are called Toms while female turkeys are called hens.

Wild Turkeys are highly adaptable and in California they can be found occupying a wide range of habitat types from oak woodlands, to mixed conifer forests, valley riparian, high deserts and even suburban parks and parking lots. You may find them pecking at their reflections in glass office complex doors, strutting around the post office parking lot or sitting on the hood of your car in the driveway.

Fun Wild Turkey Facts!

Wild Turkeys are much more agile than they appear. They have been clocked at 18 miles per hour on foot and can fly 50 to 60 miles per hour!
Wild Turkeys have excellent vision and can see three times better than our perfect 20/20!
They can change the color of their heads based on their mood!
Although they’ve been called “courageous”, these softies sleep together in trees for safety.
Males and female turkeys can be distinguished based on the size and shape of their droppings. Who knew?
On average, adult Wild Turkeys have between five and six thousand feathers!

When you’re walking off your Thanksgiving meal, keep an eye out for these beauties. Their habitat includes more than just your dinner table!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Science Corner - Wisdom the Albatross!

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 19:41:45 GMT

Wisdom, perhaps the most recognized, noteworthy and adored Laysan Albatross, has returned to the Midway Atoll for yet another round of parenting! At the age of 75(!), Wisdom has outlived at least one very long-term mate, Akeakamai (2006-2021) and has been recently observed with a currently unnamed male taking turns incubating her (likely) 61st(!!) bundle of joy!

Laysan Albatross, or Moli, ( Phoebastria immutabilis ) are large gull-like seabirds native to the North Pacific that belong to the Diomedeidae. The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, or Leeward Hawaiian Islands, located northwest of the island of Kauai, are primarily uninhabited and are classified as part of Honolulu County in the state of Hawaii. The Midway Atoll (a sinking ring-shaped volcanic island encircled by a growth of corral around a central lagoon) is part of the Leeward Island chain and is classified as a territory of the United States rather than part of the state of Hawaii. The total land area of these islands is just over three square miles and is home to 99% of the entire breeding Laysan Albatross population. They are the second most regionally common seabird on the Hawaiian Islands with a population of nearly 1.2 million birds. In the 1920’s the entire Laysan Albatross population had declined to just 18,000 pairs due to feather and egg collecting. By the 1950’s the population had again climbed to 200,000 breeding pairs.

This is where Wisdom the Albatross enters the picture. She was first banded in 1956 by legendary United States Fish and Wildlife ornithologist Chandler Robbins, father of the North American Breeding Bird Survey (or affectionately known as the Christmas Bird Count) and co-author of one of the most influential bird field guilds - Birds of North America: A Guide to Field Identification which became known as the “Golden Guide”. At the time of her banding she was estimated to be at least five years old, the youngest age for a Laysan Albatros to breed. Robbins has said that he had a personal challenge with Wisdom to see who will be the last one that returns to the Midway Atoll. Chandler Robbins passed away in 2017 at age 98 awarding Wisdom the titleholder of that challenge.

Laysan Albatrosses spend 90% of their lives at sea hunting fish, squid, octopus, cuttlefish, crustaceans and other invertebrates. Every autumn they return to land mainly to scratch a nest in the sand and commence their yearly laying of the egg with their long-term partners. For Wisdom, this autumn equals her 69th trip back to the Midway Atoll. She is the oldest known living wild bird and the oldest banded bird in the world. To put that into perspective, she’s been making the trip back to her nesting grounds since Dwight D. Eisenhower was president!

During her lifetime it is estimated that Wisdom has flown at least three million miles, equal to 12 and a half trips to the moon and back or driving around the Earth 120 times. She has likely laid between 50 and 60 eggs and has fledged some 30 chicks. She has survived natural disasters including earthquakes and tsunamis and unnatural disasters like long-line fishing, plastic pollution, lead poisoning and human-caused changes to her breeding ground. Her adult grandchildren have returned to rear their own babies alongside her. She has been the main character in children’s books and the subject of several news reports including those by NBC, CBS, CNN and PBS. She’s been featured in publications by Smithsonian, the New York Times, Forbes Magazine and has become a social media darling and influencer on Facebook, Instagram, Reddit and YouTube.

Laysan Albaross mate for life and Wisdom has outlived several partners and six aluminum bands. She has worn band number Z333 for nearly seven decades - perhaps her next band should be platinum!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Upcoming Tuleyome Certified California Naturalist Courses

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 19:41:38 GMT

In 2026, Tuleyome will be offering two CalNat courses: our traditional 8-week program and a one-week intensive course at Wilbur Hot Springs. Both courses focus on the northern inner Coast Range Mountains, specifically the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. The program uses science curriculum, hands-on learning, problem-solving, participatory science, and community service to instill a deep appreciation for the natural communities of the state and to inspire individuals to become stewards of their local resources.

The California Naturalist course was developed by UCANR to introduce “Californians to the wonders of our unique ecology and engages the public in study and stewardship of California’s natural communities.” Tuleyome has offered at least one CalNat course per year since 2018 and has provided training to Bureau of Reclamation – Lake Berryessa Rangers, US Forest Service staff, Napa County Regional Park & Open Space District staff, as well as SRCC and CCC corpsmembers.

For more information about our upcoming courses, visit our website or contact Nate ( nlillge@tuleyome.org ).

November K-12 Field Trips

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 19:41:24 GMT

Education Associate Geoff Benn demonstrating how cattails disperse seeds to 5 ^th graders from Cesar Chavez Elementary

Our Fall K-12 field trip season was in full swing in November, with seven classes (188 kids) visiting Woodland Regional Park Preserve for field trips led by Tuleyome. All of the trips included a bird walk with binoculars and activities from one of Tuleyome’s seven educational Trails (Adaptations, Ecosystems, Evolution, Land, Sun, Water, and Weather). November was a fun month for bird watching at the Preserve, as our resident white-tailed kites have been active and seem to enjoy showing off for tour groups!

Lee Middle School 8 ^th graders pose for picture at the end of their field trip

Our first trip of the month was on November 4 ^th , with a class of 8 ^th graders visiting from Lee Middle School in Woodland (this was our first group from Lee!). The students completed our middle school Adaptations Trail, which included identifying plants and animals at the Preserve and playing our out-competed game where students collect resource cards with different “adaptations” that provide advantages or disadvantages.

Jefferson School 3rd graders completing the Bird Beaks and Feet activity

Our second trip was on November 12th, with two classes of 3rd graders from Jefferson School in Natomas (this was also our first group from Jefferson!). The students completed our 2nd/3rd grade Adaptations Trail, which included learning about bird beak and feet adaptations, as well as building a food web of the Preserve.

Cesar Chavez Elementary 5 ^th graders pose for a group photo on the Rotary Pavilion

Our third trip was on November 14 ^th , with two classes of 5 ^th graders from Cesar Chavez Elementary in Davis. The students completed our 4 ^th / 5 ^th grade Adaptations Trail, which focuses on sensory adaptations and included a quiet listening activity, learning about ear modifications, and a fun game where students use their sense of hearing to track “prey”.

A Birch Lane 4 ^th grader presenting her ideas for the design challenge

Our final trip of the month was on November 21 ^st , with two classes of 4 ^th graders from Birch Lane Elementary in Davis. The students completed the 4 ^th /5 ^th grade Ecosystems Trail, which focuses on how plants obtain resources from their ecosystems, including learning about water transport and tree rings, looking for decomposers in the soil, and an engineering challenge looking at ways to grow plants without soil.

If you’re a teacher or youth group leader and are interested in bringing your kids out for a field trip with Tuleyome, you can learn more about the program here. Once you’re ready to book a trip, you can submit an interest form on the website or reach out to Geoff at gbenn@tuleyome.org .

Nature and You Lectures

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 19:41:16 GMT

Our Nature and You Lecture Series is on hiatus for the Holiday Season and will return on January 22 ^nd with a lecture from Tuleyome co-founder Andrew Fulks, who will be talking about hikes and trails in and around the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.

In the meantime, you can head over to our YouTube channel, where we have a playlist of over 50 past Nature and You lectures ! There are lectures on everything from mountain lions to mercury mining – enjoy!

Youth Boot Bank Office Hours

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 19:41:07 GMT

Showing off his new boots at our November office hours

November was another busy month for the Youth Boot Bank – our office hours were well attended, with a range of folks coming in to check out boots, return boots, and donate boots to the program!

Our next office hours are coming up on December 3 ^rd and January 7 ^th – stop by the Tuleyome office from 2:30pm to 5:30pm if you’d like to pick up, return, or donate boots. We offer free 6-month loans of hiking boots to youth up to age 18.

If you have any questions about our Youth Boot Bank program , please contact Education Associate Geoff Benn at gbenn@tuleyome.org.

New Game Camera Footage!

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 19:40:55 GMT

A beaver investigates a game camera at Conaway Ranch

We’ve got new game camera footage from Conaway Ranch! We placed game cameras looking into an otter slide and the neighboring canal, capturing raccoons, otters (with a surprise catch!), and some truly adorable footage of a pair of beavers interacting with each other. You can watch the full video here .

Tuleyome works with Conaway Preservation Group to offer educational programs at Conaway Ranch, including programs for K-12 groups and the general public. If you have any questions, please contact Education Associate Geoff Benn at gbenn@tuleyome.org .

Welcome Diego!

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 19:12:50 GMT

Tuleyome welcomes our first Policy Intern, Diego Barraza. Diego is a Senior at UC Davis studying Environmental Science and Management and is from Santa Barbara, California. Diego will be joining Tuleyome for a 10 week internship to assist with Tuleyome’s policy initiatives, including supporting the work of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and Molok Luyuk working group coalition and the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act. We are excited to have Diego join our team and support our policy initiatives!

Tuleyome's Trail Guide

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 19:12:44 GMT

The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region has many wonderful trails to explore and enjoy. From urban parks, like American River Bend Park, to trails that help you get away and above it all, like the Berryessa Peak Trail.

Do you want to explore on your mountain bike? Head to Fiske Creek and Blue Ridge Trails. Looking for a place to take your horse? The appropriately named Cowboy Camp is the place to go! Ever hiked a volcano? Check out Mount Konocti.

Tuleyome’s Trail Guide has guides to nearly 40 trails in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region and western Sacramento Valley. This is not an exhaustive list but instead provides you with some of our favorite and most popular locations to experience this wonderful and unique location.

Monumental Questions - Federal Public Lands

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 19:12:21 GMT

If you’re a friend of Tuleyome you likely know a bit about our (it belongs to all of us) newly expanded favorite National Monument - the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. You may also recognize that federal public lands are lands that are owned and/or managed by the United States federal government for the enjoyment of its citizens. And, you probably know that in addition to national monuments there are also national parks, national forests and national historic places but did you know that there are many more public land designations as well?!

There are many (MANY!) different types of federal public lands. Most of them are held for conservation, resource management and public recreation. The United States Department of the Interior (DOI) oversees several federal agencies that manage various public land designations and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees other agencies that steward public lands. Federal public lands in the United States, District of Columbia and US territories total approximately 640 million acres and occupy nearly 30% of the land area.

The National Park Service is an agency within the DOI and oversees not only national parks but also most national monuments and other natural, historical and recreational properties with various title designations or units. These include national preserves, national lakeshores and seashores, national rivers and wild and scenic rivers and national scenic and historic trails, among others. Today The National Park Service currently manages 433 combined parks/units including 63 national parks, 87 national monuments, 75 national historic sites, 64 national historic sites and many other designations totaling 85 million acres in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and US territories. Their management focus is preserving the ecological and historical integrity of these special places for public use and enjoyment.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is a federal agency also under the direction of the DOI. The BLM’s mission is “to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.” We here at Tuleyome think that’s pretty dang good and we often partner with them on varying components of public land use and enjoyment. The BLM is responsible for the management of a substantial portion of the nation’s public lands including some of our most historic and scenic landscapes and natural resources for all to enjoy.

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is another agency operated under the DOI and is the oldest conservation agency in the United States. It was established in 1871 to help monitor the country’s game fish populations. Today the USFWS manages our nation’s wildlife refuges to conserve the habitat, plants and wildlife found there. The national wildlife refuge system began with Pelican Island in 1903 and today there are over 560 refuges across the country. It’s been said that if “national parks are America’s best idea, national wildlife refuges are America’s best-kept secret”. Although, they don’t seem like a very stealthy secret since they receive over 50 million visitors a year!

The United States Forest Service (USFS) was established in 1905 and is an agency under the USDA. It is the United States’ predominant forestry agency leading the world in sustainable forest and grassland use, management and stewardship, research and conservation. Today they are responsible for the management of 154 national forests and surrounding areas that total nearly 200 million acres in 43 states, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The agency also provides stewardship assistance to tribal, state and local governments, private landowners and corporations to improve conditions on about 900 million acres of forests in the U.S.

Fun fact - Yellowstone was the United States’ first national park established in 1872. But, at the time Wyoming was still a U.S. territory so Yellowstone was managed by the federal government using the Army and the African American Buffalo Soldiers.

Fun fact - the designation National Monument has been given to many different sites ranging from natural reserves, historic military scenes, prehistoric ruins, fossil sites AND to the Statue of Liberty.

Fun fact - there is at least one national wildlife refuge in every US state and territory.

Fun fact - The Forest Service obviously manages forests but did you know that they also manage grasslands?

Did you know… that the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument is jointly managed by both the BLM and the USFS, not the National Park Service!?

Whether you’re exploring places where you won’t find a motorized vehicle or places where you might not find a parking spot, you can bet there is at least one type of federal public land just a hop, skip and a jump from you!

The numerous designations within the National Park System sometimes confuse visitors. The names are created in the Congressional legislation authorizing the sites or by the president, who proclaims "national monuments" under the Antiquities Act of 1906. Many names are descriptive—lakeshores, seashores, battlefields—but others cannot be neatly categorized because of the diversity of resources within them. In 1970, Congress elaborated on the 1916 National Park Service Organic Act, saying all units of the system have equal legal standing in a national system.

National Park

These are generally large natural places having a wide variety of attributes, at times including significant historic assets. Hunting, mining and consumptive activities are not authorized.

National Monument

The Antiquities Act of 1906 authorized the President to declare by public proclamation landmarks, structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest situated on lands owned or controlled by the government to be national monuments.

National Preserve

National preserves are areas having characteristics associated with national parks, but in which Congress has permitted continued public hunting, trapping, oil/gas exploration and extraction. Many existing national preserves, without sport hunting, would qualify for national park designation.

National Historic Site

Usually, a national historic site contains a single historical feature that was directly associated with its subject. Derived from the Historic Sites Act of 1935, a number of historic sites were established by secretaries of the Interior, but most have been authorized by acts of Congress.

National Historical Park

This designation generally applies to historic parks that extend beyond single properties or buildings.

National Memorial

A national memorial is commemorative of a historic person or episode; it need not occupy a site historically connected with its subject.

National Battlefield

This general title includes national battlefield, national battlefield park, national battlefield site, and national military park. In 1958, an NPS committee recommended national battlefield as the single title for all such park lands.

National Cemetery

There are presently 14 national cemeteries in the National Park System, all of which are administered in conjunction with an associated unit and are not accounted for separately.

National Recreation Area

Twelve NRAs in the system are centered on large reservoirs and emphasize water-based recreation. Five other NRAs are located near major population centers. Such urban parks combine scarce open spaces with the preservation of significant historic resources and important natural areas in location that can provide outdoor recreation for large numbers of people.

National Seashore

Ten national seashores have been established on the Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific coasts; some are developed and some relatively primitive. Hunting is allowed at many of these sites.

National Lakeshore

National lakeshores, all on the Great Lakes, closely parallel the seashores in character and use.

National River

There are several variations to this category: national river and recreation area, national scenic river, wild river, etc. The first was authorized in 1964 and others were established following passage of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968.

National Parkway

The title parkway refers to a roadway and the parkland paralleling the roadway. All were intended for scenic motoring along a protected corridor and often connect cultural sites.

National Trail

National scenic trails and national historic trails are the titles given to these linear parklands (over 3,600 miles) authorized under the National Trails System Act of 1968.

Affiliated Areas

In an Act of August 18, 1970, the National Park System was defined in law as, "any area of land and water now or hereafter administered by the Secretary of the Interior through the National Park Service for park, monument, historic, parkway, recreational or other purposes." The Affiliated Areas comprise a variety of locations in the United States and Canada that preserve significant properties outside the National Park System. Some of these have been recognized by Acts of Congress, others have been designated national historic sites by the Secretary of the Interior under authority of the Historic Sites Act of 1935. All draw on technical or financial aid from the National Park Service.

Other Designations

Some units of the National Park System bear unique titles or combinations of titles, like the White House and Prince William Forest Park .

Types of federal public lands

National Parks : Managed by the National Park Service (NPS), these lands are preserved for their natural and cultural resources for future generations to enjoy.
National Forests and Grasslands : Managed by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), these areas are used for multiple purposes, including timber, recreation, and wildlife management.
National Wildlife Refuges : Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), these lands are primarily for the conservation of fish, wildlife, and plants, but many also allow compatible wildlife-dependent recreation like hunting and fishing.
National Conservation Lands : These are public lands designated for their conservation value and are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The BLM manages more public land acreage than any other agency.

Management and use

Management: Federal lands are managed by various agencies, with the U.S. Forest Service (Department of Agriculture) and the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (all under the Department of the Interior) being the primary ones.
Resource Extraction: Some federal lands are available for resource extraction like oil, gas, and mining, which can be a source of controversy and debate over conservation versus extraction.
Recreation: The lands offer a wide range of recreational opportunities, such as hiking, camping, wildlife viewing, hunting, and fishing.
Information: You can find information about specific public lands, including maps and regulations, on the official websites of the managing agencies.

Enjoying Outside! - Leave No Trace

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 19:11:54 GMT

Pack it in, pack it out. You’ve probably seen signs at the trail head urging hikers to pick up their trash and any other trash they may encounter while out enjoying our public lands. Today it’s even more important to pack it in, pack it out since many of our land stewards may currently be “away from their desks” meaning they aren’t out there with us making sure everyone follows the pre-school clean-up clean-up song rules.

Clean up, clean up - everybody, everywhere.

Clean up, clean up - everybody do your share.

Established by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics in the 1980’s, Leave No Trace is a set of seven principles and ethics established in conjunction with the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service and the US Forest Service to ensure that we as beneficiaries of our public lands, are aware of our actions and the effects that we have on the environment, plants, wildlife and other people.

The seven principles as written and published by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics are:

-Plan ahead and prepare

-Travel and camp on durable surfaces

-Dispose of waste

-Leave what you find

-Minimize campfire impacts

-Respect wildlife

-Be considerate of other visitors

Plan ahead and Prepare. It is important to be prepared by planning ahead because it not only helps to ensure the safety of those in your group but it also helps to reduce damage to resources that may occur in an emergency. Planning and being prepared also increases enjoyment and opportunities for learning about nature. To help you prepare, be sure to check restrictions and regulations for the area that you’ll be visiting. Check the weather and pack for extreme and hazardous conditions. Travel in smaller groups to maintain good communication and try to plan your trip when the area will be less crowded to minimize impacts to the environment. Package food to minimize waste and be sure to bring a compass, maps or a GPS so as not to need to leave marks or flagging on the trail.

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces. This means utilizing maintained trails and designated camping areas. Durable surfaces may include not only trails but also rock, gravel, sand, dry grass or even snow in some locations. Using only designated areas and not altering the landscape will keep it open and available for others that may come after you. Keeping camping areas as small as possible and walking single file along trails helps limit damage and disturbance to nearby vegetation. And maintaining at least a 200 foot buffer between your camping activities and rivers, creeks, streams and lakes helps ensure water quality and safety.

Dispose of Waste Properly. You’ve probably guessed that this right here is where pack it in, pack it becomes really serious. While at your campsite or even if you’re just stopping for lunch at a pretty vista, be sure to inspect the area for leftover food, trash and anything else not left behind by Mother Nature. Using toilet facilities is always best but if you’re in a wilderness area catholes should be six to eight inches deep, covered before you leave and at least 200 feet away from waterways, camps and trails. And of course packing out all plastic and paper products is essential. Using biodegradable soap to wash dishes and bathe is best and should also be done at least 200 feet away from waterways.

Leave What You Find. As the saying goes, take only memories and photos. This means leaving pretty rocks and plants behind for others to admire. If you come across a cultural or historic artifact, appreciate it, photograph it but don’t touch it. Avoid altering the landscape by not building structures, stacking rocks, digging trenches or introducing non-native vegetation and wildlife.

Minimize Campfire Impacts. We all know the devastation caused by wildfires and campfires can also cause lasting impacts to the environment. Using a cook stove and a lantern can be just as effective and pretty fun. Some areas also have fire restrictions so be sure to check their websites before lighting one. If allowed, keeping your fire small can help keep it under control and makes it easier to be completely extinguished.

Respect Wildlife. If you get to see wildlife during your visit consider yourself lucky! To ensure your own as well as their safety, please keep your distance and do not feed them; especially during nesting or mating season or when they might have young nearby. By keeping your food and trash properly stored, you can also protect resident wildlife by keeping them from learning bad behaviors. Keeping your pets at home or on a leash also helps wildlife stay healthy as well as keeping your pet safe.

Be Considerate of Other Visitors. Being respectful of other visitors helps protect their and your experience. Yielding to others on the trail, keeping voices to a reasonable level and taking breaks away from other visitors helps increase everyone’s enjoyment of nature.

Each one of us plays an essential role in guarding our public lands, especially now. Keeping the principles of Leave No Trace in mind while recreating ensures that you, and those following behind you, can continue to enjoy our shared pristine places. Places that are vital to the plants and wildlife that call it home as well as those of us that visit.

To learn more about Leave No Trace, please visit their website .

Science Corner - Spider Season

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 19:11:42 GMT

Whether you’ve just walked to the mailbox or hiked through the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument you’ve probably experienced the joy of having at least one stringy spider web seemingly appear out of nowhere and gently traipse across your face and stick. Nearly invisible, there it settles, tenderly caressing your cheek and irritating you beyond measure. Ahhh, welcome to Spider Season.

Spider season is just one of the many intervals of the Sacramento Valley that make our region so endearing. Let’s discuss them, shall we?

Winter - “cold”, sometimes wet, sometimes not
Fool’s Spring - a lovely period in late winter that tricks everyone into thinking its over
Second Winter - an abrupt turnaround and right back into Winter we go
Spring of Deception - a few pleasing days just before all hell breaks loose
Pollening - We’ve all seen the comparison of a pollen grain and the Death Star. Accurate.
Summer - hang on, here we go
Hot like Fire - days and days of hotness, no Delta Breeze, sometimes accompanied with wildfire smoke
Road Construction - This is my least favorite and unfortunately the longest season in Sacramento. Seriously.
False Fall - a couple of 80 degree teasers but then the air conditioner kicks back on
Actual Fall - ahhh, pumpkin spice and sweater weather
Spider Season - ➡️HERE. WE ARE HERE. THIS IS WHERE WE ARE⬅️

So, now that we’ve clarified what season we’re in, let's explain why spider webs magically float through the air just waiting and hoping to land on something sturdy. Often that’s you or me but more often than that it’s a tree, bush, car, light pole, or anything that happens to intersect it.

I hate to tell you this but on the end of that little wisp of string is a teeny tiny spiderling. I think we all know that spiders use their silk to build intricate webs and cool trap doors to catch prey. And, spiders also use their silk to anchor themselves to keep from falling but did you know that they also use their silk to fly? The process is called ballooning (of course that’s what it’s called, that makes perfect sense) and it’s one way for tiny baby spiders to disperse far and wide and avoid competition from their parents or hundreds of siblings. Because the spiderlings are so light weight they are able to float on the wind so to speak. To make it all work though, there needs to be a breeze. The baby spider faces into the wind and begins to release silk from its abdomen. As the wind carries the silk thread it begins to get longer and longer until the spiderling finally releases his or her grip and takes flight. The spiderlings and their flying strings can travel long distances, up to three miles high and across oceans! Some of the lucky ones land in places suitable for a young spider to homestead. Flying is hungry work and once they land they usually immediately begin hunting for a meal. Sometimes we see a single white strand gracefully sailing by and sometimes a few of them touch and stick together forming white clumps. And still other times extremely large numbers of ballooning spiders get all tangled up and collect on things making them look like something other than dispersing baby spiders. In fact, during World War II, wads of spider silk was mistaken for chemical warfare!

There are about 50,000 known species of spiders in the world and ballooning is a part of their lifecycle - that’s a lot of spider webs floating through the sky! But never fear, it won’t last long, just like our other seasons (except for Road Construction Season).

October K-12 Field Trips

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 19:10:12 GMT

Spring Lake Elementary 4 ^th graders playing a game as part of the Adaptations Trail.

Fall field trip season is getting busy at Woodland Regional Park Preserve! Tuleyome did four field trips at the Preserve in October, serving 5 classes and nearly 140 students, with more to come to come in November and December!

Our first trip of the month came on October 22nd with two classes of 4 ^th graders from Spring Lake Elementary in Woodland visiting the Preserve to complete the Adaptations Trail. The students learned about sensory adaptations, including how ear shapes impact sound perception and got to play a game where they learned about the impact of noise pollution on the ability of predators to hear their prey.

Patwin Elementary 3 ^rd graders watch geese overhead while working on a food web activity.

Our next two trips came on October 28 ^th and 30 ^th with two classes of 4 ^th graders from Patwin Elementary School in Davis visiting to complete the Sun Trail. The students built sun compasses and constructed food webs of the plants and animals at the Preserve. On both trips, students got to watch a Northern Harrier and a White-Tailed Kite hunting prey over the grasslands of the Preserve.

Patwin Elementary 4 ^th graders take measurements while setting up their sun compass.

Our last field trip of the month came on October 31 ^st , when we welcomed a class of 3 ^rd graders from Pioneer Elementary School in Davis to the Preserve to complete our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) trail. As part of the SEL trail, students practiced mindfulness activities including engaging their senses and thinking about how animals experience the world.

You can learn more about Tuleyome’s K-12 field trip program here – if you have questions or if you’d like to book a trip for your class or youth group, please contact Geoff Benn at gbenn@tuleyome.org .

Nature and You Lecture: Author Talk

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 19:10:00 GMT

Our October Nature and You Lecture featured Marc Hoshovsky and Tuleyome co-founder and Advisory Council member Bob Schneider. Marc and Bob are authors, with Peter Schiffman and Tim Messick, of “Exploring Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument,” due out in late Fall 2025 from Backcountry Press. In their talk, Marc and Bob presented highlights from the book, including geology, ecology, and history of the region. You can watch the full recording here .

Tuleyome is accepting donations to help cover the costs of publishing the book – if you would like to make a donation, you can do so via our donation page . Please be sure to make the donation in honor of the “Eldridge Moores Book Fund” – once the book publishing costs are covered, any additional donations will do into Tuleyome’s general fund.

This lecture will be our last of 2025 before our annual hiatus for the holidays. Our next lecture will be on January 22 nd and will feature Tuleyome co-founder Andrew Fulks, who will discuss trails and hikes in the region.

If you have any questions about our Nature and You lecture series or suggestions for topics or speakers, please reach out to Education Associate Geoff Benn at gbenn@tuleyome.org .

Tuleyome's Certified California Naturalist Course

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 19:09:28 GMT

At the end of September, Tuleyome taught a Certified California Naturalist (CalNat) course to 17 corpsmembers from the California Conservation Corps (CCC) and Sacramento Regional Conservation Corps (SRCC). Participants were able to take the course thanks to a Career Pathways Grant project titled “Bridging Corpsmembers to Careers in Parks Through the California Naturalist Course.” The purpose of this grant project was to offer a CalNat course that highlights knowledge and skills related to park interpretation, natural resource management, and an introduction to park planning.

The course was held at the CCC – Sacramento Center, right next to the American River Parkway. This location allowed the class to take daily field trips along the river to highlight the biodiversity that can be found in urban environments. Common observations included magpies, poison oak, cottonwoods, egrets, Canada geese, and even sea lions! Corpsmembers heard from professionals from California State Parks, UC Reserve System, Tuleyome, and McCord Environmental, Inc, highlighting the diversity of careers available.

For more information about our upcoming courses, visit our website or contact Nate ( nlillge@tuleyome.org ).

Youth Boot Bank Office Hours

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 19:08:31 GMT

Kids showing off their new boots at our October office hours

October was another busy month for the Youth Boot Bank – our office hours were well attended, with a range of folks coming in to check out boots, return boots, and donate boots to the program!

Our next office hours are coming up on November 5 ^th and December 3 ^rd – stop by the Tuleyome office from 2:30pm to 5:30pm if you’d like to pick up, return, or donate boots. We offer free 6-month loans of hiking boots to youth up to age 18.

Kids showing off their new boots at our October office hours

If you have any questions about our Youth Boot Bank program, please contact Education Associate Geoff Benn at gbenn@tuleyome.org .

New Conaway Ranch Game Camera Video!

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 19:08:21 GMT

We’ve got exciting new game camera footage to share this month from Conaway Ranch! Our latest video, edited by our communications intern Mary Lamborn, features otters, beavers, skunks, raccoons, and even a deer! The video combines footage from two game cameras looking into an access point to an irrigation canal. You can view the video here .

Tuleyome works with Conaway Preservation Group to offer educational programs at Conaway Ranch, including programs for K-12 groups and the general public.

Geoff Benn is Tuleyome’s Education Associate. If you have any questions or comments about the game camera videos, please contact Geoff at gbenn@tuleyome.org .

Policy Corner: The Community Alternative Management Plan for Berryessa Snow Mountain

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 18:37:05 GMT

It’s been a decade since the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument was designated in 2015, and just last year we celebrated the expansion of the Monument to include Molok Luyuk. Now we’re in an exciting new phase: working alongside our community to shape how this incredible landscape will be protected for generations to come.

Throughout 2025, Tuleyome has been collaborating with the Bureau of Land Management to submit detailed information about the many “objects of interest” that make our National Monument so special, from unique soils, to native plants, breathtaking geology and the rich cultural heritage of the indigenous people who have called this plan home for thousands of years. This information will help BLM develop the Monument’s resource management plan.

But we’re not stopping there. We’re doing something that reflects the very best of what public lands protection can be: we’re creating a Community Alternative Management Plan (CAMP).

What makes the CAMP different?

The Berryessa Snow Mountain coalition brings together people who know the landscape intimately: climate scientists, geologists, botanists, hydrologists, recreationists, conservationists, community members and representatives from tribal nations. These aren’t just experts, they’re our neighbors, the people who hike these trails, study these ecosystems, and carry forward traditional knowledge passed down through generations. By bringing diverse expertise and perspectives to the table, we’re creating a management plan that is inclusive, and reflective of what the Monument means to all of us.

The CAMP follows models like the Bears Ears National Monument and the Mojave Trails National Monument , where community-driven planning has shown that the best way to protect public lands is to partner with the people who care and know the landscapes the best. This is a co-stewardship in action, a real commitment to ensuring that local experts and tribal knowledge shape how we care for these lands.

Once complete, we will present the CAMP to BLM to help inform their final Monument management plan. It is one of the many ways Tuleyome is making sure that those of us who visit, recreate, live near and hold cultural connections to the Monument have our voices heard in the decisions that affect these places we love.

The work continues and we’re grateful to be doing it alongside a community that cares as deeply about Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument as we do.

Want to get involved or learn more? Contact Bryan Pride, bpride@tuleyome.org , Tuleyome’s Policy Director.

Stebbins Cold Canyon Workday

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 21:40:36 GMT

Tuleyome was excited to be back in the field at Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve. Volunteers installed a Chronolog station that will help monitor restoration efforts on the Blue Ridge Trail. This station - a post next to the trail that encourages hikers to take a photo - will help UC Reserve System document the changes at the site without large amounts of resources and time dedicated to monitoring. You can be a part of restoration efforts by taking a photo at the station. Thanks to our volunteers who joined us! Photos from the day are available on Flickr . Check out our website for more chances to help Tuleyome maintain trails!

More information about Chronolog can be found on their website . There are currently two cameras at Stebbins - one monitoring big leaf maples and this one on the Blue Ridge Trail . Head to Stebbins and be a part of the restoration efforts!

Welcome Horticultural Interns!

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 20:08:40 GMT

Interns Diego, Ellen, and Rithika on the Rotary Pavilion at the Preserve

Tuleyome is excited to welcome three new Horticultural Interns for Fall 2025! This is our second year offering this internship, where we pair college students with mentors at Woodland Regional Park Preserve to assist with projects including invasive plant removal, native plantings, and native species monitoring.

This year’s cohort includes three UC Davis Environmental Science and Management majors – senior Diego Barraza and sophomores Ellen Jenkins and Rithika Warrier. They will be mentored by longtime Preserve volunteers Jennifer Hogan and Teri Barry. Over the course of the Fall Quarter, the interns will join volunteer crews for work days at the Preserve, providing opportunities for both skill development and networking.

The Preserve, which opened to the public in May 2025, is a restored former landfill site that was developed into nature preserve to provide outdoor education opportunities and to protect the rare and endangered plants found on the site. The Preserve is a collaborative effort by the City of Woodland, Tuleyome, Yolo Habitat Conservancy, Rotary clubs, and other local organizations and volunteers.

If you have any questions about the internship program or Tuleyome’s work at the Preserve, please contact Geoff Benn at gbenn@tuleyome.org.

Policy Corner: The Coordinated Strategy to Sell Our Public Lands + Breaking News

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 20:07:28 GMT

Thank you to everyone who submitted comments on the proposed rescission of the Roadless Rule and the USDA reorganization. We've cycled through several comment periods over the recent months, including the current open comment period for the rescission of the Public Lands Rule . Your voices joined half a million people who participated in the Roadless Rule comment period with 99% of comments supporting protection of our forest by keeping them roadless. This level of engagement shows the administration that we the people are paying attention.

But our work isn’t done. Even though we defeated Senator Lee’s amendment to sell off public lands in the Big Beautiful Bill, the administration is still pursuing that same goal through a more coordinated attack. The mass firing of federal employees, efforts to rescind the Roadless Rule , the Public Lands Rule , and the proposed reorganization of USDA create the conditions necessary for unprecedented extraction from and eventual sale of our public lands.

What we're witnessing isn't a series of isolated policy changes, it's a coordinated strategy with the "Big Beautiful Bill" connecting each attack on our public lands.

The Strategy

The sale of public lands started with DOGE’s mass firing of thousands of experienced Forest Service rangers, BLM land managers, and National Park employees, dedicated public servants who had built expertise from boots-on-the-ground field work to policy development roles. The loss of these public servants also means the elimination of institutional knowledge of what sustainable land management looks like in practice. The administration then moved to make these cuts permanent by closing and selling federal office buildings. The Ukiah BLM office , which manages the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument was initially threatened with closure but was eventually removed from the list.

Removing the land managers was only one part of the plan. The Big Beautiful Bill passed through Congress with devastating budgetary cuts and protocol mandates for public lands and national forests. The bill, now signed into law, mandates destructive logging quotas : 250 million board feet annually from National Forests and 20 million board feet from BLM lands, with annual quota increases through 2034. The bill also requires agencies to award 20-year logging contracts to private companies, locking in extraction commitments through 2046. Logging levels this high haven't been seen since the 1900s.

While the Big Beautiful Bill is now law, agencies cannot implement these logging and extraction mandates unless existing protective regulations, the Roadless Rule and the Public Lands Rule, are rescinded. These rules prevent the Big Beautiful Bill’s quotas from being implemented, which strongly suggests why the administration is moving to eliminate them.

The Roadless Rule has coexisted with national forest logging for 25 years. The Rule protects 58.5 million acres of sensitive forest by preventing new road construction in designated roadless areas, while allowing logging to continue in areas with existing roads. However, the mandatory extraction quotas in the Big Beautiful Bill require access to previously untouched, sensitive areas. Meeting these dramatically increased quotas means building roads through currently protected roadless areas. Rescinding the Roadless Rule is a prerequisite for implementing the Big Beautiful Bill’s mandates.

The Public Lands Rule recognizes conservation as a legitimate form of multiple use alongside grazing, mining, logging and recreation. The Public Lands Rule hasn’t stopped these uses, it requires that these activities be managed sustainably to protect long-term land health. However, the mandatory extraction minimum in the Big Beautiful Bill prioritizes meeting quotas over sustainable management. Rescinding the Public Lands Rule removes the requirement to balance extraction with conservation, making it possible to prioritize extraction regardless of long-term impacts on public lands.

The USDA reorganization completes the strategy by eliminating local expertise, moving California’s forest management out of state. With no local forester position to resist unsustainable quotas or provide expertise about our unique ecosystems, implementation of new extraction protocols becomes inevitable.

The sequence reveals the coordination: eliminate the people who understand sustainable management, pass legislation mandating unprecedented extraction, then remove the regulatory barriers that would prevent implementation.

Why This Matters Now

The Big Beautiful Bill's extraction mandates are already law, but they cannot be implemented while protective rules remain in place. These rules alone make it nearly impossible for the administration to enforce the newly set and unprecedented logging quotas. The protective rules that would prevent devastating extraction practices are under attack. Without these regulatory protections, the already-passed mandates will transform our public lands in ways that may be irreversible.

Help speak for our public lands and take action to protect conservation by signing on to Tuleyome’s petition opposing the rescission of the Public Lands Rule, and/or submit comments directly on the Federal Register , you have until November 10th. For more information on how to participate in the public comment process or other advocacy opportunities, contact Bryan Pride

Breaking News: Federal Government Shutdown

The federal government shut down at 12:01 AM on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. National Parks and public lands will remain open to the public, though each location will vary in the number of staff present. USFS and BLM will have reduced staff at both field offices and regional offices. Some staff will be furloughed, while others may be working without pay. Offices such as the Bureau of Reclamation have the ability to run and operate Lake Berryessa activities for at least two weeks due to their access to discretionary funds, this is not a reality for all agencies.

It is fire season. The Department of Interior and Department of Agriculture both released contingency plans for the lapse in federal funding. Both plans state that personnel directly related to wildfire response will largely be exempt from furloughs. The DOI's plan said National Park Service employees involved in fire suppression or fire monitoring activities will not be furloughed. USDA's plan said that employees who respond to and prepare for wildland fires will not be furloughed. Furloughs will still affect employees who are red-carded, or have wildland fire incident qualifications, but whose wildfire duties are secondary to their primary duties .

During the government shutdown, some services may not be available or will be delayed. With reduced ranger presence on public lands, take extra precautions: don't hike alone, let someone know your plans, and be sure to pack out what you pack in.

Monumental Questions - What is Wild Spotter?

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 20:03:20 GMT

Do you ever come across a suspect species while you’re out enjoying your hike in the stunningly beautiful Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and think, “hmm, if only there was a handy app that I could use to identify and report this suspicious looking species”?

Well, it just so happens that you are in luck!

The United States Forest Service in partnership with universities, several non-profits and other other agencies have recently developed the Wild Spotter app! This app lets you identify, report, map and share invasive species (a non-native animal, plant or other living organism that may outcompete and cause harm to native species, causing environmental or economic damage) observed on public land. Incredibly handy, eh?! The app uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to sort through photos and identify species as invasive/non-native. It also uses GPS to map the species location and population size so it can be located again in the future.

Wild Spotter’s webpage states that focus is to “engage and empower the public to help find, map and prevent invasive species in America’s wilderness areas, wild rivers and other natural areas.” Wild Spotter uses Citizen Science to build a database of invasive species and their location in order to help protect our shared wild spaces.

To begin, register either on their website https://www.wildspotter.org/index.cfm or download the free app and then get yourself outside! While you are hiking keep an eye out for those non-native invaders and start reporting.

Strategic places to look for invasive species include :

Trailheads and trails that get a lot of foot traffic from humans and animals.
Creeks, rivers, and lakes where people boat, fish or swim. Watercraft, even inflatable floaties or fishing equipment may inadvertently transport invasive species in ballast water or in mud carried from one excursion to another.
Campsites and rest areas where people congregate and may bring bikes, dogs or horses that invasive species can catch a ride on. Things like picnic blankets, strollers, and camping equipment can also carry seeds from one location to another.
Historic sites or nature viewing areas where people may stop and wander about. Vegetation or seeds can be transported in pet fur, tread or mud on tires or hiking boots or even in camp chairs and coolers. Some of these places may already have invasive species established that were brought in in the past, keeping an eye on things and keeping them clean helps to curb the spread of invasive species.

And just in case you need a reminder, fall is a great time to hike!

Enjoying Outside! - Hummingbird Migration

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 20:02:16 GMT

I would be willing to bet that most of us have heard about and probably even know some of the details of the Pacific Flyway. Just in case you need a refresher - the Pacific Flyway is one of four major bird migration routes through North America. It stretches 10,000 miles north-south from Alaska to Patagonia and provides essential stopover points for over one billion migrating waterfowl to rest and refuel. Every spring and fall birds follow some or all of this path pursuing food sources and heading to wintering or breeding grounds. There are several locations in our region where the birds either stop for a time or stay all winter including the Vic Fazio Yolo Wildlife Area in the Yolo Bypass, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex in the Northern Central Valley and Suisun Marsh hear the Sacramento/San Joaquin River Delta.

You may have also recently seen social media posts about hundreds of millions of birds migrating through the United States, primarily the Central Plains as migration reached its peak in that region just this past Thursday. It was estimated that 25 million birds were migrating through the Chicago area alone during a single night. During this event, biologists were urging people to turn off their non-essential outdoor lighting to help the birds navigate through the city during the overnight hours. Turning off lights and using special bird friendly film on windows helps to reduce fatal collisions with buildings and windows that are responsible for killing thousands of birds.

Spring and fall migration seems to be pretty well known for those of us here in the Sacramento Valley as our rice fields and wildlife refuges become alive with millions of migrating and wintering waterfowl. Often big grinds of geese can be heard, even during nighttime hours, as they fly overhead and spend their days feeding in flooded rice fields and other wetlands. It’s hard to miss thousands of noisy geese but, did you know that even the tiniest of birds migrate? Yep, even our little hummingbirds join in the migration activities!

Like most migratory bird species, hummingbird migration occurs in the spring when the birds head north to breed and in the fall when the itty bitty birds head back down south to winter in warmer climates. Although those of us lucky enough to live here in the Sacramento Valley have resident species like the Anna’s hummingbird that we get to enjoy watching all year, other species such as the Rufous hummingbird, Calliope hummingbird, Black-chinned hummingbird, Broad-tailed hummingbird and others migrate through California on their way to or from Canada, Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, southern California, Mexico and Central America. It is believed that hummingbirds rely on instinct to know when to begin their northern or southern migration. Changes in daylight, temperature and food availability are also likely part of the trigger to begin the long journey. Beginning in late January/early February, some species begin to migrate north to breed in the southern and western United States from their wintering grounds in Central America or Mexico. Later in the spring as temperatures warm they may head further north. Some species such as the Rufous hummingbird migrate north through California in late winter and spring to breed in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska but returns south to its wintering grounds along the Rocky Mountains. The Calliope hummingbird is the smallest long-distance migratory species and travels through California in the spring and fall. The Black-chinned hummingbird is a medium to long distance traveler and navigates through California’s Central Valley to winter in southern California and Mexico. The Broad-tailed hummingbird breeds in the high sierra from late May to early August and then treks south to Mexico for the winter. Allen’s hummingbirds breed in coastal areas from California to Oregon and winter in southern California and Mexico. Interestingly, there are two subspecies, one of them is migratory and the other does not. Other species that are occasionally but not often observed moving through California include Ruby-throated hummingbird, Violet-crowned hummingbird, Broad-billed hummingbird and the Magnificent hummingbird.

These teensy, migrating birds often fly hundreds to thousands of miles, sometimes over open water or other areas with no available food sources. In order to survive their voyage, hummingbirds must build up significant fat reserves prior to their departure as migrating is a huge energy expense for them. During flight their little hearts beat more than 1,200 times a minute and they complete 50 to 80 wingbeats a second! They can travel up to 23 miles a day, most of it just above treetops or over the water. They feed during the day when nectar sources are more accessible. Ways to help these little guys on their long expedition includes planting native species such as hummingbird sage, monkey flower and manzanita to provide natural sources of nectar as they pass through the area. You can also provide them with an alternate food source such as a hanging hummingbird feeder filled with sugar water. An easy and inexpensive recipe is ½ cup of white sugar dissolved in two cups of water. No boiling is necessary, simply stir and let it set at room temperature until the sugar is fully dissolved in the water - then it’s ready to use. If your feeder has red on it somewhere the little guys will find it, no need to add artificial color to their food.

Fun facts :)

Did you know that hummingbirds play an important role in pollination? Some species of plants, especially those with long, tubular flowers can only be pollinated by hummingbirds.
Hummingbirds migrate alone rather than in large flocks like ducks and geese. Young hummingbirds must find their way on their own (a not so fun fact).
Usually the male birds leave and arrive first

Not so fun fact :(

Hummingbirds, like other pollinators, are declining due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and the spread of invasive plants outcompeting native nectar plants.

To learn more about hummingbird migration and how you can help them check out our friends at the United States Forest Service’s publication https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/pollinators/documents/HummingbirdBrochures/HummingbirdGuideCA.pdf

Science Corner - Non-native Species, Friend or Foe

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 20:01:30 GMT

Admittedly European Starlings ( Sturnus vulgaris ) are pretty cool birds. They are relatively intelligent for possessing a bird brain and can vocally mimic over twenty different bird species including American Robin, Killdeer, Red-tailed hawk, Northern Flicker and Western Meadowlark just to name a few local birds. They can fly at nearly 50 miles giving us those fascinating aerial displays called murmurations and have been wildly successful at crowding out native bird species. You may have heard that they were released into New York’s Central Park in the 1890’s but they were also released in several other states including Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and even Quebec, Canada. It appears to have been the few dozen birds released in Central Park that eventually became successful and today there are an estimated 200 million breeding adult European Starlings in North America - all believed to be descendents of the original few. European Starlings (starlings) are responsible for causing billions of dollars annually to fruit crops such as apples, cherries, figs, grapes, peaches and strawberries as well as transmitting bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens and parasites to livestock as well as decimating their feed. Gathering and roosting in huge flocks, their droppings soil buildings, windows, sidewalks and anything else that happens to be in the way. It can corrode metal if not cleaned off promptly and also can transmit Salmonella and E.coli causing a public health hazard.

Introducing plants and wildlife into a region where they have no natural predators makes their establishment uncomplicated, unchallenged and almost effortless. Just a few other non-native species that became introduced over a short period of time include vegetation such as Japanese knotweed, a dense, rapidly growing plant that crowds out native species and damages drainage systems and buildings by growing through cracks. The list also includes bacteria, fungi and viruses such as West Nile virus and Bird flu (both of these are an ongoing battle), Small Pox (we all know what that did) and Dutch Elm disease, a fungus that killed a majority of the Elm trees in North America in just two short decades. Aggressive insects that have been introduced include the Formosan termite that causes over one billion dollars in damages annually to US homeowners and Murder Hornets, the two inch long jerk that can decimate a honey bee colony in less than two hours (thankfully it is believed that they have been eradicated). The invasive sea lamprey has very nearly wiped out the entire lake trout fishing industry in the Great Lakes. Giant Asian Carp and the Burmese Python have both caused a huge ruckus and extensive environmental damage while ship rats have provided us with both the plague and typhus. Currently here in our region we are fighting a battle with Zebra Mussels, desperately trying to keep them out of waterways where they have not been observed by cleaning and quarantining water craft and equipment.

Globally, invasive species cause over $400 billion in damages annually, most of them occurring in the agricultural industry with an estimated $150 billion in losses here in the United States. Add to that the billions of dollars spent aimed at keeping additional invasive species out of the United States by agencies such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and The Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

Laws have been passed aimed at making it illegal to knowingly import injurious species into the US but some argue that we could be doing more. Island nations such as Australia and New Zealand ban plants and animals unless they appear on an “approved” list while the United States allows them in unless they are on the “banned” list.

It’s not all dismal though. There have been some benefits to introducing non-native species. In 1898 the USDA created an agency called the Office of Plant Introduction that was responsible for collecting, introducing and distributing economically valuable plants and seeds from around the world. The agency ultimately imported over 200,000 useful species of plants to the US and was instrumental in industrializing our agriculture industry. Some of these plants have become major agricultural staples in California and the rest of the United States including fruits and vegetables such as artichokes, avocados, carob, chayote, citrus fruits, dates, lychee, mangos and papaya. Hard red wheat and durum wheat was also brought into the US from Russia and the Ukraine and have become significant grain crops in the US. And, all know the importance of California’s rice industry!

For the record, I have to confess that I don’t hate starlings (but as a biologist maybe I should?). I think their murmurations are enchanting. I think it’s intriguing that they go from having white speckles to being a solid, glossy iridescent dark brown without shedding their feathers (the speckles are white tipped feathers that get worn as the season goes on leaving them a solid dark color). And I think that their charismatic vocal abilities are incredibly charming.

September School Field Trips

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 19:59:03 GMT

Parent chaperones lead students through the “Bird Beaks and Feet” activity

We kicked off the Fall field trip season with a trip to Woodland Regional Park Preserve on September 19 ^th for two classes of 3 ^rd graders from Zamora Elementary School in Woodland. The students completed the Adaptations Trail, which included a nature walk with binoculars, hunting for insects interacting with plants, and learning about how the beaks and feet of birds are adapted to their food sources.

Students were particularly excited to observe a Cooper’s Hawk sitting in a tree overlooking the trail.

Zamora Elementary 3 ^rd graders and parents (left) observing a Cooper’s Hawk (right)

Nature and You Lectures: Native Bees and Exploring the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 19:58:04 GMT

Our September Nature and You lecture was delivered by Woodland Community College Professor Brian Gillespie, who gave an excellent introduction to our local native bees and then discussed research he has been conducting with his students on native bees. The project is a collaborative effort of community colleges across California and Arizona to survey local bee populations – Professor Gillespie and his students surveyed bees on the Woodland Community College Campus and at Woodland Regional Park Preserve as part of the project. If you missed the talk, you can view the recording here .

Our October Nature and You lecture will be an author talk with Marc Hoshovsky and Tuleyome co-founder and advisory board member Bob Schneider. They will be discussing their soon-to-be released book Exploring the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, which they co-authored with Peter Schiffman and Tim Messick. The talk will take place on Zoom at 7pm on October 23 ^rd – click here to register to receive the Zoom link .

Geoff Benn is Tuleyome’s Education Associate. If you have any questions about the Nature and You lecture series, or if you have suggestions of topics or speakers for the series, please contact Geoff at gbenn@tuleyome.org.

Youth Boot Bank news – Junior Boot Bank gets a new look + office hours

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 19:57:02 GMT

As you may know, Tuleyome has the Senior and Junior Boot Banks. Senior, an antique milk truck donated to us by Alan Brattesani, is having some trouble getting around these days. So, apart from some special events, Senior spends his time at Woodland Regional Park Preserve, with Junior serving as our roving ambassador, traveling to events from Duck Days to trail building and camping trips. But Junior has not had our look, until now that is! Thanks to some generous supporters, he’s got a similar wrap of his own!

The Youth Boot Bank provides free 6-month loans of hiking boots to kids up to age 18. We also have a library of camping gear that is available for participants on Tuleyome camping trips and to other local organizations that are hosting camping trips. The program originally operated out of the Senior Boot Bank and was founded by former Tuleyome Board Member Steve Drown and Davis Boy Scout Troop 111. The program is now managed by Tuleyome staff and operates out of our Woodland office.

Our Youth Boot Bank office hours take place on the first Wednesday of each month, from 2:30 – 5:30pm at the Tuleyome office in Woodland (622 Main Street). Our next office hours will be on October 1 ^st and November 5 ^th – stop by if you’d like to borrow some boots, return boots, make a donation, or say hi!

Geoff Benn is Tuleyome’s Education Associate. If you have any questions about the Youth Boot Bank program, please contact Geoff at gbenn@tuleyome.org.

New Game Camera Videos!

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 19:55:52 GMT

Our latest game camera footage from Woodland Regional Park Preserve is now available on Tuleyome’s YouTube channel, featuring clips of opossums, raccoons, jackrabbits, and even some 3 ^rd graders from a recent field trip. We posted two sets of footage – one from under the Rotary Pavilion and one looking into the cattails south of the Rotary Pavilion. Enjoy!

If you have any questions about the game cameras, please contact Geoff Benn at gbenn@tuleyome.org.

Trump Attacks Public Lands, Again

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 19:51:40 GMT

For Immediate Release: September 11, 2025

Contact: Nate Lillge, 530-379-8697, nlillge@tuleyome.org

Trump Attacks Public Lands, Again

Trump Proposes to Eliminate Public Lands Protections through Executive Action

Woodland, CA – Yesterday, the Administration furthered their attack on America's public lands by directing the elimination of the Public Lands Rule . This is another step in the Administration’s wholesale assault on our public lands in clear opposition to the will of the people.

The Public Lands Rule protects our treasured, multi-use landscapes so they'll be there tomorrow. The Rule recognizes that conservation is a type of land use, along with grazing, timber production, energy development, and recreation. Built on decades of management experience and guided by science and data, the rule provides land managers with essential tools to maintain our public lands, ensure access and protect our resources while supporting the diverse ways that communities depend on public lands.

"The Public Lands Rule improves the management of our public lands, empowering the Bureau of Land Management to focus management on the needs of the lands where they work," says Sandra Schubert, Tuleyome Executive Director. "Rescinding the Public Lands Rule will rip authority from local land managers to place it in the hands of D.C. bureaucrats whose main goal is to sell our public lands to the highest bidder. All this in opposition to the overwhelming support for our public lands and their protection."

By removing the Public Lands Rule, the Administration is failing ranchers and rural communities. Decision after decision made by this Administration has focused on short-term profit, extraction, and selling public lands to private entities. Supporting rural communities, the backbone of our economy and food systems, means ensuring farmers and ranchers have healthy lands they can depend on. It means empowering local BLM managers who understand what their communities need to thrive and provide for the American people. Overused lands don't recover. Degraded grasslands can't support cattle. Clearcut forests take decades to regrow. Contaminated watersheds poison communities for generations. True support for rural communities means embracing the Public Lands Rule.

That is exactly why the American people want and support the Public Lands Rule. The Rule has overwhelming support. When given the chance to comment on the Public Lands Rule, more than 150,000 Americans did – 92% in support. When ranchers, recreationists, and resource companies all depend on the same lands, we recognize that we must use them responsibly to ensure they stay productive for everyone.

The choice is clear: Protect our public lands for current and future generations, or consume everything now and leave nothing behind. Without the Public Lands Rule, our cherished landscapes lose protection and one of our greatest treasures, our public lands, is at risk.

Celebrating 10 Years Wild - Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 19:44:15 GMT

On July 10, 2025, we gathered to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument with the people who worked to establish the Monument in 2015 and add Molok Luyuk to it in 2024.

We gathered in Lake County. The event began at the Tallman Hotel with folks gathering, speakers, trivia, food, videos, celebration and music by the Rural Jazz Project. We had folks from throughout the region – the Bay Area to Chico, Ukiah to Sacramento…. We had our partners at the Bureau of Land Management, local government representatives and all aspects of our broad coalition – conservationists, scientists, hunters, hikers, and community members, and more. The presentations and speakers were amazing. Tuleyome put together a reel of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument highlights .

I was privileged to emcee the event and welcome our speakers and guests. We were honored to have Tribal leadership. Michael Marcks, Vice Chairperson, Executive Council, Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake graced us with opening prayer. Vice Chairman Michael Marcks was joined in providing remarks by Vice Chair Eddie Crandell, Vice Chairman for the Robinson Rancheria of Pomo Indians and Lake County Supervisor . Gail Totton, Tribal Resources Manager for the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation , the lead for the addition of Molok Luyuk to the Monument, shared their thoughts on the anniversary and Molok Luyuk.

U.S. Senator Alex Padilla spoke to us via video and emphasized the importance of our efforts and our public lands. Luca Moretti read a statement on behalf of Representative Mike Thompson , a legendary champion of public lands, who commended us all and provided Tuleyome with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition . We were surprised and flattered with the honor bestowed upon us. Representative Jared Huffman, Ranking Member of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources , also spoke to us about his efforts to defend our public lands.

Our state and local representatives also joined us. Rhiannon Philippi delivered remarks for California Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire. California Senator Christopher Cabaldon spoke to us via video and Sergio Emmanuel Ildefonso Zarate on his staff celebrated with us. Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry led a legislative resolution supporting the Monument, which was read by Laura Beltran . Many of our local Supervisors also celebrated with us. Brad Ramussen, Lake County Board of Supervisors , shared his insights. Lucas Frerichs, Yolo County Board of Supervisors , spoke to us and sponsored a Yolo County Board of Supervisor's resolution that was read by Bryan Pride, Tuleyome’s Policy Director .

Neal Craig, BLM, Ukiah Field Office Manager , and our partners in protecting this amazing area, joined us and spoke to our collaboration.

Interspersed with our speakers, Sara Husby, Tuleyome’s Executive Director when the Monument was established, led us in a series of trivia questions penned by Tuleyome’s own Kristie Ehrhardt. The depth of knowledge of our coalition shone through. And, it was fun. We hope folks enjoyed the prizes.

Closing out the event were leaders in the conservation movement. José Gonzalez, founder and emeritus Executive Director of Latino Outdoors , offered his insights on the importance of public lands to all of our communities. Bob Schneider and Andrew Fulks , Tuleyome Co-founders and Tuleyome Advisory Council Members, shared the history of the movement and some stories, bringing us full circle, from the time when the idea of a Monument was a spark in their eyes to the establishment and expansion of the Monument.

After the event at the Tallman, many of us headed to Middle Creek Campground, a few miles away for some nighttime fun. There was a nature walk with botany, forest bathing, star gazing, owling, s’mores, camping and laughter. I learned new ways of making s’mores, including a toasted marshmallow with a mini peanut butter cup tucked inside. Delicious!

And, as a reminder of how wonderful our coalition is, there was an animal rescue.

The morning after the event, many of us went to Judy’s Junction in Upper lake for breakfast. When I arrived with my mom, who had joined us, we saw numerous people under the hood of Jora’s car – Nick, Brendan, Karah, Isobel, Jora and a pair of legs sticking out from under the vehicle that I did not recognize. They were searching for a kitty that had lodged itself in Jora’s engine area. After much hullabaloo, the kitty ran – fast. We all thought – no, not over the highway! But, the little scamp jumped into another newly parked car engine. The chivalrous owner opened his hood and let us at it. I didn’t do much. I offered my shirt as a barrier to the hot engine. The heroes were the others. Folks from inside the diner pitched in, but it was our coalition to the rescue – the folks above and then Kim showed up. I’m not sure how, after all the time and efforts, but she was finally able to reach in and rescue the kitty. I saw her pull the little ebony guy out, hug him and rub her face against his. And I knew – he was no longer abandoned; he had a forever home. And, I was right, the little guy is now living with Kim and her family.

I didn’t need the confirmation, but watching our group spend a couple of hours rescuing that little creature reminded me why I love this community. We care – all of us – about the life, the place and the creatures we live with. All of them. Big and small.

None of this would have been possible without our generous sponsors: CalWild, Conservation Lands Foundation, Defenders of Wildlife, Sierra Club National, Sierra Club Redwood Chapter, Tallman Hotel and Tuleyome. Thank you so much for your continuing support of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and all of our public lands.

And thanks to all of you – everyone at the celebration, those who could not join us, and the kitty rescue team. You are what community is. I am honored to be part of ours.

-Sandra Schubert
Executive Director

Welcome Mary! Tuleyome's Communications Intern!

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 19:44:12 GMT

Tuleyome is excited to welcome Mary Lamborn as our Communications Intern. She will working closely with Tuleyome staff to increase Tuleyome's outreach and positive impact on public lands in the northern Inner Coast Range Mountains and western Sacramento Valley.

Mary is a recent graduate of UC Davis with a B.S. in Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning. As a native of the northern Inner Coast Range, she has deep ties to the region and spent time on the trails and waterways in Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.

Welcome, Mary!

Policy Corner: USDA Reorganization and What It Means for California

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 19:44:07 GMT

What is the USDA Reorganization?

On July 24, 2025, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a sweeping reorganization eliminating all nine Forest Service regional offices nationwide and consolidating USDA operations into five regional hubs in North Carolina, Missouri, Indiana, Colorado, and Utah. For California, the closest hub managing the state's agriculture will be Salt Lake City, Utah and forest resources will be Fort Collins, Colorado, over 500 miles from the California communities that depend on these services.

This reorganization comes at a terrible time. California has already lost substantial expertise and workforce even before this reorganization: Agricultural Research Service sites have lost 10-50% of their scientists , over 4,500 Forest Service firefighting positions remain vacant nationwide and 15,364 USDA employees have already taken voluntary resignation offers .

Rather than addressing these vacancies and strengthening support for California’s communities, this reorganization will exacerbate the loss of expertise and local knowledge that our communities depend on.

Agricultural Impacts: Abandoning America's Food Producer

Despite producing $59.46 billion in sales annually and growing 70% of the nation's fruits and vegetables , under the reorganizing plan, California will no longer have a regional hub. The reorganization consolidates critical agricultural services away from California, including research, conservation assistance, and extension services. The scale of what's at risk cannot be overstated. California's agricultural sector employs more than 420,000 people and generates more than 400 commodities. Rural farming communities that depend on technical assistance from USDA offices are at risk of losing essential support. Centralizing these services in distant states creates response delays during critical planting, harvest, or emergency situations, which ultimately hurts farmers and weakens California’s food systems. This reorganization is part of a broader pattern of the current Administration’s policies that are harming farmers across the country.

Research Station Consolidation: Losing Irreplaceable Expertise

The reorganization eliminates California's Region 5 Forest Service research office , a facility studying Mediterranean climate and chaparral ecosystems that oversees 18 national forests covering 20 million acres. This research directly informs wildfire management and climate adaptation strategies for California's unique environment, yet it will be consolidated to Fort Collins, Colorado.

This comes as California has already lost substantial research capacity. When experienced researchers leave, they take irreplaceable knowledge about California's fire behavior, drought adaptation, and ecosystem recovery, expertise that cannot be replaced by Colorado-based staff unfamiliar with Mediterranean climates. Colorado’s cold, dry continental climate with snowy winters holds no resemblance to California’s Mediterranean climate of wet winters and dry summers. The climate differences mean that Colorado-based researchers cannot understand the unique fire patterns, drought cycles and ecosystem management challenges that define California's forests and agriculture systems.

The partnership between California universities and USDA research stations created the innovation pipeline that made California agriculture globally competitive. Graduate students conducted fieldwork at research stations, faculty collaborated on applied research, and findings flowed directly to farmers. Moving research to Colorado breaks this pipeline entirely, just when California faces its most complex agricultural and climate challenges.

The Locality Pay Problem: Devaluing Public Service

USDA justifies hub locations partly on lower federal locality pay rates , prioritizing cost savings over mission effectiveness. However, if this rationale is an influential factor, Fresno, California would be a top contender for an agriculture hub because Fresno’s locality pay is 17.65% which is nearly identical to that of Salt Lake City, which is 17.06% and is a lower locality pay than Fort Collins, Indianapolis and Raleigh. This makes Fresno an obvious choice for a western hub if cost savings truly drove the decision making.

Federal agencies already struggle with recruitment and retention. Using lower locality pay further undermines efforts to attract qualified professionals by reducing compensation competitiveness, damaging employee morale, and creating retention problems.

California's federal employees possess decades of experience managing complex fire seasons, diverse agricultural systems, and unique ecosystems. This expertise requires years to develop and cannot be easily replaced. Effective management requires attracting and retaining qualified professionals who understand local conditions, not relocating operations based solely on salary savings.

What We're Really Losing

California faces unique wildfire and climate challenges that require specialized knowledge. The reorganization dismantles the infrastructure that allows federal expertise to reach the communities who need it.

Secretary Rollins says the reorganization will bring services "closer to its customers," but for California farmers and forest communities, the closest hub will be hundreds of miles away. The promise of improved efficiency rings hollow when similar relocations have consistently resulted in massive knowledge loss and service disruptions.

Rather than building agencies back up, this reorganization dismantles the infrastructure that allows federal expertise to reach the communities who need it. California produces more agricultural revenue than most entire regions of the country, yet this reorganization treats California as an afterthought.

Thank you to everyone who submitted comments during the initial public comment period and exercised your voice about agencies established to serve the California public. We have recently learned that USDA has decided to reopen the comment period through September 30th, you still have time to submit comments . Tuleyome will continue monitoring this issue and providing updates as more information becomes available.

Monumental Questions - Monumental Oaks

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 19:44:01 GMT

California is host to over twenty native oak species and you can find at least five of those species within the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument (the Monument). In fact, you can find all five of those species on the short five mile Frog Pond hike!

California’s native oak species fall into three categories; Red Oaks, White Oaks and Golden Cup (also called intermediate) Oaks. The Red and White oaks are categorized as such based on the color of their wood. The Red Oak group includes Black Oaks (probably best known for its stunning fall foliage), Interior Live Oak and Coastal Live Oaks, both of which are evergreen. The White Oak group includes the nation’s largest oak - the Valley Oak, the Blue Oak - California’s most numerous oak species, Oregon Oak as well as two shrub species the Leather Oak and Scrub Oak. Both of these shrub species occur in Chaparral habitat which is found throughout the Monument but Leather Oaks occur exclusively on serpentine soils (also found within the Monument!). Golden Cup Oaks include Canyon Live Oaks and Huckleberry Oaks. Canyon Live Oak and Interior Live Oak ranges do overlap but Canyon Live Oaks can be identified by the golden hairs on the undersides of their leaves and Huckleberry Oaks are found in the Sierra Nevada.

Water is necessary for normal cellular structure and function (like when you forget to water the plant outside your front door during a heat spell and it wilts dramatically). Water is also necessary to transport minerals such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium from the soil to the leaves. Living in our region of California, we don’t typically deal with sub-zero temperatures or persistent snow but we do have relatively long, hot and very dry summers with very little to no rain. As a result, our native oak trees have developed response strategies related to drought conditions that help them not only survive but even thrive here.

One strategy is to avoid drought altogether. That sounds difficult as trees can’t migrate when conditions become inhospitable so how does that work? Species such as the Valley Oak only occur where there is a fairly high water table like river banks and along creeks which essentially provides a dependable water source all year. One of the first structures to emerge from a Valley Oak acorn is the prominent taproot (the predominant main root that grows downward toward a water source). Another strategy for surviving drought is to evade it. Again… how? Species like the Interior and Coast Live Oaks are evergreen meaning they do not lose their leaves in the fall which in turn allows them to photosynthesize all year round. A third strategy is to simply tolerate drought. Blue Oaks do indeed appear blue because of the waxy coating on their leaves that increases their water use efficiency. Blue Oaks are also drought deciduous which means they may shed their leaves during drought conditions to help avoid losing water through their leaves.

Oaks and fire

Fire is a natural and cultural part of the California ecosystem. Most of the Monument’s native oak species are relatively fire tolerant. Native Americans have historically and currently still use fire as a way to manage their wild lands. A relatively fast moving grass fire may singe the bark and leaves but leave no significant damage. If the fire is more intense and the tree canopy is destroyed, our oaks have developed strategies to survive. The first strategy is to regrow from seed (acorn). Birds and small mammals have become survival partners with our oak trees by caching acorns. Acorns that are buried just two inches under the surface may survive the fire and if the critter forgets where it is or just doesn’t come back for it, that seed may sprout and eventually replace the burned tree. One disadvantage of this method is that acorns do not last very long in the ground. A Blue Oak acorn will typically germinate as soon as it gets wet while other species can last one to two years in the ground. Another strategy is that if the bark is burned but the inside of the tree remains intact, the tree can continue to grow and replace the leaves and bark lost to the flames. If the fire is more severe and burns the entire above ground part of the tree but the root system remains intact, oaks are able to resprout from the root crown. One incredibly “monumental” advantage of this is that the newly sprouted tree is already attached to an established root system. All California oaks are able to resprout from the root crown when they are young but Interior and Coast Live Oaks remain excellent root sprouters as they age. If the tree is damaged above ground by fire or even if it has been cut down, they are able to resprout. Keep an eye out for them on your next hike in the Monument, they’ll look like a smaller multi-trunk tree.

If you’d like to learn more about the Monument’s and California’s native oak species please check out my esteemed colleague, Dr. Geoff Benn’s Nature and You lecture on Youtube here .

Next time you’re hiking in the Monument keep an eye out for all five of the enchanting native oaks that call it home and impress your hiking buddies with your knowledge of them!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Enjoying Outside - Safe Summer Hiking

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 19:43:57 GMT

Technology and fast-paced living are part of our everyday world, but spending time in nature can help neutralize the tension and flurry that has become commonplace for us. Heading outdoors, even during the heat of summer, is not only possible but with a little preparation it can be safe, enjoyable, and fulfilling. Although the summer is coming to a close, temperatures can still be high. Here are some tips to stay safe while hiking in high temperatures.

Keep an eye on the weather.

We are all painfully aware that our region gets HOT during the summer months and although the forecast doesn’t really change all that much, in certain areas it can fluctuate more than at your house so keeping an eye on the weather where you’re headed is important.

Head out early to take full advantage of the cooler morning hours. Being at the trailhead at sunrise not only avoids some of the heat of the day, but it will likely also avoid crowded parking situations and traffic jams on the trail.

Some areas in our region may experience more wind than others and when the wind is from the north it is typically hot and dry which can rapidly increase the risk of dehydration while hiking. Along with the gusty north winds come “fire weather” which is often indicated by a Red Flag Warning, meaning that there is an increased risk for fire danger because of high temperatures, low humidity and strong winds. If you smell smoke while you’re hiking, it's always best to immediately evacuate the area. Failing to leave not only puts you at risk, but it also puts emergency personnel that may have to come to your aid at risk as well.

Stay hydrated and fuel up

Carry and drink plenty of water during your hike, in fact, bring more than you think you’ll need. A good rule of thumb is to drink a half to a full liter of water every hour depending on the temperature and your level of exertion. Be sure to drink often, sipping water helps you maintain hydration much better than chugging a bunch of water once or twice during your hike. You’ll feel a lot better too. If you get distracted by the scenery and forget to sip, set a timer to remind you to take a drink about every 20 minutes. If it’s really hot or you’ll be working really hard, pre-hydrate. Drink about 16 ounces of water two hours before you hit the trail.

Remember to bring some snacks even if you’re not planning on being out on the trail all day. Finding the perfect spot to sit and journal or sketch for a while, unexpected difficult terrain or even possibly an injury or getting lost can keep you out on the trail longer than expected and having extra food with you not only keeps your energy up but also your morale. Perspiring causes your body to lose not only water but also electrolytes so packing snacks with a little extra sodium and potassium can also help keep you happy and feeling well. A quick way to replenish electrolytes is to drink a sports or recovery drink.

Know your limits

Pay attention to your body and any aches and pains you may be experiencing. Consider fatigue, strained muscles, a cranky ankle or even blisters and how those will make you feel if you continue hiking. The trek out may be downhill, but it’ll be hotter than when you started. Turn back or head out before your water supply is half gone and don’t hike beyond your ability.

Hiking is more fun with company. Having others with you to share the joy and experiences of the day is fabulous but having friends with you also lets you check on one another and, if necessary, help with important decisions should there be an injury or a need to call for help. Tuleyome, the Sierra Club and other “meet up” groups often offer group hikes where you can learn the terrain and meet fellow hikers.

Make a Plan and Be Prepared

Check the weather forecast and trail conditions before you go and bring appropriate clothing. Be sure to let someone know where you are heading and about how long you expect to be gone, especially if you are hiking alone. There’s a good possibility that your cell phone may not have service on the trail so attaching a whistle to your pack should you need to call for help is a smart idea. Stay on the trail to help avoid things like poison oak and ticks and keep in mind that snakes may also be out enjoying the day. If you encounter one, please just allow it to pass, it doesn’t want to engage with you either. Wear sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat or get a backpack umbrella to attach to your pack to ensure that you’ll always have shade. Sunscreen is an absolute must and should be reapplied often, especially after swimming or excessive sweating.

Getting a sunburn is not only miserable and risky, but it can also add to the risk of dehydration. Some essential items to pack include a headlamp or flashlight, a knife or multipurpose tool, and a first aid kit that includes duct tape and super glue. Bonus points for taking a first aid course before hiking season, especially if you like to hike alone. If you’re hiking with your canine pal, please be sure to take notice of their physical ability and demeanor. Dogs heat up and cool down differently than people and outdoor activity during the heat of the day can be extremely uncomfortable or even dangerous for them. Heatstroke can be life threatening to a dog and breaks with extra water and shade are essential for them; don’t base their health level on how you’re feeling.

Hiking can be done safely in our region any time of year. Some forethought and precautions can help avoid unnecessary calls to our first responders and help you enjoy the outdoors.

And as always - if you pack it in, pack it out!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Science Corner - California's Biodiversity!

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 19:43:52 GMT

The term biodiversity refers to the medley of life on Earth. California is one of only 36 global regions that are so incredibly biologically rich and ecologically significant that they are called biological hotspots. A biological hotspot is defined as an area containing exceptional concentrations of endemic (found nowhere else on Earth) plants and wildlife species that are experiencing profound rates of loss. Combined, the 36 identified biodiversity hotspots encompass only three percent of the entire Earth’s surface.

If I’m being shamefully honest, from time to time when I think about California I picture the construction on Highway 50, Sacramento International Airport or Disneyland. But get out of suburbia and you can’t help but appreciate the ecological treasure that California is. We have high and low deserts, we have mountain tops that were once on the ocean floor, some that were shaped by glaciers and one volcano that erupted as recently as the early 1900’s. We have fertile farmland, grasslands, oak woodlands and conifer forests. Our coast lines range from rocky with harsh waves to soft, sandy beaches. We host the lowest elevation (which coincidentally also happens to be the hottest place on the Earth) and the highest elevation - both within the contiguous 48 states. California is home to the most massive trees, the tallest trees and the oldest trees in the world. We boast stunning wildflower displays and vernal pools with flora and fauna found nowhere else on Earth. I could go on and on…

Now, think of the diverse ecosystems found in these regions. Think about what organisms they support from microscopic bacteria and fungi to Black Bears and Northern Elephant Seals and everything in between. California not only has the highest number of species of any state in the US but it also has the highest number of endemic (those only occurring here) species of all the United States. We have over 1,000 species of native vertebrates with 65% of those being found only in California, over 6,500 species of plants with over 2,000 species endemic to California, 52 species of cone bearing trees with 14 of those being endemic and 30,000 species of insects with over 1,600 species of native bees which are exceptionally important to our agricultural industry. California is the epitome of BIODIVERSITY.

A bit more bragging on California - our great state also supports over 30% of all the plant and vertebrate species in all of the United States but sadly, roughly 30% of our species are threatened by extinction. California 30x30, a statewide initiative to conserve 30% of California’s lands and waters by the year 2030. You can also help celebrate California’s biodiversity by participating in California Biodiversity Day on September 7, 2025. But! The party doesn’t stop there, you can participate in events the entire week of September 6 through the 14th. Click here to find a list of events, including Tuleyome’s Bio Blitz for the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument! You don’t have to travel to celebrate though, you can go look for spiders in your backyard or birds in a nearby park. Each of your observations and photos entered into iNaturalist helps enrich the database for the 30x30 initiative!

Also, just in case you were wondering…

The high deserts of California include the Mojave with its iconic Joshua Trees and the Great Basin which gets most of its precipitation from snow. High deserts are characterized by cold nights and hot and windy days.
California’s low desert is the Sonoran desert which is hot, receives monsoonal moisture and is characterized by the presence of the saguaro cacti.
Snow Mountain was once a mid-ocean seamount (an underwater volcano). As tectonic plates moved around, one slid under the other (subduction) and the seamount was buried. Later tectonic forces brought the volcano back to the surface which is what we know today as the “island in the sky”.
Lassen Peak was the most recent volcanic eruption to occur in California from 1914-1917.
There are others but perhaps one the most notorious (or maybe it’s just my favorite) mountains displaying glacial erosion is Half Dome in Yosemite National Park.
Death Valley is not only the hottest place on Earth, it also has the distinct honor of being the hottest, driest and lowest (282 feet below sea level) place in North America. Who’s up for a road trip? It’s actually an extremely special place and you should visit but please research and plan ahead!
Mount Whitney is the highest peak in the continental United States at 14,505 feet above sea level.
The most massive trees in the world are the Giant Sequoias
The tallest trees in the world are the Coastal Redwoods
The oldest trees in the world are the Bistlecone Pines

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Donor Spotlight - Amy Boyer

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 19:43:45 GMT

In the before-Tuleyome days, Andrew Fulks and Sam Bledsoe were leading hikes in the area, and I went on a few of those. Then Andrew and several other co-conspirators founded Tuleyome, which started hosting Andrew's Yolohiker.org web page, and thus I followed the virtual trail to Tuleyome.

I started donating to Tuleyome because I was thinking about my donations in terms of climate change and local action. Land protection is critical both for slowing down climate change, by protecting those natural carbon sinks, and for making adaptation possible, by keeping the landscape healthy. Tuleyome is incredibly effective at getting land protected.

I really appreciate how committed Tuleyome is to environmental education and getting people to understand their home place and be able to enjoy it, especially groups that historically have had less access. They're also committed to working with all kinds of groups that appreciate the outdoors; they're inclusive.

I want my donations to contribute to organizational stability. Most grants have a lot of restrictions, and funders often want the next new thing. But organizations like Tuleyome also need money to maintain what they've built and just keep the lights on. Individual donations make it possible for Tuleyome to keep going.

The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument just wouldn't exist without Tuleyome. They led the campaign to get it designated, and they kept at it for years. Then they led the campaign to get that wonderful ridge, Molok Luyuk, added to it. And now they are working on good stewardship of this place that has such amazing biodiversity.

Earth Gives 2025

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 19:43:32 GMT

We are excited to share that Tuleyome has joined Earth Gives 2025, the only nationwide campaign dedicated solely to supporting nonprofits working on the environment, climate, wildlife, and renewable energy. From September 5 to October 7, organizations like ours will be raising our voices together to inspire giving, volunteering, and action for a more sustainable and just future.

Every day, our team works to rally support to protect and steward our public lands in the northern Inner Coast Range Mountains and western Sacramento Valley. But here’s the reality: only 2% ofall charitable giving in the U.S. goes to environmental work. At the same time, individual donors represent the largest share of philanthropy—64% of total giving nationwide. Earth Gives 2025 is designed to tap that audience, not only by inviting more people to shift some of their giving, but also by engaging them to invest their time and talents in solutions.

There is reason for hope. Research from Yale Program on Climate Change Communication and the Center for Climate Change Communication at the George Mason University shows that 26% of Americans are Alarmed about climate change, and another 28% are Concerned. That means more than half of the country is already leaning in—and Earth Gives offers a way to turn that concern into community.

You can participate and support Tuleyome via our Earth Gives page or by clicking the "DONATE TODAY" button at the top of this page. Together, we can grow support for solutions that matter.

We dream ... We act ... Together we get things done!

Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument BioBlitz

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 19:43:28 GMT

Celebrate Biodiversity Week by Participating in Tuleyome’s BioBlitz at the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument!

Help Tuleyome celebrate California Biodiversity Week by participating in our Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument BioBlitz!

What is a BioBlitz you ask? Simply put, we are aiming to identify as many different species of plants and wildlife as possible during the week of September 6 through September 14, 2025 within the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument (Monument). You can help the Bureau of Land Management, the US Forest Service, Tuleyome and your fellow biodiversity enthusiasts by adding your “Monumental” observations to iNaturalist. To participate all you need to do is download the iNaturalist app, create an account and then take a drive out to the Monument and then upload all of your amazing observations. Please be aware that temperatures in the Monument can get very warm and cell service is spotty and non-existant in some locations.

If you have any questions or would like advice on where to go in the Monument please contact Nate ( nlillge@tuleyome.org)

Nature and You Lectures: Wildlife Tracking and Native Bees

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 19:43:15 GMT

Photo by Roy Arthur Blodgett

Our August Nature and You Lecture was presented by Roy Arthur Blodgett who gave a fascinating introduction to wildlife tracking. Have you ever wondered how to tell the difference between the tracks of wild cats (e.g. bobcats and mountain lions) and wild canines (e.g. coyotes) or how to tell the difference between coyote and domestic dog tracks? Watch the recording to find out!

Photo by Brian Gillespie

Our September Nature and You lecture will be presented by Woodland Community College Professor Brian Gillespie, who will discuss native bees and the research that he has been conducting on native bees with his students at Woodland Regional Park Preserve. The lecture will take place on Zoom at 7pm on September 25 ^th – click here for more information and to register to receive the link.

Geoff Benn is Tuleyome's Education Associate. Please reach out at gbenn@tuleyome.org if you have any questions about the lecture series or if you have suggestions for speakers or topics.

Youth Boot Bank Office Hours

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 19:43:10 GMT

Our Youth Boot Bank office hours take place on the first Wednesday of each month, from 2:30 – 5:30pm at the Tuleyome office in Woodland (622 Main Street). Our next office hours will be on October 1 ^st and November 5th – stop by if you’d like to borrow some boots, return boots, make a donation, or say hi!

Geoff Benn is Tuleyome’s Education Associate. If you have any questions about the Youth Boot Bank program, please contact Geoff at gbenn@tuleyome.org.

Game Cameras: Otters of August

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 19:43:00 GMT

Screenshot from the new Otters of August video

It’s been another fun month for game cameras at Conaway Ranch! In our latest batch of footage, we had so many great clips of river otters, we decided to do a dedicated video just for them ! Be sure to have the sound on to hear one of them chirping towards the end of the video.

In addition to otters, we also saw beaver, a grey fox, skunks, raccoons, pond turtles, and more! You can check out the full video here .

Screenshot from our second August game camera video

Tuleyome works with Conaway Preservation Group to offer educational programs at Conaway Ranch, including programs for K-12 groups and the general public.

Geoff Benn is Tuleyome’s Education Associate. If you have any questions or comments about the game camera videos, please contact Geoff at gbenn@tuleyome.org.

Women's Equality Day 2025 - Jennifer Onufer

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 16:05:11 GMT

The 19th Amendment to the Constitution - granting women the right to vote - was certified on August 26, 1920. In commemoration of this, in 1973 Congress designated August 26 as "Women's Equality Day" to remind us of the heroic women who advanced the Women's Suffrage movement. In recognition of Women's Equality Day, Tuleyome is highlight two women who are dedicated to our public lands: Jennifer Onufer (Bureau of Reclamation), Kay-Leigh Barnitz (Bureau of Land Management), and Laura Leidner (US Forest Service). Hear about Jennifer's journey below and learn about Kay-Leigh here and Laura here .

Thank you, Jennifer, for your passion and dedication to our public lands!

I accepted a lateral transfer to the Bureau of Reclamation at Lake Berryessa after working 10 years with the National Park Service. Seven of those years were at Grand Canyon National Park. Working for Reclamation was never my dream however, I always respected that the agency’s mission to deliver water and power benefited a variety of people from diverse walks of life.

As a child, I visited National Parks with my family and became enamored with how uniformed National Park Service staff would perform a variety of duties like staffing a visitor center, cutting grass, or demonstrating how to fire a Revolutionary War Cannon (with or without making it clear that the cannon wasn’t about to take my arms off!). I liked the diversity of tasks in this line of work.

I started work at Lake Berryessa in July 2015 as a GS 09 Park Ranger and eventually became the sites’ Supervisory Park Ranger in 2018. I maxed out the available Park Ranger Series positions at Berryessa and took a position with the National Park Service at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park in 2022 before earning enough time in grade to qualify, compete, and earn a chance to serve as Lake Berryessa’s Park Manager in January 2024.

My predecessor, Margaret Baily [has inspired me]. I always appreciated being able to discuss and troubleshoot ongoing topics with her.

While a Park Ranger at Grand Canyon, we received a grant from the National Park Foundation to create the Grand Canyon Active Trails program to promote trail use among local residents. This project became a great outdoor laboratory for trying new outdoor hikes, walks, and bike rides. My most rewarding program was a walk of an old South Rim burn area that took people through the timeline of that incident, its causes, the challenges, and its conclusion. It was the last hike I had the privilege of leading at Grand Canyon before transferring to Berryessa.

2020 was a very rough year professionally, and personally. If I had to go back and do it again, I’d have placed more of a priority on my family.

What advice would you give young women starting their career: It’s convoluted, but I have to regularly remember to “forget to say I can’t” as often as possible.

Women's Equality Day 2025 - Kay-Leigh Barnitz

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 16:05:08 GMT

The 19th Amendment to the Constitution - granting women the right to vote - was certified on August 26, 1920. In commemoration of this, in 1973 Congress designated August 26 as "Women's Equality Day" to remind us of the heroic women who advanced the Women's Suffrage movement. In recognition of Women's Equality Day, Tuleyome is highlighting three women who are dedicated to our public lands: Kay-Leigh Barnitz (Bureau of Land Management), Jennifer Onufer (Bureau of Reclamation), and Laura Leidner (US Forest Service). Hear about Kay-Leigh's journey below and learn about Jennifer here and Laura here .

Thank you, Kay-Leigh, for your passion and dedication to our public lands!

I received my Bachelor of Science degree from New Mexico State University. My focus area was wildlife habitat management, rangeland science and I minored in biology. Prior to graduation I was offered a Direct Hire Authority – Resource Assistance Internship (DHA-RAI) from the BLM Las Cruces District Office. This internship lasted 3 months and awarded me non-competitive hiring status with the Department of the Interior. When I graduated, I had already been offered a job with the Ukiah Field Office as a wildlife biologist.

I started with the BLM in Las Cruces New Mexico as an “Environmental Reclamation Specialist” which was just a fancy title for picking up illegal trash dump sites. It wasn’t much but it was an opportunity to get my foot in the door. I took pride in cleaning up public lands, and I believe that showed. Shortly thereafter I was offered a job on a contract with the New Mexico Associate of Conservation Districts as a Technical Assistant for the BLM LCDO and I worked there for 3 years as a part time employee while going to school. I was able to help with all Natural Resources work in the office and in the field including grazing bills, grazing allotment inspections, endangered species conservation, and more. This position gave me a great interdisciplinary background and set me up for success later in my career.

My grandfather was a Forest Service Ranger and my uncle was a wildlife biologist for the BLM. I always knew I wanted to be a wildlife biologist, but I wasn’t sure how to make it happen and I didn’t much mind what agency. The DHA-RAI program allowed me the opportunity to pursue a position with the BLM.

My childhood was spent outside. We ran to the hills to escape the modern conveniences of society and connect with the landscape and public lands. My dad, brothers and I spent many Sundays at “church” in the mountains. My family has always been connected to public lands and once I realized I could make a hobby or passion of mine a career, I followed the paths to make that a reality.

My grandfather, my uncle and my father are my biggest inspirations. They have worked harder than anyone I’ve met to do the right thing for the land and people. Some of my earliest memories of my grandfather involve him sharing the scientific names of the native plants he grew in his yard. Since then, I’ve loved learning the scientific name of every plant I see. In college my uncle raised federally threatened Chiracahua leopard frogs in his backyard and I’d help release them on BLM managed lands. My father raised me and my two brothers as a single parent, I don’t know how he managed but I think we all turned out pretty dang good. I strive every day to remember their words, their work ethic and advice.

I am most proud of my work with partners to achieve things I never thought possible on my own. When I started here in Ukiah I was the only natural resources employee with a lot of natural resource issues (weeds, degrading riparian systems, etc). The community that I’ve fostered through collaboration with partners is rewarding especially when it lends to on the ground action and change. The things I’ve achieved in Ukiah would’ve never been possible without partnerships.

One of my favorite memories is the day we started construction of the Garcia River Estuary Salmonid Habitat Enhancement Project with The Nature Conservancy and the Stornetta Ranch. I’d worked for 5 years to see the day. It was rewarding to finally see the fruits of all the hours spent at meetings and planning. Now salmonid species like Coho salmon have thrive in the estuary since construction was completed.

I have had an internal hurdle I have to work to overcome every day. I doubt myself and get imposter syndrome. Like, who put me in charge? However, it is ok to not know everything, to be imperfect. When you foster a community of people with expertise and knowledge you can reach out and lean on them for help.

My grandfather always said, “You were fit with two ears and one mouth, therefore you should listen twice as often as you speak.” When starting my career I listened to everyone who would take the time to share with me their experiences, their work, and their ideas for the landscape and future. It is important to hear everyone’s perspective even those you may not agree with. You can learn something from everyone in every conversation if your only goal is to listen. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t speak up when you feel you should. Trust yourself, your knowledge and expertise. Your voice matters.

Women's Equality Day 2025 - Laura Leidner

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 16:05:05 GMT

The 19th Amendment to the Constitution - granting women the right to vote - was certified on August 26, 1920. In commemoration of this, in 1973 Congress designated August 26 as "Women's Equality Day" to remind us of the heroic women who advanced the Women's Suffrage movement. In recognition of Women's Equality Day, Tuleyome is highlighting three women who are dedicated to our public lands: Laura Leidner (US Forest Service), Kay-Leigh Barnitz (Bureau of Land Management), and Jennifer Onufer (Bureau of Reclamation). Hear about Laura's journey below and learn about Kay-Leigh here and Jennifer here .

Thank you, Laura, for your passion and dedication to our public lands!

I went to the University of Georgia and studied English, mostly because I enjoy writing. After college I worked for small businesses and startup companies doing websites and social media marketing. I eventually landed a communication job at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and worked in public health for seven years. After camping and hiking in national forests and parks in the Southeast, I became curious about working for public lands and started looking for opportunities. In 2021 I transferred to the Forest Service to a public affairs position with the Mendocino National Forest. One perk of being a federal employee is that there are hiring paths that allow you to transfer to other agencies (if you meet the qualifications of that position).

I grew up in South Georgia where my parents owned a 60-acre pine tree farm with several creeks, ponds and wetlands. Stewardship of the land was something ingrained in me as a kid, though I’m sure I didn’t appreciate it at the time. I think because I grew up in a rural place surrounded by trees, I have always felt inspired by landscapes and nature. It is amazing to me that part of my job is being out in the field visiting project sites and talking to the public about the activities and places they love. Public lands offer many job opportunities that appeal not only to people who love the outdoors but to people who crave the feeling of wanting to make an impact.

I’m currently the Public Affairs Officer on the Mendocino National Forest, which is the eastern spur of the North Coast Range in Northern California. This September will mark four years that I’ve been in the position. I have also done several short-term assignments as a public information officer on wildfire incidents in California, including on the Tahoe National Forest, San Bernardino National Forest, Angeles National Forest, and Sequoia National Park.

My job is to provide the public with information they need from emergency safety info to some of our fun programs like Every Kid Outdoors and Christmas Tree permits. I love to visit our forest’s project sites, host educational booths at community events, visit schools, meet partners, and assist neighboring forests.

My parents are my biggest inspiration. My mom was a federal employee and a district conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and my dad was an agricultural journalist who wrote for Progressive Farmer and other farming magazines. They both served their communities and helped people tend the land.

The most profound project I’ve been involved with is the Nome Cult Walk, which happens each September to commemorate the path of Native Americans who were forced to march from Chico to Covelo over the North Coast mountains in 1863. In 2023 I collaborated with the Nome Cult Walk Cultural Committee and the Forest Service’s Region 5 videographer Andrew Avitt to produce a short video and companion story about the walk. Imagine walking across the Sacramento Valley in the high temperatures of September, ascending the unforgiving foothills, feeling the sorrow of being separated from your homeland and family. It is a humbling experience. The healing, hope and resilience of the people who carry on the Nome Cult Walk tradition move me deeply, and it’s been honor to walk with them on the journey. (You can watch the video on YouTube and read the story online .)

I have an extremely inconvenient fear of heights. I try not to let it hold me back, but it is an ongoing struggle. The best thing that helps me is gradual exposure, plus following all the safety best practices, and focusing on a task. With support from my coworkers, I have made some huge progress when I assisted cone collection at our Chico Seed Orchard, harvesting cones from a lift about 60-80 ft in the air. The first few moments in the lift as it rises to the tree canopy is alarming, but once you are there, clipped in safely, collecting healthy cones is immensely satisfying. Did you know that Ponderosa pines produce their best cones at the crown? Cone collection is an important part of reforestation after severe wildfires. Cones collected at the orchard are processed for their seed. The seed gets tested, saved in a seed bank, and later grown in a nursery for planting future forests.

It’s legitimately hard and stressful to figure out a career, how to make money, and be successful. So I first just want to acknowledge that fact. There are so many paths and possibilities, and the path I find myself on is a total surprise to me and I love that. My philosophy has always been to be curious and patient. One thing I appreciate about the Forest Service is that it is an agency that helps you learn on the job and fosters those who show interest. Right now I work in public affairs, but at the same time I’m helping our forester with a project for one or two days a week. Who knows where that might take me?

Thank You, Bill!

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 21:12:27 GMT

Bill Grabert is stepping down from his position as treasurer on Tuleyome’s volunteer Board of Directors – we thank him for his many years of service!

Bill first joined Tuleyome as a staff member in 2016. His nature-based teaching influenced many youth over the years with school field trips throughout the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region, from Redbud Trail to Conaway Ranch. As part of Tuleyome’s team of instructors for the California Certified Naturalist program, Bill inspired adults to care for the region. His love of the area began as soon as he graduated from college and began working as a geologist in Lake County. Bill has devoted his diverse knowledge and skillset to care for, steward, and enjoy California’s northern Inner Coast Range Mountains for many years. He will be missed on the Board but we look forward to seeing him on the trails!

-Nate Lillge (Adventures and Engagement Director)

and Lyndsay Dawkins (Volunteer Tuleyome Board President)

Policy Corner: Keeping Our Forest Wild: The Roadless Rule

bpride@tuleyome.org (Bryan Pride) — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 21:12:03 GMT

Fifty-eight and a half million acres of America's wildest forests have been protected for nearly 25 years by the Roadless Rule, a conservation cornerstone that could soon disappear. Established in 2001, the Roadless Area Conservation Rule (RACR) , more commonly known as the Roadless Rule, designated "Inventoried Roadless Areas" (IRAs) across our nation's forests, prohibiting new roads from being built. Now, USDA Secretary Rollins wants to rescind it . From Alaska to California, the losses from this rollback would be massive. In Alaska, 92% of the Tongass National Forest could lose protection, threatening one of the world's most pristine ecosystems and the indigenous communities who call it home. California would lose protections across 4.4 million acres spanning 21 national forests , which has the potential to impact treasured places like Inyo, Shasta-Trinity, and the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.

Rule Born from Necessity, Not Ideology

The Roadless Rule traces back to 1998, when U.S. Forest Service Chief Mike Dombeck saw the agency's vast road system as a major environmental and fiscal problem . To put this in perspective: the Forest Service maintains eight times more miles of road than the Interstate Highway System. The agency had too many roads to properly maintain for safety and environmental purposes, with poorly maintained roads contributing to erosion and other harms across national forests. The road maintenance backlog had ballooned to $8.4 billion while the agency received only 20% of the funding needed to maintain roads to environmental and safety standards.

Dombeck proposed a moratorium on road construction in undeveloped forest areas across most of the National Forest System. The agency adopted an 18-month moratorium in February 1999 pending completion of an overall road management plan. Later that year, the agency undertook a rule making process to provide long-term administrative protection for roadless areas. The Forest Service conducted an extensive public involvement process that produced 1.7 million comments , with the majority favoring a strong national policy protecting roadless areas.

The resulting Roadless Rule was not and is still not a blanket ban: it makes exceptions to allow access to non-federal land inholdings and pre-existing mineral leases, and allows logging to reduce fire risk, improve habitat or aid in the recovery of endangered species. What began as a fiscally prudent solution to an unwieldy road network became a cornerstone of forest conservation, one that Americans overwhelmingly supported then and continue to support today.

The Administration's Claims vs. Reality

According to USDA Secretary Rollins , the rule is “overly restrictive”, hinders fire prevention and responsible timber production, therefore the Rule poses “real harm to millions of acres of our national forests.” Rollins linked rescinding the Rule with Presidential Executive Order 14192, "Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation .”

The reality is different. Rollins' claim ignores what's actually at stake. Roadless areas are essential ecosystems that provide clean air and water while keeping wilderness intact. They also serve as critical refuges for wildlife; 57% of America's most vulnerable species depend on roadless areas for habitat. For the 156 million Americans who visit national forests annually, these areas offer irreplaceable backcountry recreation experiences.

Most strikingly, the administration's fire prevention argument is backwards. Scientific research reveals that 88% of wildfires are human-caused , and 95% of these fires start within half a mile of a road. Areas closest to roads experience 53% more fires than would occur by random chance. Less than 3% of wildfires start in wilderness areas more than a mile from roads. This research indicates that more roads through our forests are more likely to increase fires and would outweigh the effects of improving fire containment. While the administration claims roads improve fire response, fire management teams consistently identify inadequate resources and personnel shortages, not roads , as the primary barriers to effective wildfire management . Rather than building roads that increase fire risk, fire management experts advocate for investing in cultural and prescribed burns, fire mitigation and forest restoration, proven approaches that are underfunded but key to preventing future fires and reducing fire magnitude.

What's Next?

Rescinding the Roadless Rule will require a public comment period that has yet to be announced. This is when we can all share our views. Tuleyome will be following this issue closely and will be commenting. For more information on the Roadless Rule and how to participate in the public comment process or other advocacy opportunities, contact B ryan Pr ide .

Monumental Questions - Where in the Monument can I view the Perseid Meteor Shower?

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 21:11:38 GMT

The short answer is honestly, pretty much anywhere! Because the 344,476 acre Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument (the Monument) is located in the rural areas of Colusa, Glenn, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Solano and Yolo counties you will have a great view of the dark night sky, free from urban light pollution from virtually anywhere within its boundaries!

The Monument is an easy drive from not only the metropolitan Sacramento area but also from the San Francisco Bay Area as well as the North Bay communities making it an easy day trip. If you’re here especially for the Perseid meteor shower though it might be a very long day since best viewing happens between the hours of midnight and early morning. If you’re adventurous and up for an all-nighter, be certain to pack plenty of water and snacks and be sure to pull over only where it is safe and you’re not blocking a road, especially when it’s dark. Also always keep safety in mind and look out for wildlife as the Monument is home to black bears, mountain lions, coyotes, tule elk and bobcats that may be traveling through the area as well.

If you’d like to stay a night (or several), there are multiple developed campgrounds to choose from inside the Monument boundaries. If you’re up camping, check out The Blue Oaks Campground, Indian Valley Campground, Hunting Creek Campground, Deer Valley Campground, Lower Nye Campground, West Crocket Campground or Kowalski Camping area just to name a few of the sites available for overnight stays. Before you go though, please do check with the United States Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management websites for details on the particular camping area you’re interested in as well as current conditions, requirements and fire restrictions.

The Monument also offers primitive camping in the three wilderness areas located within the Monument boundaries. Cache Creek Wilderness, Cedar Roughs Wilderness and Snow Mountain Wilderness present nearly unlimited opportunities for dispersed camping or backcountry camping (areas located outside of designated campgrounds). Although camping is allowed and encouraged, these areas have no amenities such as tables, toilets, available water or waste removal and require you to pack out all trash and waste. There are no motorized vehicles allowed within Wilderness areas and they provide places for deep solitude with nature. Camping in Wilderness areas or other dispersed camping areas require visitors to understand and follow the Leave No Trace principles of outdoor recreating as well as planning ahead and knowing the area and what to pack.

That said, other than the trees potentially blocking some of the night sky, you’re sure to avoid urban light pollution and have an unobstructed view of the night sky from practically anywhere within the Monument!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Enjoying Outside - The Perseid Meteor Shower!

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 21:11:20 GMT

Meteor showers are sometimes called shooting stars but in actuality they aren’t stars at all. Meteors are actually rocks, dust and debris trailing behind an asteroid or a comet. Meteor showers happen when the Earth passes through a rubble field left behind by asteroids which are composed of metal or rock or comets which are primarily composed of dust, ice and/or rock. They happen annually as the Earth goes through its orbit and passes through the debris zone again year after year. The Perseid meteor shower is the result of the comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle (Swift-Tuttle). The Swift-Tuttle is a large comet with a nucleus that is 16 miles (!) across and was first discovered in 1862 by Lewis Swift and Horace Tuttle.

Often regarded as the prime meteor shower of the year, the Perseid regularly boasts 50 to 100 meteors each hour! This year the Perseid’s prime viewing period peaks on the evening of August 12th and into the early morning hours of August 13th when the Earth is moving into the debris zone. Unfortunately it also occurs during a Gibbous moon - a phase of the moon with more than half of the moon’s surface being lit up by the sun; this year it is predicted to be about 84% illuminated. The brightness of the moon will obscure the night sky making it more difficult to view some of the dimmer meteors. Regardless of the moon or other factors such as cloud cover, the meteor shower is best observed between midnight and the early dawn hours.

The Perseid meteor shower is known for being swift, bright and colorful leaving long wakes of light that track after them as they burn through the Earth’s atmosphere at 130,000 miles per hour. These vivid streaks are known as fireballs and travel at extremely high speeds with intense ionization resulting in especially radiant colors. These fireballs appear as various colors because of the different elements that they are composed of: red is a result of atmospheric gases and nitrogen, yellow/gold is iron, violet is calcium, orange is sodium and blue-green is magnesium. Primarily, the larger the piece of debris is, the more brilliant the meteor appears. If a meteor doesn’t burn up in the Earth’s atmosphere and makes it to the ground it is called a meteorite.

For those of us here in the Northern Hemisphere the Perseids are best observed in the early morning hours and luckily for us, they occur during the warm summer when it’s pleasant to sit outside looking up to the sky. For the best viewing opportunity find a rural spot that is far away from ambient light such as street or yard lights with a clear and unobstructed view of the open, night sky. Grab a lawn chair or blanket and a buddy to "oooh" and "ahhh" with and get comfy. Be patient and allow time for your eyes to adjust to the darkness and then begin looking for bright streaks of light across the dark sky. The Perseid meteor shower originates near the constellation Perseus for which they are named. To find it look to the northeast for the constellation Cassiopeia (look for a W or an M in the sky) and Perseus will be located below it. If you can’t find it don’t worry, you should be able to see the streaking lights all over the sky but again, the bright moon will most likely make viewing some of the dimmer meteors difficult. You may be able to see more of them before they peak due to the darker moon.

If you miss this one, keep an eye out for the Geminids meteor shower which peaks in mid-December!!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Science Corner - Burrowing Owls

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 21:10:56 GMT

Do you remember the Haunted Forest in the Wizard of Oz? Most of us probably envision owls as those shadowy birds with the glowing eyes skulking at Dorothy and the gang from the dark tree canopy. True, most owls are nighttime creatures, and they do have large round eyes, but they certainly don’t glow like a red-hot cigarette lighter in a 1985 Oldsmobile. And yes, most species of common owls do roost in trees but, did you know that we have a very special little owl in our region that is active during the day as well as the night and nests and roots in underground burrows?! I realize that the name kind of gives it away but if you guessed Burrowing Owls, pat yourself on the back!

Burrowing Owls ( Athene cunicularia ) are a small species of owl that belong to the family Strigidae, the same family that includes other owls in our region including Great-horned Owls, Screech Owls and the eared owls. The name Athene comes from the Greek goddess of wisdom and cunicularia translates from Latin to mean miner or burrower - quite literally meaning “wise burrower”.

Burrowing Owls are fairly social and although they usually only have one mate at a time, they tend to nest and live in loose colonies. Males and females look alike however males are often lighter in color from sun bleaching as they spend more time outdoors while the females remain underground with the young. Both sexes average between seven and 11 inches long with wingspans of about 20-24 inches. They weigh five to eight ounces with females weighing slightly more than males. Both males and females lack ear tufts and have a flattened facial disk with prominent white eyebrows. Their large eyes are bright yellow, and their beaks are dark yellow to gray. Their heads, backs and wings are sandy brown with white mottling, and their abdomens and chests are a buffy brownish-gray with white barring. Juveniles look similar but lack the white mottling or barring. If you ask me, one of their most endearing physical traits are their long legs. Burrowing Owls prefer open areas and their lengthy legs allow them to perch on the ground and still keep watch over their surroundings. When disturbed, or even if they think they might be disturbed, agitated owls will bob up and down while chirping and giving whatever they’re perceiving as a threat the death stare. If that isn’t enough to intimidate the presumed threat, the owl will simply fly off. Another fascinating behavior is Burrowing Owls’ love of decor. They will collect things they find interesting and decorate the entrance of their burrow. These items often include flower petals, shiny things such as bottle caps, bits of beetle exoskeleton, and small rocks. Sometimes Burrowing Owls will collect scat from larger animals which in turn attracts dung beetles that become a “door dash” snack delivery for the owls.

Being active during both the day and night hours helps the owls to secure different food sources; prey species include insects, amphibians and small lizards during the day and small mammals at night.

There are several subspecies of Burrowing owls but the genus as a whole has historically occurred from southwestern Canada, the western United States (minus the humid Pacific Northwest) into Mexico and east into Florida, in Central America, some Caribbean Islands and in most of South America. Most populations of Burrowing Owls do not migrate but those that occupy the northern end of their range may migrate seasonally to avoid the cold winter months (I would too!). Their habitat preferences include open or grazed areas with shorter vegetation such as dry pastures, prairies, open grasslands, savannas with an established burrowing mammal population to provide underground nesting locations for the owls. Burrowing Owls are extremely adaptable and have also occupied urban areas such as airports, golf courses, grassy areas in highway interchanges, parks, schools, parking lots and even landfills and other other relatively undisturbed urban and suburban areas. Most individuals do not excavate their own burrows but rather take over abandoned mammal burrows including those dug by ground squirrels, prairie dogs and badgers. Some populations and subspecies will dig their own burrows or enhance those made by other species if the soil is not rocky or compact. Burrowing Owls have been documented utilizing man-made burrows as well.

The subspecies found in our region is the Western Burrowing Owl ( Athene cunicularia hypugaea ). Once widely disturbed across California, habitat loss as a result of urbanization, ground squirrel population decline, pesticide use, predation from coyotes, foxes, badgers, feral cats and changes in land use practices have resulted in drastic population declines since the 1980’s. Several attempts have been made to give the Western Burrowing Owl protection as a special-status species, however, as of yet it has not been afforded any official lasting protection.

If you’ve had the pleasure of observing burrowing owls you know exactly how charismatic they can be. If you haven’t seen them do keep your eyes open for them, you’ll be glad you did!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Nature and You Lectures: Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and Wildlife Tracking

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 21:10:25 GMT

Photo by Nate Lillge

Our July Nature and You lecture took place on July 31 ^st and featured a conversation on the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and current threats to public lands with Tuleyome Executive Director Sandra Schubert and Tuleyome co-founder and Advisory Council member Bob Schneider. If you missed it, be sure to check out the recording for a discussion on the history of the monument and ways we can work to protect our public lands.

Photo by Roy Blodgett

Our August Nature and You speaker is Roy Arthur Blodgett. Roy is a Northern California-based naturalist, writer, and ecological consultant. He is a certified wildlife tracker and will discuss how to identify and interpret common animal tracks and signs in our area.

Developing your ability to identify and interpret wildlife signs and tracks is a great way to enrich your experiences in the outdoors. Animal tracks tell us not only what animals are present in an area, but can also provide information on sex, behavior at the time the tracks were made, and more.

Join us on Zoom at 7pm on August 28 ^th to hear Roy’s talk. You can register to receive the Zoom link on our events page via this link .

If you have any questions about the Nature and You lecture series, please reach out to Geoff Benn at gbenn@tuleyome.org .

Youth Boot Bank Office Hours

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 21:09:55 GMT

Our July Youth Boot Bank office hours were busy with several kids coming in to trade in previously borrowed boots for larger sizes. We also made a few new loans and took in returns and donations.

Our Youth Boot Bank office hours take place on the first Wednesday of each month, from 2:30 – 5:30pm at the Tuleyome office in Woodland (622 Main Street). Our next office hours will be on August 6 ^th and September 3 ^rd – stop by if you’d like to borrow some boots, return boots, make a donation, or say hi!

If you have any questions about the Youth Boot Bank program, please contact Geoff Benn at gbenn@tuleyome.org .

New Conaway Ranch Game Camera Videos

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 21:09:28 GMT

River otters climbing up the slide

It was a busy June and July for wildlife out at Conaway Ranch, where our game cameras have captured some great footage! We place game cameras at an otter slide (a place where otters and other animals access the water) to capture footage of wildlife to share with classes coming to the Ranch on our field trips.

Grey foxes stopping by for a drink

In addition to seeing river otters, beavers, and raccoons, we also spotted grey foxes for the first time!

Beaver swimming away from the otter slide

Towards the end of the month, we experimented with putting a second camera looking into the canal off the end of the otter slide and got footage of beavers, otters, and raccoons swimming to and from the slide!

You can view the latest videos via the links below – enjoy!

Conaway Ranch Otter Slide Game Camera (Video 4)

Conaway Ranch Otter Slide Game Camera (Video 5)

Conaway Ranch Otter Slide and Canal Game Cameras (Video 6)

If you have any questions about the game cameras or Tuleyome's programs at Conaway Ranch, please reach out to Geoff Benn at gbenn@tuleyome.org .

Tuleyome's Certified California Naturalist Courses in 2026

nlillge@tuleyome.org (Nate Lillge) — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 19:52:31 GMT

We are excited to announce the dates for next year's Certified California Naturalist courses! Our multi-week course will be held Fridays, January 16 to March 6 with three field trips held on Saturdays. Our one-week immersive course at Wilbur Hot Springs Resort is April 12 - 17 .

Tuleyome’s Certified California Naturalist (CalNat) program trains members of the public to become California Naturalists. No advanced degree or previous naturalist experience is required – Tuleyome teaches you everything you need to know to become certified. Our course is focused on the northern inner Coast Range mountains, specifically the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region.

The program, developed by the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, is designed to introduce Californians to the wonders of our unique ecology and engage the public in study and stewardship of California’s natural communities. The California Naturalist program uses science curriculum, hands-on learning, problem-solving, participatory science, and community service to instill a deep appreciation for the natural communities of the state and to inspire individuals to become stewards of their local resources.

Courses combine classroom and field experience in science, problem-solving, communication training and community service, taught by an instructor and team of experts. Check out the Certified California Naturalist page for more information.

-Nate Lillge (nlillge@tuleyome.org)

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Thank You, Kim!

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 19:50:24 GMT

Tuleyome thanks Kim Longworth for her work as part of Tuleyome’s volunteer Board of Directors.

Kim joined Tuleyome’s Board of Directors to advance our mission to conserve, enhance, restore, and enjoy our public lands in Northern California, specifically the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region. She took on many tasks during her tenure on the Board including assisting with grant writing and educational programming.

Although Kim is stepping down from the Board, she is not parting ways with Tuleyome. She will continue to support Tuleyome’s mission as an event participant and in other ways.

Thank you, Kim!

-Bill Grabert (Volunteer Tuleyome Board Member)

and Nate Lillge (Adventures and Engagement Director)

Policy Corner: America the Beautiful

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 19:50:00 GMT

As the tenth anniversary of the establishment of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, July 10 ^th , approaches, I find myself reflecting on how we got here and what our public lands mean to us as individuals and as a nation. Our lands defined, and define, our nation.

“O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!”

At a time when our nation is getting more partisan and we see more anger in the news, it's important to remember that our public lands are not a partisan issue. They belong to all of us, they are important to all of us, and they are for everyone.

Our public lands are for hikers and bikers, hunters and photographers, people and puppy dogs, wheelchairs and OHVs. They are for Republicans, Democrats, Independents, decline to states and folks that don’t care about politics. They are for people of all colors, genders, religions, shades and stripes. They are for citizens, immigrants and visitors. They are for mountain lions and tadpoles, bears and hummingbirds, otters and spiders. They are our public lands. The belong to all of us and we belong to them.

Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument represents America – a diverse community of people with different interest and beliefs who came together to protect something special. It started out as a mere idea. First, it was just a handful of kindred folks but then more and more joined in soon creating a crescendo of motivated and united voices. It grew until it was a community, a movement, fighting together to protect a place that we all love.

We all fought for our Monument. People from all walks of life: hunters, politicians, decision-makers, conservationists, recreationists, scientists, businesses, veterans, community and tribal leaders. Government officials from all levels of government and all parties joined us. Dreamers and planners, lovers and fighters locked arms. We all stood together and fought for Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and Molok Luyuk.

And look at what we accomplished together!

We protected 344,476 acres in the heart of the Northern Inner Coastal Range. We protected a place whose geology and botany are so magnificent that people come from the world over to see and study them. We protected a place so beautiful it takes your breath away with its rare wetlands and meadows full of wildflowers, its vistas that last for hundreds of miles and its night sky that illuminates every detail of the Milky Way. We protected a place where major rivers flow and streams wander throughout the countryside. We protected tule elk, bald and golden eagles, perch, frogs, bears and salamanders. We protected a place steeped in millennia of Native American culture and history and that is one of the most linguistically diverse in California. We protected our special places, our public lands.

And we did it, all of us together. This is what we can do when we remember that despite all of our differences, we are one nation, indivisible.

America the Beautiful

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet,
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine,
Till all success be nobleness,
And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

by Katharine Lee Bates

Happy 4 ^th of July!

-Sandy Schubert

Executive Director

Monumental Anniversary (Questions)! - A Short History of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument

kehrhardt@tuleyome.org (Kristie Ehrhardt) — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 19:49:39 GMT

As the old saying goes, time flies when you’re having fun! Can you believe it’s already been ten years since President Obama used the Antiquities Act to forever protect that special part of the Inner Coastal Range that we call the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument?! If you have been there, you probably understand and appreciate the importance of protecting this special place and if you haven’t been there, there is no time like the present to make the short drive to visit.

The birthplace of the Monument was at the ocean floor beginning 60 to 100 million years ago. Both Snow and Goat Mountains began as Jurassic seamounts that rose from the bottom of the ocean never reaching the surface of the water. The shifting of the North American and Pacific plates first pushed the seamounts back down below the ocean floor before once again pushing them back up, finally becoming the mountains we see today rising into the sky. California’s state rock, serpentinite, is visible throughout the Monument. It is the source of the region’s unique soils that support rare and endemic plant species contributing to extraordinary biodiversity. Due to the remarkable geology, the region’s hydrology is also notable; hosting multiple geothermal, mineral, carbonated and freshwater springs.

The region sustained Native Americans and their culture by providing nuts, seeds, grains and meat as well as shelter and materials used to make tools and assets for trading with other tribes. Traditional burning practices maintained the skillful balance between nature and man. Still evident to the experienced eye are many cultural resources sites within the Monument; mineral gathering, hunting and trading routes, camps and villages all preserved and protected.

Later came explorers, fur trappers, gold miners and ranchers. Shortly after, sawmills and railroads were constructed for timber harvest and around the turn of the 20th century people from all over came to steep in the therapeutic mineral-rich hot spring waters of the region. The native inhabitants of the Monument were displaced by the actions and activities of European settlers in the early to mid 1800’s yet the landscape still retains deep cultural significance for the 24 federally recognized tribes that call the region their indigenous home.

In 2015, President Obama recognized the need to preserve and protect, in perpetuity, this unique location for public welfare and enjoyment. The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument (Monument) is the quintessence of California’s wild Inner Coast Range hosting the headwaters of the Eel River, Cache, Putah and Stony Creeks. The region was once under ocean waters where geologic forces shaped and fashioned it into one of the most biologically diverse regions in California - a biological hotspot. The original boundaries established in 2015 included 330,780 acres of unbroken wildlands that sustain wildlife corridors and rare plant habitat. In 2024, President Biden extended the protection by including the 13,696 acres of Molok Luyuk. The Monument is a place sacred and significant to the Native American tribes including the Yuki, Nomlaki, Patwin, Pomo, Huchnom, Wappo and Lake Miwok that make up the very history of the Monument.

Paleontological studies have not only helped date the region but have also shown how tectonic plates have moved. A walk in the Monument is a stroll through millions of years of geological processes that have helped shape California. The dramatic topography is stunning from all angles. From nearly sea level in the valley, rolling hills, steep canyons, breathtaking ridgelines, to the East and West peaks of Snow Mountain that rise to more than 7,000 feet. Because of the diversity of habitat types, the Monument is also home to a variety of special-status wildlife species including Bald Eagles, Northern Spotted Owls and Tule Elk.

All of these combined have contributed to why the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument has been called the Crown Jewel of Northern California’s Inner Coast Range!

Please join us on July 10, 2025 at the Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake at 5 pm for a Monumental celebration to commemorate the 10th anniversary of our favorite monument!

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Enjoying Outside - The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument - Something for Everyone!

kehrhardt@tuleyome.org (Kristie Ehrhardt) — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 19:49:16 GMT

The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument (the Monument) quite literally has something for everyone who loves the outdoors. From rugged wilderness camping to glamping, from hunting to passive birdwatching and from OHV recreating to horseback trail riding; anyone who enjoys being outside can find something to soothe their souls in these nearly 350,000 acres of public land.

Cache Creek is the only outlet for Clear Lake (the largest freshwater, natural lake in California) with two major tributaries being the North Fork Cache Creek and Bear Creek. It is regionally famed for its whitewater rafting and kayaking experiences. To Learn more about Cache Creek visit https://sacriver.org/explore-watersheds/westside-subregion/cache-creek-watershed/

Indian Valley Reservoir boasts some prime boating and fishing opportunities with large and smallmouth bass, Kokanee salmon, crappie, rainbow trout, bluegill and catfish. The 300,000 acres Indian Valley Reservoir was created when the Indian Valley Dam was constructed on the North Fork of Cache Creek. It offers boating, fishing and swimming but during the hot, dry summer months the lake level may drop significantly which decreases the speed limit for boats from five to ten miles per hour depending on your location. The lake is part of the Indian Valley Recreation Area managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) but the reservoir itself is managed by the Yolo Flood Control and Water Conservation District.

The Monument boundaries also include three designated wilderness areas: Cedar Roughs Wilderness located west of Lake Berryessa, Cache Creek Wilderness located in the heart of the Monument and Snow Mountain Wilderness Area located alongside Snow Mountain. Additionally the Yuki Wilderness is immediately adjacent to the far northern boundary of the Monument. Typically motorized vehicles of any sort are not allowed in wilderness areas and camping is primitive. What you will find is solitude and only the sounds of nature.

The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument is also bursting with recreational areas, trails and campgrounds dispersed all throughout the Monument. Just a few of the possibilities are listed below, there are many more to explore. Click here to see a cool map and to learn more about recreational activities within the Monument.

Knoxville Recreation Area includes an Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) park and a wildlife area. OHV riding is also welcome on existing established roads but please keep them off of firebreaks as unauthorized activity contributes to erosion and hampers revegetation. A map of the Knoxville Recreation Area is available here .

There are many (SO many!) hiking trails throughout the Monument, please see Tuleyome’s Trail Guide for a description of some of our favorites including Fiske Peak, Annie’s Trail, Judge Davis Trail, Lynch Canyon and Signal Rock among many others!

Other recreational opportunities in the Monument include:

Horseback Riding and Mountain Biking: There are many trails to explore the Monument from a either type of saddle!
Hunting and Fishing is permitted on public lands within the Monument but appropriate licenses and permits are required. Please follow all restrictions and regulations as set forth by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Wildlife viewing, birdwatching and photography opportunities abound throughout the Monument. You may even be lucky enough to witness some special-status species such as Bald or Golden Eagles, Tule Elk or Foothill Yellow-legged Frogs.
Seasonal wildflower viewing. The Monument has a stunning display of wildflowers in the spring. Keep an eye on Tuleyome’s website for upcoming wildflower hike dates next spring.

Be sure to check weather and trail conditions before you head out. Summer hiking can be very rigorous with high temperatures, little shade and no available water. Be sure to plan ahead and let others know where you’re going and when you expect to return. See you on the trail!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Science Corner - Osprey in Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument

kehrhardt@tuleyome.org (Kristie Ehrhardt) — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 19:48:51 GMT

If you’ve spent time near the water while visiting Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, chances are you may have observed one of our native raptor species nearby. Sometimes called fish hawk, sea hawk or river hawk, Osprey are found in temperate and tropical regions of every continent except Antarctica. They are the second most wide-spread species of raptor and one of only six land birds with global distribution. There are four subspecies: Eurasian, American, Caribbean and Australian, each looking remarkably similar with only minor physical differences.

The subspecies of Osprey found within Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument (and the rest of the United States and Canada) are the American Osprey ( Pandion haliaetus carolinensis ). Originally classified as a species of falcon, today Osprey are the sole member of the genus Pandion and the only member of the family Panionidae. Nearly all subspecies of Osprey are migratory and travel long distances to winter in warmer climates, however, most of the individuals that call Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument (Monument) home are year-long residents. In fact, some populations from farther north may travel to our region and farther south to winter there.

Osprey are smaller than a bald eagle but larger than a red-tailed hawk. They range from about 21 to 23 inches in length with a wingspan of from 50 to over 70 inches. They weigh between two and a half up to four pounds with the females being slightly larger than the males. Males and females look very similar with dark brown underparts and a white breast both which serve as field marks to help identify them in flight. Females usually have brown streaking on the upper portion of their breast. Their heads are brilliant white with a striking dark mask across the eyes and down the sides of the neck. This mask reduces glare to allow them to see fish in the water better, similar to an athlete wearing “eye black”. They have golden brown irises with black beaks, blue ceres and black feet and talons and a short, rounded tail. In flight they hold their wings form an arch, similar to a gull.

Osprey are considered piscivorous meaning that their diet consists almost exclusively of fish and they have several unique adaptations to allow them to be efficient and extremely successful predators. Osprey and owls are the only two raptors (bird of prey) with a reversible outer toe which means it can face forward or backward helping them capture and control slippery fish with two toes in front and two toes in back if needed. They also have sharp spicules and barbed scales on the underside of their feet that also help grasp wet, wriggling fish and their nostrils seal tightly to keep water out when they plunge feet first after prey. Osprey also have specialized vision that helps them see prey species underwater from up to 100 feet above the surface. You may have seen them hover for a bit and dive at rates of up to 50 miles per hour, but what you may not have noticed is how they are able to adjust their flight angle to account for the distortion caused by the refracted image. Often becoming fully submerged, their dense plumage is oily to help shed water. After a successful dive, Osprey will carry their prey to a nearby perch or back to the nest.

Osprey breed near lakes and rivers but can also be found nesting near coastal brackish waters. Flirting begins with the male calling while performing aerial stunts and the offering of a stick in his beak. If the female is impressed, she will accept the stick and the two begin a lifelong chick-rearing relationship. Nests or eyries are constructed in the tops of trees, on rocky outcrops, the tops of utility poles, duck blinds and platforms intended for them to nest on. Males will carry in material which may consist of sticks, driftwood, reeds, lichen, seaweed or even urban trash such as plastic bags and nylon netting while the female arranges it. Nests are remodeled and updated year after year, some have been used by different pairs for as many as 70 years. Over time they become so big - up to six feet in diameter and weigh nearly 300 pounds - and so messy that other species such as tree swallows and grackles build their own nests inside them! Two to four eggs are laid and the female stays with the chicks while the male brings food back to the nest. Chicks begin to fledge after about two months.

Many Native American tribes consider the Osprey a species of eagles and give them the same reverence as Bald or Golden Eagles. Coastal tribal legends often consider Osprey a guardian and others consider them medicine birds and seeing one in a vision meant that the person had been granted spiritual power as a healer.

Osprey were almost extirpated during the late 18th and 19th century due to egg collecting and hunting and then again during the 1960’s and 70’s because of the use of the insecticide dichlorodiphenytrichloroethane (DDT), which interfered with the calcium absorption in many species of bird causing fatal egg shell thinning. Fortunately, Osprey adapt well to life near humans and will readily use man-made nesting structures which has helped the population rebound following the banning of DDT use.

Fun Osprey Facts:

When flying with a fish, Osprey turn them so they are face first to reduce wind resistance
Migrants travel individually rather than in flocks and follow the edges of bodies of water such as coastlines, lake shores, rivers and mountain ridges.
The oldest known Osprey was over 25 years old and was banded in Virginia in 1973
Bald Eagles sometimes chase Ospreys to steal their catch

A not so fun fact is that “Osprey plumes” were used to decorate hats in the 19th century. Despite their name, the feathers were actually from egrets which caused a sharp decline in the number of egrets.

Be sure to keep an eye out for Osprey next time you visit our favorite monument!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Donor Spotlight - Tom and Meg

nlillge@tuleyome.org (Nate Lillge) — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 19:47:15 GMT

Tom and Meg were introduced to Tuleyome by joining Tuleyome co-founder, Andrew Fulks, on multiple hikes in the area that is now Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. One memorable hike, to Glascock Mountain at the northern end of Capay Valley, highlighted the variety of ecosystems and the steepness of the area's terrain. During the hikes with Andrew, Tom and Meg learned about and were drawn to Tuleyome’s focus on preserving land and encouraging folks to enjoy this wonderful area.

They appreciate that Tuleyome offers guided hikes and activities, free of charge, to anyone who wants to explore the area. They are taken by the beauty that is easily accessible and love that Tuleyome leads wildflower tours that introduce others to the amazing nature that is here in our little corner of the world.

Additionally, Tom and Meg have supported Tuleyome’s education programs by working to establish Woodland Regional Park Preserve. They recognize the importance of access to nature for people of all ages and abilities – especially for young kids.

They are excited to have been a part of the campaign to establish Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and continue to support the Monument and Tuleyome’s mission to conserve, enhance, restore, and enjoy these special places.

Nature and You Lectures: The Eel River and Conaway Ranch

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 19:46:52 GMT

The Eel River – photo by Ryan Henson.

Our June Nature and You lecture featured a discussion of “Conservation Issues on the Eel River” led by speaker Ryan Henson, Senior Policy Director for CalWild and member of Tuleyome’s Advisory Council. In his talk, Mr. Henson discussed the history of the Eel River watershed and talked about the potential ramifications and opportunities presented by the proposed removal of the Potter Valley Project dams. If you missed it, the recording is available here .

Rice field with egrets at Conaway Ranch – photo by Geoff Benn

Our July Nature and You lecture will take place on Zoom at 7pm on July 24 ^th . The lecture will be on “Conservation Programs at Conaway Ranch” and will be presented by Conaway Ranch General Manager Jesse Clark. Conaway Ranch is a 17,000+ acre property on the border of Sacramento and Yolo counties that is managed for a range of uses including rice farming and wildlife conservation. You can register to receive the Zoom link on our events page .

Geoff Benn is Tuleyome’s Education Associate. If you have any questions or comments about this article or the Nature and You lecture series, please reach out to Geoff at gbenn@tuleyome.org .

Youth Boot Bank Office Hours

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 19:46:27 GMT

Kids showing off their boots at our June office hours

We held our monthly Youth Boot Bank office hours on June 4 ^th – we loaned out 4 pairs of boots and took in several donations. Our next office hours will at the Tuleyome office from 2:30 – 5:30pm on July 2 ^nd and from 2:30 – 5:30pm on August 6 ^th . Stop by if you would like to borrow a pair of boots, return boots, make a donation, or say hi!

Kids showing off their boots at our June office hours

Hiking boots from the Youth Boot Bank are available for free 6-month loans to youth up to age 18 at our monthly office hours. Camping gear is available to participants in Tuleyome camping trips and to partner organizations that are hosting camping trips.

Geoff Benn is Tuleyome’s Education Associate. If you have any questions or comments about this article or the Youth Boot Bank program , please reach out to Geoff at gbenn@tuleyome.org .

Game Cameras at Woodland Regional Park Preserve!

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 19:45:47 GMT

Screenshot from the Pond Access Camera video

What kind of wildlife calls the newly opened Woodland Regional Park Preserve home? To help answer this question, we placed game cameras in different locations around the Preserve over the last month.

Screenshot from the Rotary Pavilion Camera video

The cameras revealed a range of animals, including jackrabbits, raccoons, turkeys, skunks, and a variety of different songbirds.

Screenshot from the Cattails Camera (video 2)

The videos captured by the cameras provide a great opportunity to see the behavior of these animals in close proximity. We plan to share them with K-12 classes visiting the Preserve on Tuleyome field trips as part of pre and post-trip activities.

Links to the videos are provided below – enjoy!

Cattails Camera Video 1

Cattails Camera Video 2

North Side Willows Camera Video 1

Pond Access Camera Video 1

Rotary Pavilion Camera Video 1

Geoff Benn is Tuleyome’s Education Associate. If you have any questions or comments about this article, please reach out to Geoff at gbenn@tuleyome.org .

Thank You, Stephen!

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 17:18:01 GMT

We extend our thanks and gratitude to Stephen McCord as he ends his tenure on the Tuleyome Board of Directors.

Stephen has applied his energy and expertise to fulfilling Tuleyome’s mission for many years. In 2016 he managed the first Tuleyome mercury mine remediation project at the Corona/Twin Peaks Mine. He followed that with work on Tuleyome trail projects in the Knoxville Off-Highway Vehicle Area, riding all the trails on his own adventure motorcycle. As a Tuleyome representative, he’s taken many community members on hikes in Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and the surrounding areas.

Stephen has over 20 years of environmental engineering experience, in California and worldwide. He has overseen extensive projects in water quality field work, management and cleanup, and has applied his knowledge to policy development, analysis and technical support. In short, Stephen is a consummate environmental and water engineer, and he brought his expertise to Tuleyome’s many projects.

In 2023 Stephen joined the Board of Directors and agreed to serve as President. He applied his supreme organizational skills to managing board duties and activities. He also brought an optimism to the board about what can be accomplished with foresight, good planning and collaboration.

Stephen has been a tireless advocate for Tuleyome, keeping the board on task even while handling numerous other professional responsibilities. Fortunately, although he is stepping down from the board, he will continue to support Tuleyome’s mission in many other ways.

-Kim Longworth, Lyndsay Dawkins and Bill Grabert

Volunteer Tuleyome Board members

Game Cameras at Conaway Ranch!

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 17:09:41 GMT

A river otter making its way up the slide.

Looking to take a break with some cute video content? This month we placed game cameras looking into an otter slide at Conaway Ranch. Otter slides are paths worn into riverbanks by repeated use by otters and other animals. The slides at Conaway are quite active, so we’ve been able to get some great footage, including otters, beavers, racoons, snakes, and more!

Wood duck mother and ducklings.

We have posted three videos from our cameras at Conaway Ranch to our YouTube page – you can access the playlist here . Enjoy!

Tuleyome partners with Conaway Preservation Group to provide educational programs at Conaway Ranch.

The Ranch is only accessible to the public during scheduled events.

Policy Corner: The Public Lands Rule: The Significance of Conservation

bpride@tuleyome.org (Bryan Pride) — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 17:05:30 GMT

Since April 2024, America's public lands had something they'd never had before: a rule that treated conservation as equal to all other land uses. The Public Lands Rule , introduced by the Biden Administration, formally recognized conservation as a legitimate practice of multiple use, putting conservation on equal footing with recreation, grazing, and resource extraction. Built on decades of management experience and guided by science, data, and Indigenous knowledge, it gives land managers tools to maintain healthy ecosystems while supporting all the diverse ways we depend on public lands. It acknowledges a simple truth: conservation must be valued equally to all other land uses.

Now there is growing pressure to rescind it.

Why This Matters

The environment around us is free-flowing, it's not confined to state borders or county lines. When mining operations contaminate watersheds in Northern California, it impacts the local businesses who depend on healthy rivers downstream, the agricultural communities that rely on clean water, and the families who've been camping along those waterways for generations. The Public Lands Rule recognized this interconnected reality and gave land managers agency to address problems before they spread across California's diverse landscapes, protecting the long-term viability of grazing allotments, recreation areas, and rural livelihoods that all depend on healthy public lands.

This interconnected reality is exactly why the Public Lands Rule matters. The Rule is designed to ensure that the places we depend on, whether for weekend camping trips, or cattle grazing, stay healthy enough to support these uses long-term. When an area becomes overgrazed and doesn't recover, access to those grazing allotments is permanently lost, reducing ranchers' ability to maintain their livelihoods and harming local food production. Poor use or overuse of our public lands creates ripples of negative impact that hurt all communities.

The Rule's main objective is simple but revolutionary: make sure our public lands stay productive for everyone who depends on them, rather than degrade them. The Rule created practical tools that built in accountability and prioritized future generations' access to healthy public lands.

Restoration Leases : 10-year agreements allowing a variety of entities such as, conservation groups, tribes, and nonprofits to restore damaged landscapes—fires restoration, restoring wildlife habitats and cleaning up abandoned mining sites that currently scar some of our most beautiful public lands.

Mitigation Leases : A tool that allows land users or other entities to offset impacts from their activities over specified time periods, creating partnerships between different land users and conservation groups to address environmental impacts on public lands.

Strengthened Protection for Critical Areas : Clearer guidelines for protecting Areas of Critical Environmental Concern—the most special and fragile places that often provide the best wildlife viewing, the cleanest water sources, the most pristine camping experiences and the richest biodiversity.

The False Dichotomy: Multiple Use vs. Conservation

The main argument being used to encourage the rollback of the Public Lands Rule is " multiple use ", the legal principle requiring Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands to serve many different purposes. The current Administration claims the Public Lands Rule hinders multiple uses of public lands. Why? The Rule calls for restoring degraded areas and making science based decisions. Contrary to their actual meaning, the current Administration interprets "restoring" and "science based decisions" as "locking up land". Land locking, where access gets completely cut off, is a real concern in some areas—it prevents both recreation and grazing. However, land locking is not what the Public Lands Rule promotes. In reality, it is promoting land healing.

Take grazing for example. The Rule empowers BLM to use restoration leases in conjunction with existing grazing permittees to restore degraded rangeland. Monitoring who is grazing where and the number of permits issued for specific areas is a means to ensure sustainable grazing and prevent overuse. Many ranchers and land managers supported the Rule because they understand that healthy land is productive land. Overgrazing and environmental damage hurt their livelihoods too.

The same principle applies to fire recovery. When public lands are damaged by sweeping wildfires, there is a need for active restoration: replanting native vegetation, stabilizing soils, removing hazardous debris. Restoration has to take place before safe recreation, grazing and other uses can resume. At times, restoration requires temporarily limiting access to burned areas as they recover. The goal is to allow for our lands to recover and heal before we start depending on them again with our multiple uses. Land restoration is not just limited to grazing or extraction; it is essential for recovering from wildfires.

Whether it's grazing, recreation, or extraction, the Public Lands Rule isn't about stopping these uses, it's about understanding that healthy ecosystems are prerequisites for multiple use, not obstacles to it. You can't have sustainable grazing on degraded rangeland, quality recreation in fire damaged landscapes, or responsible extraction without considering long-term impacts

We Are Public Stewards

The Public Lands Rule represents a historic shift in how we value conservation, its potential rollback is a setback. But the vision it represents, conservation as a form of legitimate multiple use, remains essential and is not gone. As stewards of these 245 million acres, we have the power to practice conservation in our own actions and advocacy. Every time we practice Leave No Trace, support local businesses that operate responsibly on public lands, and make our voices heard in land management decisions, we're building the foundation for balanced stewardship that benefits everyone.

Our public lands belong to all of us, which means we each have the power, and responsibility, to be good stewards of the lands we love.

-Bryan Pride ( bpride@tuleyome.org )

Certified California Naturalist

Policy Director

Monumental Questions - What are Golden Mussels?

kehrhardt@tuleyome.org (Kristie Ehrhardt) — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 17:05:20 GMT

You may have heard of Golden Mussels on the news or maybe at your local marina. They are a highly invasive and opportunistic bivalve species that has only recently been documented in North America. Native to China, Thailand, Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia and Cambodia, Golden Mussels ( Limnoperna fortunei ) have been documented in Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and the United States. In fact, as of October 2024, their occurrence in the Sacramento - San Joaquin Delta and O’Neill Forebay in Merced County were the first known discoveries in North America. Golden Mussels are extremely opportunistic and can colonize fresh and brackish waters in bays, creeks, canals, lakes, rivers and other wetland areas with temperatures ranging from 41-95 degrees Fahrenheit. Golden Mussels are tolerant of pollution and can establish and reproduce in waterbodies with much lower calcium than Quagga and Zebra Mussels, making many more waterbodies in the state vulnerable to infestation. The Golden Mussels have extremely high reproduction rates and can reproduce during their first year of growth; each adult mussel can produce tens of thousands of free-floating veligers (larva) that will mature in the water column while flowing downstream until they are ready to settle. Due to their broad environmental tolerance, high reproductive rate, and free-floating life stage that allows for rapid dispersal, this alien species has become a threat to native fisheries and ecosystems.

Golden Mussels range in color from light to dark golden to dark brown and can reach nearly two inches long and can live for two years. Adults form byssal threads, also known as mussel beards, which anchor them securely to natural and man-made substrates in varying depths of water. These threads are strong enough to withstand abrasive wave action and high flows. Golden mussels have been found attached to hard surfaces such as the submerged logs, rocks, hulls of boats, buoys, and other equipment as well as soft substrates and aquatic plants.

The most common way invasive mussels such as Golden Mussels are transported between bodies of water is by hitchhiking on watercraft and other equipment. Invasive species such as Golden Mussels, can be introduced into formally unoccupied areas through ballast water of ocean-going ships, adults can be relocated by being attached to watercraft being moved from one body to water to another or nearly microscopic veligers can be moved by being in contained water within watercraft or other equipment. In areas where waterways are interconnected, Golden Mussel adults and veligers can move with the flow of water or watercraft going from one body of water to another. It is also possible that they move upstream in the stomach of fish – being undigestible by native fish and eventually passing through the fish.

Golden Mussels are ultra-efficient filter feeders. When dense colonies of these organisms form, they consume substantial quantities of microscopic plants and animals that native fish, game fish and other aquatic species depend on to complete their life cycle and flourish. Additionally, Golden Mussels have been demonstrated to cause shifts in algal communities that favor species that produce Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs), resulting in more adverse impacts to the environment. The dense congregations of mussels not only restrains water movement by biofouling (obstructing) pipes, pumps, hydropower and irrigation facilities as well as damaging watercraft motors. Removal is continuous and costly to maintain operational function which results in economic impacts to the community.

Community impacts as a result of Golden Mussels infestations include constraints on recreational waterbody usage such as mandatory inspections, boat quarantine periods, lake closures, and increased fees. Economic impacts may be seen as higher charges for water and power utilities to account for increased costs due to increased preventative maintenance frequency, infrastructure protection upgrades such as filters and strainers and other prevention devices such as Ultra Violet lights and repairs to infrastructure and facilities due to biofouling of Golden Mussels.

To help curb the spread of Golden Mussels, the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways asks that you

Inspect all watercraft and equipment.
Clean any visible mud, plants, fish or animals from watercraft and equipment.
Drain all water, including from lower outboard unit, ballast, live-well, buckets, and anything else that contains water.
Dry everything for at least five days or with a towel before reuse.
Dispose of debris and unwanted bait, worms, and fish parts in the trash.
Report any mussels or suspect invasive species you find to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife hotline at (866) 440-9530 or email: Invasives@wildlife.ca.gov and to the local marina manager or harbormaster.

So far Golden Mussels have not been documented in any bodies of water within the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument but just last Friday they were found on a boat attempting to launch in Lake Tahoe. Vessel quarantine periods and decontamination requirements vary throughout the state, so please contact the manager of the water body before you launch. If you observe Golden Mussels in California you are urged to immediately report your findings to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Invasive Species Program , or by email to Invasives@wildlife.ca.gov , or by telephone to (866) 440-9530. Clear, close-up photographs with an item for scale are encouraged to be submitted with your report.

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Enjoying Outside - National Wildfire Awareness Month

kehrhardt@tuleyome.org (Kristie Ehrhardt) — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 17:05:12 GMT

In many areas across the United States, May is National Wildfire Awareness Month. Wildfires have become an unwelcome and constant part of life in not only the rural areas of our region but also highly populated urban areas as well. In many areas of the country, wildfire season is year round. Here in our region, the month of May typically is when the days begin to heat up causing the wildland vegetation to begin to dry out and become fuel for wildfires. Dry north winds often barrel through California causing embers to land in places where they can readily ignite additional fire-fuel sources quickly resulting in an out-of-control situation. Whether you live in a fire zone or you like to spend time recreating in one, there are ways that you can help property owners, residents and firefighters remain safe.

Published reports indicate that up to about 85% of all wildfires in the United States are caused by human activity. Many of those are accidental and could have been prevented with some additional care. Wildfires not only jeopardize residents, property and natural ecosystems but they also cause firefighters to be placed in vulnerable situations in their efforts to protect our communities. Recently, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) partnered with the convenience store chain, Maverik in an effort to help educate the public on wildfire awareness and safety. Videos play on gas pumps and inside the stores to help educate people heading out on their public land adventures to recreate safely without sparking wildfires.

California recognizes May as Wildfire Awareness Month. The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is urging Californians to plan ahead and be wildfire ready by :

Prepare early to reduce stress later during an emergency
Sign up for local alerts at https://calalerts.org/signup.html
Have a plan
Let family, friends and neighbors know what your plan is incase of a wildfire emergency
Have a set meeting location outside of the danger zone
Have bags packed and ready to go with essential medication, important documents, food and water, phone charger, pet supplies and medications,
Memorize multiple evacuation routes out your neighborhood
If there is time, check on and help neighbors that might need extra assistance to evacuate

To help protect structures BLM recommends :

Home hardening which includes retrofitting vulnerable areas such as decks, vents and gutters to withstand flying embers,
Develop and maintain at least 30 feet of defensible space around your property by removing flammable materials and vegetation
Again sign up for local alerts at https://calalerts.org/signup.html

Wildfire smoke is also dangerous, even if you’re far away from the fire. If you can smell smoke, you’re breathing it. You can check your local air quality at AirNow .

One of the leading causes of wildfires is illegal fireworks, vehicle or equipment sparks and open burning. To reduce the risk of wildfire, BLM suggests always following fire restrictions for the region you are recreating in. Avoiding activities that cause sparks such as dragging chains, and discharging firearms on hot, dry and windy days. By keeping tools such as shovels, fire extinguishers and large buckets of water nearby just in case of an accidental spark and please check campfire restrictions before burning.

Wildfires can spark and change directions very abruptly; preparation and knowledge help enable the public to protect their home, families and landscapes.

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Science Corner - North American Beaver (at Conaway Ranch!)

kehrhardt@tuleyome.org (Kristie Ehrhardt) — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 17:05:05 GMT

The North American Beaver also commonly called American Beaver, Canadian Beaver or just beaver is the largest member of the rodent family in the United States. The word rodent means “to gnaw” and rodents are characterized by a pair of continuously growing upper and lower incisors. Beavers must constantly gnaw on trees to keep their teeth from getting too long. About 40% of all known mammal species are rodents and are native all over the world with the exception of Antarctica.

It is believed that beavers are from ten to twelve million years old and fossils were first discovered in Germany. It is thought that these beavers used the Bering Strait to reach North America about seven million years ago. Today there are two distinct species of beaver; the American Beaver ( Castor canadensis ) and the Eurasian Beaver ( C. fiber ). The American Beaver is the species found in the United States and the rest of North America.

American Beavers (beavers) are semi-aquatic spending at least part of their day in water. Their tails are large, flat and paddle-shaped and when combined with their webbed hind feet, beavers are excellent swimmers. Beavers also use their flat tails to slap the water to signal danger to other nearby beavers, to store fat and to help them balance when toting loads of heavy logs and branches. Beavers' front feet are smaller than their rear feet and have claws rather than being webbed. Their front feet are extremely dexterous and give them the ability to grasp and rotate pencil-thin stems, peel off bark, dig and put food such as small leaves in their mouths. Another adaptation of semiaquatic life includes a nictitating membrane which covers and protects the eyes so they can remain open under the water allowing them to see and ears and nostrils that are able to seal shut while under water. Despite their large incisors, beavers are able to close their mouths over their teeth. Beavers range from about 25 pounds to over 70 pounds but the average is around 50. They are about 30 to 35 inches from nose to rump with tails that range from eight to nearly 14 inches long. Beavers sport a rich, dark chocolate-brown double coat which includes long, coarse outer hairs and short, fine and dense inner hairs. This coat helps keep the beaver’s body dry and insulates it from cold and hot temperatures. Beavers have two sets of scent glands. One set produces an oily substance called castoreum (which is where the beaver’s Genus, Castor, comes from and is used to waterproof their coats. The other set of scent glands produces waxy chemicals that help identify one beaver to another. Beavers also have a thick layer of fat just under their skin that also helps keep them warm while in cold, sometimes icy water. Beaver fur was so sought after at one point in time that they were nearly driven to extinction.

Beavers are primarily nocturnal but can also be active during the day and spend their time going to and from water collecting bark, leaves, roots and wetland plants to eat. They excel at swimming and can remain underwater for up to 15 minutes. Which is advantageous because they spend an awful lot of their time designing and building their homes and water control structures. Beavers build their dwelling or lodges using rocks, sticks and mud in waterways and other bodies of water. Their lodges may be juxtaposed to land or surrounded entirely by water. The inside of the lodge is covered with mud which dries to the consistency of cement keeping the lodge warm and dry during the cold, wet months. A breathing hole is left open at the top of the lodge and entrances are underwater. Lodges have multiple chambers and different elevations to keep them either moist for feeding or warm and dry for sleeping. Beavers also build dams in order to back up water and form deep ponds to allow for the beaver to escape predation from coyotes, wolves, mountain lions and other top predators. Dams are built using longer branches, vegetation and mud. If tree branches and vegetation are not available beavers will use rocks to build their dams. Branches, sticks, twigs and vegetation are cut using their incisors and carried and put in place using their front feet. Dam building not only provides a refuge for the beavers but it also creates and enhances habitat for other amphibians, fish and waterfowl. Beaver dams also help reduce soil erosion and may lessen the impacts of flooding.

Beavers are monogamous and mate at about three years of age. Only one litter of one to four kits is born a season and usually remain with their parents inside the warm, safe lodge for up to two years.

Beaver Facts :

At one point beaver fur was so valuable, primarily for hats and shirts that the species was on the brink of extinction. Today it is estimated that there are about 10-15 million American Beaver occurring throughout its range in North America and are considered invasive species in some places!
Very old beavers can weigh over 100 pounds (about the weight of a king size mattress)!
It’s believed that the sound of running water is what urges beavers to build or repair their dams. The largest beaver dam was discovered by satellite imagery in 2007 near Alberta, Canada. It was nearly a half a mile long and two times wider than Hoover Dam!
Beavers are considered “keystone species” because their activities provide increased biodiversity by forming or enlarging wetlands and surrounding riparian habitats - they are unique in that they can change the landscape!

Be sure to check out Tuleyome’s Youtube channel for a very close up (!) view of beavers and other wildlife friends at play at our partner in conservation Conaway Ranch!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Nature and You: Woodland Regional Park Preserve and Conservation Issues on the Eel River

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 17:04:52 GMT

Woodland Regional Park Preserve in Autumn - photo by Juliann Ricker.

Our May Nature and You lecture was a celebration of the Woodland Regional Park Preserve, which opened to the public on May 17 ^th . The lecture featured four speakers – Stephanie Burgos from the City of Woodland, Dr. Glen Holstein from Tuleyome, Chris Alford from the Yolo Habitat Conservancy, and Dr. Geoff Benn from Tuleyome. If you missed it, be sure to check out the recording , for a fascinating discussion of how the Preserve was created, what makes it special from an ecological and botanical perspective, ongoing conservation programs, and educational programs.

The Eel River – photo by Robert Ashworth .

Our June Nature and You lecture will take place on Zoom at 7pm on June 26 ^th . This month’s speaker is Ryan Henson, who will focus on current conservation issues on the Eel River, a major river in the Northern Coast Range, with a watershed that covers parts of five counties, including the northern third of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. The Eel is at a major crossroads due to the planned surrender by PG&E of the Potter Valley Project, which includes the proposed removal of the Scott and Cape Horn Dams.

Click here for more information on the talk and to register to receive the Zoom link.

Youth Boot Bank Office Hours

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 17:04:36 GMT

We held our monthly Youth Boot Bank office hours on May 7 ^th , where we loaned out two pairs of boots and took in several returns and donations. Our next office hours will be at the Tuleyome office from 2:30 – 5:30pm on July 2 ^nd . Stop by if you would like to borrow a pair of boots, return boots, make a donation, or say hi!

In addition to our office hours, we also brought the Boot Bank to the grand opening of Woodland Regional Park Preserve, where we loaned out several pairs of boots and did outreach for the Boot Bank and Tuleyome’s other programs.

Hiking boots from the Youth Boot Bank are available for free 6-month loans to the public at our monthly office hours. Camping gear is available to participants in Tuleyome camping trips and to partner organizations that are hosting camping trips. If you have any questions about the Youth Boot Bank program, please contact Geoff Benn at gbenn@tuleyome.org .

May Field Trips Wrap Up Year of Significant Growth for K-12 Program

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 17:04:32 GMT

Willett Elementary kindergarteners pose for a picture at Woodland Regional Park Preserve.

We wrapped up our 2024-2025 field trip season in May with trips to Woodland Regional Park Preserve and Conaway Ranch for 11 classes from schools in Davis, Winters, and Woodland. We hosted kindergarteners and 2 ^nd graders from Woodland Science and Tech Academy, kindergarteners from Willett Elementary, 2 ^nd graders from Maxwell Elementary, 3 ^rd graders from Cesar Chavez Elementary, and 3 ^rd graders from Shirley Rominger Intermediate School.

Woodland Science and Tech Academy kindergarteners show off the sun shelter they designed and built at Woodland Regional Park Preserve.

Highlights from the trips to Conaway Ranch included dissecting oak galls, teaching the kids about tules, and showing them otter slides ( click here for game camera footage of the Conaway otters). Highlights of the trips to WRPP included building sun shelters with the kindergarteners, jackrabbits, and seeing a nesting killdeer.

Cesar Chavez Elementary 3 ^rd graders practice using binoculars at Conaway Ranch.

These trips wrap up the busiest year in recent memory for our K-12 field trip program, with a total of 46 classes and over 1100 students participating in field trips. That’s a nearly 70% increase in students over the 2023-2024 school year!

Willett Elementary School kindergarteners observing a nesting killdeer at Woodland Regional Park Preserve

You can learn more about our K-12 program here . If you would like to sign up for a field trip for your class, homeschool, scout, or other youth group, please contact Geoff Benn at gbenn@tuleyome.org .

Woodland Regional Park Preserve Grand Opening

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 17:04:24 GMT

Tuleyome Board Member Lyndsay Dawkins speaks at the Grand Opening.

On May 17 ^th , Tuleyome joined the City of Woodland, local Rotary Clubs, and many other longtime partners and volunteers to celebrate the grand opening of Woodland Regional Park Preserve. Volunteer Tuleyome Board Member Lyndsay Dawkins was one of several speakers at the opening ceremony – she highlighted Tuleyome’s long-standing involvement with the development of the Preserve and the key role played by Tuleyome Board Member Glen Holstein.

Tuleyome Education Associate Geoff Benn with Interns Lasya Nalla and Juliann Ricker

The event featured tables from a range of local organizations as well as the Woodland Public Library’s bookmobile. At Tuleyome’s table, we were proud to showcase the work done at the Preserve by our two Horticultural Interns, Lasya Nalla and Juliann Ricker. We also had our popular “smell like a bee” challenge for kids, a selection of boots available for loan from our Youth Boot Bank Program, and information on our programs, including K-12 field trips at the Preserve and Conaway Ranch.

Tuleyome Board Member Lyndsay Dawkins leads the Nature’s Theater Play “Superbird”

In addition to our table, Tuleyome volunteer board member Lyndsay Dawkins also led a performance of the Nature’s Theater ecoplay “Superbird”, where kids learn about birds through an interactive walking play and then relay what they’re learned to Superbird at the end of the walk.

We are very excited that the Preserve is now open to the public – if you’d like to learn more about the Preserve, we recommend checking out our recent Nature and You lecture , which covers the development of the Preserve, what makes it special ecologically and botanically, and ongoing conservation and education programs.

Silver Spur Ranch Hike

nlillge@tuleyome.org (Nate Lillge) — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 17:04:09 GMT

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Certified California Naturalist

Adventures and Engagement Director

Policy Corner: Wildfire: A Crisis In Need of a Bipartisan Solution (And, What Can the House of Representatives and the Senate Really Do?)

bpride@tuleyome.org (Bryan Pride) — Fri, 09 May 2025 15:53:09 GMT

Across the country wildfires are increasingly more catastrophic; growing larger, spreading faster and burning longer than before. Nationwide, the total acres burned rose dramatically from 2.7 million in 2023 to nearly 9 million in 2024 . California is averaging more than 7,500 wildfires annually . Not including the recent Los Angeles fires, six of the top ten most destructive fires, three of the five deadliest fires, and all of the state's nine largest fires have occurred since 2017.

It is unsustainable for both California and the country to continue burning at this magnitude. This leaves us with the question: "What can be done to solve the wildfire problem?"

In response to this growing crisis, lawmakers are taking action. Congress is advancing different versions of the Fix Our Forests Act ( FOFA ) in the Senate and House of Representatives. How these bills progress and the opportunities to amend, change or improve these bills are constrained by the different processes in the House and the Senate.

The House of Representatives

The House of Representatives version of FOFA, (H.R. 471) , was introduced by Representative Bruce Westerman (R-AR) in January 2025 with 43 bipartisan cosponsors, including several from California. With a stated goal to expedite forest management activities under NEPA. H.R. 471, it significantly reflects Executive Order 14225, "Immediate Expansion of American Timber Production" (March 1, 2025). While the legislation takes some important steps, there are also significant concerns regarding rollbacks of environmental protections and judicial review.

FOFA , H.R. 471, establishes an interagency Fireshed Center overseen by the Department of the Interior and U.S. Forest Service comprised of 15 agencies, administrations, departments and bureaus to gather data, provide guidance and work with states and tribes. It sets up a process to designate “fireshed management areas” and expands projects exempt from full reviews from 3,000 – 10,000 acres. The bill heavily favors logging as a form of fire management, but also embraces prescribed burns and prioritizes reforestation and restoration projects.

H.R. 471 grants numerous “categorical exclusions”, exempting areas and projects from review under the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act and National Historic Preservation Act. H.R. 471 also fast-tracks environmental review and consultation. At the same time, the Administration is significantly gutting personnel and expertise through DOGE and its budget.

H.R. 471 alters the judicial process. H.R. 471 limits when a court can grant injunctive relief. What is injunctive relief? That is the ability of the court to say: “Stop doing what you are doing.” Or slow it down, or change it, while we figure this out. It is common. Removing it is unusual. H.R. 471 limits the court’s ability to order corrective actions, limits plaintiff’s ability to sue, limits the court’s ability to require additional data from an agency and allows the challenged activities to go forward while under review. H.R. 471 also decreases the statute of limitations (the time that someone has to sue) from 6 years to 120 days.

Much concern was expressed over the expansion of categorical exclusions, the change in judicial review procedures and timelines and fast-tracking of proposals. However, there was no opportunity to address any of these issues.

When a bill is introduced in the House of Representatives, much like in the Senate, it is assigned to a committee with subject matter expertise. Committees study bills, hold hearings and gather testimony from experts. Committees hold mark-up sessions to debate and make changes to the bill through amendments. When a House of Representatives Committee passes a bill, it sends the bill to the House Rules Committee.

The House Rules committee determines the form of the bill, which amendments will be allowed, how long folks will have to speak, or not, and when the bill moves. The House Rules Committee is run by the party in power, by the majority party. The Rules Committee is heavily tilted to favor the majority party, giving it full control over the floor of the House or Representatives. The Rules Committee has nine members of the majority party, Republicans, and 4 members of the minority party, Democrats. There is no comparable Committee in the Senate.

No committee hearings or mark-ups were held on H.R. 471. Only three amendments and only one hour of debate were allowed. In the House of Representatives, a simple majority vote is necessary for bill passage. In January 2025, the H.R. 471 passed the House of Representatives on a vote of 279-141 without a hearing or mark-up and with scant debate.

In the Senate

Now, attention has turned to the Senate, where Senators Curtis (R-UT), Hickenlooper (D-CO), Sheehy (R-MT) and Padilla’s (D-CA) version of FOFA , S. 1462 , introduced in April, is making its way through the Senate process. The bill’s stated goal is to improve forest management on BLM and USFS lands.

Similar to the House of Representatives, when a bill is introduced in the Senate, it is assigned to a committee for study, hearings, expert testimony, a mark-up session and amendments. In fact, the Senate Agriculture Committee has already begun reviewing the legislation, holding a legislative hearing on S. March 6 . The next step will be a mark-up in committee, where we can expect to see robust debate.

If the Committee decides to move forward with the bill, it sends it to the full Senate. If a committee does not send the bill to the Senate, the bill dies in committee. Once a bill is released from committee, the Majority Leader of the Senate is responsible for deciding when to send the legislation for a vote. There is no Rules Committee. At this stage of floor consideration and debate is when there is the most significant difference in the legislative process between the House and the Senate. During floor consideration, a senator or group of senators can exercise their right to unlimited debate through a filibuster, which can keep legislation off the floor indefinitely. Once a debate is closed through cloture, the Senate can move to a final vote on the bill, which requires a simple majority of 51 votes.

A bill on the Senate floor requires only 51 votes to pass after a debate has ended, but it takes 60 votes to cut off debate through a process called "cloture." If 60 Senators vote in favor of ending the debate, it will move to a final vote. Because of the razor thin margin in the Senate – 53 Rs, 45 Ds and 2 Independents – Republicans will need Democrats to vote with them to stop debate and advance FOFA to a vote. The requirement for broader consensus often means that legislation passed by the Senate has undergone more compromise. This provides an opportunity for the minority party to shape the bill that is not present in the House of Representatives.

Thus, the Senate version of FOFA, S. 1462 , represents a significant improvement over the House version. It too sets up “fireshed management areas” and calls for fireshed assessments, albeit based on different criteria than the House version. A centerpiece of S. 1462 is the establishment of Wildfire Intelligence Center staffed by wildfire experts, technical leads, and indigenous leaders and governed by a Board of 16 agencies, administrations, departments and bureaus. The legislation removes historical barriers that previously prevented foresters, fire teams, and indigenous communities from implementing these preventative practices, allowing for more proactive management across all phases of wildfire prevention, response, and recovery. These centers create opportunities for multifaceted approaches throughout the entire fire management cycle, from prevention to rapid response to restoration.

The Senate version also retains more authority for environmental reviews and judicial action. While the S. 1462 retains greater environmental review under NEPA and the National Historic Preservation Act, it also rolls back ESA reviews of land management plans and other environmental reviews depending on acreage. S. 1462 too limits injunctive relief, although not as significantly as the House version. S. 1462 leaves untouched other aspects of judicial review.

The Senate version of FOFA has garnered bipartisan support from leaders of the Republican and Democratic parties, as well as from California Governor Gavin Newsom, California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot, and CAL Fire Director and Fire Chief Joe Tyler.

Next Steps for the Legislation

If the Senate passes a version of FOFA that is different from the House version, which is highly likely, a conference committee will be formed with members from both the House and the Senate to reconcile the differences. After the conference committee reaches agreement on a bill, both chambers must vote again to approve the reconciled bill before it can go before the President to be signed into law.

Tuleyome will continue to keep you updated on the Fix Our Forests Act s. We hope to see real-time action and solutions to improve the fire resilience of our communities and our forests and improve forest health and wildfire management.

Co-Authored by

Bryan Pride and Sandra Schubert

Donor Spotlight - Roxanne

Fri, 09 May 2025 15:52:45 GMT

I first heard about Tuleyome when I saw an ad for its California Certified Naturalist Class. I was recently retired and looking for a way to meet others and learn more about our natural environment. I met so many motivated advocates and eager learners in the class, and some have become good friends. Tuleyome focuses on a part of California I didn't know well.

After completing the course I began participating in Naturalist class field trips, K-12 school outings, events, and Silver Spur Ranch camera maintenance trips. I love to help with the Naturalist class because I know the difference it made in my life. I also like turning kids and adults on to our special corner of California and the work Tuleyome is doing to preserve it. I make small regular donations now as an extension of my support for the mission.

Tuleyome’s focus on a part of Northern California that is often overlooked resonates with me. It has been championing the inland coastal range and watersheds for protection, education, and wise use for 20+ years. I also appreciate how Tuleyome works with divergent spheres of interest, inspiring collaboration instead of conflict. Those partnerships have paid off locally, with Yolo County park development and Putah and Cache Creek watershed education and volunteer events. That’s an amazing legacy!

I want Tuleyome to succeed in their mission and that means supporting stability in staff and organizational resources. I figure every little bit helps.

Monumental Questions - Happy Anniversary Molok Luyuk!

kehrhardt@tuleyome.org (Kristie Ehrhardt) — Fri, 09 May 2025 15:52:20 GMT

May 2, 2025 marked one glorious year of Federal protection for the newest addition to the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument - Molok Luyuk! Just a year ago, President Biden used the Antiquities Act to expand the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument to include the mountainous ridge that runs along the eastern edge of the monument. Protecting Molok Luyuk, formally known as Walker Ridge, means that crucial wildlife migration corridors are protected and that biodiversity is safeguarded. Preserving Molok Luyuk provides an essential link between the existing monument and other protected areas for Black Bears, Mountain Lions and Tule Elk.

The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation gave the name Molok Luyuk and renaming it means returning an indigenous name to the ridge. Molok Luyuk is Patwin for “Condor Ridge” and it is located in Patwin heartland. Preserving the ridge means preserving significant ceremonial sites for the Miwok, Pomo and Wappo people as well as protecting vital, historic Tribal trading routes. The entire monument and much of the surrounding area is all part of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation’s vast ancestral lands.

Molok Luyuk is a geologically unique area that presents 60-100 million years of history all within less than 14,00 acres. Plate tectonics has given rise to extraordinary biodiversity and the area has been called “perhaps the most accessible location” to see the unique geology of the entire Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. “A walk across Molok Luyuk is a walk through 100 million years of history.”

Together with our conservation partners, Tuleyome invites you to help us celebrate this Momentous occasion by taking a trip to visit our favorite monument. The wildflowers are amazing!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Enjoying Outside - Appreciating Milk Thistle!

kehrhardt@tuleyome.org (Kristie Ehrhardt) — Fri, 09 May 2025 15:51:51 GMT

Surely you’ve encountered Milk Thistle ( Silybum marianum ). It’s a noxious weed with a knockout magenta flower. The leaves are large and shiny green with white marbling and half inch long spines. It is labeled an invasive weed because it spreads aggressively and can form dense patches outcompeting native vegetation and causing nitrate toxicity in livestock.

Native to the Mediterranean, much of Europe, Asia and India, it came to North America via the early colonists. Originally it had been propagated for medicinal uses however it has escaped cultivation and can now be found in nearly any disturbed place with ample sun. Although plants can flower their first year, most commonly they are biennials (having a two year life cycle). Seeds germinate in the fall and begin life by putting out two cotyledons and later a bigger basal rosette, both with white marbling. During the spring and summer the plant develops a hardy taproot that helps it outcompete neighbors for moisture when things begin to get hot and dry. The tap root along with dense foliage and the ability to withstand cold temperatures make Milk Thistle very difficult to exterminate once it gains a foothold.

Milk Thistle belongs to the sunflower (Asteraceae) family and plants can reach six feet tall and have large, pinnately lobed leaves with the aforementioned white marbling - an identifying characteristic of Milk Thistle. The plants flower from early spring to late fall and both the leaves and the base of the flowers are armed with long, nasty spines. It can thrive in a variety of soil conditions and reproduces by wind-dispersed seeds; both which have aided it in spreading indiscriminately. Milk Thistle can be found throughout California in overgrazed rangeland, along roadsides, fence lines and virtually any other ruderal or maintained area.

So, now that you’ve heard how invasive it is, how about recognizing some of the benefits of this beautiful thistle.

The medicinal values of Milk Thistle are somewhat undetermined although it is believed that the flavonolignan complex called silymarin, which is found in the seeds, is believed to have antimicrobial as well as anticancer properties. It is also presumed to have the ability to help protect the liver, heart and blood vessels, nervous system and even skin from damage or injury. Research is also being conducted on its potential to help lower blood sugar along with other benefits such as counteracting the toxicity of pesticides, antibiotics and metals. A recent study is also showing that silymarin may be effective in the treatment of Death Cap ( Amanita phalloides ) and other toxic fungi poisoning.

In addition to its therapeutic properties, Milk Thistle is also edible. The leaves and stems can be collected and boiled with salt after removing the spines. The roots can be eaten roasted or raw and the flower head can be cooked and eaten like a small artichoke.

Not only is Milk Thistle edible for humans but it also provides a very important source of nectar for a variety of beneficial pollinators as well as adding brilliance and pizazz to your garden. A variety of species of bees, butterflies and even birds flock to the stunning magenta flowers to collect the nectar. While collecting nectar, these friends also play an essential role in the pollination process. And, not only do birds play a key role in pollination, they can also help control some pest species that you may not want in your garden. Milk Thistle not only attracts a medley of pollinators but the biodiversity of your garden will also be increased and enhanced.

Next time you’re strolling around your neighborhood and come across a marbled thistle with a dazzling purple plume, take a minute to look at it a little closer. Chances are good that you’ll find some happy bees or butterflies doing their thing!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Science Corner - Blue Elderberry

kehrhardt@tuleyome.org (Kristie Ehrhardt) — Fri, 09 May 2025 15:51:21 GMT

The Blue Elderberry ( Sambucus mexicana , also known as Sambucus nigra ssp. carfulea ) is a deciduous shrub that belongs to the honeysuckle, sometimes called muskroot, family (Caprifoliaceae). The family contains five genuses with about 200 species.

Blue Elderberry is widely distributed throughout the southwestern United States and occurs in Arizona, California, New Mexico, Texas and regions in Mexico. It occurs throughout California in a variety of habitat types but is regionally rare in southeastern California. The Blue Elderberry is hardy and sprouts quickly and easily. Although it is native to California, I’ve heard it described as “weedy” - which would normally imply that a species is not native - because it is so prolific. It can be found in a variety of habitat types with well-drained soil including streambanks and at the bottom of canyons and slopes. It prefers full sun but can still thrive in partial to full shade. In our region it is commonly found as an understory species in riparian habitats but is also found in chaparral, sage scrub, woodland and grasslands as well.

Blue Elderberries (elderberry) are often multi stem shrubs but individuals will occasionally develop a main trunk like a small tree. A mature elderberry can get up to 30 feet tall but most range from eight to around 20 feet in height. It is generally as wide as it is tall, flowers from March through September and fruits from July through October. The leaves are pinnately compound, similar to the leaf of a walnut tree with roughly five to nine leaflets. The creamy white flowers occur in flat-topped clusters and the fruit is a small, very dark blue or purple berry with dense, short white hairs making the berries look frosted. Elderberries are easy to grow and hardy. They do well in native landscape and they are receptive to pruning if you use them in your yard. They require moderate watering but once established only need infrequent waterings.

Elderberry flowers are readily edible and can be steeped into tea to help with cold, flu and fever symptoms and even have skin care benefits. The rest of the plant contains the alkaloids hydrocyanic acid and sambucine. Both of these will cause nausea, and nobody wants that. The fruit is high in vitamin C and can only be eaten if they are cooked. They have been used in a variety of ways including syrup, jellies, wine, candy, pies, sauces and tinctures. Because of the alkaloids, eating unripe, raw berries causes violent illness. Side note - a former coworker has personal experience with this and does not recommend it. The bark has medicinal purposes but it also contains a high concentration of cyanide and must be prepared carefully. Native Americans used the flowers to reduce bleeding and congestion and to reduce headache. The leaves were used to help wounds, sprains and bruises heal and berries were used for food, to dye baskets, to help burns heal along with other medicinal purposes. The wood was used for arrow shafts, flues, whistles, clapper sticks as well as medicinal uses.

Elderberry shrubs are an important food source for a variety of wildlife. Bats, bees and butterflies gather nectar from the flowers and the shrub itself provides habitat for many different wildlife species. Birds, squirrels and other rodents and even bears gorge themselves on the berries which aids in the distribution of the shrubs to other locations. Many songbird species benefit from eating elderberries in the summer months including bluebirds, flickers, mockingbirds, scrub jays, sparrows, towhees, and waxwings. Deer and elk readily graze on the foliage. Elderberry shrubs also provide soil stabilization on stream and river banks while the canopy provides shade to cool the ground and nearby water.

The Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle ( Desmocerus californicus dimorphus ) is a native species that requires the Blue Elderberry shrub to complete its life cycle. The Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle (VELB) was listed as a threatened species under the Federal Endangered Species Act on August 8, 1980 and is only found on the Valley floor and low foothills. VELB live exclusively on Elderberry shrubs and spend their entire lives on them. Adults emerge from inside the stems of Elderberry shrubs from March to about June. The adults mate and lay eggs on the bark of the shrub. After the eggs hatch, the larvae excavate a tunnel into the pith of the plant where they stay and feed for up to two years. When the larvae are ready to pupate they tunnel to the surface and excavate an exit hole then fill the hole with frass (wood shavings) and return to their pupal chamber inside the plant. As mating season begins, the adult beetle dislodges the frass plug, exits the shrub and the cycle begins again. The primary threat to the VELB is habitat fragmentation and loss and herbicide and insecticide use. As a result of the protections afforded the beetle, the shrub has also benefited.

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Nature and You Lectures - April and May 2025

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Fri, 09 May 2025 15:50:53 GMT

Our April Nature and You lecture featured local author Aaron Haiman, who recently published “Birds of the California Delta”. In his lecture, Aaron discussed the history and ecology of the delta region, highlighted some of the rare birds in the region, and discussed ongoing conservation projects. If you missed his lecture, you can view the recording here .

Our May Nature and You lecture will feature a panel discussion celebrating the grand opening of the Woodland Regional Park Preserve. Speakers will discuss the plants and animals that make the Preserve special, the history of the Preserve, ongoing programs, and what’s next for the Preserve now that it’s open (Grand Opening May 17th!). The lecture will take place via Zoom at 7pm on May 22 ^nd – click here to register to receive the Zoom link.

Youth Boot Bank Donation Drive Results and Office Hours

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Fri, 09 May 2025 15:50:08 GMT

Donation Drive Results

Left: Picking up the Folsom and Roseville Donations. Right: On the road to collect donations with SpokesBear Berry.

This month, Tuleyome wrapped up our second annual gear donation drive for our Youth Boot Bank at local REI stores. Donation bins were placed in the Concord, Folsom, Roseville, and Sacramento REI stores and patrons were encouraged to donate new or used hiking boots and camping equipment. The drive was a great success, bringing in hiking boots, tents, sleeping pads, backpacks, and more. We would like to thank REI for partnering with us for this project and would especially like to thank Daniel Frederick and Allison Hansen for leading the effort at the Sacramento-area and Concord REI stores, respectively.

Office Hours

Showing off his new boots from the Youth Boot Bank

We held our monthly office hours on April 2 ^nd , where we loaned out one pair of boots and took in several returns and donations. Our next office hours will at the Tuleyome office from from 2:30 – 5:30pm on May 7 ^th and from 2:30 – 5:30pm on June 4 ^th . Stop by if you would like to borrow a pair of boots, return boots, make a donation, or say hi!

April K-12 Field Trips at the Preserve and Conaway Ranch

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Fri, 09 May 2025 15:49:21 GMT

North Davis Elementary 3 ^rd Graders at Conaway Ranch

April has been a busy month for Tuleyome’s K-12 field trip program! This month we led six field trips at Woodland Regional Park Preserve and four field trips at Conaway Ranch, serving a total of 15 classes and 389 students! The groups ranged from TK through 5 ^th grade and included classes from Davis, Natomas, Winters, and Woodland, as well as a Girl Scout Troop.

Girl Scouts working on Ecosystem Drawings at Conaway Ranch

Teachers selected from Tuleyome’s menu of “Trails” which provide a set of themed activities that are aligned with grade-level specific science standards – this month we did the Adaptations, Ecosystems, Land, and Sun trails. All trails also include a nature walk with binoculars and time for students to investigate their surroundings. Highlights from this month included having kids “disperse” (into pots to take home) wildflower seeds while acting like birds as part of the adaptations trail, doing mock fossil excavations as part of the land trail, and seeing wildlife such as egrets, herons, jackrabbits, and deer.

A PACT Academy student observes a tree swallow on a post at Woodland Regional Park Preserve.

Zamora Elementary Kindergarteners try out the sun shelter they built at Woodland Regional Park Preserve.

If you have questions about our K-12 field trip program or if you would like to book a trip for your class, please contact Geoff Benn at gbenn@tuleyome.org .

Tuleyome in the Community – April 2025

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Fri, 09 May 2025 15:48:46 GMT

Nature Day at The Hive

On April 5 ^th , Tuleyome staff members Geoff and Nate tabled at Nature Day at The Hive in Woodland. At the event, which featured all things bees and honey, we had our popular “Smell Like a Bee Challenge” where kids try to match flowers based on their smell. Education Associate Geoff also did a story time where he read “Who Stole the Bees’ Wings” to a group of about 20 kids and their parents.

Zamora Elementary School Science Fair

On April 12 ^th , Tuleyome staff members Geoff and Kristie tabled at the Zamora Elementary School Science Fair. Our table featured our “Smell Like a Bee Challenge,” an interactive display on animal tracks, and specimens including tree cross-sections and our mountain lion head (which was very popular). Over the course of the afternoon, every class in the school rotated through the fair, bringing kids from TK through 6 ^th grade to our table.

Duck Days

On April 26 ^th , Tuleyome joined many of our fellow outdoor enthusiasts at the Yolo Basin Foundation Duck Days celebration. Tuleyome volunteer board members Dr. Glen Holstein, Dr. Stephen McCord and Bill Grabert joined staff members Geoff, Kristie, and Nate at the event to help spread the Tuleyome message about enjoying our great outdoors. We were busy all day sharing information about our ever-popular Boot Bank, our upcoming events and our first rate education program. The kiddos had a great time painting pet rocks to take home while the adults learned all about what Tuleyome has done and continues to do to advocate for public land protection and enjoyment.

It was a fun day and we had a great time - hope you did too!

Recent Tuleyome Adventures

nlillge@tuleyome.org (Nate Lillge) — Fri, 09 May 2025 15:48:09 GMT

Every spring, the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region explodes with wildflowers! Our most recent adventures highlighted the beauty and diversity of this amazing National Monument.

In addition to our wildflower tours, Tuleyome led hikes to Zim Zim Falls and on Molok Luyuk with Bay Nature Magazine . Getting to walk through wildflowers and hear the bees pollinating is very relaxing!

Due to weather and road conditions, our camping trip to West Crockett Trailhead in Snow Mountain Wilderness was postponed. However, we have rescheduled this trip to June 28 .

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Certified California Naturalist

Adventures and Engagement Director

Policy Corner: Keeping Public Lands Public

bpride@tuleyome.org (Bryan Pride) — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 16:21:31 GMT

A lot has happened in the Public Lands space since our last Policy Corner. Doug Burgum took his role as the 55th Secretary of the Interior, and Kathleen Sgamma received confirmation to head the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The House Natural Resources Committee has held several oversight hearings on topics ranging from selling off public lands to establish American Energy Dominance , defunding federal agencies such as BLM as a method to incentivize Multiple Land Use by private companies and undercutting the efficacy of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and calling it a “needed reform”. Through questionable actions made by DOGE, we have also seen thousands of Forest Service, BLM and National Park employees fired and, through court order, rehired . With all this chaos happening far and near, the real question becomes: What does all this chaos mean for Californians?

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land is concentrated in 12 western states. California holds nearly 15 million acres of BLM lands. In addition to BLM land, California has land that is managed by other federal agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The recent reductions to staff across all federal agencies directly impacts National Monuments, National Parks, and National Forests, that are located within California.

Every year, Californians, residents from nearby states, as well as international tourists visit the public lands within California as a way to spend time with families, enjoy the great outdoors, and experience mental healing. The National Park Service reported that 36.2 million people visited the 28 national parks in California in 2023 . Those visitors spent roughly $3.2 billion dollars, which supported 39,678 California-based jobs and contributed $5.1 billion dollars to our state economy. While it may not be as visible, the presence of BLM and U.S Forest Service also creates jobs in California and positively contributes to the local economies of our communities and the overall economic strength of California as a whole. Public Lands are more than recreation; they create employment opportunities and contribute to economic prosperity.

Despite National Monument and public lands holding immense value in the hearts and minds of Californians and the American people in general, our public lands are being threatened. It was announced earlier in the month that DOGE plans to close federal offices across the United States. One of the offices that has been targeted to close is the Ukiah BLM office . The Ukiah BLM office plays a significant role in coordinating protection for the federal lands in California ranging from the intercostal mountain range and Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, which includes the Mendocino forest. The Ukiah office assists with issuing permits for timber harvesting, livestock grazing, off highway vehicle recreation, and overseeing proper adherence to environmental preservation practices. Additionally, Ukiah is essential in coordinating CalFire dispatch and response to the wildfires that affect our forests and our communities.

The Ukiah BLM office also houses the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Manager. Without a Ukiah office, the Monument Manager's ability to respond to fires, guarantee safety, and ensure that conservation practices are taking place in and around the monument is reduced. This means that our public lands and forests are at heightened risk of wildfires and trails we love to hike become unsafe to those who use them.

The closure of the physical office is not the only threat to Ukiah BLM operations. Many of the staff have been in their posts for years and have recently been promoted, meaning the invaluable staff is at risk of being terminated due to their probationary status. We run the risk of losing these public servants and the institutional knowledge they have of our public lands. 1.5 million Californians throughout the region will be affected if we lose the Ukiah office or staff.

The Department of Interior (DOI) is also proposing selling an area of federal land larger than the city of Los Angeles as part of the agency's plan to use public lands to help solve the recently announced "housing and energy crisis." The DOI is looking to sell about 400,000 acres—625 square miles—of federal lands for housing. Federal lands that are within a radius of up to 10 miles of all cities and towns with a population greater than 5,000 people are at risk of being sold to private companies. This has the potential to affect communities that are near the Berryessa Snow Mountain Monument. When private companies have ownership of land that surrounds protected landscapes, public access to National Monuments is reduced, oversight on how once-public lands are managed is lost which has the potential to result in the destruction of monuments such as the Berryessa Snow Mountain.

With so much going on in the Public Lands and Conservation space, Tuleyome is working hard within our networks to fight against policies that put our public lands at risk. For the past several weeks, we have connected with both Congressional Offices and members of the California State Legislature, asking our representatives to be advocates for our public lands and promote good land stewardship.

On March 18th, Tuleyome joined the California Power in Nature Advocacy day, where we, along with 80 other organizations throughout California, gathered in Sacramento to advocate for policies that prioritize the protection of California Public Lands and Coastal Waters. This was an opportunity for Tuleyome to amplify the voices and concerns that many of us have regarding public lands and the importance of prioritizing land protection. We were well received by California Legislators and hope to see statewide initiatives that strengthen conservation practices and promote good land stewardship.

Reaching beyond a state level, Tuleyome is partaking in a Conservation Lands Foundation advocacy Fly-in where I will be visiting Congressional Representatives in Washington D.C. and advocating for the importance of: public lands remaining public, the necessity to reinstate park rangers and other public servants in our U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management offices. Our visit to Washington will feature stories and connections about how we enjoy our public lands as outdoor enthusiasts, community members, botanists, and individuals whose livelihoods are dependent on public lands.

Each time we engage in these efforts, Tuleyome is representing our diverse community and advocating on behalf of the land we love, but we could still use more help in amplifying the importance and love of our public lands.

I want to thank everyone who has been emailing and asking how to help advocate for our public lands. All of us have the ability to advocate for keeping our public lands in the hands of the public; together, we have strength, and we can amplify our voices.

For those of you who are interested in getting involved, there are many ways to help out. Some of the most impactful efforts include calling your state and federal representatives. Elected officials want to hear from you. Calling elected officials leads to impact; each call is documented and reviewed. It is one of the best methods for elected officials to keep record of what their constituents care about. I want to urge our readers to call your representatives, and it's okay to call multiple times. Each time you call, it is documented and demonstrates the urgency associated with the cause. Even if you called once before, call again and keep calling.

Reaching out to friends, family members, and community groups and encouraging them to call their representatives is a powerful way to advocate. Don't know who your representative is? No problem—use these links to find both state and federal representatives by using your zip code.

You can also send letters to elected officials. Using this link , you have the chance to send a letter to your elected officials and customize what you want to say about public lands. We encourage folks to use these grassroots options and join the fight to keep our public lands public.

All of us have the ability to advocate for our public lands and its resources – wildlife, flora, fauna, water and culture. If you're interested in learning more ways to help raise awareness and advocate for your public lands, feel free to reach out to me.

Until then, Happy Hiking!

-Bryan Pride ( bpride@tuleyome.org )

Policy Director

Monumental Questions - Attention Given to Molok Luyuk

kehrhardt@tuleyome.org (Kristie Ehrhardt) — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 16:21:25 GMT

We know how special Molok Luyuk is; to the indigenous people that call it home, to those of us who visit it regularly and for posterity.

With 500 different types of plants - 40 of them rare, Bald and Golden Eagles, Tule Elk, unique soils and fascinating geology, we already knew that Molok Luyuk deserved to be protected inside the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument boundaries.

And now, it's getting some well-merited attention from BayNature.org . Check out what they have to say about one of our favorite places!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Enjoying Outside - Happy 25th Anniversary National Conservation Lands!

kehrhardt@tuleyome.org (Kristie Ehrhardt) — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 16:21:17 GMT

You’ve probably enjoyed at least some portion of National Conservation Lands and may have not even known it. Primarily focused in the western United States, National Conservation Lands comprise over 38 million acres that includes California Desert, Conservation Areas, National Monuments, National Scenic and Historic Trails, Wilderness Areas, Wilderness Study Areas, and Wild and Scenic Rivers. With such a vast collection you can imagine the landscape and artifacts found in the National Conservation Lands program varies greatly ranging from brawny Alaskan tundra, dynamic coastlines, enchanting red-rock deserts, noble historic lighthouses, intricate waterways and serene mountains. National Conservation Lands provide public access to recreational and scientific research opportunities along with protected critical habitat for sensitive species and wildlife migration corridors. While some of the National Conservation Lands are remote, so much that for thousands of years they were protected just by their location or accessibility. Other National Conservation Lands are nearby and easily accessed, especially now that today one in six people live within 100 miles of federally protected public land.

The National Conservation Lands program was created in 2000 by conservationists in response to mounting threats to cultural resources, waterways and public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The BLM currently manages roughly 245 million acres of public land, more land than any other agency in the United States. But, only about 15%, around 37 million acres of those protected areas are designated as National Conservation Lands - lands that possess some of the last remaining wild, ecologically sensitive and culturally rich areas in the Western United States. They are often described as the landscape between more commonly known and familiar public lands such as National Parks and National Wildlife Refuges. Protecting these “in between areas” means safeguarding large, intact landscapes, ecosystems and culturally rich areas as one unit. These areas are managed to honor the ties that indigenous communities have to their lands while also embracing diverse interests and uses for future generations.

The National Conservation Lands Foundation was formed in 2007 and combined a local grassroots network with a sophisticated national presence to permanently protect more land as well as offer support to other like-minded community-led organizations and advocates who all share a love of public lands. Today, the National Conservation Lands program includes 28 National Monuments (including our favorite, The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument), 25 National Conservation Areas, 21 million acres of Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas, 2,700 miles of Wild and Scenic Rivers and 6,000 miles of Historic Trails. Not bad for only 25 years worth of work!

To learn more about National Conservation Lands in California visit : https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/california

To learn more about our friends at Conservation Lands Foundation visit : https://www.conservationlands.org/

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Science Corner - Coyote Bush

kehrhardt@tuleyome.org (Kristie Ehrhardt) — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 16:21:12 GMT

Coyote Bush ( Baccharis pilularis ) is one of my very favorite California native plants. It’s found throughout California and is a commonly seen but perhaps unnoticed species in our region. It seems nobody can quite agree on exactly why its common name is coyote bush but like another California native, the Coyote ( Canis latrans ) it is a very adaptable species and can thrive in many environments. Like the four-legged coyote, Coyote Bush flourishes in hot and arid chaparral, it can be an occasional woody plant in the grasslands of California, a common understory species in our oak woodlands and riparian areas and a soil stabilizing friend on windy coastal slopes. It can colonize in the shade but really thrives in full sun and pretty much everything else in between. It is able to endure soil and weather conditions that not many other species can ride out.

Although the source of the name isn’t really known, some believe that it may have come from both species’ adaptability or their ecological partnership, while others think it may be from the shape of the leaves which maybe *kinda sorta* resemble a coyote’s paw if you squint a bit.

Oh, and the smell! I don’t mean to gush but I have such a fondness for the scent of Coyote Bush and catching a whiff of it positively brightens my day. Falling in line with its often underrated and underappreciated presence, I often notice the presence of Coyote Bush by its scent before I even see the plant. I’ve heard it described as smelling like sage, honey, hay, sea air and even soap but to me it smells like pure glee with a dash of spice, dill and fresh air. I wish someone would make a Coyote Bush scented candle but I’m not sure that could do it justice.

Coyote Bush is a member of the Asteraceae (Aster) family which includes other favorites such as daisies, sunflowers, marigolds, dandelions and about 32,000 other known species worldwide. It is the largest family of flora in North America. Members of the Aster family have an enormous distribution and occur in subpolar to tropical regions and on every continent except Antarctica. Most members of the Aster family are herbaceous but some species can occur as an annual (completes its life cycle in one year), a biennial (completes its life cycle in two years) or a perennial (lives two or more years) and as woody vines, shrubs or trees. Flowers of the Aster family consist of many tiny florets (disk flowers) surrounded by strap-like bracts (also called ray flowers) which creates the characteristic “sunflower” look.

Coyote Bush is a perennial shrub usually less than ten feet tall with many stiff, upright branches and an extensive root system including dense lateral roots and a tap root that may be as long as the shrub is tall. The leaves are bright green, about an inch long with toothed margins and are broadest at the tip. They are covered with surface glands that produce resinous, but not sticky, oils which is where the fabulous scent comes from. This resin helps the plant decrease water loss through its leaves.

Coyote Bush is dioecious which means that male and female flowers on separate plants. Most of the year the shrub looks bright green but when it flowers from late summer to late fall it can look somewhat creamy white because of the multitude of tiny flowers. The flowers are pollinated by a variety of insects and in late fall and early winter a gazillion (probably not really that many but pretty close) itsy-bitsy (less than 1/16th of an inch) seeds are released and float away on a puff of fluff like another well-known Aster, the dandelion. Shrubs are most noticeable before and during seed dispersal when they appear ashy white because of the superabundance of tuft and seeds. Although Coyote Bush is popular in native landscaping, people usually only use male plants to avoid the messy seed dispersal.

Coyote Bush is somewhat burn resistant due to the high concentrations of fire-retardant organic compounds in its leaves. If the shrub does burn the root crown usually survives and will resprout. Because the many seeds of Coyote Bush are wind-blown with a wide dispersal area it will also readily re-establish itself in post burn and other disturbed areas. It is also deer and graze resistant and drought tolerant.

Other fun facts about Coyote Bush:

Coyote Bush often supports galls created by a host-specific midge ( Rhopalomyia californica ) that look like tiny cauliflowers.
Coyote Bush is often called a “pioneer species” because it is one of the first to re-establish following a fire or flood.
Coyote Bush provides an important source of nectar and habitat for native birds and butterflies.

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Spring Thing 2025

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 16:21:05 GMT

Our 4 ^th annual Spring Thing was a great success! A record 350+ people attended the event this year, which was co-hosted by the City of Woodland at the Woodland Regional Park Preserve on March 22 ^nd . Some of the fun highlights from the day included:

Live music at the pond stage from the Squirrels in the Attic String Band, the Free Range Singers Song Circle, and Malcolm Schuster
Walking tours of the Preserve for kids and adults, including a bird walk, a wetlands walk, and two performances of Superbird by Nature’s Theater
Kids receiving free loans of hiking boots through our Youth Boot Bank
Hearing from a range of speakers throughout the day including City of Woodland Mayor Pro Tempore Tom Stallard, Nicole Cuellar-Nelson (District Representative for Senator Cabaldon, California State Senate District 3), Jesse Clark (General Manager of Reclamation District 2035/Conaway Ranch), Tuleyome Board members Lyndsay Dawkins and Glen Holstein, and Tuleyome co-founder Andrew Fulks
Fun activities for kids including story times, face painting, fortune telling, mock fossil excavations, rock painting, fort building, a scavenger hunt, and Rec2Go, the City’s mobile recreation program
Great tables from partner organizations including the Bohart Museum, NorCal Bats, Yolo County Integrated Waste Management, and the City of Woodland
Tasty food from Hefty Gyros
A campfire and s’mores all day

We have posted many fun photos on our social media channels that you can see here .

We are deeply grateful to our official sponsor:

And to all of our other sponsors:

Wilbur Hot Springs

Davis Sunrise Rotary

Conservation Lands Foundation

Tom and Evelyn Wendt

Don Morrill

Don and Julie Saylor

We also greatly appreciate all of the local businesses and artists who made donations to the silent auction, the partner organizations that tabled at the event, and the team of 16 volunteers who helped put the event together.

If you missed out on the fun this year, stay tuned for Spring Thing 2026!

Nature and You Lectures – Biodiversity, MOB, and Birds!

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 16:20:58 GMT

Since our last newsletter, we’ve hosted two Nature and You lectures. The first, in February, featured Tuleyome’s own volunteer Board Member Dr. Glen Holstein, who spoke on California Biodiversity – you can view the recording here .

The second, in March, was given by Tracy Cline and Julia Clickard, of the Clear Lake Environmental Research Center (CLERC). They presented on a range of hands-on restoration and monitoring projects led by CLERC and then discussed Mediterranean Oak Borer, a new insect pest that is threatening trees in our region. You can view the recording here .

Our April Nature and You lecture will take place via Zoom at 7pm on April 24 ^th and will feature local author Aaron Haiman, who will discuss his new book “Birds of the California Delta”. You can learn more and register to receive the link on our events page – we hope you’ll join us!

If you have any questions about the Nature and You lecture series or have a suggestion for a speaker or topic, please contact Geoff Benn at gbenn@tuleyome.org.

Youth Boot Bank Office Hours

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 16:20:47 GMT

Now that the weather is getting nicer, it’s time to get the family out on the trails! If your kids need new hiking boots, stop by Tuleyome’s Youth Boot Bank office hours to pick up a pair for free!

The Youth Boot Bank provides free six-month loans of hiking boots to kids ages 0 – 18. Community members are invited to come to the Boot Bank office hours if they would like to borrow a pair of boots, return a pair of boots that has previously been borrowed from the Boot Bank, or if they would like to donate a new or gently used pair of boots to the program.

Office hours take place at the Tuleyome office (622 Main Street in Woodland) from 2:30 – 5:30 on the first Wednesday of each month. Our next two office hours will be on May 7th and June 4th.

If you have any questions about the Youth Boot Bank program, reach out to Geoff Benn at gbenn@tuleyome.org .

February and March Field Trips at the Preserve

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 16:20:41 GMT

2 ^nd graders acting as birds to “disperse” wildflower seeds

After a hiatus for the holiday season, Tuleyome field trips have resumed at Woodland Regional Park Preserve! On February 11 ^th and 27 ^th , we hosted our first groups from the Vacaville Unified School District at the Preserve – four classes of 2 ^nd graders from Cooper Elementary School. The students completed the Ecosystems Trail, which featured a nature walk with binoculars, sketching the ecosystem, and acting as birds to “disperse” wildflower seeds into pots to take home.

5 ^th graders constructing a food web

On February 26 ^th , we hosted a class of 5 ^th graders from Marguerite Montgomery Elementary in Davis at the Preserve. The students completed the Sun Trail, which included a nature walk with binoculars, building sun compasses, and creating food webs of the organisms at the park.

3 ^rd graders looking for insects on plants

On March 26 ^th and 28 ^th , we hosted our first groups from the Washington Unified School District (West Sacramento) – three classes of 3 ^rd graders from Southport Elementary. The students completed the Adaptations Trail, which featured a nature walk with binoculars, investigations of bird beak and feet adaptations, looking at plant-insect interactions, and the “smell like a bee challenge.”

If you have any questions about our field trip program or if you would like to book a trip for your class or group, please contact Geoff Benn at gbenn@tuleyome.org.

Congratulations to the Newest Certified California Naturalists!

nlillge@tuleyome.org (Nate Lillge) — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 16:20:35 GMT

In March, we celebrated the completion of our 2025 Certified California Naturalist course with 15 new California Naturalists. These naturalists are ready to share their knowledge, understanding, and enjoyment of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region.

In addition to classroom instruction, field trips in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region provided the participants the opportunity to see the region's unique ecology. Field trips to Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge and Lake Solano County Park highlighted the importance of of this spot along the Pacific Flyway. Hiking along Road 53 west of Guinda took the class from oak woodlands to a riparian ecosystem and chaparral while discussing land management.

The Certified California Naturalist course is presented by Tuleyome in partnership with University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. The UC California Naturalist Program introduces Californians to the wonders of our unique ecology and engages the public in study and stewardship of California’s natural communities.

Tuleyome will offer the Certified California Naturalist course next winter - dates will be announced at a later date. Questions about the course should be directed to Nate Lillge at nlillge@tuleyome.org .

Tuleyome Adventures in February and March

nlillge@tuleyome.org (Nate Lillge) — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 16:20:22 GMT

Thank you to everyone who joined one of our events. We love getting you out in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region. Check out our schedule of events .

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Certified California Naturalist

Adventures and Engagement Director

Policy Corner: Rolling Back The Antiquities Act, At What Cost?

bpride@tuleyome.org (Bryan Pride) — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 20:59:27 GMT

With a new Administration keen on identifying untapped sources for energy and natural resources, discussions on “rolling back” the Antiquities Act of 1906 are rising within Congress and the Administration.

The Antiquities Act is one of the most important tools available for the preservation of public lands, water, and historic sites. Passed by a Republican-led Congress and signed into law by President Theodore Roosevelt, the Act has been utilized by eighteen U.S. Presidents— nine Democrats and nine Republicans—who have collectively declared 145 national monuments . This bipartisan legislation remains essential for maintaining the integrity of natural and cultural resources.

Under The Antiquities Act, the President has the authority to reserve or withdraw federal lands or waters containing objects of historic, scenic, scientific and cultural significance. This protection prevents potential harm from commercial development, looting, and habitat destruction.

Key provisions of the Antiquities Act established several crucial tools for managing resources on public lands. These tools include:

Presidential authority to establish national monuments from existing federal lands
Requirements to secure permission from federal land managers before conducting archaeological investigations or removing objects
Authority for the Secretaries of Agriculture, Interior, and War to review and grant permits to qualified institutions
Requirements that materials, if excavated, be permanently preserved in public museums
Authority to develop uniform rules and regulations for implementing the Act

The legislation placed the preservation of public lands, water, scientific and scenic sites firmly within the federal government's responsibility and the public's interest. Federal land-management agencies must protect these sites because of their contributions to advancing scientific knowledge and overall public benefit.

Since 1906, presidents have exercised their authority under the Antiquities Act nearly 300 times. Including many iconic National Park locations such as the Grand Canyon (1908) to the more recent National Monuments including Berryessa Snow Mountain (2015) and Chuckwalla and Sáttítla (2025) .

The Antiquities Act's preservation mandates have generated substantial economic benefits. National monuments create jobs, enhance communities, and strengthen local outdoor recreation economies, which contributed $639.5 billion to national GDP in 2023 . According to the National Park Conservation Association, regions surrounding national monuments also experience growth in employment and increased per capita income following monument designation, demonstrating their positive impact on communities. The national park system attracts nearly 300 million visits to National Monuments and Parks each year, contributing to approximately $30 billion in economic activity. Each dollar invested in park operations yields $10 for local communities.

Across party lines, public opinion strongly supports National Parks and Monuments based specifically on their economic impact, with 75% of voters believing public lands attract high-quality employers and jobs to their states, and 80% agreeing these lands support their economy and quality of life. This economic-focused support is distinct from the even broader 95% voter approval for federal management of public lands , which considers additional scientific and recreational benefits beyond economic factors.

Efforts to undermine The Antiquities Act contradict public opinion and would compromise its fundamental purpose—enabling presidents to act swiftly in protecting sensitive federal lands. Anti-Antiquities Act activities could expose unique federal lands to development and mining claims, degrading resources and redirecting economic benefits from public to private entities.

While The Act provides designation authority, it does not automatically establish management plans, programs, or funding for designated monuments. This is why Tuleyome’s ongoing work with local communities is crucial. Tuleyome collaborates with the public and communities connected to Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument to develop co-management plans that protect these special places while considering both land preservation and public interests.

If you're interested in learning more about how to be involved in helping protect and steward Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, reach out to Bryan Pride.

-Bryan Pride ( bpride@tuleyome.org )

Policy Director

Donor Spotlight - Mackenzie

nlillge@tuleyome.org (Nate Lillge) — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 20:59:21 GMT

I learned about Tuleyome in 2006 when I met staff and the Board at a workshop. Their passionate volunteers were sharing information about their work throughout the Northern Inner Coast Range. I'm thankful for groups like Tuleyome who advocate for our public lands and all user groups. As an avid hiker, I appreciate their commitment to trail building and maintenance as well as the Boot Bank.

My first donation to Tuleyome was motivated by their work to protect the Berryessa Snow Mountain region as a National Monument. I was impressed by their innovative approach to addressing environmental issues while engaging diverse stakeholders. I know how important it is for organizations like Tuleyome to receive unrestricted support. The advocacy isn't as effective if the staff don't have the resources to do their vital work. I'm happy to donate so Tuleyome can use the funds where they are needed most, enabling them to respond quickly to changing circumstances and emerging needs.

Tuleyome's efforts have significantly enhanced the protection and accessibility of the northern Inner Coast Range mountains. This is key to ensuring the preservation of its unique ecological, recreational, and cultural values for current and future generations.

Thank you Tuleyome for all you do!

Monumental Questions - Can I still get Poison Oak in the Winter?

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 20:59:12 GMT

YES!

Leaves of three - let them be. Right but it’s winter and what if there are no leaves?

Poison Oak ( Toxicodendron diversilobum ), Pacific Poison Oak or Western Poison Oak is a widely distributed woody shrub or vine that belongs to the Sumac (Anacardiaceae) family. The Sumac family is also known as the Cashew family which contains the tree that gives us that delightful buttery nut (it’s actually a seed) as well as the tree that provides mouthwatering mangos and the tree that produces savory pink peppercorns. How can such a delectable family also give us such an annoying plant?

Poison oak (PO) is not even remotely related to oaks but the leaves sort of resemble oak leaves. They are divided into three leaflets that are about one and a half to four inches long. The species name, diversilobum, refers to the diversity of leaf size and shape; the edges can be toothed, scalloped or lobed and vary greatly. PO is deciduous and the new leaves are usually dark golden or bronze when they are just beginning to unfold in early to mid-spring. They turn a bright then darker glossy green and ultimately transitioning a stunning scarlet red then fading to pink in late summer and fall. The small flowers are greenish-white and appear in late spring to mid-summer and if they are fertilized they become small creamy white berries. Growth forms vary depending on where it is occurring, but it thrives in full sun as well as shady environments. In open sunlight it can grow as a tall, dense shrub or tree with a thick trunk, or a woody vine winding around and up into the canopy of tall trees, fences and other vegetation. In shady areas it can occur as a dense thicket, vine or anything in between. It is prolific and spreads by seed dispersal and through underground rhizomes.

It is widely distributed in Western North America from British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada and Baja Mexico and occurs extensively throughout the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. It occurs in chaparral and woodland habitats as well as coastal sage scrub, grasslands, oak woodlands and mixed evergreen forests below 5,000 feet. It’s a common understory plant in riparian corridors and grows alongside Giant and Coastal Redwoods. PO is even a constant quagmire in dry-farmed mountain orchards, urban parks and recreation areas. In fact, it’s kind of hard to find a biome in the Central Valley of California that doesn’t support Poison Oak unless you go into the Great Basin or the southwestern edge of the Mojave desert.

The genus Toxicodendron contains many plants that cause allergic reactions. The oil of the plants contains a compound called Urushiol that causes the reaction and it is found in all parts of the plant except the pollen (ironic!). Direct contact with the plant or anything that has touched the plant such as clothing, pets, tools or vehicles can result in painful, itchy blisters. Not everyone is allergic to it, however, repeated exposure can lead to heightened sensitivity. If an area dense with PO is burning, inhaling the smoke can cause a severe internal reaction.

Which leads me to why you can still have a reaction to PO in the winter after all the leaves have fallen. It’s a lot harder to spot when it’s just a twig, branch or bare vine along the edge of the trail. Twigs and stems still contain the oil that produces reactions and you may not even realize that you’ve brushed up against it until it’s too late. Keep an eye out for exposed, reddish-brown whip-like sticks coming out of the ground, especially if you know you’re in an area where PO is present. Sometimes the berries remain on the plant even though the leaves have fallen off and occasionally the stems show black marks where the sap may have oozed out and dried. If you know you’ve been in contact with PO, washing your exposed skin with dish soap is a great way to remove the oil from your skin and washing your clothes as soon as you can so you don’t transfer the oil to yourself, others or additional laundry is also a good idea. If your pets have been scampering about where PO could be present, give them a good bath before you snuggle up with them and consider wearing long rubber gloves like those made for doing dishes to avoid the oils transferring to you.

PO isn’t all bad; Black-tailed Deer, California Ground Squirrels and Western Gray Squirrels among other species consume the leaves of the plant which is rich in phosphorus, calcium and sulfur. Many birds eat the berries and utilize the plant for shelter. Research has shown that livestock, domestic dogs and other native wildlife species do not have adverse reactions to Urushiol. Native Americans cooked with it, used the stems to make baskets and used the juice from the fruit to dye materials black.

Don’t stay off the trail, just take precautions and enjoy winter hiking in your favorite monument!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Enjoying Outside - Parade of Planets

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 20:59:07 GMT

Although planets aligning does occasionally occur, it’s not something we see all that often. And this time it’s a doozie! Between mid-January through late February Mars, Saturn, Jupiter and Venus will queue up and appear as a line of brilliantly shining planets. Venus, Jupiter and Saturn will all look like bright, white points of light from our venue here on Earth, and Mars, the red planet, showing up as a glowing orange dot. A telescope would be optimal for some in depth planet peeking but even a pair of binoculars will intensify the phenomenon. But, you'll be able to see them in all their glory using just your naked eyes as well! Neptune and Uranus will also be loitering “nearby”, but you won’t be able to see them without high powered binoculars (and even then they will be very dim) or a telescope.

How does it happen? All the planets in our solar system continually orbit the sun at their own rates and occasionally they catch up to each other. Because the planets’ orbits are an elliptical path, every so often they appear to line up as we see them from Earth. Unfortunately for stargazers, the alignments don't last very long though because each planet is moving at a different speed. They first aligned mid-January but will be visible through mid to late February with the best viewing materializing in early February. To find them pick a spot with a clear view of the southern horizon shortly after sunset. Venus, Saturn and Neptune (only visible with a telescope) will be congregated together low in the southwestern sky and Mars, Jupiter and Uranus (also not visible without a telescope) will appear higher in the southern sky. Venus, Saturn and Neptune will quickly slip below the horizon though so you’ll only have a couple of hours to enjoy them. To help you find them remember that stars appear to twinkle while planets shine brightly. Another helpful trick is to first try to find Mars’ red-orange glow and then look in the vicinity to pick out the other planets. You’ll need to be away from urban light pollution and cloud cover to be able to see them though. They should be visible from almost anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere if the sky is clear. Unfortunately, our region has had several cloudy nights but thankfully, the planetary parade will be visible until late February.

The parade of planets event also brings up the awareness of preserving dark skies. Urban sprawl and related expanding light pollution not only threatens dark, nighttime skies and hampers stargazing activities but it also deteriorates natural biological rhythms and disturbs fragile ecosystems. Artificial light sources can disorient migrating waterfowl and nocturnal species which rely on natural light patterns to navigate and flourish. The moon is even lending a hand and will be in a new moon (shadowed) phase which will help by lessening the amount of illumination in the sky making it easier to view the planets.

Bonus material - Mercury is on the roster in late February - but it is tiny and so close to the sun that you won’t be able to see it without using specialized equipment.

If you’re planning on heading out of town to view the planets, consider visiting Molok Luyuk or the rest of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument - you’re sure to find dark skies there. Just be sure to check the weather forecast before you head out. And don’t forget the hot cocoa!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Science Corner - Black Phoebe

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 20:59:01 GMT

‘Round about the time that most little kids start learning the sounds that farm animals make (I can still hear the old “See and Say”), my daughter was learning what sounds different birds make. Her first word was turtle so it seemed natural that she would later pursue a biology degree - why not get started early. A little while later, as a biologist’s budding biologist kid, she was learning to identify birds. One species we frequently saw together was the Black Phoebe. I’m not sure why it’s this little bird in particular but every time I see one flitting around I think of her and smile.

Black phoebes ( Sayornis nigricans ) belong to the flycatcher family (Tyrannidae). With over 400 known species, flycatchers are the largest family of birds in the world. Flycatchers do just as their name implies and fly around erratically in hot aerial pursuit of flies and other winged insects. Black Phoebes are plump, smallish (between the size of a sparrow and a robin) songbirds weighing about a half to three quarters of an ounce and measure a little over six inches long. Our only black flycatcher, they are fashionable little birds with an elegant sooty black and white plumage, a relatively large head with a peaked crown (of course they have a crown!), a straight pointed beak with a tiny hook at the end and long, square-tipped tails. They have predominantly black plumage with a white underbelly that forms an inverted “v” where the black and white join on the lower breast. Males and females look the same and their plumage does not vary by seasons. Juvenile birds look like adults but are white and dark brown which becomes black with age.

Black Phoebes are mainly resident birds in Western United States from Oregon to Mexico, Central America and parts of South America. However, the populations located in higher elevations migrate somewhat with the seasons. They can be found in a variety of habitats including creeks and streams, canyons, farms and urban areas and parks. Black Phoebes often sit conspicuously on exposed perches and branches making short flights to catch insects and then often returning to their perch. They are easy to identify by their persistent tail wagging and bobbing. Black Phoebes have a relatively long breeding season beginning in March lasting through to about August and are typically monogamous with pairs remaining together for five years or more. Courting males will conduct impressive inflight displays that include calling and fluttering nearby where the female is perched. If she plays hard to get and flies away, he will often follow her. Territorial spectacles include tail flaring and fluttering and zig-zagging or spiraling to 100 feet or more in the air and then descending. Males take the female on a tour of potential nest sites and the female chooses the location and does most of the nest building herself. Nests are made primarily of mud mixed with grasses and weeds lined with soft material such as plant fibers, rootlets and hair. They are cup shaped and are anchored somewhere sheltered like the underside of a bridge, the eaves of a building or a protected cliff face. The female lays three to six eggs and only she incubates them. The eggs hatch after about 15 days and are cared for by both parents. Fledging happens in about two to three weeks and usually a pair will have two broods a year using the same nest year after year.

Black Phoebes forage by sitting on a perch and darting out to catch insects in mid-air, sometimes just above the water similar to swallows. They may also hover over plants picking off insects or take them off of the ground. Black Phoebes’ diet consists almost entirely of insects including bees, beetles, crickets, flies, grasshoppers and moths but they will occasionally eat small fish such as minnows or mosquito fish.

Fun Facts

House Finches invaded an established Black Phoebe nest and both species laid eggs in the same nest. The females took turns incubating the nest with each others eggs for about a week but eventually both of them abandoned the nest.
The oldest Black Phoebe was over eight years old and was banded and later recaptured in California in the early 80’s.
Black Phoebes do not use bird boxes but if you provide a nest platform in a safe location you might be lucky enough to have a pair set up house in your yard! move in huge groups to find new berry supplies.

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Nature and You: Jewelflowers and California Biodiversity

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 20:58:54 GMT

Our January Nature and You lecture was delivered by Dr. Julin Maloof and Dr. Jenny Gremer, who gave a fascinating talk on how Jewelflowers in California have adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions around the state and how those adaptations may help them deal with climate change. If you missed the talk, you can view the recording here .

Our February Nature and You lecture will take place via Zoom at 7pm on February 27 ^th . The talk will be given by volunteer Tuleyome Board Member Dr. Glen Holstein, who will discuss California Biodiversity, focusing on how diverse geography, soils, and other factors have led to the incredible diversity of plants and animals in our state. Please visit the event page to learn more and register to receive the Zoom link.

Youth Boot Bank Office Hours

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 20:58:47 GMT

Kids getting new boots during our January Youth Boot Bank office hours

Hoping to get the family outside more in 2025? If your kids are in need of new hiking boots, stop by Tuleyome’s Youth Boot Bank office hours to pick up a pair for free! Our January office hours were well-attended, with a dozen kids coming in to pick up hiking boots. Many of these kids will use the boots on school trips to Sly Park and Westminster Woods.

Office hours are held on the first Wednesday of each month from 2:30 – 5:30 at the Tuleyome office in Woodland. The next office hours will be on 2/5/25 and 3/5/25. We will also have a selection of boots available for loan at our upcoming BioBlitz and Nature Scavenger Hunt event at Woodland Regional Park Preserve on 2/23/25.

If you have any questions about the Youth Boot Bank program or donation drive, please contact Geoff at gbenn@tuleyome.org .

Kids getting new boots during our January Youth Boot Bank office hours

Winter BioBlitz and Nature Scavenger Hunt at the Preserve!

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 20:58:37 GMT

Join Tuleyome at Woodland Regional Park Preserve on Sunday, February 23rd from 9am - 1pm for an iNaturalist BioBlitz and Nature Scavenger Hunt!

This is our 4th BioBlitz at the Preserve - each event is a community science effort to document wildlife and plants at the Preserve using the iNaturalist app . It's as simple as taking photos while walking through the preserve and adding them to the iNaturalist. The app is free and easy to use - no prior naturalist experience is needed and we're happy to help if you have any questions.

We'll also have a kid-friendly nature scavenger hunt and our Youth Boot Bank, which provides free loans of hiking boots to kids.

Learn more and register here .

Policy Corner: What's Up in DC?

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 16:59:32 GMT

A lot has happened since we last talked. I am going to hit some of the highlights.

President Biden Acts

One of the brightest moments this month was President Biden’s announcement on January 7 ^th that he will use his authority under The Antiquities Act to designate Chuckwalla National Monument and Sáttítla Highlands National Monument . The effort to protect these places has been led by Tribes and supported by a diverse coalition. Sáttítla is nestled 30 miles from Mount Shasta within the Shasta-Trinity, Klamath, and Modoc National Forests of northeastern California. Chuckwalla National Monument is in the California desert and reaches from the Coachella Valley region in the west to near the Colorado River in the east. President Biden’s designation protects 848,000 acres of culturally, ecologically and scientifically significant lands while boosting the local economies and ensuring access to nature for recreation.

Upon these designations, President Biden will have protected 674 million acres of U.S. lands and waters, making great strides in building climate resilience and preserving biodiversity.

119 ^th Congress (2025-2026)

The 119 ^th Congress convened on January 3 ^rd with some changes in leadership and the Committees that oversee many of our issues.

Senate

Republicans hold the Senate majority, with 53 seats. That number may change if Senator Rubio is confirmed as Secretary of State in the Trump Administration. Democrats hold 45 seats and there are 2 Independents. We have a new Senate Majority Leader in John Thune, while Chuck Schumer remains the Senate Minority Leader.

Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) has taken over as the Chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee , which has jurisdiction over Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service public lands, mining, water and power and energy. Chair Lee is a long-time opponent of expanding federal public lands and has been a leader in the efforts to roll back Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monuments and The Antiquities Act. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) will take over as ranking member. A former outfitter guide, outdoor educator, lifetime sportsman and conservationist, Ranking Member Heinrich has fought to protect our natural and cultural resources.

House of Representatives

Republicans have a 1 seat majority in the House of Representatives with 219 members. Democrats hold 215 seats. Currently, one seat is open due to Matt Gaetz’ resignation, although this seat is expected to be filled by a Republican. Leadership is unchanged, with Speaker Mike Johnson and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries retaining their leadership positions.

The House Committee on Natural Resources will continue to be chaired by Representative Bruce Westerman (R-Ark) . The Committee has jurisdiction over federal lands, energy and mineral resources, Indian affairs and water, wildlife and fisheries. Chair Westerman has consistently criticized the establishment and expansion of national monuments, supported legislation to roll back The Antiquities Act and opposed adding Molok Luyuk to Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. Representative Jared Huffman (D-CA) will take over the mantle of Ranking Member. A long time champion of public lands and our natural and cultural resources, Ranking Member Huffman’s District includes the Northern Inner Coastal Range. He supported the establishment and expansion of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.

President-Elect Trump’s Team

President-elect Trump has chosen former North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum to be U.S. Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior and to be his new energy czar. Interior is in charge of national monuments, parks, wildlife refuges and national conservation lands, approximately 20 percent of our lands, as well as mining, fish and wildlife and Bureau of Reclamation. The Bureau of Indian Affairs, which oversees relations with 574 federal recognized Native American tribes is also within Interior. A big promoter of oil and gas production, Governor Burgum has pushed for reduced regulatory burden. He has also prioritized tribal engagement.

President-elect Trump’s choice for Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is his former domestic policy advisor Brooke Rollins . Agriculture is huge, with offices in every county in the country. Agriculture’s purview includes farm and nutrition programs, home and farm lending, food safety, rural development, agricultural research, nutrition, trade, biofuels and forests. Rollins is currently CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a pro-Trump think tank that she and others formed in 2021. From Texas, Rollins received an undergraduate degree in agricultural development and a law degree.

So, we’re off and running. Stay tuned for more updates from the policy corner.

-Sandra Schubert

Executive Director

Astronomy Night and BioBlitz at WRPP

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 17:15:22 GMT

Telescopes with Jupiter visible above the trees in the background

On December 7 ^th , Tuleyome staff members Nate and Geoff hosted an Astronomy Night at Woodland Regional Park Preserve. Sierra College professor and astronomer Barry Rice was on hand with telescopes to lead the event – participants were able to see the rings of Saturn and the moons of Jupiter! The event was well-attended, with a Woodland Cub Scout Tiger Den coming out to complete an elective adventure on the night sky.

View over the pond after the rain cleared up.

On December 14 ^th , Tuleyome staff member Geoff hosted a Fall BioBlitz and Nature Scavenger Hunt at Woodland Regional Park Preserve. A BioBlitz is a community science initiative to document biodiversity at a specific place and time using a tool called iNaturalist which allows users to upload and identify observations. Despite some rainy and windy weather conditions in the morning, people came out and participated in the event, resulting in 36 observations of 24 different species. Our Youth Boot Bank was also on hand at the event and made several hiking boot loans to kids.

Summary of the iNaturalist observations recorded during the event.

Map of the observations recorded on iNaturalist during the event.

Be sure to check out events page to what we’ve got coming up!

Apply to join Tuleyome's Board of Directors

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 17:14:32 GMT

Tuleyome ’s Board of Directors is seeking new board members who are passionate about protecting, restoring and enjoying the natural landscape of the western Sacramento Valley and Northern Inner Coast Range.

This is an excellent opportunity to support and help guide a local organization that has worked since 2002 to build and maintain some of our favorite local trails, run K-12 educational programs and nature-focused summer camps, conduct scientific and cultural assessments on protected lands, and advocate for federal land protections — all while engaging with the diverse communities that call our region home.

If you’ve never served on a board, that’s alright! We value passion and new perspectives just as much as experience. Fill out this short form to express your interest so that we can contact you for an interview.

Please forward this along to others you know who might be interested. Our goal is to have a Board of Directors that reflects the diversity of the regional community and is committed to Tuleyome’s vision and mission .

In general, directors determine Tuleyome’s goals and policies and implement its strategic plan; participate in and evaluate programs, projects and community work; engage with the community to enhance Tuleyome’s visibility and public standing; approve and monitor finances; support staff and volunteers; and fundraise to support Tuleyome’s programs and operations. To find out more, please email Lyndsay Dawkins, President, Tuleyome Volunteer Board of Directors, at l yndsaydawkins@gmail.com and Sandra Schubert, Tuleyome Executive Director, at sschubert@tuleyome.org .

Monumental Questions - What's the Deal with the Bald Eagle?

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 17:14:22 GMT

Since 1782, the Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) has been the national bird of the United States.

Except, it wasn’t…until now.

It wasn’t the official national bird of the United States until December 24, 2024 when President Biden signed a law officially honoring the Bald Eagle as our national bird. For nearly 250 years, pretty much everyone recognized it as a symbol of America’s strength, courage, freedom and immortality but very few people realized that it had never been made official by an act of Congress.

Since 1782, the bird has appeared on the Great Seal of the United States. It is on our currency and used on official documents of nearly every United States federal agency. One Bald Eagle named “Old Abe” even went into battle during the Civil War. He was the constant target of enemy riflemen but survived 42 battles relatively unscathed. Why they brought him along I don’t understand at all but his record is impressive and somewhat comparable to the Bald Eagle’s life history since Europeans arrived here.

Native Americans lived peacefully with the apex predator for thousands of years. But, for over 200 years, newly arrived settlers accused the Bald Eagle of stealing livestock and even kidnapping babies which resulted in an all out eagle execution. By the late 19th century, Bald Eagle sightings had become uncommon where they were once plentiful. The National Emblem Act of 1940 declared protection from deliberate harm for the birds only to have dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) become widely available in 1945. As a result, again the raptor’s population took a drastic nose dive landing it on the United States Fish and Wildlife Endangered Species List. By the early 1960’s, less than 500 breeding pairs of Bald Eagles remained in the entire United States, less than 30 pairs were left in California. In 1972, the United States Environmental Protection Agency banned the use of DDT which, over time, has finally resulted in a conservation success story. It was removed from the Endangered Species List on June 28, 2007. Today there are over 500,000 breeding pairs in North America, a population equal to when the Bald Eagle was originally put on the Great Seal.

What does this have to do with the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument?

The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument hosts the second largest population of wintering Bald Eagles in California. The best time to see our population of wintering eagles is from December to March. While they are here, they can be found in many locations around the region including the Colusa and Sacramento National Wildlife Refuges, Cache Creek and Putah Creek, Capay Valley, Clear Lake and Lake Berryessa. It’s peak Bald Eagle viewing time and it just so happens that the San Francisco Chronicle recently named our favorite national monument one of the best places in California to visit in 2025 so head out to explore and don’t forget your binoculars!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Enjoying Outside - Recycling Christmas Trees for Aquatic Wildlife

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 17:14:17 GMT

Many of the houses in my neighborhood have sad, once-loved Christmas trees lying in the gutter waiting for the “claw” to come pick them up. Green-wasting your post holiday tree is a great idea, it’ll either be composted or run through a chipper and used as ground cover at a school or park but there are other, productive ways to recycle it too!

Recycling your holiday tree for aquatic wildlife is a creative and rewarding way to provide habitat for fish and other aquatic wildlife. Various agencies collaborate on local and national projects to enhance and improve aquatic habitat. Collected trees are weighted down with cables and submerged to provide habitat for fish and other aquatic wildlife. The submerged trees provide spawning habitat and refuge for young fish by furnishing hiding spots from predators and shade from sun. The sunken trees also supply a place for algae and tiny aquatic invertebrates which are a food source for the young fish and larger invertebrates. By supplying habitat for young and smaller bait fish, larger fish are attracted to the areas and may upgrade your favorite fishing hole.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Habitat Technicians collect discarded Christmas trees that will be used for underwater structures in waterways for aquatic wildlife. The gaps between the branches of the upcycled trees provide shelter for young fish and attract larger fish which creates more exciting opportunities for anglers. Fish find and occupy the underwater structures very quickly after they’ve been introduced indicating that they appreciate them. The California Conservation Corps (CCC) teamed up with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and a Chico Boy Scout troop to create several new fish habitat structures near Lake Oroville and Thermalito Afterbay that used over 1,500 donated recycled Christmas trees. Projects and partnerships such as this have been happening for over 30 years throughout California.

Some other Northern California projects include fish habitat structures in Juanita, Orr and Trout Lakes from trees collected in Alturas and Yreka as well as a project in Green Springs Reservoir in Modoc County from trees collected in Siskiyou County. The City of Chester is also working on a project in Lassen County. Farther south, Riverside County also works with CDFW to collect trees from county landfills to be used for local fish habitat enhancements.

And it’s not just being done in California. The Alleghany National Forest in Pennsylvania has been recycling and submerging Christmas trees since 1983 and has recycled nearly 20,000 trees in the Alleghany River. The recycle program in the Wayne National Forest in Ohio collects over 240 Christmas trees and ties them together in bundles to enhance habitat in local lakes. The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Wisconsin has used Christmas trees to provide fish habitat for many years and the Hoosier National Forest in Indiana has placed trees in five local bodies of water to improve fish habitat.

The trees need to be free of decorations, lights and any flocking but people seem happy to help by dropping their retired trees off at designated locations rather than plopping them in the street. The trees would have ended up in the landfill or a wood chipper and by upcycling them as fish habitat it not only gives the trees another purpose, it helps aquatic wildlife and those enjoying the outdoors as well.

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Science Corner - Cedar Waxwings, a Sociable and Stylish Wintertime Visitor

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 17:14:06 GMT

Years ago I was sitting in my Volkswagen Jetta (rest in peace, fun little car) in a grocery store parking lot in Sacramento. I was parked under a hackberry tree that was brimming with oodles of petite, buffy-yellow birds with pointy little crowns. The birds were gorging themselves on the berries from the tree and depositing digested bits all over my car but I didn’t care, I was enthralled by these new little friends.

This was my first encounter with Cedar Waxwings ( Bombycilla cedrorum ). I don’t know why, or how, I hadn’t noticed them before with their stunning black face mask, satiny buffy-yellow body feathers, sunny lemon-tipped tail and bright red waxy droplets on their wings - which is where their common name comes from.

Their Latin name, Bombycilla cedrorum literally translates to “silk of the cedars” referring to their silky, chiffon-looking plumage. They are native to North and Central America and breed in the woodlands of southern Canada. And migrate to winter in the southern United States, Central America and sometimes as far as northwest South America. Although they specialize in eating fruit, they also consume insects and flowers for a short time during nesting season. Cedar Waxwings are a medium size bird with a wing span of about six and a half inches and they weigh around an ounce - about the weight of a pencil. What appears to be wax droplets at the end of their secondary feathers are actually an accumulation of astaxanthin, a carotenoid that gives some fruit its red color. The red pigment is surrounded by a transparent cuticle which allows the color to show though. The size and number of these “droplets” are directly correlated with the age of the bird and it is believed that they convey social status among the flock. Cedar Waxwings are congenial and large groups of them are found among the edges of forests and woodlands but are also common in urban areas with easy access to fruiting shrubs and trees within their range. They are attracted to the sound of running water such as creeks, fountains and birdbaths. They are nomadic and will move in huge groups to find new berry supplies.

Breeding season occurs while the birds are in Canada and begins in late spring and lasts through the end of summer. The male will hop in front of a female and if she is interested, she returns the gesture. A mated pair will sit together and pass an object such as a flower petal or an insect back and forth. Both Cedar Waxwing males and females have the same plumage (monomorphism) which is true with about half of all bird species, unlike waterfowl where males and females look different from each other. Both the male and female work on nest construction and will sometimes steal material from other species’ nests.

The current population is estimated to be about 57 million birds. They begin to show up in the Sacramento area in September and stick around until about May depending on food availability. To invite these cordial little birds to your yard for their winter vacation, plant fruiting trees and shrubs that produce berries and provide a clean water source. Enjoy watching them!

Fun facts about Cedar Waxwings:

Cedar Waxwings have specialized digestion and can survive almost solely on fruit while other species cannot. The parasitic Brown-headed Cowbird lays eggs in the nests of other bird species for the parents to raise. The eggs that are laid in Cedar Waxwing nests often do not survive due to the high percentage of fruit.
If Cedar Waxwings eat over-ripe fruit that has begun to ferment, they can become intoxicated.
Some Cedar Waxwings in the northeastern states have an orange tipped tail due to the red pigments in a certain berry. If the bird eats a bunch of these berries while the feather is growing, the tip will be orange rather than yellow.
Sometimes, if berries are difficult to reach, Cedar Waxwings will line up and pass berries beak to beak down the line until one of them swallows it.

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Nature and You: California Jewelflowers

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 17:13:55 GMT

Our next Nature and You lecture series is returning from our holiday hiatus on January 23 ^rd with a lecture on California Jewelflowers and Climate from Dr. Julian Maloof and Dr. Jenny Gremer, both faculty members at UC Davis. In their talk, they will discuss how these unique and beautiful flowers respond to their environment and how those responses are impacted by climate change.

The talk will take place on Zoom at 7pm on January 23 ^rd – please click here to register to receive the Zoom link . We hope to see you there!

If you have any questions about this event or if you have a topic or speaker you would like to suggest for the Nature and You series, please contact Geoff at gbenn@tuleyome.org .

Did you know that you can view all of our prior recorded Nature and You lectures on our YouTube page ? There are over 40 lectures available, covering topics ranging from hikes and trail building to plants, animals, fungi and more!

Tuleyome's Certified California Naturalist Course 2025 Starts Friday!

nlillge@tuleyome.org (Nate Lillge) — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 17:13:49 GMT

Our 2025 Certified California Naturalist course starts this Friday, January 10. There are a couple spaces left! Instruction focuses on the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region while providing participants with skills and resources that are applicable anywhere to increase their knowledge, understanding, and enjoyment of the natural world.

The Certified California Naturalist course is presented by Tuleyome in partnership with University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. Tuleyome, the expert organization on the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, is offering this 10-week course on consecutive Fridays, held at the University of California – Davis campus.

No advanced degrees or previous naturalist experience is required.

The UC California Naturalist Program introduces Californians to the wonders of our unique ecology and engages the public in study and stewardship of California’s natural communities. The program uses a science curriculum, hands-on learning, problem-solving, citizen science, and community service to instill a deep appreciation for the natural communities of the state and to inspire individuals to become stewards of their local resources.

In addition to in-person instruction, students are required to attend field trips in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region. Field trips consist of low-impact walking trips and auto-tours, so they are suitable for all fitness levels. Impromptu walks are also often provided by the instructors as time permits to give participants even more experience in the field.

Questions about the course should be directed to Nate Lillge at nlillge@tuleyome.org .

Youth Boot Bank Office Hours and Donation Drive

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 17:13:36 GMT

Kids getting new boots for upcoming school trips at our December Boot Bank office hours

Hoping to get the family outside more in 2025? If your kids are in need of new hiking boots, stop by Tuleyome’s Youth Boot Bank office hours to pick up a pair for free!

Office hours are typically on the first Wednesday of each month, however this month’s office hours will take place on Wednesday 1/8, from 2:30 – 5:30pm , due to New Year’s Day falling on a Wednesday. Our February office hours will take place on Wednesday 2/5 from 2:30 - 5:30pm. Tuleyome's office is located at 622 Main Street in Woodland, on the second floor.

Donation bin at the ready in the Concord REI

Did you score some sweet new outdoor gear over the holidays? Consider donating your old gear to Tuleyome’s Youth Boot Bank. Our holiday donation drive is continuing through the end of January!

We are looking for donations of new or used hiking boots and shoes (all sizes), backpacks, trekking poles, tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and other hiking and camping gear. If you have items you would like to donate, we have five donation bin locations – at the Tuleyome office in Woodland and at the Concord, Folsom, Roseville, and Sacramento REI stores.

If you have any questions about the Youth Boot Bank program or donation drive, please contact Geoff at gbenn@tuleyome.org .

Workday at Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve

nlillge@tuleyome.org (Nate Lillge) — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 17:13:24 GMT

Thank you to those who volunteered to help maintain the trails at Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve in December! The crew focused on an area on the Blue Ridge Trail which leads to the top of the ridge. Steps and an infiltration structure were added to decrease erosion while increasing user safety. These structures will also benefit the flora and fauna found at this popular hiking area. Photos from the work day can be seen here .

If you are interested in joining a workday, check out our schedule of events .

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Certified California Naturalist

Adventures and Engagement Director

December Field Trips

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 17:13:03 GMT

2 ^nd graders learning to use binoculars at the start of our trip

On December 11 ^th , Tuleyome hosted a class on 2 ^nd graders from Birch Lane Elementary School at Woodland Regional Park Preserve for a field trip. Tuleyome staff member Geoff led the students on a nature walk and through the activities of our Adaptations Trail, which included learning about bird beaks and feet, looking at plant-insect interactions, and drawing a food web. The students were particularly excited by bird watching and got to observe a Cooper’s Hawk and a Great Egret for several minutes through their binoculars.

2 ^nd graders observing a Cooper’s Hawk on a fence post.

Instagram post from Ross Cottage Nursery School about our program.

On December 18 ^th , Tuleyome staff member Geoff traveled to Marin to do a program for Ross Cottage Nursery School’s Wilderness Cubs Program. The focus of the program was on learning about the properties of water, including a demonstration of water filtration. We also learned about compasses and then used them for a treasure hunt!

If you’re interested in doing a field trip with Tuleyome for your class or other youth group, reach out to Geoff at gbenn@tuleyome.org for more information.

Tuleyome Book Recommendations 2025

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 19:27:36 GMT

See Tuleyome's Book Recommendations for 2022 , 2023 , and 2024 .

December 2025

Wisdom - The Midway Albatross by Darcy Pattison and Kitty Harvill

November 2025

October 2025

The Way We Lived, edited with commentary by Malcolm Margolin

September 2025

August 2025

July 2025

June 2025

May 2025

April 2025

February 2025

January 2025

Policy Corner: A Special Place Needs Your Help

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 20:31:14 GMT

As you know, Tuleyome is part of a coalition of tribes, organizations, businesses, and community members throughout the California asking President Biden to expand California’s national monuments. Thanks to hard work and your dedication, we succeeded in protecting Molok Luyuk. But there is more to do.

We need you to step up one more time to protect another very important landscape to the north.

Working closely with the Pit River Tribe, we are asking President Biden to declare Sáttítla (a portion of the Medicine Lake Highlands) a national monument. One step in that process is a Community Listening Session hosted by the federal agency. That public comment listening session is this Saturday!

Nestled within the Shasta-Trinity, Klamath and Modoc forests, and containing a designated Native American Traditional Cultural District, Sáttítla’s 200,000 acres are culturally significant, geologically unique and water rich. Its aquifers store as much water as California’s 200 largest reservoirs and sustain millions of residents, agriculture and wildlife. The area has been sacred to numerous tribes for ceremonies and gathering since time immemorial, including Pit River, Modoc, Shasta, Karuk and Wintu.

The US Department of Agriculture is hosting a public comment listening session at the College of the Siskiyous in Weed, CA (800 College Ave, Weed, CA 96094) on Saturday, December 7th, at 9:30 am.

We want to fill the room with supporters to show the administration that this monument proposal is popular with California residents and that community members like you are excited about designating the monument. Can we count on you to join us in showing support for the Sáttítla National Monument campaign?

Please fill out this RSVP form to let us know that you’re interested in attending and if you need assistance with transportation to the meeting.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Sandra Schubert

Executive Director

Honoring Dr. Glen Holstein

nlillge@tuleyome.org (Nate Lillge) — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 20:31:08 GMT

-Nate Lillge nlillge@tuleyome.org

Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Monumental Questions - How Significant Locations Get Named

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 20:31:00 GMT

Have you ever wondered how significant places or features like Molok Luyuk or Cache Creek get their names?

Way back in 1890’s the United States developed a need for a Federal agency that would help keep the names of geographic features and significant places organized and unified. This newly formed agency was called the United States Board on Geographic Names (BGN) and was made official by an Executive Order signed by President Benjamin Harrison in 1890. The main purpose of the BGN then and now is to maintain uniform geographic name usage throughout the Federal Government. The BGN is composed of representatives from various Federal agencies that are associated with geographic information, population, ecology and management of public lands. The Secretary of the Interior together with the BGN publicly publish the official names for geographic features with present and locatable attributes. The agencies also regulate principles, policies and procedures governing the use of domestic and foreign names, Antarctic names and undersea feature names. The BGN works with Federal, State, local and Tribal governments to provide a channel for unvarying geographic names and provides access to their database for domestic and foreign names as well as Antarctic and Undersea feature names.

The BGN’s first big task was managing the geographic feature names during the flood of settlers into the American West following the Civil War. Multiple spellings, contradictions and inconsistencies created a substantial problem for surveyors, map makers and even scientists. Once the BGN was established it had authority to determine final names and spellings and decisions were final and binding to all agencies of the Federal government. The BGN does not regulate but standardizes names; their bylaws have been in place since 1948 and are revised when necessary. After demonstrating the benefits of having standardized names for decades, now more than 50 nations have followed suit and today have some type of national names authority. The need for standardized names may seem obvious for some fields such as mapping and charting but other agencies such as population, ecology, management of public and offshore lands, publishing, foreign affairs and even national security also utilize the BGN’s work.

Today the responsibility of domestic geographic names is the responsibility of the BGN’s Domestic Names Committee (DNC) with support from the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The DNC consists of representatives from the Department of the Interior, Commerce, Agriculture, Defense, Homeland Security, the United States Postal Service, the Government Publishing Office and the Library of Congress. They meet monthly to finalize names and review hundreds of proposals for new names or name edits annually from Tribal, Federal, State, local and private citizens. New names are never proposed by the DNC, their task is to mediate name controversies and to make decisions on the final outcome.

The agency is currently working on changing derogatory and offensive names throughout the United States. If you’d like to explore how to suggest a new name or a name edit, check out this site . The Coalition for Outdoor Renaming and Education (CORE) is a coalition of concerned individuals and organizations that are dedicated to “restoring justice through an inclusive process of reconciliation by the remaining of offensive places”, CORE 2024. To learn more about CORE visit their website . And yes! The DNC under the BGN has already updated the database to show that Molok Luyuk is the official name for the new addition to our favorite National Monument!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Enjoying Outside - Adjusting to the Time Change

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 20:30:48 GMT

Spring forward, fall back - that’s how most of us were taught to remember which is which and what happens when. Daylight Savings Time (DST) or “summer time” is when we spring forward meaning we set the clocks ahead an hour. It occurs in March and lasts until November. The purpose of DST is to allow for a longer day with more daylight at a later clock time. Standard time, sometimes called “winter time” is when we fall back, setting the clocks back one hour resulting in one extra, blissful hour of sleep for that night.

Standard Time is the portion of the year between fall and spring and is based on the position of the Earth relative to the sun and has more light in the morning and an earlier sunset. The American Academy of Sleep Science (AASS) states that Standard Time most closely matches our body’s internal clock. Having more light in the morning and darkness earlier in the evening better aligns with our circadian rhythm (approximately a 24 hour period or cycle), and makes it easier for us to fall asleep at night and wake up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in the morning. According to the AASS, “Standard time provides a better opportunity to get the right duration of high-quality, restful sleep on a regular basis, which improves our cognition, mood, cardiovascular health, and overall well-being.”

However, after polling my friends, that bonus hour hasn’t done any of us one bit of good. We’ve all been struggling to adjust ever since we turned those clocks back. And, I don’t mean having to reset the clocks on the stove and microwave and the momentary confusion when I noticed the car was still on Daylight Savings Time. My daily routine has been completely busted. Mornings are cold and it’s hard to get out of bed and then around 8:30 in the evening it’s dark outside and I’m ready to hit the hay. It doesn’t seem to matter what time I get up, I crash pretty early nowadays.

That being said, below are a few tips provided by the Sleep Foundation to help you adjust to the time change.

Try to make a new routine that includes relaxing activities before bed. Doing an activity such as a cup of tea or listening to relaxing music every night will help signal your brain that it’s time to settle in for a good night’s sleep.
Try to limit your screen time, the blue light can negatively impact sleep by tricking your brain into thinking that it’s still daytime.
Stick to a consistent bedtime; fluctuations in the amount of sleep and when you go to bed can affect your quality of sleep which affects your energy level, concentration, mood and overall well-being. Your body will adjust to the time change more smoothly if you stick to a routine and aim for seven to nine hours of shut eye every night.
Taking a quick, strategic, nap can also help you adjust too. Try not to nap for longer than 20 to 30 minutes though or you’ll have a hard time drifting off when it really is time to sack out.
Try to limit food, alcohol and caffeine consumption before bed. Caffeine is a stimulant which can prevent your body from naturally calming down. Limiting caffeine seems obvious but food and alcohol can interrupt your sleep hormones which affects the quality and duration of your sleep.

Even though the time change is only one hour, the abrupt shift can negatively affect the quality of your sleep and as well as interrupt your schedule and daylight exposure. As much as I’d love for the above tips to help me adjust, the one sure-fire thing that not only gives me energy but also helps me sleep more soundly is time spent outside! Whether it’s just a quick trip around the park, a long walk with the dog, a round of golf or yard work - the brisk, fall air will promote your overall welfare and happiness. Time outside is rejuvenating for both your mind and body and exposure to natural sunlight helps your body regulate its sleep/wake cycle. If you’re up for more than a stroll around your neighborhood, sign up for one of Tuleyome’s guided hikes and go exploring in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument with your friends and family. You’ll all sleep like a rock!

Fun Facts -

In 1973, the United States tried to adopt permanent daylight savings time with cataclysmic results. America was in the midst of an energy crisis and having prolonged darkness in the morning wasn’t helping. Parents also had valid concerns about their children walking to school in the morning in the dark. The experiment was supposed to last two years but it was so unpopular that it was terminated after only eight months.
The standard time period isn’t as long as the Daylight Savings period! Standard Time is about four and a half months while Daylight Savings lasts the majority of the year.
About 60% of the world’s countries only use Standard Time.

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Science Corner - Pacific Flyway

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 20:30:43 GMT

Using data that was collected over a span of many years from hunters returning the leg bands from harvested waterfowl, biologists in the mid-1930’s were able to determine that migrating birds followed four different geographical routes, or flyways, during spring and fall migrations throughout North America. Today, these long-established flyways still accurately represent the major north-south migration passageways used by billions of migrating birds. In 1947 the flyway concept was formally adopted to help manage resources for migratory birds within the United States. Named for their geographic regions, the four flyways are the Pacific Flyway, the Central Flyway, the Mississippi Flyway and the Atlantic Flyway.

Because each of the flyways has unique biological and ecological qualities, state and federal wildlife agencies have adopted the flyway classification to help monitor and protect resources within the United States for migrating birds. California is a vital part of the Pacific Flyway which is approximately 4,000 miles long and 1,000 miles wide. It is utilized by waterbirds, shorebirds and songbirds and extends from the Arctic tundra in Alaska south to Patagonia in South America. In the United States, the Pacific Flyway includes the western states of Alaska, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and the portions of Colorado, Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming that occur west of the Rocky Mountains. The Pacific Flyway alone is estimated to host over one billion (!) birds annually.

Each flyway is jointly managed by biologists from state and federal agencies (California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the United States Department of Fish and Wildlife) as well as other land and wildlife management agencies, university faculty and staff and interested non-profit organizations such as Ducks Unlimited and the Audubon Society. Management plans are developed with input from all United States agencies involved as well as Canada and Mexico. Under the authorities of bilateral treaties, the federal governments of the United States, Canada and Mexico are responsible for the conservation and protections of the migratory birds in North America. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) affords protection to listed migratory species and allows individual states to enforce their own conservation rules and regulations, including game regulations, as long as they do not conflict with the federal regulations. Under the MBTA, state protections are allowed to be more stringent than the federal protections but they are not allowed to be more lenient. The MBTA was enacted to help protect all migratory bird species that are native to the US and its territories but does not cover those species that were introduced such as European Starlings or House Sparrows.

California’s wetlands and rice fields are a critically important refueling, resting and nesting spot for birds traveling along the Pacific Flyway. Sadly, California has lost 95% of its historic wetlands yet the Central Valley remains the most important wintering area for waterfowl in the Pacific Flyway. Wetlands and rice fields here support about 60% of the total population of migratory birds by providing open water, food and shelter. Some species such as Snow Geese and Greater White-fronted Geese migrate south to winter in California and other species such as Swainson’s Hawks migrate north from Argentina to summer and breed here in California. Exactly how these birds accomplish such a hulking pilgrimage is not completely understood. Some biologists believe that birds use navigational cues from the sun, moon and stars while others believe that they follow geographic landmarks such as mountain ranges and bodies of water and still others believe that birds use the Earth’s magnetic field to help navigate. Recent studies indicate instinct and learned behavior also may play a role in birds ability to migrate across multiple countries. What we do know is these birds take the same routes year after year and species’ arrival can be predicted fairly accurately.

There are many significant stops for the birds along the Pacific Flyway. Some of them are refueling and resting stopovers while others, like the Central Valley’s rice fields, are the termination of their seasonal journey. One of the closest hotspots to view these miraculous birds that made a miraculous journey is the Vic Fazio Wildlife Area in the Yolo Bypass. If you’d like to go visit check out https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L443535 and don’t forget your camera and binoculars!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Nature and You Lectures

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 20:30:36 GMT

Our Nature and You Lecture series is on hiatus for the holiday season and will return on January 23 ^rd with a lecture from Dr. Julin Maloof and Dr. Jenny Gremer on California Jewelflowers and Climate Change .

In the meantime, you can view recordings of all of our prior recorded Nature and You lectures on our YouTube page . There are 43 recordings in total, covering topics ranging from hikes and trail building to plants, animals, fungi and more!

There's Still Time! Sign up for Tuleyome's Certified California Naturalist Course

nlillge@tuleyome.org (Nate Lillge) — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 20:30:30 GMT

Tuleyome, the expert organization on the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, is offering a Certified California Naturalist course in early 2025. Instruction focuses on the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region while providing participants with skills and resources that are applicable anywhere to increase their knowledge, understanding, and enjoyment of the natural world.

The Certified California Naturalist course is presented by Tuleyome in partnership with the University of California extension program. This 10-week course is offered from January to March in 2025, with classes occurring on ten consecutive Fridays plus at least three field trips. Friday classes will be held at the University of California – Davis campus.

No advanced degrees or previous naturalist experience is required.

Questions about the course should be directed to Nate Lillge at nlillge@tuleyome.org .

Youth Boot Bank Office Hours

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 20:30:20 GMT

Trying out a new pair of boots at our December Boot Bank office hours

Now that the weather has finally cooled off, it’s time to get the kids out on the trails! If your kids are in need of new hiking boots, stop by Tuleyome’s Youth Boot Bank office hours to pick up a pair for free!

Kids getting new boots for upcoming school trips at our December Boot Bank office hours

This month’s office hours took place on 12/4 and was our busiest yet – we loaned out 11 pairs of boots, with the majority of them going to kids needing new boots for school camping trips in the new year.

Our next office hours event will be on Wednesday 1/8 from 2:30-5:30 – please feel free to stop by! You can learn more about this event and the Youth Book Bank by clicking here .

We will also have a selection of boots available for loan at our upcoming events on 12/7 and 12/14 at Woodland Regional Park Preserve. More information on those events can be found on our events page .

If you have any questions about the program, please contact Geoff at gbenn@tuleyome.org.

Holiday Gear Donation Drive for the Youth Booth Bank

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 20:30:15 GMT

Donation Bin ready to go at the Concord REI

Tuleyome is excited to announce that we are partnering with REI for our second annual gear donation drive in support of our Youth Booth Bank . The Youth Booth Bank provides free 6-month loans of hiking boots to kids in our community and also provides camping gear for families attending outings with us or our partners.

We are looking for donations of new or used hiking boots and shoes, backpacks, trekking poles, tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and other hiking and camping gear. If you have items you would like to donate, we have five donation bin locations – at the Tuleyome office in Woodland and at the Concord, Folsom, Roseville, and Sacramento REI stores.

If you have any questions about the donation drive or the Boot Bank, please contact Geoff at gbenn@tuleyome.org .

Molok Luyuk Hike

nlillge@tuleyome.org (Nate Lillge) — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 20:30:07 GMT

Public land supporters from San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Woodland, Davis, and Sacramento enjoyed a beautiful day on Molok Luyuk - hiking to Signal Rock and Eagle Rock. This hike uses the old mining roads on the ridge - it became evident that these mining roads were originally trade and travel routes used by the numerous Native American tribes in the area. This highlighted the cultural significance of this area that was recently added to Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. In addition to the cultural resources, the area showcases the geologic history of California - serpentinite and sandstone dominate the area. Due to this mosaic of bedrock, there is a rich diversity of plants on the ridge.

This summer's Ridge Fire burned the southern portion of Molok Luyuk but did not reach the hike area. The numerous tracks and scat found along the trail showed that the ridge is alive with a diversity of animals. These creatures are not just passing through - they have made a home on Molok Luyuk. The plants and animals found here have adapted to survive hot, dry summers and the nutrient poor, serpentine soils.

Photos from the hike can be found on our Flickr site. More information about the trail is available on our Trail Guide .

Smittle Creek Hike

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 20:30:00 GMT

On November 29 ^th , Tuleyome staff member Geoff led a hike on the Smittle Creek Trail along the shore of Lake Berryessa. It was a great day for a hike with plentiful sunshine and good trail conditions thanks to the hard work of the Bureau of Reclamation rangers who cleaned up the trail prior to the hike.

Highlights of the hike included seeing a range of waterbirds, dissecting oak galls, and learning about the history of the lake from ranger Greg Robison, who accompanied us for the first leg of the hike.

Be sure to check out our events page for upcoming hikes and other events – we would love to have you join us out on the trails!

November School Field Trips

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 20:29:53 GMT

Birch Lane 3rd graders at WRPP

Tuleyome led three K-12 field trips in November, bringing a total of 135 kids out to Woodland Regional Park Preserve (WRPP) for hands-on experiences in nature. Our field trip programs at WRPP and Conaway Ranch are free of charge and feature activities aligned with Next Generation Science Standards. Here’s what we did this month:

On November 5 ^th , Tuleyome staff members Geoff and Kristie led two classes of 3 ^rd graders from Birch Lane Elementary on the Land Trail at WRPP. We led the students on a nature walk with binoculars and did activities that included a mock fossil excavation, examining erosion, and predicting the impact of natural disasters. Link to full album.

Patwin Elementary 1st graders working on a design challenge

On November 12 ^th , Tuleyome staff member Geoff led a class of 1 ^st graders from Patwin Elementary on the Land Trail at WRPP. We did a nature walk with binoculars and activities including learning about how humans and animals change the shape of the land, examining soil samples, and a “think like a tree” design challenge. Link to full album .

Cesar Chavez Elementary 5th graders playing the predator and prey game

On November 15 ^th , Tuleyome staff members Geoff and Kristie led two classes of 5 ^th graders from Cesar Chavez Elementary through the Adaptations Trail. This trail focuses on sensory adaptations and included a quiet listening activity, ear enhancements, a predator and prey game, and the smell like a bee activity. We also did a nature walk with binoculars. Link to full album.

Cesar Chavez Elementary 5th graders trying out different ear enhancements

If you're interested in bringing your K-12 class, scout troop, or other youth group out on a Tuleyome field trip, please reach out to Geoff at gbenn@tuleyome.org for more information.

Leok Po – Cultural Fire workshop at Cache Creek Conservancy

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 20:29:27 GMT

Event leader Diana Almendariz discusses how native plants respond to fire.

On November 8 ^th , Tuleyome staff members Geoff, Darlene, and Nate attended the Leok Po workshop on cultural fire at Cache Creek Conservancy. Cultural fire refers to a range of approaches used by tribes in California to steward the land through the controlled use of fire. This was an all-day workshop led by members of several different Northern California tribes with the help of staff and volunteers from Cache Creek Conservancy and CalFire.

In the morning, we heard from Diana Almendariz, Danny Manning, Clint McKay, and Ali Meders-Knight about the relationship between cultural fire and plants, different approaches and goals for cultural fire, uses of native plants, and about the growth of cultural fire programs at Pepperwood Preserve.

Tuleyome staff member Geoff and others work to pull the fire downslope.

In the afternoon, we participated in a cultural fire to prepare an area to become a native food garden. This involved cutting fire lines, watching for flying embers, and using hand tools and water pumps to guide the fire. The knowledge and perspectives gained from the workshop will help inform our ongoing stewardship and education projects.

Tuleyome staff member Nate and others monitor the fire line.

Policy Corner: Looking Forward Post Election

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 17:01:00 GMT

The election is over and many of the results are in. Donald Trump will be the 47 ^th President of the United States and the Senate has gone back into Republican hands. The fate of the House of Representatives is not yet known, but the numbers currently look better for Republicans than Democrats. Many of our champions, including Senators Padilla and Senator-elect Schiff and Representatives Thompson, Garamendi and Huffman, have been reelected. California’s Proposition 4, which authorizes $10 million for water, wildfire prevention, and protection of communities and lands, looks poised to pass.

What does this mean for all of us and our precious places? What does this mean for our region? For California? We won’t really know until the House of Representatives results come in, but we do know some things now.

We know that during his first Presidency, Donald Trump targeted national monuments, dismantled climate programs, and dismissed concerns about declining biodiversity. We know that he appointed people to his cabinet that did not support our priorities but, instead, actively worked against protecting our natural and cultural resources. We know that he appointed members of the judiciary that weakened our environmental and resource protections. We know that he’s not that fond of California.

We know that, historically, the Republican party has been less likely to stand with us and support our priorities. So, if the House of Representatives remains in Republican control, we can expect an attempt to dismantle many of our bedrock environmental and natural resource laws. However, they will need 60 Senators to pass most legislation. (When we want to get really nerdy, we can talk about what can be accomplished through budget reconciliation, which requires a majority vote.) Currently, Democrats have a solid hold on 44 seats, the Republicans on 52, and 4 are undecided.

We also know that California is the fifth largest economy in the world and that we like to go our own way. And, we’re successful at it. We know that we lead the world on addressing environmental and natural resource threats, from climate change to biodiversity to public lands. We know that our diversity of people and places makes us stronger. We know that we fiercely protect our natural resources and precious places. We know that numerous administrations, including Trump’s first, have tried to dismantle California’s progress and have failed.

We also know that Tuleyome and all of you are part of a unique community that works with, not against each other. If we have disagreements, we don’t walk away; we work through them and forward. We work with our tribal partners, farmers, hunters, scientists, and other conservationists. We work with property owners, local, regional, state and federal governments, and businesses. Because of this, we have accomplished a lot of good, and stopped a lot of bad from happening.

And, we have no reason to expect any of this to change.

So, what does this mean for all of us and our precious places?

In the short term, we need to get more California National Monuments over the finish line, begin implementing the Public Lands Rule, and push for a good public lands package when Congress comes back into session next week.

Let’s urge President Biden to cement his public lands legacy and designate Chuckwalla , Kw'tsán , and Sáttítla National Monuments before the end of his term. They are abundant in natural resources and biodiversity and significant to numerous tribes in California.

Remember the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Public Lands Rule, which enshrines conservation as part of multiple use? We need to show what a success this rule and all of its tools can be before a Trump Administration comes in and tries to dismantle it. Tuleyome is working with our partners to get some projects underway in our region before the Administration changes.

Whether or not a public lands package moves through Congress before the end of the year and the form that it takes will depend on which party takes control of the House of Representatives and how big of a majority Republicans have in the Senate. If a lands package does move, it will likely include some good and some bad elements. The bad elements include rolling back NEPA and expanding oil and gas drilling on public lands. The good items include public lands bills that have been languishing for years, possibly even the Pu blic Lands Act , which weaves together several California bills into one large lands package, and the Sa n Pablo Bay National W ildlife Refuge Expansion Act . What is the calculus the electeds will be making? Can we get more and/or better now than we can when the Presidency and Congress change hands? Will President Biden sign a bill with some bad items to move some Democratic priorities? Will Republicans want to wait to move anything until they have more power?

Not everything is known, but, clearly, there is much to be done in the next couple of months.

What do we do in the long term?

We fight the good fight, smartly. We focus our resources and efforts on protecting our special places, knowing that the fight just got a lot harder, longer and more arduous. We work with our champions at the local, regional, state and, yes, federal levels. We make sure that the goals of Proposition 4 are realized. We leverage our expertise, success and partnerships to advance our priorities. We honor agency staff for their hard work during difficult times and remember their jobs are tough, and some are going to get a lot harder come January. We build new partnerships. We work with more tribes to ensure that they and their concerns are represented in our land management plans and on the ground work. We reach out to new groups and stakeholders and we work with them where, and when, ever we can. We develop a Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Management Plan. We continue to build our coalition so that it fully reflects and represents all of the people in our region. We build a coalition that is nonpartisan and built on community, that is unbreakable. And we continue to work hard, even harder, than we ever have before.

That’s how we succeed. It’s how we designated Cache Creek Wild & Scenic River, designated and/or expanded Cedar Roughs, Snow Mountain and Cache Creek Wilderness Areas, and designated Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument then expanded it by adding Molok Luyuk.

I know, it’s not what we wanted. We wanted to continue the amazing momentum of the Biden-Harris Administration. But its what we have. So, no time to rest. Let’s get to work, together, and get some things done!

Sandra Schubert

Executive Director

Tuleyome Recognition

nlillge@tuleyome.org (Nate Lillge) — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 17:00:55 GMT

Tuleyome’s work in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region has been successful because of your support. We dream. We act. Together we get things done!

Recently, Tuleyome staff and Board have been recognized for their hard work and dedication to advocacy and active stewardship with diverse communities to conserve, enhance, restore, and enjoy the lands in the region.

Congratulations to Sandy, Nate, and Glen!

Monumental Questions - Commemorating our Nation's First Conservationists

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 17:00:48 GMT

Indigenous People’s Day (October 14, 2024), National Native American Heritage Day (November 29, 2024) and National Native American Heritage Month (November) all celebrate the legacy of Native Americans and the positive impact they have made on every aspect of American society. In 2021 (and every year since), President Biden became the first United States president to officially recognize Indigenous People’s Day with a proclamation declaring that the second Monday in October would be a day to honor Native Americans’ resilience, strength and perseverance to preserve their land, language, spirit, knowledge and tradition. In addition to Indigenous People’s Day in October, November is National Native American Heritage Month and the Friday following Thanksgiving is National Native American Heritage Day.

The campaign to honor our Native Americans began as early as the 1900’s and in 1924 Congress enacted the Indian Citizenship Act which offered United States citizenship to all US-born American Indians and Native Alaskans. Beginning in the 1970s, Congress and the president enacted annual proclamations designating a day, a week or a month to honoring and celebrating our Nation’s American Indians, native Hawaiians and native Alaskans. In 1986, Congress and President Reagan declared the week of November 23, 1986 American Indian Week. In 1990, Congress passed legislation which authorized President George H.W. Bush to make a Presidential Proclamation declaring the month of November National American Indian Heritage Month. Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush both issued subsequent proclamations designating November as National American Indian Heritage Month. In 2008, Congress passed a law that was signed by President George W. Bush making the Friday after Thanksgiving National Native American Heritage Day and since then each subsequent United States President has issued the same annual proclamation. As recently as October 31, 2024, President Biden declared November as Native American Heritage Month and November 29, 2024 as Native American Heritage Day.

Today, seventeen states, the District of Columbia and over 200 United States cities recognize and honor American Indians, Native Alaskans and Native Hawaiians in lieu of the Federal Columbus Day holiday in October. Although there are currently no federal regulations regarding the holiday, lawmakers in the U.S. Congress have reintroduced legislation to designate the second Monday in October a national holiday. The Act currently has 56 cosponsors in the House of Representatives and 11 cosponsors in the Senate. It is endorsed by the National Congress of American Indians as well as the Cherokee Nation and the Navajo Nation, the two largest tribal nations in the county.

National Native American Heritage Day is intended to encourage all Americans to take time to honor native heritage. National Native American Heritage Month is a block of time set aside to honor Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities to pledge that their contributions, traditions and history continue to prosper with each generation.

Native American tribes including Yuke, Nomlake, Patwin, Pomo, Huchnom, Wappo, Lake Miwok and Wintum have inhabited the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region for at least the last 11,000 years. Their contributions to the pre-history and history of the region have made this one of the most linguistically diverse areas in all of California. The Monument region is teeming with resources used by neighboring tribes and trade routes accorded interaction between them. Just as the tribes historically worked together to preserve and nurture the region, that partnership continues today with co-management and crucial decision making regarding resource and land stewardship. As you may already know, the Monument expansion to include Molok Luyuk was a name given to the site by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation who worked side by side with many conservation partners to get the area protected, forever.

The elementary school phrase about Columbus sailing the ocean blue is unfinished. Indigenous people called the Western Hemisphere home for tens of thousands of years before the Pinta, Niña and the Santa Maria were even a thought. The arrival of Europeans led to devastating loss of life, land and tradition for indigenous people according to the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. During the month of November make time to recognize and celebrate the contributions, history and cultures of the first Americans. Indigenous People’s Day, National Native American Heritage Day and National Native American Heritage Month are all about reflection, recognition, celebration and education.

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Enjoying Outdoors! - What is Community Science?

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 17:00:41 GMT

Do you love to be outside and have a keen eye for making observations? If so, you might be interested in participating in Community Science! Community Science, sometimes also called citizen science, crowd science, participatory science, or civic science is a program where the public contributes their observations, research and data to better the overall public knowledge of a location or region. Definitions and uses of Community Science vary between organizations or communities but generally it is community members volunteering their time to gather information and donate their findings to a general database for public use and contribution.

"Citizen Science" was first used in the mid 1990’s in the United States by ornithologist Rick Bonney and in the United Kingdom by British sociologist Alan Irwin. Bonney used the term to describe projects in which amateur scientists such as birdwatchers volunteered their personal data. Irwin used the term as “developing concepts of scientific citizenship which foregrounds the necessity of opening up science and science policy processes to the public.” Interestingly, neither Bonney nor Irwin was aware of the other's work and defined Citizen Science independently. In 2014, the term made it into the Oxford English Dictionary and is defined as “scientific work undertaken by members of the general public, often in collaboration with or under the direction of professional scientists and scientific institutions.” Citizen Science may play a role in a wide range of studies including natural resource conservation, biology, ecology, health studies, astronomy as well as communications, information and media studies.

There are many opportunities to participate in Community Science in our region, below are a few of the larger events that you may or may not be familiar with.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife Invasive Species Program

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Invasive Species Program which recruits the assistance of outdoor enthusiasts and concerned community members to assist invasive species monitoring and management. Those involved conduct surveys, collect data and report their findings to CDFW. With the help of many sets of eyes and a new smartphone app, CDFW hopes to get a leg up on identifying and managing invasive species in California. Some of the invasive species at the top of their list range from mammals to invertebrates and include nutria, brown-headed cowbirds, water snakes, red-eared sliders, bullfrogs, carp, piranhas, quagga and zebra muscles, channeled apple snails and New Zealand mud snails among many other species. Click here if you’d like to learn more about the app and to learn more about the project visit here .

Bushy Lake

The Bushy Lake restoration project in Sacramento County is another example of Community Science at work. The project is an ecocultural restoration project and is located near Cal Expo on the Lower American River. The goals of the 86-acre project is to protect, enhance and restore sustainable habitats for northwestern pond turtles, California’s only native turtle, and to enhance the educational interpretation of resources in the Lower American River Parkway. And the turtles aren’t the only species benefiting from the project, there are 139 additional species that call Bushy Lake home as well. The project provides an opportunity for community service for students as well as habitat and species monitoring for private citizens. The data is collected under the Sacramento County Department of Regional Parks as part of the obligations and policies under the American River Parkway Plan. To learn more about the Bushy Lake project here .

The City Nature Challenge

The City Nature Challenge (CNC) began in 2016 as a competition between the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County in Los Angeles to see which city could document the most species observed during an eight-day period. The competition began as a fun and creative way to embrace and better understand urban biodiversity. During the first year over 1,000 people participated with over 20,000 observations being made. The result was outstanding with an approximate 1,600 species documented in each city with new occurrences for both locations.

The idea was too big to keep local and the following year the CNC went national and the next year international and species are now being cataloged across the globe! The CNC now an annual “bioblitz” where cities around the globe compete to see who can record the most species with the most people participating while working together toward a common goal of witnessing and sharing nature. The 2024 CNC resulted in just under 2.5 million observations with 65,682 species being observed by 83,528 participants. To see past results click here . Observations are recorded in iNaturalist and if your city isn’t registered to participate, you can still play along and record your sightings as an individual. To sign up for iNaturalist, visit https://www.inaturalist.org/ .

The 2025 CNC will begin on April 25, 2025 at 12:00 am and run until April 28, 2025 11:59 pm. Any observations posted in iNaturalist in the Yolo, Sacramento, Sutter, Placer, Nevada, San Joaquin, El Dorado, Yuba and Amador Counties during that time will be counted toward the Sacramento Region’s total.

Other well-known Community Science projects include the National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count where community members document bird species and numbers annually around Christmas time and Purple Air, the largest real-time air quality database that collects air quality data using sensors on public and private property and reports the results via their website or app. Community Science creates good will in the overall community by engaging community members to notice and appreciate nature.

Keep an eye on our events page , Tuleyome is hosting a Bioblitz at the Woodland Regional Park Preserve on December 14, 2024. Join us so you can participate in Community Science and add your own observations to iNaturalist!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Science Corner - Invasive Goldfish

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 17:00:31 GMT

When my daughter was a kindergartener, she “won” a few little goldfish from a school carnival. We brought those little guys home and put them in a small aquarium and gave them all names: Chloe, Biscuit and Sarah. That next summer we added Jack who was rescued from the ring toss game at the 110-degree California State Fair. Eventually Sarah and Biscuit passed away, but Chloe and Jack lived to the ripe old age of thirteen and fourteen. We continuously got them bigger and bigger aquariums and they got so enormous that they didn’t fit in an aquarium net anymore. Sadly, they both passed away and are buried in the backyard.

Goldfish ( Carassius auratus ) are a freshwater fish that is native to southern China. It was originally believed that modern goldfish were a subspecies of the crucian carp ( Carassius carassius ) or the Prussian carp ( C. gibelio ), collectively called Asian carp; but through genetic sequencing and investigation of morphology, it is now believed that common goldfish are a domesticated variety of C. auratus . Goldfish belong to the carp and minnow family which were originally reared to be used as fish food. Naturally silver or gray, carp occasionally produced offspring with color mutations that produced red, orange, gold or white fish. These vibrantly colored fish became popular, and people began to put them in ornamental water gardens. Later, these fish began to be selectively bred for their colors, body shape, fin structure and size which resulted in distinct breeds that varied greatly. Not long after goldfish began to be raised indoors and were subsequently introduced into Japan and Portugal and later into the rest of Europe.

Goldfish are gregarious and friendly with each other. They have good eyesight and can recognize their owner. They have memory capabilities and can recognize different shapes and colors, can learn tricks and can even be hand fed.

Goldfish are hardy and are easy to keep in outdoor ponds because they can bear cooler water temperatures and short periods of low oxygen. They can even survive if ice has formed on the top of the water as long as there is enough dissolved oxygen in the water. And, although considered a freshwater fish, they have been found surviving in brackish water.

Some breeds of goldfish can live for decades and can become quite large like my two. Because of this, goldfish often get released into the wild where they become a highly invasive species. Without the restrictions of the backyard pond or aquarium, goldfish released into the wild can grow to be significantly larger than those kept in captivity. They have voracious appetites and outcompete native species for food such as algae and small invertebrates, as well as consuming native species’ eggs and larvae. They swim and graze along the bottom stirring up sediment which increases water turbidity that reduces the amount of sunlight that penetrates the water column which affects aquatic plants and expands habitat loss for native species. Goldfish also have a high reproduction rate which aids in them outcompeting native fish and can hybridize with other carp species further increasing their population numbers. They can also carry bacteria and diseases that may harm native aquatic life.

All of these combined intensifies their impact on biodiversity and ecosystem health. The United States Geological Survey has indicated that goldfish have been released into American waterways since the 1600’s. They have become one of the most widespread invasive species of fish in North America. Huge goldfish have even been caught in Lake Tahoe ranging from four to eight inches long and weighing up to several pounds. Biologists believe that the goldfish were introduced into the lake by people that kept them as pets. Although the fish are already in the lake and eradication efforts are taking place, the United States Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management United and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife are urging people not to release their pet fish (or leftover bait fish) into Lake Tahoe or it’s associated waterways. In Minnesota, Colorado and Canada goldfish have become an imposing problem. The Carver County Water Management agency in Minnesota recently removed 50,000 pounds of goldfish from a tributary to one single lake.

All drains do not lead to the ocean and indeed, goldfish do make great pets but they are best left in their tanks.

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Nature and You: Hiking in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 17:00:27 GMT

Our October Nature and You speaker was Tuleyome co-founder Andew Fulks, who gave a wonderful talk on Hikes in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. He discussed current and proposed trails throughout the monument, tips on exploring the backroads of the Mendocino National Forest, and kayaking on Cache Creek. If you missed it, you can view the recording on Tuleyome’s YouTube channel .

The Nature and You lecture series will be on hiatus in November and December for the holiday season. We will return in January with a talk from Dr. Julin Maloof and Dr. Jenny Gremer, who will be discussing their work on California Jewelflowers and how they are responding to climate change. Click here to learn more and register .

Sign up for Tuleyome's Certified California Naturalist Course

nlillge@tuleyome.org (Nate Lillge) — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 17:00:19 GMT

No advanced degrees or previous naturalist experience is required.

Questions about the course should be directed to Nate Lillge at nlillge@tuleyome.org .

Youth Boot Bank Office Hours and Donation Drive

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 17:00:04 GMT

Our next office hours event will be on Wednesday 11/6 from 2:30-5:30 – please feel free to stop by! You can learn more about this event and the Youth Book Bank by clicking here .

We will also be doing a holiday boot and camping gear donation drive in conjunction with REI, so be sure to take a look at your gear shelf to see if you have any boots, tents, sleeping bags, or sleeping pads that are in good condition that you can donate. More information coming soon!

If you have any questions about the program, please contact Geoff at gbenn@tuleyome.org.

Tuleyome in the Community: Explorit Science Expo

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 16:59:53 GMT

On October 5 ^th , Tuleyome Education Associate Geoff Benn, volunteer board member Bill Grabert, and spokesbear Berry represented Tuleyome at the Explorit Science Expo in Davis. The event was kid-focused and featured organizations from around the region, including the UC Davis Raptor Center, Bohart Museum, and Cache Creek Conservancy. We had an animal track identification activity and our always popular “smell like a bee” challenge.

Annie's Trail Hike

nlillge@tuleyome.org (Nate Lillge) — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 16:59:43 GMT

On October 19, Tuleyome led a hike to through Stebbins Cold Canyon to our Cold Canyon Headwaters property. Annie's Trail connects the Stebbins Cold Canyon Trails with Annie's Rock - a large rock along the ridge that provides amazing views of Lake Berryessa and the entire Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. The views on a clear day make this difficult hike worth the effort!

Take a look at the pictures from the hike here . If you'd like to sign up for an upcoming event, check out our events page .

-Nate Lillge nlillge@tuleyome.org

Tuleyome Education Associate

Certified California Naturalist

October 2024 Field Trips

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 16:59:32 GMT

Students doing their school cheer at the end of the trip

On October 4 ^th , Tuleyome hosted Ms. Tealdi’s 4 ^th grade class from Patwin Elementary for a field trip at Woodland Regional Park Preserve. The students completed the Ecosystems trail and learned about how plants obtain resources from the environment.

A 4 ^th grader holding a praying mantis

The students particularly enjoyed doing leaf rubbings, completing a design challenge based on growing plants without soil, and finding praying mantises. You can see more photos from the trip on our Flickr page .

Students working on their leaf rubbings

On October 30 ^th , Tuleyome Education Associate Geoff Benn did a program on plants for the Ross Cottage Nursery School. The kids enjoyed drawing trees, doing leaf and bark rubbings, and going for a nature walk. You can see more photos of the trip at the Ross Cottage Nursery School’s Instagram page.

Tuleyome's Certified California Naturalist Course 2025

nlillge@tuleyome.org (Nate Lillge) — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 19:51:07 GMT

No advanced degrees or previous naturalist experience is required.

Questions about the course should be directed to Nate Lillge at nlillge@tuleyome.org .

Welcome Interns Juliann and Lasya!

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 19:50:28 GMT

Tuleyome is excited to welcome UC Davis students Juliann Ricker and Lasya Nalla as Horticultural Interns at Woodland Regional Park Preserve (WRPP). Juliann is an Environmental Science and Management major and Lasya is an Environmental Horticulture and Urban Forestry major – both will be working on weed management and native plant care at WRPP under the guidance of long-term WRPP volunteers Lars Anderson and Jennifer Hogan. We look forward to seeing what they accomplish this fall!

Molok Luyuk Celebration

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 19:50:23 GMT

Last night, Tuleyome and our partners celebrated the addition of Molok Luyuk to Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument at Berryessa Gap Vineyards Estate Winery and Berryessa Brewing, Co in Winters. Thank you to everyone who was able to join us!

A special thank you to the speakers at the event: Representative Mike Thompson, Representative John Garamendi (by video), Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-4), Yolo County Supervisors Oscar Villegas, Lucas Frerichs, Mary Vixie Sandy, Angel Barajas, and Yolo County Supervisor-elect Shelia Allen. Central California District Manager Bureau of Land Management

Chris Heppe, and former West Sacramento Mayor Chris Cabaldon.

Thank you’s and special recognition was given were given to Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, Tuleyome Co-founder and Advisory Council Member Bob Schneider, Senator Alex Padilla, Senator Lahponza Butler, the late Senator Dianne Feinstein, Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire, Senator Bill Dodd, Yolo County Supervisor Jim Provenza, Governor Newsom, Governor Brown, and Senator Boxer.

If you were unable to make it, we’re happy to celebrate with you on the trail, at an astronomy event, a Nature and You lecture, a field trip, wildflower tour, or any of the other many activities that Tuleyome leads in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region. We will share more with you soon but for now check out some photos from the event!

Policy Corner: San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 19:50:18 GMT

On September 27, Senator Padilla and Representatives John Garamendi, Mike Thompson and Jared Huffman introduced the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act (H.R. 9826) to expand the acquisition boundary for the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The expanded acquisition boundary will include 5,658-acres that are currently owned by the California State Lands Commission, the California State Coastal Conservancy, and the Sonoma Land Trust. Expanding the acquisition boundary is a preliminary step to enabling U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to manage these regions. The FWS can only expand a National Wildlife Refuge within a pre-approved acquisition boundary and expansion decisions require FWS approval.

The Refuge, which lies along the north shore of San Pablo Bay in Sonoma, Solano, and Napa Counties, currently encompasses 24,390 acres with open bay/tidal marsh, mud flats, and seasonal and managed wetland habitats.

“We thank our champions for expanding the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge,” said Tuleyome Executive Director Sandra Schubert. “Expanding the Refuge will safeguard sensitive habitat and migratory pathways that are critical for biodiversity, while building the health of the Bay.”

The region provides critical migratory and wintering habitat for shorebirds and waterfowl, particularly diving ducks, and provides year-round habitat for endangered, threatened, and sensitive species like the California clapper rail, salt marsh harvest mouse, California black rail, San Pablo song sparrow, and Suisun shrew. Numerous other threatened, endangered, and sensitive species also require the tidal marsh habitat for their survival, including 11 fish species that swim through San Pablo Bay to reach their freshwater spawning grounds.

Mike Painter, Coordinator of Californians for Western Wilderness, said “We support efforts and opportunities for the permanent protection of many categories of public land, not just wilderness. I grew up within sight of San Pablo Bay and recognize the ecological importance of the lands ringing the North Bay. Having seen the restoration work already undertaken in the northern part of the Refuge, we welcome the potential provided by this bill for expanding the San Pablo Bay NWR further westward.”

The bill will also help protect the region’s ability to provide ecosystem services while ensuring that these areas remain open for recreational uses. Currently, much of the Bay’s tidal marshes that affect the ability to accept rainfall and purify water. Expanding the Refuge will strengthen the resiliency and assist those restoration efforts.

"As a decades-long resident of Sonoma County, I know how rare and precious our North Bay wetlands are, and how essential they are to a broad range of wildlife,” said Mark Green, Executive Director of CalWild. “This bill will augment and sustain the terrific work by Sonoma Land Trust and others to protect and restore these critically important habitat lands.”

Conservationists, land trusts, veterans and individuals have joined together to support this effort .

California Native American Day

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 19:50:13 GMT

California Native American Day began as “Indian Day” in 1939 under then Governor Culbert Olson. Later, in 1968, under the guidance of Tribal leaders and Governor Ronald Reagan, the event became known as California Native American Day. California Native American Day occurs annually on the fourth Friday of September and commemorates the culture and contributions of the original stewards of California. The celebration brings together California tribes, organizations, universities and state agencies to recognize and honor the contributions made by California Native Americans in the past, present and to continue into the future. The day serves to honor California’s first people by nurturing a greater understanding and appreciation of Native American heritage and to educate students and community members about California’s Native Americans enduring and vibrant culture and values.

This year’s California Native American Day was celebrated on Friday, September 27th with events around the state and at the State Capitol. The State Capitol event featured a full schedule of speakers that began with an opening prayer led by the Chairpeople of the Manzanita Band of Kumeyaay Nation, the Karuk Tribe, and Wilton Rancheria. The prayer was followed by a discussion of the importance of voting. The theme of this year’s event in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924. In addition to the speakers, the event also included tabling from a wide range of organizations, including tribes, college scholarship and support organizations, healthcare providers, social justice groups, cultural education organizations, state and local agencies, conservation groups, and more. It was truly an impressive and inspiring event.

About the authors: This piece was written by Geoff Benn, Tuleyome's Education Associate, and Kristie Erhardt, Tuleyome's Land Conservation and Stewardship Program Director.

Monumental Questions - What is 30x30?

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 19:50:09 GMT

In May of 2021, the Biden administration introduced the America the Beautiful Initiative. The Initiative defined a vision for the conservation organizations across the United States to work together to restore, conserve and protect lands and water across the nation. The purpose of the Initiative was to establish a nationwide effort to restore and conserve 30% of the Nation’s land and waters by the year 2030. The Initiative is providing support to federal and locally led conservation efforts on Tribal, public and private land and water.

California, blazing trails

Closer to home; in October 2020, more than six months before the Biden Administration’s America the Beautiful Initiative, Governor Newsom issued an executive order that established a parallel state goal of conserving 30% of California’s land and coastal water by the year 2030. This Executive Order became commonly known as 30x30. The goal of 30x30 is to expedite preservation in California through the collaborative efforts of conservation partners to meet three objectives: conserve and restore biodiversity, expand access to nature, and mitigate and build resilience to climate change. Our own 30x30 goals not only contribute to conservation right here in California but they also support our national 2030 conservation goals.

How its going

Just a short four years after 30x30 was signed into law, California is quickly gaining ground (pun intended) on that ambitious goal. To date, California has added a million and a half acres (approximately 2,350 square miles) of land to our overall conservation total. A recent report from Governor Newsom and the California Natural Resources Agency shows that California currently has over 25% of its land conserved but still holds just 16.2% of its coastal waters preserved. The good news is that there are still more than five years to accomplish the 30x30 goal.

In just a smidge over a year between April 2022 and May 2023, California added 631,000 acres to our total. And since then, we’ve added an additional 861,000 acres! This big chunk of acreage is from areas that were conserved through land acquisition, new conservation easements, and California’s first ever ancestral land return which supplied $100 million dollars in grants for the return of nearly 39,000 acres to Indigenous communities. Also included in the newly protected areas is the expansion of two established national monuments. The San Gabriel Mountains National Monument and our personal favorite, the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument are among the largest advancements bringing about 120,000 acres of federally protected land to the conservation total. Using his powers under the Antiquity Act, President Biden added 13,696 acres to the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument in May of 2024 with the addition of Molok Luyuk (Condor Ridge).

California’s progress has also paved the way for projects at the national level with other states such as Nevada, Hawaii and New York, among others, working toward their own 30x30 goals. According to the report, California still has a way to go, needing just under five million acres of land and 500,000 acres of conserved coastal waters to meet our 30x30 goal. A prospective Chumash National Marine Sanctuary is proposed off the Central Coast of California that would add acreage toward our coastal waters goal. But stay tuned, we are definitely on the right track (or trail as we here at Tuleyome like to say) toward meeting our goal and blazing even more new trails!

If you’d like to learn more about California’s 30x30 goals and progress, please visit www.californianature.ca.gov/ .

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Enjoying Outside - Leaf Peeping in California

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 19:50:00 GMT

Leaf peeping - a less than scientific term for enjoying the seasonal color change. As summer fades into fall, the shortening days trigger the trees and shrubs to prepare for winter. Part of that process includes the leaves halting the production of chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is what makes the leaves green and when production is decreased the other colors that were always present become visible. Watching the leaves turn from green to red, orange and yellow seems to be the epitome of fall no matter where you live. Typically, Northern California isn’t at the top of the list for destinations to view fall foliage. But, thanks to California’s mild Mediterranean climate which supports a whopping variety of deciduous trees, shrubs and plants and our incredible range of elevations, California actually has one of the most varied and lengthy seasonal foliage changes in North America. Bright fall colors can be seen from October through December from about sea level all the way up to about 14,000 feet! If you miss the spectacle at one elevation, just go on to the next. Keep reading for some up-to-date resources on how and where to find stunning fall foliage throughout California!

For everything leafy and fall related in California from where to find outstanding fall foliage, to how to plan a trip, to trail etiquette; check out California Fall Color . As it is stated on the webpage, California Fall Color is a seasonal news site that reports on autumn’s show throughout California. You might want to have a couple of hours free before you sit down to browse the website though because there is so much here to explore! The website offers locations throughout California to view fall color as well as hike of the week, drive of the week and peak of the week. But wait, there’s more - there’s also a California Fall Color MAP !! And be sure to bring your camera when you head out to explore because you can submit your own color report. I didn’t see any existing reports for the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region so you can be the first! The website gives you all the information you need to submit your own color report.

California State Parks also has a website that highlights state parks in Northern and Southern California that have impressive color displays. The Park Services invites you to schedule a day trip or a weekend getaway and enjoy the cooler weather and stunning backdrops full of fall color. They do recommend calling before to head out to check on the conditions of the park though. The parks are less crowded this time of the year making fall a great time to visit.

California.com also highlights many areas throughout California that parade fall colors for you to take in from Plumas County to Mono County and places in between including Lake Tahoe and Nevada City and Yosemite.

If you’re interested in traveling outside of California, The Foliage Report is also a seasonal weekly report that tracks fall foliage changes throughout the United States. It includes maps made through collaborations with different sources and are published by the Washington Post, multiple other websites and The Fall Color Guy’s blog. For the western states color report, (also with a MAP!) check out the west region report .

Closer to home, The Railyards has a great article outlining where to see fall colors near Sacramento which includes Folsom, Apple Hill and June Lake among others. And, the SFGATE just published a fabulous article detailing where color is beginning to peak in California and also refers to the californiafallcolor.com website linked above.

If your calendar doesn’t allow for a weekend trip or a lengthy drive you can view fantastic fall foliage right near where you are. Nearby agriculture such as vineyards and orchards have striking color changes. Riparian vegetation along the Sacramento and American Rivers and suburban creeks and streams as well as urban trees such as those found in residential areas or city parks offer elegant color shows. Even poison oak can be lovely as it turns a stunning crimson and winds its way around tree trunks.

As the California Fall Color website proudly boasts, “Autumn happens here, too.”

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Science Corner - Feather Weather

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 19:49:55 GMT

During a recent visit to the Woodland Regional Park Preserve (WRPP) I couldn’t help but notice a ring of floating feathers around the edge of the perennial wetland. Ahh, it’s feather weather! Adult waterfowl, primarily ducks and geese (swans, grebes, coots and other migrating species are often considered waterfowl as well) undergo two substantial and messy molting processes each year; a pre-basic or eclipse molt that results in basic or eclipse plumage and a pre-alternate or nuptial molt which results in breeding plumage. Since mallards are locally common and easily identifiable by their iridescent green heads and brassy personalities, we’ll focus on them.

Mallards (and all waterfowl), have three main types of feathers: flight feathers, contour feathers and down. The flight feathers are the big, strong quills in their wings and tail that generate lift and thrust. They support the bird during flight. Contour feathers are the feathers on the outside that give the bird shape and color. They overlap to shed moisture and to maintain heat. Down is found under the contour feathers and is fluffy. Down traps air and helps insulate, maintain buoyancy and aids in thermoregulation. All bird species lose worn or damaged feathers here and there and replace it with a brand new one in a process called molting. Most North American birds undergo sequential molting in which individual feathers are replaced one or two at a time leaving them relatively unaffected. Mallards (and all waterfowl) molt as well but if you’ve ever been stared down by protective momma goose or chased away by a lippy, territorial mallard, you might have guessed that their molting process is as shouty and dramatic as they are.

Unlike geese, Mallards don’t mate for life and form new pair bonds each breeding season. Once the breeding is complete and there’s no longer a need to impress females, the males drop all of their splashy, pretty feathers including those cute little curls just above their tails. The female also undergoes a basic molt but since her job is to keep the nest safe and hidden from predators, she never had the bright colors, and her molt is a little less dramatic. In addition to losing their bright feathers, both the hen and drake shed all of their flight feathers from their wings and tail simultaneously. This leaves them completely flightless for a period of three to five weeks until the new feathers replace the old ones. Being left flightless makes the birds especially vulnerable and susceptible to predation which is why the habitat adjacent to ponds and other wetlands is so important. The vegetation helps them hide and being near the water allows them to escape anything that can’t swim as fast or as efficiently as they can. Thankfully for the drake, he’s also lost all of his snazzy attention-grabbing feathers so he’s able to blend into the vegetation around the pond like the hen does. Mallards are dabbling ducks which means they graze vegetation and aquatic invertebrates off the bottom of the wetland. Therefore, finding food while flightless isn’t usually a problem for them. This is also why you may see them tipping forward with their bottoms to the sky while in the water.

Males being the showboats that they are, only retain their blah, basic plumage for a few weeks and often recoup their flamboyant green heads and curly tail feathers as early as October or November. This is why you see drakes in breeding plumage during the fall rather than late spring and summer when nesting and incubation is happening.

The nuptial or pre-alternate molt happens in late summer or early fall. This is when both the hen and the drake lose all of their dull, worn body feathers and replace them with fresh, undamaged feathers to help the bird stay warm and dry during the winter. The birds at WRPP are currently undergoing their pre-alternate molt which is why the perennial wetland is currently muddled with little floating feathers.

The process of molting is extremely important. Replacing old feathers with new ones not only improves efficiency in flight but it also helps them to maintain warmth and their waterproof coats. But replacing feathers costs ducks a lot of energy. The Audubon Society states that “molting is as energetically expensive as breeding and migrating, so the birds make sure that these three activities don’t overlap”. Molting and breeding occurs when there are abundant aquatic invertebrates available to help replace what their bodies have used to regrow their feathers. Understanding molting and different plumage seasons can help identify species and age of ducks and other birds based on where they are observed and when. Nature is so cool!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Nature and You: Urban Trees and Hiking

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 19:49:45 GMT

Our September Nature and You lecture was given by Cecilia Walsh of Tree Davis, who gave an excellent talk on “Planting For Our Climate-Ready Future.” You can view the recording here for lots of great tips on how to select which trees to plant, how to plant them, and how to care for them once they’re growing.

Our October Nature and You lecture will be given by Tuleyome co-founder Andrew Fulks, who will be presenting on “Hiking in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.” Andrew’s talk will take place via Zoom at 7pm on October 24 ^th – click here to register to receive the link.

September Boot Bank Events

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 19:49:11 GMT

A child showing off the boots she received from the Youth Boot Bank.

We held our fourth Youth Boot Bank office hours event on September 4th. These are monthly events, taking place at the Tuleyome offices in Woodland from 2:30-5:30pm on the first Wednesday of each month. Please note that the October office hours are cancelled due to the Molok Luyuk Celebration - we'll be back in November!

The Youth Boot Bank was also at the Birds, Bioblitz, and Scavenger Hunt event held at Woodland Regional Park Preserve on September 14 ^th , where we were able to provide boots to several kids.

The Youth Boot Bank provides free six-month loans of hiking boots to kids ages 0 – 18. Community members are invited to come Boot Bank office hours if they would like to borrow a pair of boots, return a pair of boots that has previously been borrowed from the Boot Bank, or if they would like to donate a new or gently used pair of boots to the program.

Our next office hours event will be on Wednesday 11/6 from 2:30-5:30 – please feel free to stop by! You can learn more about this event and the Youth Book Bank by clicking here .

BioBlitz Events at Conaway Ranch and WRPP

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 19:47:49 GMT

Participants photographing birds during the BioBlitz at Conaway Ranch

As part of California Biodiversity Week, Tuleyome hosted two iNaturalist BioBlitz events in September. iNaturalist is a community science tool that allows participants to upload geo-tagged photos of plants, animals, and other organisms. These observations can then be verified and used for research by scientists. A BioBlitz is an event where participants come together and work to make as many observations as possible in a defined area and time.

Group photo at the end of the Conaway BioBlitz event.

On September 7 ^th , Tuleyome hosted a “Learn iNaturalist while Exploring Conaway Ranch” event, where participants learned how to make observations on iNaturalist and then went for a nature walk through a riparian conservation easement on the ranch. Highlights included green herons, egrets, and lots of dragonflies!

A Stretch Spider seen during the WRPP BioBlitz

On September 14 ^th , Tuleyome hosted a Birds, BioBlitz, and Scavenger Hunt event at Woodland Regional Park Preserve. The event began with a bird walk led by Tuleyome volunteer Sami LaRocca and then featured a self-directed nature scavenger hunt for kids and an iNaturalist BioBlitz. We also had our Youth Boot Bank on site and were able to provide free loans of hiking boots to several kids.

A child shows off the boots she received from the Tuleyome Youth Boot Bank

Improvements at Woodland Regional Park Preserve

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 19:47:46 GMT

The new sidewalk and gate at WRPP

The City of Woodland has been hard at work preparing Woodland Regional Park Preserve (WRPP) for it’s grand opening, now tentatively slated for March 2025. Recent improvements include the addition of sidewalks at the entrance to the park, a new gate, a new guardrail inside the entrance, and signage to protect sensitive areas. The two main projects remaining before the opening of the park are the installation of the park sign at the entrance and the installation of a traffic light and crosswalk to enable pedestrians and cyclists to cross road 102 safely.

One of new sensitive habitat area signs

The new guardrail near the park entrance

September 2024 Field Trips

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 19:47:34 GMT

Ms. Anderson’s 3 ^rd grade class from Zamora Elementary School in Woodland

With the start of the new school year and the return of cooler weather, Tuleyome K-12 field trips have resumed at Woodland Regional Park Preserve (WRPP)!

On September 20 ^th , two classes of 3 ^rd graders from Zamora Elementary School in Woodland came to WRPP for a field trip with Tuleyome. The trip began with Tuleyome Education Associate Geoff Benn doing a class story time to share the story of WRPP. The students then completed the Adaptations Trail, which included a nature walk with binoculars, learning about the adaptations of bird beaks and feet, investigating plant / insect interactions, building a food web, and the always popular “smell like a bee” activity. The students particularly enjoyed bird watching and having a picnic lunch after the walk.

3 ^rd graders completing the Smell Like a Bee activity

Ms. Nikzad's 4th graders from Patwin Elementary in Davis

On September 25 ^th , a class of 4 ^th graders from Patwin Elementary in Davis came to WRPP for a field trip with Tuleyome. The trip began with Geoff discussing ecosystems and the role humans can play in restoring and maintaining them. The students then completed the adaptations trail, which included a nature walk with binoculars, learning about how plants transport water, making leaf rubbings, looking for decomposers, and designing systems to grow plants without soil. The students particularly enjoyed doing the leaf rubbings and watching a flock of over 20 pelicans on the pond.

Patwin Elementary 4 ^th graders observing pelicans

Tuleyome’s K-12 education programs provide free field trips featuring activities that are differentiated by grade level and aligned with Next Generation Science Standards. Trips at WRPP and Conaway Ranch are provided at no cost for public school groups. Click here to learn more or contact Geoff at gbenn@tuleyome.org to book your trip today.

Policy Corner: Preserving History through The Antiquities Act

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 21:55:51 GMT

In 1906, Congress gave the President the ability to protect cultural and natural resources of historic or scientific interest on federal lands. A unique tool, The Antiquities Act of 1906 allows Presidents to look at a place and its history and protect them both. Since its passage, Presidents have utilized The Antiquities Act to protect a wide variety of our most treasured places, from the Virgin Islands Coral Reef to Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, the Freedom Rider’s National Monument and our own Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.

On August 16, 2024, President Biden used The Antiquities Act to establish the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument . Covering a two block area in the Badlands neighborhood, this action preserves a site where the race riot raged from August 14-16, 1908, that holds some of the last physical remains of the riot and the neighborhood it destroyed.

In the wake of the riot, an interracial group of civil rights leaders were catalyzed to form the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which has fought for, and achieved, justice and equality for decades.

“This site weaves together two important threads in our Nation’s story: the hateful violence targeted against Black Americans, and the power of dedicated individuals to come together across racial lines to transform shock and grief into hope and action.” ( A Proclamation on the Establishment of the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument, August 16, 2024 .)

At the turn of the century, many blacks faced segregation, servitude, widespread discrimination and racial violence. On August 14 ^th , a group of mostly white men gathered outside the county jail would set off the riot in Springfield. Calling for the lynching of two black men for murder and assault, the group erupted in violence upon learning that the suspects had been transferred to another location. They stormed through the Badlands and Levee neighborhoods, attacking and destroying Black, and some Jewish, owned homes and businesses and beating and lynching two Black residents, William K. Donnegan and Scott Burton. After the lynchings, one suspect’s accuser recanted. The other suspect was hanged in the county jail. Only one white rioter was convicted of a violent crime in association with the riot.

We can’t let these things fade,” Biden said before signing the proclamation. He added, “I know this may not seem significant to most Americans, but it’s of great significance. … It can happen again if we don’t take care of and fight for our democracy.” ( PBS News, August 16, 2024 .)

Protecting the Springfield 1908 Race Riot Site will ensure that its history is honored, that it cannot be erased. It will ensure that future generations can learn about and from this the race riot. It honors those that took this event and built the NAACP, “an institution to work for real and lasting change, creating hope for our democracy out of the embers of this neighborhood in Springfield, Illinois.” ( A Proclamation on the Establishment of the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument, August 16, 2024 .)

It reminds us of the power of our public places to capture our imaginations and connect us to our history.

Thanking Tuleyome's Founders

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 21:55:21 GMT

On August 8, 2024, current Tuleyome board members and staff hosted a gratitude event for our Tuleyome co-founders. Bob Schneider, Andrew Fulks, Dr. Chad Roberts, Dr. Glen Holstein and Victoria Brandon were celebrated for their immeasurable past and ongoing contributions to our Deep Home Place.

Dr. Holstein remains on the board and we’re so grateful for his willingness to share his dedication to the entire Inner Coast Range region, conservation expertise, and his time with us. Bob Schneider and Andrew Fulks were two guys with the same vested interest in conserving an area that they each had individual connections to and both had a desire to ensure that it was accessible to all. Forever. Chad Roberts brought personal history, wisdom and passion for the region. Victoria Brandon has an unequaled ability to mesh land conservation, political policy and authentic partnerships. We were also thrilled to spend time with past Executive Director, Sara Husby. Sara was a crucial part of the team that included our board, staff and our partners that helped put Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument literally on the map!

It was a great night of food and fellowship, but the stories and history of Tuleyome in its infancy that were shared were Monumental!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Monumental Questions - Happy National Wilderness Month!

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 21:54:51 GMT

The month of September is the motherlode of special events, some of them are more well-known than others. For instance, did you know that September is Chicken month as well as Happy Cat month? It’s also International square dancing month, whole grains month and National blueberry popsicle month. Other things such as beards, cheeseburgers, string cheese, pancakes, beer, ice cream cones, salami, bacon and iguanas are also paid homage during the ninth month of the year. But, September also has the honor of holding special some really significant matters too such as Labor Day, Grandparent’s Day, Patriots Day, International Clean Air Day, Hispanic Heritage Month and National Wilderness Month!

Recently, President Biden declared September National Wilderness Month, celebrating the Wilderness Areas that have already been designated and inspiring our desire and commitment to ensure that these areas continue to thrive for the future generations to enjoy.

Wilderness areas not only provide places for us to escape the ongoing swift pace of “city life” but they also provide protection for entire ecosystems within them. Inside the boundaries of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Wilderness are three designated wilderness areas: Snow Mountain Wilderness, Cedar Roughs Wilderness and Cache Creek Wilderness.

The Snow Mountain Wilderness was established in 1984 and is in the Mendocino National Forest. It encompasses over 60,000 acres of chaparral and subalpine forest and is managed by the United States Forest Service (USFS). The Cache Creek Wilderness totals 27,294 acres in eastern Lake County and was established in 2006. Cache Creek runs through the wilderness and is flanked mainly by blue oak woodland. Ungulates like Black-tail deer ( Odocoileus hemionus columbianas ) and endemic Tule Elk ( Cervus canadensis nannodes ) can sometimes be observed grazing or lounging amongst the oaks. It is managed by the United States Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Cedar Roughs Wilderness was also established in 2006 and is located to the west of Lake Berryessa. Totaling nearly 6,300 acres, there are many ecosystems found in the Cedar Roughs Wilderness; one of the most stunning species found here is Sargent Cypress ( Hesperocyparis sargentii ). It is also managed by the BLM.

Wilderness Areas are unique in that generally no motorized vehicles (off highway vehicles, boats, motorcycles, aircraft, etc.) or other motorized equipment is allowed. This ensures the solitude of nature for us and the species found there.

In 1964, President Lyndon B Johnson signed into law the Wilderness Act which created the Wilderness Preservation System. Today, 60 years after the Wilderness Act was signed into law, there are nearly 112 million acres of designated wilderness in the United States. Tuleyome is looking forward to continuing our valued collaboration with local Tribal Nations and our local federal agencies to protect Wilderness Areas and other lands in the Berryessa Snow Mountain region. Please join us in appreciating our public lands and plan a visit to one of the nearby Wilderness Areas.

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Enjoying Outside - Our Friend, the Mexican Free-tailed Bat

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 21:54:15 GMT

Although the Sacramento region is home to many species of bats, the Mexican Free-tailed bat ( Tadarida brasilensis ) is the most numerous. Part of their name comes from their anatomy as they have long tails that extend beyond their tail membranes. The rest of their name isn’t necessarily all inclusive but isn’t a myth either. Yes, they do live in Mexico but they also occupy the western United States south into Mexico, Central and parts of South America as well. One of the largest local colonies in Northern California happens to be just a few miles away from us.

If you’ve been on the Yolo Causeway (I-80, between Davis and Sacramento) around dusk, you may have been lucky enough to see the quarter million or so bats that call the bridge home. They tuck themselves up into the expansion joints under the bridge and rest during the day but as the sun begins to set, the bats wake up and begin heading out for their shifts as the local insect exterminators. They fly out from under the bridge in such huge numbers that they look like smoke. Seemingly endless ribbons of bats that fly higher and higher until you can’t see them anymore. Not only do they take care of things you don’t like buzzing around your head outside, they also help farmers in the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area by eliminating the need for costly and offensive toxic pesticides.

The Mexican Free-tailed bat is a small to medium size bat that, like the Bat Mobile, is built for speed. Its dark brown to gray fur is short to help reduce drag in flight and it has long, narrow wings (like falcons) that help it maneuver quickly and easily. Not only is it fast, it’s real fast! It is the fastest mammal on the planet and has been clocked at just under 100 mph (during straight, level, powered flight)! And, they can reach altitudes of 10,000 feet, the highest of all bat species. It has large forward-facing eyes and ears that are rounded like Mickey Mouse’s and an adorable, wrinkled lip that optimizes mouth space to accommodate large, flying insects. They use echolocation to find flying prey and to avoid bumping into each other in the dark night sky.

Although it looks similar to a mouse or rat, bats are not rodents at all. In fact, they are more closely related to dogs and cats than they are to rodents. (Humans are more closely related to rodents than bats are!) Females give birth to only one pup a year which she will nurse until it is fully grown at around four to seven weeks when it’s ready to be independent and fly the coop so to speak.

Mexican Free-tailed bats are insectivores that are not so much picky, but more selective. Although they will happily eat almost any flying insect, they get more bang for their buck by eating bigger, juicer bugs such as moths. And, because they are nocturnal, so is their prey which eliminates many of the meaty day-time prey items such as flies, dragonflies, butterflies and other winged insects. They use their tail membrane as a “catchers mit” to scoop the bugs out of the air and then gobble them down all while in flight. Our local Mexican Free-tailed bat colony is free, natural and non-toxic pest control for the farmers and for those of us that like to be outside at night. They can eat at least half of their weight in pests a night and pregnant or nursing females can consume their entire body weight. Ok, so they weigh less than half an ounce but multiply that by 250,000 and that’s a lot of bugs that were there irritating you and eating crops and now, expeditiously, aren’t. They fly so fast that although occasionally an opportunistic Peregrine falcon or hawk might nab one, most bat predation occurs when pups are learning to fly and fall to the ground. Predation by outdoor cats is also a grave threat as cats can climb to where unsuspecting bats may be roosting.

And that whole rabies thing. Yes, bats can catch rabies – if they catch it, they will die from it, usually within 10 to 14 days. However, less than one percent of them have it. If you find a bat on the ground, please know that it is not supposed to be there – it could have been attacked by a predator, it might be sick, or it could be too hot or tired to fly. Once on the ground, it is hard for bats to get air born again. Rabies is spread through saliva so unless you touch it and the bat bites you, you can’t get it. It can be picked up by putting a container over it and sliding a piece of cardboard or something firm underneath it. Incidentally, the same method I use to catch and release spiders in my house. If you find a bat on the ground, please contact NorCal Bats (916-902-1918) for rescue and rehabilitation.

Bats are among the most abundant mammals in North America and because the Mexican free-tailed bats nest in such large, dense colonies, they are especially susceptible to habitat destruction and loss. One colony that roosts under a bridge in Texas has an estimated 15 to 20 million individuals!

White-nose syndrome (WNS) is another serious threat to hibernating bat colonies. It was first discovered in the US on the East Coast and has been spreading rapidly westward since at least 2006. It is a fungus ( Pseudogymnoascus destructans ) that attacks the exposed skin of the bats, often their face, and looks like white fuzz which is where the disease got its name. It thrives in cold, damp, and dark places such as caves where bats roost. As the fungus grows on hibernating bats, it causes them to be more active and to wake up when they aren’t supposed to. Being active during the winter forces them to use up their stored fat and eventually the bats die of starvation. Although people cannot get sick from it, we can transport it on our clothes and shoes which is likely how it got to North America in the early 2000’s. Some species are especially susceptible, and others may carry it but individuals don’t exhibit symptoms. To date, WNS has killed millions of North American bats; disastrously some colonies have been entirely eliminated. Currently there is no cure, but biologists are studying the disease and ways to treat or eliminate it. Currently, only the DNA of WNS has made its way into California and only to a few select areas. If you visit places where bats occur, please disinfect your equipment and clothes, including footwear, with bleach or isopropyl alcohol to discourage spreading the fungus.

If you’d like to have a really entertaining and informative evening outdoors, check out our conservation partners and friends at The Yolo Basin Foundation. They offer a marvelous Bat Talk and Tour of our local colony in the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area that will leave you enthralled and full of appreciation for these little guys. The Bat Talk and Tours are offered from mid-June through the end of September. You will absolutely Enjoy Outside during the tour!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Science Corner - Wetlands!

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 21:53:44 GMT

You may already know that wetlands are one of the most productive (and most endangered) ecosystems on the entire globe and are often compared to coral reefs and rainforests because of the habitat they provide for an extensive variety of plants and wildlife. But, did you know that wetlands are also responsible for filtering our drinking water? Just one acre of wetland, roughly the size of a football field, can filter over seven million gallons of water per year (Ducks Unlimited, 2024). To help you visualize, a swimming pool that would hold one million gallons would be nearly 270 feet long, 50 feet wide and 10 feet deep. Now make that pool seven times bigger plus a little extra!

The City of Woodland gets drinking water from both treated surface water and from groundwater wells. Groundwater is stored underground (bet you didn’t see that coming, eh?) in aquifers. Aquifers are natural basins found a few feet to several thousands of feet below the surface. 40% of the land area of California is occupied by aquifers and there are two types, unconfined and confined. Unconfined aquifers are essentially the space between porous material like gravel, sand and silt and can be replenished. Confined aquifers are isolated below layers of rock and cannot be replenished in measurable amounts.

How are unconfined aquifers replenished you ask? Great question! During the rainy season aquifers naturally get replenished when rainwater collects in rivers, ponds, creeks, lakes, marshes, stormwater retention basins and other wetlands. This water then percolates down through the ground until it reaches the aquifer. This is called direct recharge. Agricultural canals and irrigation also contribute to direct recharge. River and especially agricultural water is not safe to drink so wetlands act as nature’s filter to clean it before it reaches the aquifer.

Wetlands such as those found at the Woodland Regional Park Preserve (WRPP) and many other areas of California help clean our drinking water. Wetlands are depressions in the surface that collect water either seasonally or permanently. Because of the duration of ponded water only plants that can tolerate these saturated conditions live there. The decomposition of these plants along with the presence of ponded water create certain soil characteristics that help define a wetland. When rainfall reaches the ground, it can either move over the surface or seep into the soil. Heavy rain falling on impermeable surfaces like streets, sidewalks and buildings cause the water to rapidly flow and runoff to lower elevations. As quickly flowing water enters a wetland, the vegetation and topography slow it down. This allows the heavy sediments picked up by fast moving water to drop out. Slowing the water down also reduces the risk of erosion and structural damage downstream. As the water flow slows, the roots of the wetland's plants are able to absorb excess or toxic nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. Wetlands act as a sponge and are able to store the excess water and slowly release it into the environment. Containing the water not only reduces downstream erosion damage caused by rapidly flowing water, it also allows the water to slowly transfer through the soil and eventually reach the aquifer. Collecting and holding on to the water helps the wetland act like a filter that aids in trapping nutrients, pollutants and sediments before they reach and recharge our aquifers.

Wetlands all over the world provide habitat for threatened and endangered plants and animals as well as migrating birds. The wetlands at WRPP are a small part of the Pacific Flyway which provides winter rest and refueling stops for an estimated one billion migrating birds. Plants found only in wetlands not only help feed these billion birds and filter out toxins, they also absorb greenhouse gasses which helps create cleaner air in addition to cleaner water!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Join Tuleyome to Celebrate CA Biodiversity Week 9/7 – 9/15

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 21:53:01 GMT

California is a global “biodiversity hotspot.” Thousands of plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth rely on the habitat created by California’s diverse landscapes, seascapes, and the freshwater systems that connect them.

California Biodiversity Day (Sept. 7th) celebrates our state’s biodiversity and encourages actions to protect it. How can you participate?

An easy way to get involved from wherever you are: Find and document 30 wild species in California as part of the 30 Species Nature Challenge! Participating is easy — just join this project on iNaturalist, submit photos and observations on the platform anytime between September 7th – 15th. By observing and documenting California biodiversity, your contribution will directly help inform the California 30x30 initiative to conserve 30% of California's lands and coastal waters by 2030.

Tuleyome is hosting two events as part of CA Biodiversity Week to contribute to the 30 Species Nature Challenge:

9/7/24 : “Learn iNaturalist While Exploring Conaway Ranch” – we will provide instruction on how to set up iNaturalist and will then lead a slow-paced nature walk while participants document what we’re seeing on iNaturalist. Learn more and register here .

9/14/24 : “Birds, Bioblitz, and Scavenger Hunt at Woodland Regional Park Preserve” – this event will include a bird walk, an iNaturalist BioBlitz, a nature scavenger hunt for kids, and our Youth Boot Bank. Learn more and register here .

Have fun participating in CA Biodiversity Week and we hope to see you at one of Tuleyome’s events!

Nature and You – Rattlesnakes and Urban Trees

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 21:52:13 GMT

Tuleyome’s August Nature and You lecture featured Dr. Emily Taylor of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, who gave a wonderful overview of California Rattlesnakes, featuring amazing photography and videos. If you missed her talk, you can watch the recording here .

Our September Nature and You lecture will take place on Zoom at 7pm on Thursday 9/26 and will feature Cecilia Walsh of Tree Davis. She will present a talk on “Planting for our Climate-Ready Future,” which will cover the benefits of trees in the urban environment and what Tree Davis is doing throughout the region to make our communities more resilient toward the impacts of climate change. Click here to register and receive the Zoom link.

Tuleyome at Davis Family Fun Fest

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 21:51:29 GMT

Tuleyome was invited to participate in the Second Annual Davis Family Fun Fest held on Friday, August 23 at Civic Center Park in Davis. Volunteer Tuleyome Board president Stephen McCord and Kristie Ehrhardt were there along with the Tuleyome Boot Bank! We had fun quizzing kids and adults on what appendages bees use to find just the perfect flower to pollinate. Our amazing board president had a 15 minute conversation with a Tuleyome fan in French about the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument! Other live entertainment included music students performing today’s hits and yesterday’s favorites, it was impressive!

We’re looking forward to the third annual Davis Family Fun Fest!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Youth Boot Bank Office Hours

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 21:49:21 GMT

We held our third Youth Boot Bank office hours event on August 7 ^th . These are monthly events, taking place at the Tuleyome offices in Woodland from 2:30-5:30pm on the first Wednesday of each month.

Our next office hours event will be on Wednesday 9/4 – please feel free to stop by! You can learn more about this event and the Youth Book Bank by clicking here .

Policy Corner - Monument Management, Employee Retention, & Costs of Living in Mendocino County

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 00:28:26 GMT

Photo of Molok Luyuk by Mark Hoshovsky

Last month we were thrilled that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) had filled the position of Monument manager for Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument . Our excitement reflects our appreciation of the new manager’s skills. Kay-leigh Barntiz was previously the interim manager and is a regional expert. We look forward to working with Kay-leigh to develop and implement a Monument management plan.

Our excitement also reflects the challenges BLM’s Ukiah Field Office has faced in their efforts to retain Monument management staff. Over the last five years, four different individuals have held the position of Monument manager. High turnover rates and subsequent vacancies affect BLM’s ability to protect the region’s ecological and cultural significance.

What drives these turnovers? Employee retention rates can be attributed to discrepancies between the cost of living in Mendocino County and federal employees’ salaries. BLM employees’ pay, as is the case for all federal white-collar employees, is set under the General Schedule (GS). Rates are adjusted in part through l ocality pay , or a percentage increase to federal employees’ "scheduled annual rate of pay," based on the region in which their “official worksite” is located. The locality pay program was established via the Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act of 1990 (FEPCA), to reduce regionally-specific wage discrepancies between federal and non-federal employees. The program holds potential to improve federal agencies’ employee retention rates, but it has yet to achieve that outcome in Mendocino County.

Instead, Mendocino County receives the lowest locality pay adjustment of any region in the country (16.82%). The County is categorized as reflecting the “Rest of US,” in that it is not eligible for a regionally-specific rate. As such, Mendocino County’s locality pay is analogous to that in South Dakota. Yet, the median listing price for homes in Mendocino County was 76% higher than that for South Dakota in 2023. By contrast, the locality pay for neighboring Sonoma County is the highest in the nation (45.41%). Ukiah is less than 25 miles from Sonoma.

What can be done? There are four steps we can take to address discrepancies between cost of living in Ukiah and BLM employees’ salaries.

1) Ask the Federal Salary Council to change Mendocino’s locality pay rate.

Rationale: The Federal Salary Council makes recommendations to the President’s Pay Agent on locality pay, and the Pay Agent , considers those recommendations, defines pay areas, and submits an annual report to the President on locality pay, including rates that would go into effect under the Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act of 1990 (FEPCA) absent another provision of law.

Challenge: To change Mendocino’s locality pay rate, the Federal Salary Council will need to either make an exception to or change their approach for adjusting locality pay rates. In the history of the program, regions have received locality pay adjustments if they are: (1) included in an existing locality pay area as an “area of application” or (2) established as a separate locality pay area. Mendocino County does not meet either criteria.

2) Ask the Federal Salary Council to reevaluate how locality pay rates are set at a national scale, using Mendocino County as a case study of the program’s limitation

Rationale: The Federal Salary Council has indicated that it is disinclined to make case by case exceptions, and thus, a change to Mendocino’s locality pay rate will likely require changes to the Council’s criteria.

Challenges: This approach is politically challenging. There are regions that benefit from locality pay. Re-evaluation will take resources and significant time will pass before changes are reflected in the salaries for Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument management staff.

3) Ask BLM to request the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approve a Special Rate be applied to the salaries of BLM’s Ukiah Field Office employees’ salaries

Rationale: OPM may establish “Special Rates” to address staffing problems caused by various factors, including “circumstances OPM considers appropriate.”

Challenge: We see this as the most likely solution to improving the retention rates of BLM employees who manage Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. However, as with changes to a region’s locality pay rate, funding for a Special Rates will need to come from somewhere (see below).

4) Ask Congress to increase funding for BLM

Rationale: BLM needs resources to support their staff across the nation. There are an estimated 2,000 vacant positions at BLM, roughly 20% of that agency’s total workforce.

Challenge: Congress’ ability to fund BLM requires bi-partisan support.

What can YOU do? Congress is currently in the process of determining BLM’s budget. As this process unfolds over the next several weeks, we urge YOU to ask Congress to ensure BLM has adequate resources to manage and protect precious public lands and waters. ** Click here ** to submit a request.

Monumental Questions - What is Snow Mountain Wilderness

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 00:28:21 GMT

Have you been there? Maybe you’re planning a trip or maybe you can’t wait to go back. The Snow Mountain Wilderness Area includes over 60,000 acres that straddles Colusa, Glenn and Lake Counties in the Northern Coast Range. It is one of the 806 designated Wilderness Areas established under the Wilderness Act signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. The Wilderness Act established the Wilderness Preservation System, “...for the permanent good of the whole people” and is considered one of America’s greatest conservation achievements. The law requires that federal land management agencies such as the National Park Service (NPS), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the United States Forest Service (USFS) manage the designated wilderness areas to preserve their individual wilderness characteristics. For a natural area to be considered for a Wilderness Area designation, it must meet stringent criteria: that it be large enough for personal solitude, possess exceptional opportunities for rudimentary and unrestrained recreation, be primarily free from human interference, and have distinct qualities that differentiate it from all other lands. Many Wilderness Areas have these qualities as well as other intangible characteristics that help develop and inspire a relationship with nature and adventure.

Today, nearly 112 million acres in the United States are designated as Wilderness Areas. These areas range in size from the nine million acre Wrangell-St. Elias Wilderness in the Alaskan tundra that supports grizzly bears, caribou, wolves, Dall sheep and wolverines to the three acre Pelican Island Wilderness in Northern Florida which supports threatened and endangered species such as green sea turtle, Florida manatee and wood stork.

The Snow Mountain Wilderness was established in 1984 and totals 60,222 acres. It is within the Mendocino National Forest and is managed by the USFS. The heart of the Snow Mountain Wilderness is Snow Mountain itself. The wide-topped mountain has an East Peak with an elevation of 7,050 feet and drains water toward the Sacramento River to the east, and a West Peak with an elevation of 7,021 feet and drains into the Eel River basin to the west. The mountain also supports the largest waterfall in the Mendocino National Forest. Because of the contrasting elevations within the area, the unique geology of the region, and the montage of ecosystems, Snow Mountain is often considered a biological sky-island.

The entire 60,000+ acres of wilderness bears only about 40 miles of trails leaving the remainder of the area extremely remote and untraveled. Hiking the East Peak will give visitors a stunning view of the Sierra Nevada, Clear Lake, the Sacramento Valley and the surrounding Mendocino National Forest.

The geology of the Snow Mountain Wilderness (and the entire Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument) is fascinating. The Snow Mountain region formed during the time of the dinosaurs (Mesozoic era) and is made up mostly of sandstone, shale and chert. As Snow Mountain was being reared, the layers of rocks got pushed, twisted and distorted resulting in the lower elevations surrounding the mountain still being sedimentary rocks while the upper portion of the mountain is primarily made up of greenstone. Serpentine is also present which may be a remnant of the ocean crust as the mountain was pushed upward. The slopes on the north side of the area were covered by glaciers resulting in small meadows which remain today.

The vegetation in the lower elevations of the area include grasslands with a stunning array of wildflowers following years with abundant rainfall, dense chaparral and blue oak woodland. Moving up in elevation, the vegetation community transitions into black oak and mixed conifer forest and higher in elevation you’ll find thick stands of true fir, Jeffrey pine and incense cedar interspersed with rocky outcrops.

Because it is so remote, camping is primitive, and there is no reliable source of water during most of the summer. Streams may not be safe for drinking so planning ahead is crucial and be sure to boil or filter all water collected before drinking it. Individual use permits are not required within the Mendocino National Forest however USFS recommends signing in at the trailhead. Because of the rugged terrain and remote location, be sure to check in at the ranger station for the current weather and forest conditions and restrictions prior to venturing out and tell others where you’re heading and when you expect to return. Maximum group size is 25 people or stock animals in the Snow Mountain Wilderness. To maintain wilderness characteristics, only travel by foot or horseback is allowed; no motorized or mechanical equipment is allowed within a wilderness area, wheelchairs are allowed. You are required to obtain a California Campfire permit if your plans include the use of any stove or building a campfire within a wilderness area. Permits are free of change and can be obtained at the USFS or BLM offices or from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Thanks to the Wilderness Act and the National Wilderness Preservation System, the Snow Mountain Wilderness is part of the nearly 175 million square miles of federal public land that is protected for the solace and enjoyment of current and future generations of humans and wildlife equally.

“The purpose of the Wilderness Area is to preserve the wilderness character of the areas to be included in the Wilderness System, not to establish any particular use.”

-Howard Zahniser (1906-1964) Executive Director of the Wilderness Society and primary author of the Wilderness Act

Enjoying Outside - How Sunscreen Works

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 00:27:11 GMT

Photo: Holtenwellness.com

Ultraviolet (UV) light or radiation is a form of energy from the sun. On the electromagnetic scale, UV light has shorter wavelengths than visible light, which is why humans can’t see it, but longer wavelengths than X-rays. However, we can most definitely feel it; UV light is what causes sunburns, suntans and freckles, as well as more serious skin and eye diseases. Thankfully our atmosphere, primarily our ozone layer, filters out a lot of this radiation which is why reducing and minimizing impacts to air quality is so important. There are many types of ultraviolet light but the four most commonly known are: UVA, UVB, UBC and Near-ultraviolet. UVA has the longest wavelengths of the UV lights and is primarily associated with skin aging. It is not absorbed by the atmosphere at all and can penetrate deep into the middle layer (dermis) of the skin. UVB has shorter wavelengths than UVA and is associated with skin burning and affects mainly the outer layer (epidermis) of the skin. Much of the sun’s UVB is absorbed by the atmosphere. UVC has the shortest wavelength and is useful as a germicide. In nature it is completely absorbed by the atmosphere. Near-ultraviolet light is visible to insects, fish, some birds and some mammals. UVA and UVB have been proven to harm the DNA in skin cells leading to an increased risk of damage, premature aging and possibly even skin cancer. Exposure to UVA and UVB light can also cause eye damage such as cataracts and some cancers. However, some UV light is beneficial. Exposure to UVB is responsible for the formation of vitamin D and in some climates or locations that don’t have abundant sunlight, vitamin D may need to be supplemented. UVC is known to kill active microbes such as viruses and bacteria. Recent work has indicated that use as a germicide may make indoor air as pure as outdoor air which could greatly lessen the transmission of viruses in indoor settings such as schools and hospitals.

Thankfully for those of us that like to spend extended time outdoors, modern science has gifted us with sunscreen that can help prevent sun damage while we play or work outside. Although there are different types of sunscreens and they work in different ways, their main objective is to prevent UVA and UVB radiation from reaching the surface of your skin.

Physical sunscreens contain very finely ground minerals such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide that physically sit on the surface of the skin and act as a shield to reflect the sun’s rays away from our skin. The minerals are what causes most mineral sunscreen, sometimes called sunblock, to be a dense consistency and look white on the skin. Physical sunblocks work extremely well and rarely cause irritation or allergic reactions (both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are main ingredients in diaper rash creams) and it's these types of sunscreens that are considered reef safe or reef friendly because they aren’t leaving added chemicals in the ocean.

The ingredients in chemical sunscreens create a thin film on the skin that absorbs the ultraviolet radiation before it reaches the surface skin. These sunscreens are usually clear or rub in to be invisible which is more appealing to a lot of people but can cause stinging or irritation to the skin. These types of sunscreens usually contain about 20% of the active ingredient and the rest is emollients, stabilizers and fragrances which are responsible for the irritation for some people. Chemical sunscreens come in a variety of formulas from gels, creams, lotions and sprays.

Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is a way to measure how effective that sunscreen or block is. It is a measure of how much UV light gets to the surface of your skin. As it would seem, the higher the SPF number, the higher the protection factor. That doesn’t mean that you can stay out in the sun longer without reapplying though, it simply means that it’s filtering out more or less of the UV rays. An SPF of 30 allows about one-thirtieth (or 3.3%) of the UV to reach the surface of your skin which means that it filters about 96.7% of the UV light. Doctors and those in the skin care industry recommend a sunscreen with at least an SPF of 50 or greater.

Broad spectrum sunscreens provide protection from both UVA and UVB light. Many broad spectrum sunscreens are a combination of both physical and chemical blockers and are the most effective sunscreens. Sunscreen should be applied 15-30 minutes before going out in the sun and reapplied at least every two hours or more frequently after swimming, sweating or towel drying. Sport and water-resistant sunscreens should stay on wet skin and be effective for 40-80 minutes. All sunscreen should also be applied liberally; at least a teaspoon for the face and neck, another teaspoon for each arm and leg, another for the front and another for the back of the body. A good estimate is about a shot glass worth of sunscreen for your entire body. And don’t forget to do your ears, they take a beating sitting out there on their own. There are even specific sunscreens available for your hair and scalp.

In general, sunscreens are considered safe as long as you’re not allergic to any ingredients and it’s best to use sun protection daily, even on cloudy days. Water, sand and snow reflect sunlight and can result in a nasty and unexpected burn. For babies under six months of age, doctors recommend clothing and hats with SPF rather than sunscreens that can irritate their delicate skin.

So slather it on, front and back, top to bottom, and go enjoy the outside!

Science Corner - Recycling Tennis Balls

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 00:27:07 GMT

Did you know that about 125 million used tennis balls end their lives in landfills throughout the United States each year? That equals approximately 20,000 metric tons of rubber waste and each ball can take up to 400 years to decompose.

One major tournament, such as Wimbledon, can go through as many as 54,000 balls by the time the 14-day tournament concludes. This is partly because each ball is replaced at frequent intervals during matches. Impact from the racket and the surface of the court causes the felt to get worn and the balls to lose pressure which makes them inconsistent and undesirable. This is why tennis balls don’t have a very long lifespan.

Tennis was first introduced to the United States around 1814. The first pressurized ball made an appearance around 1920 and has remained basically unchanged. Serious and maybe not so serious tennis players typically open a fresh can of balls every time they play. Professional tournaments have strict requirements, and the best balls are made from only virgin rubber. Some other balls of lesser quality may contain a portion of recycled rubber. Most of the balls are manufactured in China or Thailand and have long shipping journeys to their final destinations.

There are ways to repurpose old tennis balls around the house and other places. One of the most common ways is the ole’ tennis ball hanging from a string to act as a parking guide in the garage or on the legs of furniture to keep it from squeaking and scratching on the floor - I think every one of my daughter’s elementary school teachers employed retired tennis balls to keep their classrooms free of the harrowing metal chair-on-the-tile-floor squelch. There are some other incredibly thoughtful and handy uses for decommissioned tennis balls.

You can use them for those really stubborn, stuck-on jar lids. Simply cut a tennis ball in half and put it over the lid to grip and loosen it. You can also use this technique to unscrew a broken light bulb from its base. If you’re refinishing or painting furniture, you can wrap sandpaper around a used tennis ball to help reach those smaller curved areas where your whole hand may not fit. You can cut a slit in a ball and slide it on the end of a broom to use as a scuff remover from a wood or tile floor without having to get on your hands and knees. You can cut slits on opposite sides of the ball and stuff the length of your phone charger or computer cables inside rather than having them dangle behind your desk. You can also use them to hide emergency money in plain sight. Maybe you need a quick $5 bill in case the ice cream man comes by; you can cut a slit in the ball, tuck your snack cash inside and stow it inside your car or gym bag. You can also toss a couple of used tennis balls in your pool to help absorb body oils and sunscreen from the surface of the water. It’ll keep the pool cleaner longer, but they do need to be replaced often. You can also protect an outdoor padlock by cutting a large slit in the ball and placing it around the lock to keep it from getting muddy or frozen. They also make great dryer balls to help soften and fluff clothes and to help separate them to keep them from becoming a tangled, damp, musty wad. Just make sure that they’re color-fast or wrap them in foil first. Used tennis balls also make great pillow fluffers. Simply throw them in the dryer with your pillows and let them spin and fluff. You can even add a couple of drops of essential oils to the felt to add freshness. In climates that get cold enough to freeze the surface of water, tossing a tennis ball in your birdbath will keep the water open and available for wildlife to drink. The thought is that wind will push the ball around and break up the thin crust of ice that is trying to form.

The reuse project that is definitely closest to my heart is “no trash dog balls”. You can purchase them on ebay or simply ask your friends for their out of commission tennis balls. You can either enjoy them with your own furry friend or donate them to an animal shelter or rescue for the friends in their care to enjoy over and over. You can purchase big boxes of used tennis balls for cheap and dogs don’t care if they’re dirty, flat or have worn felt!

Last but certainly not least (other than maybe in size) in the repurposing line up is the upcycling of used tennis balls to provide winter homes for the Eurasian harvest mouse. This teeny tiny mouse is native to Europe and Asia and typically nests in grain crop fields, reeds or other tall vegetation. Adults weigh a mere four grams (about the weight of a nickel). They usually weave shredded vegetation into a small, hollow ball attached to a stem above water. Although the tiny mouse also eats the grain, they help keep pest populations down but modern farming techniques have impacted their habitat. Recently European conservationists have found that tennis balls with a small hole cut in them and attached to a stick about a meter above the ground make a safe, waterproof and welcome winter home for them.

Even if you engage every single one of the ideas listed above, that still leaves approximately 124,999,873 balls that need a new purpose. As a result of the glut of used balls, there are a couple of relatively new companies that have developed brilliant new technology to not only repressurize used balls (some machines can do it in bulk) so they can be reused and used longer but they have also refined some ways to create entirely new products using old tennis balls. Tennis balls have historically been very difficult to recycle because the felt is glued so tightly to the rubber core. These companies have developed ways to efficiently “defelt” them and have also developed entirely new ways to recycle and repurpose expired tennis balls. Recycleballs.org https://www.recycleballs.org/ and Rebounces.com https://rebounces.com/about-us/recycle-tennis-balls/ both place collection bins at tennis clubs and gyms for people to easily dispose of their used balls without putting them in the trash. The bins come with return postage so sending them to the recycling companies is easy and free to the facility. Some of the balls collected are repressurized right there on site for reuse and those that are not mailed to the company to be refined into new products. One of the new products can be used for the surface of playgrounds or as equestrian arena footing. Whole tennis balls, felt and all, are ground up and spread around the area. The material helps keep moisture in the soil which keeps dust down and helps reduce compaction. Recycled tennis balls are also being used to develop a new alternative to stucco. The product is more durable than traditional stucco, it will not crack and comes in any color without painting. Ground up tennis balls are also being transformed into pebbles to be used as a ground cover and mulch in landscaping. And, perhaps it’s kismet but used tennis balls are being upcycled and reused in brand-new tennis courts. The surface exhibits more shock absorption than some traditional courts and is much more durable. Each newly constructed court uses up to 10,000 recycled tennis balls.

I’m not sure what method the two companies use to remove the felt from old tennis balls but I’d be happy to loan them my dog; he can rip the felt off of any tennis ball with breakneck speed.

Nature and You Lectures - August 2024

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 00:27:00 GMT

Our July Nature and You lecture was given by Tuleyome’s own Dr. Geoff Benn, who discussed the evolution of California’s oaks and how they have adapted to different niches across our region. If you missed the lecture, you can watch the recording here .

Our August Nature and You lecture is coming up at 7pm on August 22 ^nd and will feature Dr. Emily Taylor, who will introduce the nine varieties of rattlesnakes in California, using beautiful photographs to illustrate their fascinating natural history. She will also dispel several rattlesnake myths, revealing that they are actually shy, beneficial, and magnificent members of our community of wildlife species in California. The talk will take place via Zoom – register here to receive the link .

Looking for an old Nature and You lecture? Be sure to check out Tuleyome’s Library , which has links to all of our past lectures and newsletter articles, arranged by topic.

Assessing Work at Knoxville OHV Area

nlillge@tuleyome.org (Nate Lillge) — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 00:26:52 GMT

After a wet winter, the four-mile Cedar Creek Trail and eight-mile main trail (Dunnigan Hill Road and Hunting Creek Road) at Knoxville were assessed for performance of past treatments and to assess for any further work to improve road conditions.

All in all, the work completed thus far has performed admirably in maintaining road durability and mitigating erosion (and its cascading impact on downstream habitat and water quality). In some areas, the combination of heavy rain and subsequent OHV traffic left rutting in low points where water infiltration was slow.

To address this, these sections were repaired and armored with rocks to provide greater structure and stability to mitigate rutting during the wet season. With all of this, the roads are much improved and ready for the coming season of use and enjoyment from the community.

This project is now nearing completion, with one more volunteer day scheduled to offer some final touches. Anyone interested in volunteering and joining us for the day can contact Nate ( nlillge@tuleyome.org ) to get involved and come experience this unique and valuable ecological community!

Learn more about the work at Knoxville OHV Area on the project webpage .

Update on Molok Luyuk After Ridge Fire

nlillge@tuleyome.org (Nate Lillge) — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 00:26:49 GMT

On July 20, the Ridge Fire swept up the western slopes of Molok Luyuk, burning the southern portion of the ridge and continuing through Tuleyome's Sulphur Creek Easement at Wilbur Hot Springs Resort. Thanks to the resort's well planned and executed emergency protocols, all staff members and guests were able to evacuate safely. Additionally, no structures were damaged!

Tuleyome joined Bureau of Land Management staff on Molok Luyuk after the fire to assess the conditions. As with all wildfires, different parts burned at different intensities. There are many areas where it appeared to be a quick moving grass fire, as shown in the picture above, while other places, mostly in chaparral, the fire was more intense. In one section, unfortunately, the fire was intense enough to burn the oaks that were growing on the hillside.

After visit the ridge, Tuleyome visited the resort to see how the easement was impacted. As with Molok Luyuk, the fire had varying degrees of intensity. On the valley floor and most of the hillsides, the burn was a quick moving grass fire. Over the past two years, Wilbur has been installing beaver dam analogs (BDAs) to increase infiltration of water into the ground and create a diverse ecosystem. The valley where most of these were installed is a bright green spot amongst the brown and black of the burned hillsides (see photo below). This is proof that BDAs work! By providing moisture to the plants, the quick moving fire could not ignite the vegetation. This in turn provided refugia for animals during the burn.

We will be working with BLM and Wilbur Hot Springs to restore some severely impacted areas in the near future. If you are interested in helping with these, please contact Nate ( nlillge@tuleyome.org ).

Youth Boot Bank Office Hours - August 2024

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 00:26:30 GMT

We held our second Youth Boot Bank office hours event on July 3 ^rd and provided hiking boots to six youths! Office hours are monthly events, taking place at the Tuleyome offices in Woodland from 2:30-5:30pm on the first Wednesday of each month.

Our next office hours event will be on Wednesday 8/7 – please feel free to stop by! You can learn more about this event and the Youth Book Bank by clicking here .

Thank You, Steve!

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 20:20:55 GMT

With much gratitude for amazing contributions to Tuleyome we say goodbye to our illustrious board member Steve Drown as he steps down. Not only did Steve bring insightful thinking and strategic expertise to Tuleyome, but he brought something very special for the youth of our community.

Steve, in partnership with his son and the Davis Boy Scout Troop 111, conceived and created a boot lending program for youth called the Boot Bank. Steve's team secured the donation of an iconic antique milk truck from Alan Brattesoni to house the boots.

Often seen at the Davis Farmers market, the boot bank lends boots to thousands of kids so they are equipped for hiking and discovering the joys of our wild places.

Steve's many years of idea input and advice contributed to the continued fulfillment of Tuleyome's mission, and we've been privileged to know him and have him as a board member. He will be missed.

-Lyndsay Dawkins

Volunteer Tuleyome Board Member

Tuleyome's Policy Corner - A Win for Conservation! The Bureau of Land Management's "Public Lands Rule"

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 20:20:40 GMT

July 10, 2024 is the ninth anniversary of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument . To celebrate, we are sharing news about a recent win for conservation.

Last month, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)’s “ Public Lands Rule ” went into effect. BLM is the nation’s largest land manager, managing 10% of the nation’s total landmass, including part of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. As directed by the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), BLM is required to manage land for “multiple use and sustained yield.” The Public Lands Rule directs BLM to consider “conservation” as a “use” to manage for.

The Rule defines conservation as protection and restoration, and identifies tools BLM can use to achieve conservation. These tools include Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) designation processes, which BLM managers can apply to important resources and unique scenic landscapes. When an area becomes an ACEC, BLM must manage to protect its significance. ACECs were previously authorized through FLPMA, and the Rule clarifies steps BLM can take to implement them. The Rule also defines new tools for BLM to use to promote conservation. These new tools include restoration and mitigation leases, which BLM can issue to outside entities, including non-profits, to restore public lands or offset the impacts of a particular action. For example, a group such as Tuleyome could apply for a restoration lease that would enable the group to restore land in Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. When a restoration lease is in place, casual uses of the land for recreation, hunting and fishing, or research activities will generally be allowed. Restoration leases cannot be used to prohibit activities that are already allowed for in a region’s Resource Management Plan (RMP).

What’s next?

The Public Lands Rule holds implications for how BLM develops Resource Management Plans (RMPs), including the RMP for Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument . For example, the Rule directs BLM to maintain an inventory of landscape intactness. When updating RMPs, BLM is to use a baseline condition of intactness as well as “available high quality information,” including Indigenous Knowledge, to: 1) identify intact landscapes; 2) evaluate alternatives to protect intact landscapes from degradation; and 3) determine which intact landscapes will be managed for protection. BLM intends to identify intactness through watershed condition assessments, an example of which can be found here .

The Rule represents an unprecedented mandate for BLM to advance conservation. However, BLM’s ability to implement the Rule, in management planning for Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and elsewhere, is contingent on adequate funding. In the coming weeks and months, Congress will determine BLM’s budget. As a result, the time is ripe to ask Congress to support BLM. ** Click here ** to send a letter to your representatives.

Not surprisingly, some are promoting legislation to challenge the Public Lands Rule. In April, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Western Economic Security Today (WEST) Act , which would withdraw the Rule and prohibit BLM from implementing similar rules in the future. It is unlikely that this stand-alone bill will pass the Senate, but it is possible that WEST Act supporters will push similar proposals into a large government funding package. If this scenario unfolds, we will be calling on you to urge your Congressional representatives to protect the Public Lands Rule.

In the meantime, we thank the Biden Administration for establishing this historic legislation, and we look forward to working with BLM to help implement it.

-Hekia Bodwitch ( hbodwitch@tuleyome.org )

Policy Director

Monumental Questions - Has it been NINE years already?

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 20:20:33 GMT

On July 10, 2024, the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument will commemorate its ninth anniversary! Time flies, especially when you’ve been busy working on getting that very special monument expanded (thanks President Biden!) by a few (13,696 to be exact) acres.

It seems like an anniversary gift is in order but, what does one get a national monument that already has everything (honestly, it pretty much has EVERYTHING you could want in a national monument: hiking, camping, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, kayaking, bird and wildlife watching, wildflower viewing…!)? According to Google and several wedding planning websites, the traditional nine year anniversary gift is pottery or willow. I can’t quite pinpoint where pottery might fit in but I can assure you that the monument is very well-dressed in willow.

Covering 344,476 acres in seven counties, Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument (BSMNM) supports many different habitat types including chaparral, grasslands, oak woodland, forests and wetlands which includes several riparian areas. It is in these moist habitats where willows ( Salix sp .) can be found. One species of willow, Brewer’s willow ( Salix breweri ) is endemic to California and occurs on serpentine soils where only highly specialized plants can survive - just one of the things that makes Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument so special!

There are about 350 species of willows worldwide, some even occur in the alpine and arctic regions. Some species grow into sturdy, tall trees while others remain a smaller bushy, woody plant. Thirteen of those species are found within the BSMNM boundary and ten of those documented there are native to California. Some of the native species are fairly common like narrow leaf willow, sandbar willow, Arroyo willow and Goodings willow but others like the serpentine willow is not nearly as common. Most of the native species grow as either a shrub or a tree and they all occur where the soil is perpetually moist. They can do well in the shade and many of the species occur as an understory plant among other riparian species. Most willow species are deciduous and are one of the earliest woody plants to leaf out in the spring, and one of the latest to shed their leaves in the fall. They typically have elongated leaves, usually with serrated edges and depending on the species can occur in a variety of shades of green ranging from grayish-blue green to brighter yellow-green. Most willow species are not very long-lived but can sprout easily from their trunk or a branch ensuring that they proliferate. Sometimes willows are described as being “weedy” meaning they establish quickly and easily in the right conditions. Willows do especially well when vegetation disturbances such as clear cutting or fire open up space for them. Propagation is fairly easy with willows as they readily root from a cutting or a broken branch. A stem will even root if planted upside down! Historically, Native Americans intentionally set fires to clear vegetation to create space for new stands of willows to become established.

Willows are a very important habitat component for wildlife. Rabbits and ungulates such as deer and elk love to browse willow leaves, twigs and bark. Beavers seem to prefer willow branches for dam building and some bird species graze on the willow buds. Willows occur within riparian forests which provide critical habitat for many resident and migratory bird species. And, because willow species leaf out and flower early in the spring, they are an important source of nectar and pollen for bees. Other insects such as some butterfly larvae, wasps and wood ants also rely on different willow species for food.

Willows have abundant historic and current applications. Historically, Native Americans used fiber from the willow and twisted it into rope or string. The fiber could also be made into paper. The young shoots were used for weaving baskets and mats, and branches were used to make fishing weirs and traps. The wood is tough and pliable and the roots are considerable in size, resilience and tenacity to sprout. The branches were used to make meat drying racks and poles for their lodges. The sap is thin and watery but teeming with salicylic acid. Native Americans chewed willow bark or steeped it into a tea to treat sore throats, headaches and fevers. It wasn’t until the late 1850’s that aspirin was invented as a result of experimenting with the salicylic acid found in willows. Today, willow is still very valuable and used to make a variety of modern goods ranging from the delicate craftsmanship of wicker products, wooden furniture and acoustic bass creation to the mass manufacturing of cricket bats, tool handles and wood veneer.

So next time you’re hiking in our favorite monument and you see some willow trees, be sure to send some good thoughts for the previous nine years and appreciate that it’s there forever!

Fun Fact - There are two other National Monuments that share their “willow” anniversaries with our Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument: Basin and Range National Monument in Nevada and Waco Mammoth National Monument in Texas!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Enjoying Outside - Some Creative Alternatives to Traditional Fireworks

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 20:20:26 GMT

Every year over 10,000 people in the United States are injured by fireworks with children and young adults accounting for half of that number. Eye injuries and burns to the hands and arms are the most commonly treated firework injuries in the Emergency Room. Even innocuous seeming sparklers burn at around 2,000 degrees, hot enough to melt some metals. On top of the risk of injury, steep price tags are an insult to injury (pun intended). Even more serious than the cost though is the fire danger fireworks pose to our wildlands and property. The National Safety Council states that fireworks are the cause of nearly 19,000 fires, including structure, vehicle and other fires, nationally each year. In addition, the lighting and performance of fireworks not only contributes to air pollution but particulate matter can affect breathing for those with respiratory sensitivity. The chemicals used to make fireworks eventually fall to the ground and can pollute water and soil and be detrimental to humans, wildlife and the environment. Another noxious side effect of fireworks is the effect they may have on those suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Neurodivergent people or those with sensory processing disorders may also have a difficult time with the flashing lights, loud booms or high pitched whistles made by fireworks. The sight and sound of fireworks also confuses and terrifies pets and wildlife causing trauma and injuries. They become disoriented and may run into roadways; some wildlife may even abandon their young. Heard enough? Keep reading for some safer, family friendly alternatives to fireworks.

Glow sticks are a fun and safe family friendly option to 2,000 degree sparklers. You can usually find them in the dollar section at Target or at the Dollar Store for much less than anything you will find at a firework stand and they last all night and will probably still be glowing strong the next day. They’re a fun addition to a game of night tag to burn off the sugar from your post bbq smores.

Another fun activity for the littles and the not so littles is good old fashioned bubbles. Actually I think they’re a perfect activity for any age, any time of year but for some reason having a bubble blowing contest seems synonymous with the 4th of July. My dogs also love to chase the bubbles so they can get involved in the fun too. You can even make your own bubbles and color the solution with red, white and blue if you’d like. Super fun fact - did you know you can make bubbles that glow in the dark with a black light?! Here are the ingredients and instructions on how to make that happen!

Confetti filled poppers are a fun way to celebrate and still make a little noise. You can buy them prepacked or you can add to the fun by easily making your own. Here are the instructions to make your own poppers. You can even fill them with popped popcorn or birdseed so you don’t have to sweep up as long as you do it outside! You can also use a can or four of Silly String to celebrate America. Spray it with reckless abandon (but be sure to check with your mom first).

Drone shows are dazzling and absolutely mind bending to watch. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any local to Sacramento but I did find one scheduled for Tahoe City with over 300 drones and another one scheduled at Oxbow Commons Park in Napa both on the 4th of July if you’ll be traveling of the holiday.

If it’s just not the same without the smell of sulfur, here is a list of all the professional fireworks shows scheduled for Sacramento area and surrounding communities. And, if you do choose to do fireworks at your private celebrations, please be sure to make sure they are legal in your area and that you follow safety precautions such as having a bucket of water and a hose nearby, soak the spent fireworks in water overnight and never try to relight something.

Tuleyome wishes you all a happy and safe Independence Day!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Science Corner - The Incredibly Cool Northern Mockingbird

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 20:20:14 GMT

The Northern Mockingbird is a medium-sized songbird, roughly about the size of an American Robin. It’s kind of “blah” looking with its small head, long legs, and primarily grayish-brown body and lighter gray breast. Its wings are compact, roundish and broad, which appears to exaggerate the length of the tail when in flight. Each wing has two white wing bars which are visible when the wings are folded and a flashy white patch on the underside visible in flight. This white blob under each wing and a couple of white tail edges are seemingly perhaps the only ornate thing about this medium sized gray bird.

But wait, there’s more!

Their latin name, Mimus polyglottis , translates “many tongued mimic” and that it is! The male Northern Mockingbird has hundreds of songs in his repertoire and it’s now believed that he learned most of them before he even became an adult. This little disc jockey borrows material from other species of birds that they hear in their environment. They mix these borrowed tunes with their own and throw in some electronic sounds like car alarms, sirens, machinery. They pick up the sounds of musical instruments, dogs barking and even the sounds of frogs and toads. How’s that for fusion? Sometimes they mimic so well that if it weren’t for their tell-tale phrasing it might be hard to determine if it’s indeed the species being mocked or if it’s a Northern Mockingbird (NoMo) singing a cappella style. The male especially possesses some impressive improvisation skills and sometimes only uses certain songs once a season. His enthusiasm for serenading females is thought to convey that he will be a good provider for her and their offspring.

And, sometimes they just can’t stop singing. Interestingly, they’re one of the only song birds that sings at night. And they’re LOUD. And, they sing ALL NIGHT. Right outside your window. All night. Loud and proud. In all honesty, I think it is so cool to hear them singing in the dark, I don’t think I would ever get tired of it! Usually, the vocal marathons are either young males that haven’t found their duet partner yet or they’re older males that have lost their mate. They sing to attract a mate and to defend their territory although sometimes it seems that they sing just to hear themselves. And because the NoMo depends on their personal compositions rather than fancy, colorful feathers to attract a mate, it is believed that the more impressive the repertoire, the better equipped the male is to defend its territory, find food and raise young. The males are especially territorial and will dive bomb anything, even snakes or people that dare get too close to their nest. Beak to beak encounters usually result in a staring contest and some posturing and flashing of white patches until the other bird flies off. They will even defend their favorite food sources with vigor.

Northern Mockingbirds have adapted to life with humans extremely well. They like to be heard but they also like to be seen, perching conspicuously on fence posts or out in the open. They are common in suburban areas as well as open wildlands and forest edges. They are common in parks and backyards although they don’t visit bird feeders as often as other species of song birds do. They are omnivores and prefer insects during the summer months and fruit and nuts in the winter. They range throughout Mexico, the United States and southern Canada and although some migrate, most individuals do not.

Northern Mockingbirds are monogamous and mate for life. The male will begin building several stick nests and the female makes the final choice and finishes the chosen nest lining it with roots, grasses, animal hair and other soft material. Sadly, some nests also contain trash like cigarette filters and plastic. They are prolific breeders and a single pair may have six or seven clutches in just one season. One female laid an astonishing 27 eggs during a single nesting season.

Lady Northern Mockingbirds aren’t the only one who finds the male’s singing enchanting though. In the early 19th century, prior to the protections of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the East Coast population was nearly decimated due to the illegal pet trade. A particularly vocal bird could fetch $50 in the late 1920’s, that’s about $1,300 in today’s dollars. Thomas Jefferson was particularly fond of them as well and had one named Dick that was also a resident of the White House. The oldest known wild NoMo was nearly 15 years old but most live to about the age of six, captive birds can live up to 20 years.

It’s been said that these birds put all of their color into their songs and that they specialize in vocal excess. This feels like a spot on description of them.

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

June Nature and You Lecture

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 20:20:07 GMT

Tuleyome’s June Nature and You lecture was delivered by Tuleyome Policy Director Dr. Hekia Bodwitch, who discussed “Using Indigenous Knowledge to Inform Environmental Management”. In her talk, Dr. Bodwitch discussed important concepts such as “two-eyed seeing” and steps that researchers can take to work more equitably with indigenous communities while conducting research. If you missed the lecture, you can view the recording here .

-Geoff Benn ( gbenn@tuleyome.org )

Education Associate

Certified California Naturalist

Youth Boot Bank Office Hours

gbenn@tuleyome.org (Geoff Benn) — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 20:19:58 GMT

We held our first Youth Boot Bank office hours event on June 5 ^th . These will be monthly events, taking place at the Tuleyome offices in Woodland from 2:30-5:30pm on the first Wednesday of each month.

Our next office hours event will be on Wednesday 7/3 – please feel free to stop by! You can learn more about this event and the Youth Book Bank by clicking here .

-Geoff Benn ( gbenn@tuleyome.org )

Education Associate

Certified California Naturalist

Monumental Questions - What is the Significance of the California Condor to Native Californians

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 17:17:33 GMT

Recently Tuleyome shared the Monumental news that Molok Luyuk, or Condor Ridge, was added to the boundaries of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. This culturally and biologically significant addition was historically California Condor habitat.

Most of us are probably familiar with the life history of the California Condor ( Gymnogyps californianus ). Specifically how they once soared over much of North America witnessing the end of the wooly mammoths, mastodons, saber tooth tigers and giant sloths. They coexisted with America’s first people, saw the arrival of the Spanish and the British and later experienced the Gold Rush era and the havoc that came with it. By the 1900’s the population was in drastic decline and by the late 1940’s, California Condors were already rare. In 1982, only 22 California Condors survived worldwide and by 1987, they were extinct in the wild with the carefully deliberated capture of the remaining surviving 22 birds to begin a captive breeding program. By 2004 the total population (captive and free flying) numbered in the 500’s. Today the population remains roughly the same and has not declined. Since the beginning of the captive breeding program, California Condors have been reintroduced into the mountains of Arizona, Utah, Baja California and central and southern California. Part of the reason for the slow population growth is that California Condors do not reach sexual maturity until six years of age but may not breed until they are seven or eight years old and lay only one egg every other year. On top of their perhaps unfortunate biology, the use of dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) resulted in dramatically thinner egg shells in many species of birds causing them to break while being incubated by the parents and kill the developing baby bird. And in addition to all of these concerns, California Condors were extraneous victims of lead poisoning and trophy hunting.

Native Californians were enthralled with the California Condor’s impressive size and appearance. California Condors are the largest flying bird in North America with a wing span of nearly ten feet (that’s the distance of the rim of an NBA basketball hoop to the floor). Full grown adults can weigh up to 30 pounds and if not subject to lead poisoning and Avian Flu can live for roughly 50 to 60 years in captivity.

Throughout California and the Pacific Northwest, researchers have found evidence that the California Condor helped form Native American’s mein of worship, spiritual beliefs, ceremonies, songs, dances and legends. In Oregon, the remains of over 60 birds were found at a site called Fivemile Rapids near what is currently called The Dalles. Some of the birds’ remains were intact while others appeared to have been used for other purposes including feather plucking. In the Bay and Delta regions of California, archeological sites have yielded a substantial amount of California Condor bones. Some of the wing bones were delicately engraved and made into flutes and other remains were found with human burials. Another location near Berkeley revealed what appeared to be a ritual condor burial site and still another site near Sacramento contained the remains of a cape made from California Condor skin and feathers.

There are at least 65 different known tribal names for the California Condor. Cultural significance is found in not only tangible discoveries such as capes and skirts made of skin and feathers, headdresses made of condor and Golden Eagles feathers, bone flutes, and cave art but the California Condor has also been immortalized in oral legends passed down from generation to generation. The condor had many roles including sorcerer, messenger, kidnapper, robber, gambler and killer. The Chumash have a story in which they believed that the condor was an all white bird but when it saw fire for the first time it was curious and flew too close to the flames singing all of its feathers except for the white under its wings where it didn’t touch the fire. Another tribe believed that the condor was an all black bird but their sky god shot light into the condor and it exited through its wings and that’s why part of the underwing remains white. Another tribe believed that condors removed foulness from the Earth which is scientifically true since they are obligate scavengers and help get rid of carrion. The Pima believe that condors created thunder and flashed lightning from their red eyes.

The California Condor has a cultural celestial presence as well. The constellation we call Cassiopia is called Condor by the Chumash. Many Native Americans believe that Condor held up the upper world with its wing and is responsible for solar and lunar eclipses.

It was believed that condors could infuse humans with supernatural powers. Central Miwok shaman believed that they could acquire powers that would allow them to become finders of lost objects, read minds, heal the sick and obtain anything they wanted. Money finders of the Yukuts and Western Mono tribes wore full length coats made of condor feathers and could find misplaced valuables. The Condor shaman of the Chumash tribe was believed to be able to locate missing people using the supernatural powers given to him by Condor. There are many other stories about the condor’s ability to heal the sick just by flying over them. They also believed that they could pull sickness from an individual by putting primary and secondary (the big ones) wing feathers down a sick individual’s throat and pulling out the illness with the feather.

The California Condor is the most powerful bird in Native American culture but there are few relics remaining today. This is partly because they believed that when a chief or shaman died, their condor feathers went with them. It’s been said that the Gold Rush was the genesis of the California Condors’ near extinction. They were shot for sport and captured for curiosity. Many died miserable deaths either starving in captivity or becoming a victim of lead poisoning as a result of eating discarded carcasses shot with lead shot. They were harvested and killed for their flight feathers as the quills were used to store gold dust. Sadly, California Condors escaped extinction only to later face man.

The Yurok tribe, the National Park Service and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service have partnered to form the Northern California Condor Restoration Program in a collaborative effort to reintroduce captive-bred condors to Yurok Ancestral Territory and the Pacific Northwest. To date, eight birds have been released and are flourishing in their new home. John W. Foster, a retired senior California archeologist wrote, “It is apparent that California Condors held a special place in the lives and ceremonies of California natives. It was a revered creature, a master of the spirit, who gave power to humans for a variety of world renewal and cosmic purposes. It is associated with death and mourning as well as rebirth and renewal.” Hopefully one day soon we will see California Condors again soaring over Molok Luyuk.

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Enjoying Outside - Shedding is for the Birds

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 17:12:19 GMT

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Science Corner - Tule Elk

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 17:08:58 GMT

Tule Elk, estimated to have numbered as many as 500,000 prior to European and American colonization, saw their population decline to just two individuals by the 1870s. This last breeding pair was fortunately located on land owned by cattle barons Henry Miller and Charles Lux, who set aside part of their property for the conservation of the species. By the early 20 ^th century, the population of Tule Elk on the ranch had rebounded sufficiently that the state began attempting to translocate animals to other parts of the state to found new herds. Most of these efforts failed, but two succeeded, including the Cache Creek herd, which was established in 1922 and is now the oldest free-ranging herd in the state.

Translocation and management efforts continued throughout the second half of the 20 ^th century, leading to an impressive recovery for the species, with around 6,000 individuals today, spread across 22 populations. These include both free-ranging herds like those at Cache Creek and contained herds, such as those at Point Reyes and the Tule Elk State Natural Reserve, located on the original site of the Miller-Lux ranch.

There is currently one population of Tule Elk within the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument – this is the Cache Creek herd, which numbers around 600 individuals split into two subpopulations spread across the Cache Creek Wilderness and into the adjacent BLM Bear Creek Unit, which abuts the Monument, but isn’t a part of it. Cowboy Camp, located in the Bear Creek Unit near the junction of CA 20 and CA 16, is the best place to see Tule Elk from the Cache Creek herd.

There are two additional populations of Tule Elk located just outside of the Monument at East Park Reservoir and at Lake Pillsbury, to the east and west of Snow Mountain Wilderness, respectively. The Lake Pillsbury population can be reliably seen near the campgrounds on the north end of the lake, with the most activity occurring during breeding season in early fall.

Despite having no major natural predators following the extirpation of the California Grizzly Bear, most Tule Elk tend to be relatively skittish around humans, so if you want to see them up close, your best bet is a pair of binoculars or spotting scope. If you haven’t had the pleasure of seeing Tule Elk in the wild, I encourage you to make the trip out to Cowboy Camp. The best time to see the Elk there is at dusk, when they come down from the hills to graze along the creek and will be easily seen from the viewing platform.

-Geoff Benn gbenn@tuleyome.org

Tuleyome Education Associate

Certified California Naturalist

Tuleyome in the Community - May 2024

nlillge@tuleyome.org (Nate Lillge) — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 17:03:18 GMT

Tuleyome was excited to participate in Celebrate Davis on May 17 at Community Park in Davis. This fun event was another opportunity for Tuleyome to showcase the amazing natural lands located a short drive from Davis. Kids visiting our table LOVED making pet rocks (or just decorating them) while their adults learned more about Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and Tuleyome's educational programs.

We were excited to see many familiar faces and meet some that had never heard of Tuleyome before! Photos from the event are available here .

If you are interested helping Tuleyome and future tabling events, please get in touch!

-Nate Lillge nlillge@tuleyome.org

Tuleyome Education Associate

Certified California Naturalist

Tuleyome's Policy Corner - Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument: Co-Stewardship and Management

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 17:00:24 GMT

The co-stewardship agreement will influence how BLM designs and implements a Resource Management Plan (RMP) for Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. RMPs are land management blueprints for BLM. A region’s RMP may prohibit, or allow, particular types of activities, such as Off-Highway Vehicle use, camping, or hiking. This year, BLM’s Ukiah Field Office received funds to develop an RMP for the Monument and aims to establish the RMP within two years. Until then, the 2006 Ukiah Resource Management Plan , developed long before President Obama established the Monument in 2015, directs BLM’s activities on lands within and adjacent to the Monument. A Monument-specific management plan is needed to ensure BLM enhances opportunities for public access while simultaneously protecting the region’s ecological and cultural significance.

BLM’s process for developing RMPs, explained in 43 CFR 1600 , includes multiple opportunities for public feedback. A region’s RMP may be in place for several decades. As a result, RMP development processes are crucial times for Tuleyome and our community partners to shape the course of future management actions, including that related to trail construction, parking lot locations, or fire suppression activities.

BLM only manages part of the land within the Monument. The US Forest Service (USFS) also manages a portion of the region, and the 1995 Mendocino National Forest Plan directs USFS management actions on land within and adjacent to the Monument. In 2019, USFS examined whether their 1995 plan aligned with the 2015 Proclamation , which established the Monument. The 2019 assessment concluded that the 1995 plan did not need to be amended to protect the region’s ecological and cultural resources. Tuleyome is encouraging USFS to revisit this analysis to account for changed circumstances on the ground and increased knowledge, including knowledge about climate change.

USFS processes for developing management plans, described in the agency’s 2012 Planning Rule , are distinct from BLM’s. However, BLM and USFS will have to coordinate their approaches to create a Monument management plan. In September 2023, a memorandum from the BLM Director instructed BLM and USFS to develop a joint management plan for the Monument by January 30, 2026.

The 2023 memorandum also directed BLM to explore agreements regarding “parameters for engagement” with interested Tribal Nations, prior to developing a Monument management plan. Over 30 federally recognized Tribal Nations have cultural ties to lands within the Monument, but the total number of Tribal Nations with cultural connections to the region is greater, given that multiple Tribal Nations do not have federal recognition. Moving forward, on-going efforts to ensure Tribal Nations, Tuleyome, community partners, BLM, and USFS have resources to participate in Monument management planning will be needed. We are excited that management planning is occurring, and we will provide updates on opportunities for public participation as it progresses!

-Hekia Bodwitch ( hbodwitch@tuleyome.org )

Policy Director

May 2024 Field Trips at WRPP

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 16:50:37 GMT

It was a busy month out at Woodland Regional Park Preserve (WRPP) for Tuleyome’s field trip program. We wrapped up a successful year of field trips with 5 class visits from schools in Davis and Woodland, bringing our total for the school year to 27 classes!

On May 3 ^rd , a class of K1 students from Birch Lane Elementary School visited WRPP to complete the Sun Trail with Tuleyome. The students particularly enjoyed examining water samples and building sun shelters. You can view the full album here .

On May 7 ^th , a class of K1 students from Willett Elementary School visited WRPP to complete the Sun trail with Tuleyome. The students particularly liked bird watching and building sun shelters. The full album is available here .

On May 8 ^th , a class of TK students from Plainfield Elementary School visited WRPP to complete the Sun Trail with Tuleyome. The students especially enjoyed pretending to be cats while observing wildlife and building sun shelters. You can see the full album here.

On May 10th, a class of 1st graders from Patwin Elementary School visited WRPP to complete the adaptations trail with Tuleyome. Highlights for the students included bird watching and examining water samples from the pond. Click here to see the full album.

On May 14 ^th , a class of 3 ^rd graders from Cesar Chavez Elementary School visited WRPP to complete the Ecosystems Trail with Tuleyome. The students most enjoyed bird watching and mimicking birds dispersing fruit. Check out the full album here .

If you are a local teacher or youth group leader and are interested in doing a field trip with Tuleyome, please reach out to Geoff for more information at gbenn@tuleyome.org .

-Geoff Benn gbenn@tuleyome.org

Tuleyome Education Associate

Certified California Naturalist

About Geoffrey Benn

Geoff is Tuleyome's Education Associate. He has a Ph.D. in Plant Biology and previously taught introductory biology at UC Davis and American River College

Nature and You: Mercury Mining and Indigenous Knowledge

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 17:16:58 GMT

Our May Nature and You lecture was delivered by Dr. Andrew Johnston, Associate Professor of Architecture and Architecture History at the University of Virginia. Dr. Johnston gave a fascinating talk on the history of mercury mining in Northern California, covering the development of the industry in the 19th century, its impact on the state’s economy, the significant differences between the mercury and gold mining industries, and the impact of mining on the landscape itself. If you missed the talk, the recording is available on our YouTube channel .

Our June Nature and You lecture will be given by Tuleyome’s Policy Director, Dr. Hekia Bodwitch, who will discuss how indigenous knowledge can inform environmental management. This talk will take place via Zoom at 7pm on June 27th – click here to RSVP and receive the Zoom link .

-Geoff Benn gbenn@tuleyome.org

Tuleyome Education Associate

Certified California Naturalist

Nature Scavenger Hunt and iNaturalist Spring BioBlitz!

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 17:01:35 GMT

On May 18th, Tuleyome hosted a free Nature Scavenger Hunt and iNaturalist BioBlitz event at Woodland Regional Park Preserve (WRPP). As part of the scavenger hunt, participants received a card of plants and animals to search for while on a self-guided walk of the park with the help of binoculars provided by Tuleyome. Our Youth Boot Bank was also on hand to provide free loans of hiking boots to kids.

The BioBlitz was also a success, with 52 observations logged over the course of the event. The BioBlitz is part of our community science project to document the plants and wildlife that are present at WRPP at different times of the year. Participants took photos of things they observed, used iNaturatist’s AI to make their best guess at an identification, and then uploaded to iNaturalist, where the identifications can be reviewed by experts. Keep an eye on our event page for our summer BioBlitz, which will take place in September!

-Geoff Benn gbenn@tuleyome.org

Tuleyome Education Associate

Certified California Naturalist

Thank You!

Thu, 16 May 2024 18:16:04 GMT

Thank you for supporting Tuleyome during the Big Day of Giving! We are grateful for your belief in our mission as we strive to conserve, enhance, restore, and enjoy our public lands in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region.

We dream. We act. TOGETHER we get things done! Last week's addition of Molok Luyuk to Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument was the latest example! This beautiful ridge is culturally significant to Native American tribes as well as being geologically and biologically diverse. This is the latest victory to be added to our list in this special region. By donating to Tuleyome , you can help us add to the list!

If you missed the Big Day of Giving you can donate via our secure website . Your generosity will ensure Molok Luyuk, Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, and other public lands in the Northern Inner Coast Range Mountains are protected. Thank you for supporting Tuleyome’s mission!

Monumental Questions - Wilbur Hot Springs Has its own Species of Fly?

Thu, 16 May 2024 18:13:04 GMT

You might know that Mono Lake has its own species of brine fly but did you know that the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region has one as well?

Brine flies, also called shore flies or alkali flies, are minute fly species that belong to the Ephydridae family. These teeny flies measure from less than a millimeter to about seven millimeters in length and are usually brown, gray or black with large wings relative to the length of the body. There are 2000 species worldwide with 144 genera and can be found along the shores of both the ocean as well as inland water such as those found in California’s Mono Lake, The Great Salt Lake in Utah and Abert Lake in Oregon. Most species are diurnal and when adults are present, can be seen in enormous quantities forming dense mats around the edges of ponds, streams and shorelines. Although these dark swarms of tiny flies may look intimidating, they really don’t want anything to do with humans or any species other than their own because as adults, they only live a few days - just long enough to reproduce.

Most of the members of this family are primarily aquatic, spending most of their lives underwater and only emerging as adults to reproduce. Adults of different species can be identified by range and habitat as well as wing shape and size, wing vein pattern and color; some larvae can be identified using head, mouth and eye size and shape along with length of thoracic and abdominal segments. The family Ephydridae as a whole occupies a hugely varied range of habitat conditions. Some Ephydridae have developed characteristics that allow them to tolerate extremely harsh environments including ponds and lakes with water that has very high salinity or alkalinity such as the species found in the Great Salt Lake in Utah (Ephydra riparia) and those in California’s Mono Lake (Ephydra hians). The petroleum fly (Helaeomyis petrolei), is the only species that can live and breed in pools of naturally occurring petroleum. And still there are those that can survive in mineral laden, extremely hot thermal springs and geysers where water temperature easily reaches over 200 degrees fahrenheit and still thrive. This is where the Wilbur Springs shore fly (Paracoenia calida) shines. It is only known to occur in Wilbur Hot Springs and although it hasn’t been studied extensively yet, it is believed that it can not tolerate a less saline environment than in which it has been found. The alkaline water here ranges in temperatures from 140 to 152 degrees fahrenheit and contains sulfur, salt, silica, metaboric acid and lithium. A truly therapeutic environment for humans and brine flies alike!

After mating, the female adult lays eggs in the water and once they hatch, the free-swimming larvae feed and grow and eventually attach to a substrate and form a chrysalis where they will pupate into an adult. Just before the adults emerge, they surround themselves with an air bubble by extracting oxygen from their underwater environment. This bubble helps them rise to the surface - dry as a bone. Once on the surface as an adult, their only goal is to feed and reproduce starting the cycle over. The larvae of some species are predatory while other species graze on plants and microscopic algae and bacteria. The petroleum fly can actually consume hot petroleum and metabolize the animal matter present in the oil. Species that live in highly saline or alkaline environments have a specialized gland that removes bicarbonate and carbonate from their blood and a mechanism that pumps sulfur from their guts and excretes it.

The areas that support large populations of brine flies are an important stop-over for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds. The larvae and adults are an important protein source for birds as well as humans. The Kucadikadi of the Eastern Moni Northern Paiute, collected and consumed the brine fly larvae from the shores of Mono Lake which was considered a delicacy. The pupae were also dried and used to trade with others nearby.

So next time you visit the Wilbur Hot Springs region, take a moment to marvel at the Wilbur Hot Springs Shore Fly’s mad survival skills!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Enjoying Outside - Forest Bathing

Thu, 16 May 2024 18:11:11 GMT

It’s not quite what it sounds like, there’s no tub with warm water or bubbles involved but it does definitely involve surrounding yourself with comfort and peace. Like a warm bath. Forest bathing, also called “forest therapy”, is rooted (no pun intended) in the Japanese process of shinrin-yoku. Frequently translated as “forest bathing” shinrin-yoku means to soak yourself in the atmosphere of the forest.

Shinrin-yoku was introduced by the Japanese ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in 1982. It uses three concepts: yūgen, komorebi and wabi sabi.

Yūgen is difficult to translate but essentially means beauty so profound that it can not be said in words.
Komorebi literally means “sunlight leaking through the trees”. It is the dance of tree canopy shadows on the forest floor; some say it’s not a word, it’s a feeling.
Wabi sabi is to find the encompassing beauty in something, including its imperfections.

The purpose of forest bathing is to be existent in that moment, noticing the sights, smells and sounds of the forest; pushing out and replacing the “junk” that normally litters our thoughts and senses. Forest bathing replaces judgment and evaluation of things with the feeling of things. This is a sensory experience.

Researchers have been studying the physiological effects and benefits of forest bathing but because it has only been around for a few decades, there isn’t a lot of concrete evidence that show it can scientifically improve one’s physical health. However, the evidence that has been found is something that we already knew - that spending time outdoors is good for you. Time outdoors can reduce stress. Chronic stress can contribute to the advancement of insomnia, anxiety and a weakened immune system. Other studies have indicated that forest bathing may possibly help reduce blood pressure and aid in regulating blood sugar levels as well as significantly reducing depression, stress and anxiety. Focused forest bathing is experiencing the natural environment by engaging all of your senses drawing attention away from negative thoughts. Forests themselves also provide other elements such as antimicrobial compounds and pleasant aromas that may contribute to stress reduction, boost the immune system and contribute to emotional wellness.

National Geographic recommends places that include a passport but luckily most of us are close enough to a certain national monument (wink,wink) that provides something for everyone to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of our everyday digital life and reconnect with the hustle and bustle of a marsh wren feeding her babies or a sentinel ground squirrel alerting society that they have a visitor. Of course, on some of those extra busy days, forest bathing may just be a quick rinse. A pause in your day to walk around your neighborhood park listening to the bees in the clover or the humming birds guarding their territory.

Ready to give it a try? Walk slowly through a forest or even sit for a while so you can notice more of what is around you. Turn off your phone to avoid interruptions and distractions. Take deep breaths, enjoy the smell of the forest and fully exhale. Use all of your senses and try to focus on the smallest details of what you’re experiencing. Open your eyes and notice the different colors, studies have shown that green and blue are the most relaxing colors to be surrounded by. Forest bathing is great for adults and children, it can help teach mindfulness and hone concentration skills. A minimum of two hours is recommended but just stay as long as you are comfortable, keeping the time periods shorter for children will enhance their experience.

Time spent outdoors in nature, away from the freeway and laptop can improve your physical and mental well-being by counteracting the results of stress on your body and mind. In Japan, doctors prescribe forest bathing for a healthier lifestyle. Forest bathing is an eco-antidote and has inspired people all over the world to reconnect with and protect forests.

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Tuleyome's Science Corner - California Laurel

Thu, 16 May 2024 18:08:32 GMT

California laurel (Umbellularia californica) has a few aliases; it also goes by: bay laurel, California bay laurel, California bay, balm of Heaven, cinnamon bush, mountain laurel, myrtle, peppermint tree, spicebush… there are more…and historically, pepperwood.

The California laurel is native to California and southwestern Oregon and occurs in both the Coastal Range and the Sierra Nevada from San Diego County north into Southern Oregon. It is a member of the Lauraceae family and can grow as a single trunked tree or a multi-stemmed shrub. Young trees have smooth bark but as it grows, the bark begins to split and peel becoming scaly. In Northern California it flowers from about April through September and the fruit structure is similar to a peach, nectarine or an olive. They grow happily in a variety of habitats and do well in full sun or shade. California laurel occurs in humid coastal forests, oak woodlands, riparian, redwood and mixed evergreen forests as well as dry shrubland and chaparral. They are an evergreen but do experience some leaf drop in the winter or during drought conditions. The oblong, smooth leaves are thick and dark green and when broken or crushed release their magic - their wonderful scent.

Although the tree is beautiful, it’s probably best known for its aroma and medicinal properties. Many Native Americans including the Cahuilla, Chumash, Pomo, Miwok, Yuki and Salinan used the tree to treat various ailments. The leaves were often used to treat headaches, stomachaches, colds, sore throats, congestion, and when steeped in hot water used as an antiseptic for wounds and a remedy for head lice. The spicy leaves were also used as a seasoning and the fruit was dried and eaten while the seeds were roasted and then either eaten or pounded into a mash that was made into cakes and dried for later consumption. The leaves, twigs and shoots are very high in protein and a favorite of black-tail deer and the seeds are forage for scrub and stellars jays, dusky-footed woodrats and ground squirrels. The trees are fairly long-lived, aging out at approximately 200 years. One California laurel tree in Mendocino County is registered as a California Big Tree with a height of nearly 110 feet, a trunk circumference of almost 540 inches and a crown spread of almost 120 feet. The average size varies depending on habitat conditions, trees closer to reliable water grow larger faster. The California laurel is often used in riparian and wildlife habitat restoration and in flood control projects. The wood is used commercially for cabinets, trim and furniture and the burls are often carved into small objects and marketed as myrtlewood. They are often one of the first species to regenerate after a fire, sprouting from the roots and benefiting from increased seed germination.

Fun Fact - California laurel is in the same family as the avocado

Fun Fact - Dusky footed woodrats used California laurel leaves to keep fleas out of their nests

Not so Fun Fact - some people are severely allergic to the oils in the leaves

Next time you visit the newly expanded Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, keep an eye out for California laurel trees!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Tuleyome in the Community - April 2024

Thu, 16 May 2024 18:06:12 GMT

Tuleyome staff member Geoff reads “Who Stole the Bee’s Wings” during Nature Day at the Hive.

A child tries out the “Smell Like a Bee” activity during Nature Day at the Hive

On April 6th, Tuleyome staff members Geoff and Kristie participated in Nature Day at the Hive in Woodland. This event celebrated all things bees and honey, with activities for both kids and adults. Visitors to the Tuleyome table got to try out our “Smell Like a Bee” activity, where they used their senses of smell to find the right flower to pollinate. Photos available here .

Tuleyome also took part in Yolo Basin Foundation's Duck Days on April 27. Kids got creative making pet rocks to take home. Tuleyome staff discussed the proposed expansion to Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and how we work together to ensure public access to our public lands. Check out some photos here .

-Geoff Benn gbenn@tuleyome.org

Tuleyome Education Associate

Certified California Naturalist

About Geoffrey Benn

Geoff is Tuleyome's Education Associate. He has a Ph.D. in Plant Biology and previously taught introductory biology at UC Davis and American River College.

A Day in the Life of Conservation Advocate, Hekia Bodwitch

Thu, 16 May 2024 18:02:26 GMT

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Hekia Bodwitch, Tuleyome's Policy Director, was the focus of a video released by the Center for American Progress! In March, Hekia joined other advocates in Washington, D.C. to meet with officials to support President Biden's America the Beautiful initiative. Hekia discussed Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument's role in this initiative and highlighted the importance of Tribal co-management and co-stewardship.

Take a look at the video here . Great job, Hekia!

Victory - Molok Luyuk Protected!

Thu, 16 May 2024 17:58:55 GMT

Do you remember the first time that you visited Molok Luyuk? The first time you saw a meadow of wildflowers, bright yellow reaching out to the sapphire blue sky?

The first time that you realized that you could tell where the tectonic plates meet; where sandstone and serpentinite collide? And, that you knew some of the different plants that bloom on both? The first time you saw metalliferous chert bursting into the sky, caught bubbling on the ocean’s floor, frozen then lifted up over millennia for us to see? The first time you saw an adobe lily? The joy of California poppies? The first time you stood at Molok Luyuk’s summit and saw hundreds of miles in each direction — from the mountains of the coastal range rolling west to the Pacific to Snow Mountain and Shasta in the North, over the Sutter Buttes to the Sierra Nevada Mountain’s in the east, snow glistening on the peaks, and across Bear Valley, the yellow and purple of the wildflowers shimmering in the sun? The first time you heard the Patwin people speak of the importance of the place, of gathering and traveling and tending to the place?

I do. I remember each discovery and the people who shared them with me. Nate and Nick and Glen sharing the wildflowers and oak groves and all their nuances. Bob explaining the unique geology, the millennia of history, that you walk across as you traverse Molok Luyuk. Gayle and Laverne sharing their stories of the Patwin people and their history with the land. Bob and Andrew planning the Condor Trail, which one day will link from the Bay Area to the Klamath. Don and Del sharing the joy of bouncing along the trails on their bikes and ATVs. Ryan’s love of all of its nooks and crannies, especially Wintun Campground, a gem that needs a little TLC. Maureen’s excitement at organizing her members. Jora’s and Elyane’s passion for the land. I remember anointing Bob’s Rock, a beautiful example of serpentinite, California’s state rock, that stands proudly surrounded by wildflowers and, on at least one occasion, a rattlesnake.

Molok Luyuk is a remarkable place. It is an amazing ecological and cultural treasure. After years of fighting to protect it, on May 2, 2024, President Biden signed a Presidential Proclamation adding Molok Luyuk to Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument , officially renaming the area Molok Luyuk and calling for co-stewardship with Tribes.

Establishing a National Monument is first and foremost a community process. It is the best of democracy; people in a community or communities coming together with their neighbors and elected representatives to effect positive change.

The effort to protect Molok Luyuk’s public lands began with a coalition of folks including Tuleyome, the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, conservation and recreation groups, scientists, landowners and our champions in Congress, all the people above, numerous folks I haven’t even mentioned, and you, who recognized Molok Luyuk’s significant cultural, geological and natural resource values. Together we built a broad coalition of more than 160,000 people, 8 tribes, dozens of businesses and organizations, community leaders and decision makers from the local communities all the way to the President of the United States.

And the support kept growing. Just a week and a half earlier, on April 22nd, the California Senate voted 35-0 in support of Senate Joint Resolution 10 , introduced by California State Senator Bill Dodd, California State Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire and California State Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, urging the White House to include Molok Luyuk in the Monument.

I was honored to represent Tuleyome at the Oval Office ceremony with President Biden and Vice President Harris and our other champions. All of our Congressional leaders were present: Senators Padilla and Butler, Representatives Garamendi, Thompson and Schiff. Bureau of Land Management Director Tracey Stone Manning, Council on Environmental Quality Director Brenda Mallory and US Department of Agriculture Secretary Vilsack attended, as did California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot. Our coalition was strongly represented by Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation Tribal Secretary Mia Durham, CalWild Policy Director Ryan Henson, California Native Plant Society Executive Director Jun Bando, and me on behalf of Tuleyome.

The reason it was such an honor to be there is because it is an honor working with all of our partners and champions and all of you to protect Molok Luyuk.

Now that we’ve completed phase I, “What ‘s next?” you may ask. Next, we need to complete a Monument Management Plan that protects and stewards all of the things that we value about Molok Luyuk. Then we need to implement that plan on the ground. And, as always, Tuleyome will be there each step of the way.

"We Dream... We Act... Together, We Get Things Done"

-Sandra Schubert; sschubert@tuleyome.org

Executive Director

Congratulations Wilbur Hot Springs Graduates!

Thu, 16 May 2024 17:54:34 GMT

Tuleyome certified new California Naturalist through our 1-week intensive course at Wilbur Hot Springs! This wonderful setting is an ideal place to learn about the unique flora and fauna of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region. The area's history also provides students with a first hand example of the impacts of geology and hydrology on an area.

This was Tuleyome's third cohort in 2024! We are excited to welcome all of our 2024 graduates to the Certified California Naturalist community and look forward to hearing how they are having positive impact on their community!

We are scheduling our 2025 courses - stay tuned!

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

April 2024 Field Trips at WRPP

Thu, 16 May 2024 17:51:40 GMT

April has been a busy month at Woodland Regional Park Preserve! Over the course of the month, Tuleyome hosted field trips at WRPP for a girl scout troop and five elementary school classes from Davis and Woodland.

Girl Scouts measure plants in wet and dry areas of the preserve.

On April 3rd, Girl Scouts from Troop 1686 in Davis visited WRPP to complete the Water Trail. The scouts particularly enjoyed bird watching and learning about how water impacts plant growth in different areas of the preserve. You can view the full album here .

North Davis students smell mock flowers as part of a pollinator activity.

North Davis students look for frogs and other animals in the pond.

Three 3rd grade classes from North Davis Elementary School visited WRPP during the week of April 8th to complete the Adaptations Trail. The students particularly enjoyed examining aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, as well as completing the “smell like a bee” pollinator activity. You can view the full albums here , here , and here .

Spring Lake students working on their landscape sketches.

Two classes of 3rd graders from Spring Lake Elementary visited WRPP on April 26th to complete the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) trail. The students particularly enjoyed making sketches of the landscape, seeing red tailed hawk babies, and pretending to be cats while quietly observing the environment. You can view the full album here .

-Geoff Benn gbenn@tuleyome.org

Tuleyome Education Associate

Certified California Naturalist

About Geoffrey Benn

Geoff is Tuleyome's Education Associate. He has a Ph.D. in Plant Biology and previously taught introductory biology at UC Davis and American River College

Tuleyome's Wildflower Tours

Thu, 16 May 2024 14:33:58 GMT

This spring, Tuleyome hosted multiple wildflower tours to Bear Valley and Molok Luyuk. Bear Valley, located at the foot of Molok Luyuk is one of the best places in northern California for wildflowers - a wide range of species and colors. The unique geology along the ridge provides habitat for rare and endangered flowers. Some of the highlights were the adobe lily (Fritillaria pluriflora), Douglas iris (Iris douglasiana), and pink star tulip (Calochortus uniflorus).

Check out the photo albums from our tours:

Tuleyome's Sulphur Creek Easement Update

Thu, 16 May 2024 14:31:58 GMT

Beaver Dam Analog on Sulphur Creek Easement

Since 2012, Tuleyome has held a conservation easement of 1200 acres, located along Molok Luyuk's eastern slopes. The easement abuts public land that is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and protects Sulphur Creek - which flows into Bear Creek and then into Cache Creek.

Before the easement was transferred to Tuleyome, a many-year restoration project improved the ecological functionality of the Sulphur Creek watershed. Restoration effort have continued - the latest of which are beaver dam analogs (BDAs). These man-made structures are intended to mimic a natural beaver dam - improve riparian ecosystems, increase water infiltration, decrease impacts from flood events, and even entice beavers to the area (or provide habitat if they are reintroduced). The BDAs dams do not stop water nor prevent it flowing. Instead, these structures slow down the flow to decrease its erosion potential and encourage the widening of the stream.

The BDAs that have been installed thus far have been effective - small flows of water have been slowed down and turned once channelized and eroded valleys into wide streams with an abundance of life. Soils remain wetter later into the summer, providing reliable moisture for plants and animals.

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Nature and You: Coyotes and Mercury Mines

Thu, 16 May 2024 14:01:07 GMT

On April 25th, Sarah Killingsworth of Project Coyote gave our April Nature and You lecture. In addition to sharing her amazing photography of coyotes, Sarah also discussed basic coyote biology, how to mitigate conflict between coyotes and humans, and how coyotes are adapting to human-altered environments. If you missed the talk, or would like to listen to it again, the recording is available on Tuleyome’s YouTube page .

Our May Nature and You lecture will take place via Zoom at 7pm on May 23rd and will be given by Dr. Andrew Johnston, who will be discussing the history of mercury mining in Northern California. RSVP here to receive the Zoom link.

-Geoff Benn gbenn@tuleyome.org

Tuleyome Education Associate

Certified California Naturalist

About Geoffrey Benn

Geoff is Tuleyome's Education Associate. He has a Ph.D. in Plant Biology and previously taught introductory biology at UC Davis and American River College.

Spring Thing 2024

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 20:17:34 GMT

Tuleyome’s third annual Spring Thing is in the books! This year’s event was the best yet, with over 300 people coming out to Woodland Regional Park Preserve over the course of the day. This was the first year that we have co-hosted the event with the City of Woodland and we were delighted to have City Manager Ken Hiatt, Mayor Tania Garcia-Cadena, and our own volunteer board member Lyndsay Dawkins provide opening remarks to help kick off the celebration.

Other highlights included:

6 tours of the park, each with different themes including birds, native plants, wetlands, nature sketching, and compass navigation
8 kids receiving free loans of hiking boots through our Youth Boot Bank. If you weren’t able to find the right fit at the event, keep an eye on our events page for upcoming Boot Bank events.
Tasty food from the Hefty Gyros food truck
A performance of “Superbird” by Nature’s Theater
Campfire stories & s'mores
A successful silent auction featuring artwork, gift baskets, and a range of experiences
Getting front page coverage in the Sunday edition of the Woodland Daily Democrat
Fun activities for kids including story times, mock fossil excavations, rock painting, fort building, and giant tic-tac-toe

Spring Thing would not have been possible without the hard work of Tuleyome’s staff, our volunteer board of directors, and our crew of 21 volunteers who came out to help run the event. Special thanks to everyone who helped lead tours and performances, including Lars Anderson, Terri Barry, Laura Benn, Robin Carlson, Lyndsay Dawkins, Jennifer Hogan, Jack Holmes, Nate Lillge, and Tom Stallard.

We are very grateful to our official sponsors:

We are also grateful to Woodland Grocery Outlet, Nugget Markets, and Conservation Lands Foundation for making donations, and to our silent auction donors Mackenzie Banta, Blue Note Brewing, The Burger Saloon, Alan Fishleder, Gallery Coffee, Bill Grabert, The Hive, Phillip Laughlin, Barbara Mendenhall, The Mondavi Center, Morgan’s on Main, Mike Read, Sac Republic FC, Petra Silverman, Whitewater Adventures, and Woodland Food Front.

Check out our Flickr page for even more great photos from Spring Thing. If you missed this year’s event, be sure to save the date for next year’s Spring Thing – March 22nd, 2025.

About Geoffrey Benn

Geoff is Tuleyome's Education Associate. He has a Ph.D. in Plant Biology and previously taught introductory biology at UC Davis and American River College.

Bear Valley and Molok Luyuk Wildflower Tours

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 20:10:15 GMT

Tuleyome has hosted multiple wildflower trips this spring - the flowers are here and are beautiful!

Bear Valley is one of the best wildflower viewing spots in northern California and Molok Luyuk, just to the west of the valley, has many rare and unique flowers due to its geology. Wildflowers bloom right next to the road providing easy viewing!

This year's tours have been exciting - every trip has seen flowers had never been seen before on our tours. (This is not to say that they weren't they, we just hadn't seen and noted them in the ten years we have been leading tours to the valley.)

Check out the photos from each of our tours to Bear Valley ( March 16 and March 26 ) and Molok Luyuk . If you haven't been able to join one of the tours yet, don't worry! There is room on our upcoming tours - check out our events page to sign up!

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Featured Trail: Lynch Canyon Trail

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 20:07:05 GMT

The Lynch Canyon Trailhead is located on CA-20, west of the intersection with CA-16. The trail descends downhill toward the "Roadkill Cafe" - an old hunting shack that features a humorous menu. The trail connects with many others in the Cowboy Camp area and has great wildflower displays in the spring!

More information about the trail can be found on our Trail Guide .

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Tuleyome's Policy Corner - Tuleyome's New Policy Director

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 20:02:05 GMT

Recently, Tuleyome hired Hekia Bodwitch, Ph.D. as our new Policy Director. We are excited about what she will bring to our team. She received her B.S. from Cornell University and her Ph.D. from the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management from UC Berkeley. Her projects have involved collaborations with Indigenous groups in New Zealand and Canada to support Indigenous co-governance of natural resources.

Hekia has hit the ground running with Tuleyome. In March, she represented Tuleyome on a trip to Washington D.C., where she met with representatives from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and US Forest Service (USFS), as well as staffers from Congressman Padilla’s and Representative Thompson’s offices, to advocate for Monument expansion and Tribal co-stewardship. Tuleyome was there as part of the America the Beautiful for All coalition’s Annual Fly-In , a coalition that aims to ensure funds directed to conservation support historically underserved communities. Hekia urged our congressional representatives to direct funding to Tribal Nations, as well as the BLM and the USFS, to ensure groups have the means necessary to develop and implement co-stewardship agreements and a Monument Management Plan.

Hekia has also been able to get out and enjoy the Monument. This month she helped host wildflower tours at Molok Luyuk and Bear Valley with representatives from the USFS and our partner organizations, and she has additional tours planned with representatives from the BLM.

This is an exciting time for Tuleyome – possible expansion of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, working with partners to establish a management plan, and many other projects. Hekia’s experience and passion will be of great benefit to everyone that loves our public lands in the Northern Inner Coast Range Mountains!

Monumental Questions: What is DarkSky International?

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 20:01:52 GMT

The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument boasts so many awe inspiring things and I’m about to add one more to that list.

I’m fairly confident that we’re all familiar with at least a few different types of pollution that we all deal with here in California including air, water and noise. They’ve all probably impacted some part of our daily urban lives but did you know that light pollution is also something that most of us live with, possibly without even realizing it? For those of us that live in neighborhoods with street lights and parks, we may not even realize how extra light at night is affecting our view of the night sky, among other things. Not only does it affect our view, it also interferes with our nocturnal non-human neighbors’ breeding, foraging and orientation activities.

DarkSky International is an organization that advocates for proper and appropriate lighting for urban and rural developments. They define light pollution as a side effect of industrial civilization and indicate that major sources include interior and exterior lighting on buildings (schools, hospitals, airports), electric advertisements (electronic billboards and places like Times Square), commercial properties and businesses (automalls, shopping centers) as well as street lights and sporting venues. While sporting events are healthful for us, large athletic complexes are often built adjacent to green belts and open space where the lights from the fields and parking lots disrupt wildlife. Groups such as DarkSky International work with planners and developers of past projects to amend existing lighting and to encourage appropriate, focused lighting for present and future projects. They acknowledge that night skies are a part of cultural and historic resources that tie generations of people with the natural night environment. DarkSky International and their partners are working to encourage officials to provide protected areas for dark sky conservation and to advocate for night sky friendly and community friendly lighting options.

And here’s where the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument comes in! Just a short drive away, protected from urban sprawl are some darkest skies in Northern California. Nestled in the Interior Coastal Range are some of the best locations to view the night sky. Away from metropolitan light pollution the milky way is visible by a naked eye. Constellations almost jump out at you. The difference between the twinkling of stars and the bright glow of plants is extraordinary and if you’re lucky enough to catch asteroids, meteors, comets…ahhhh, monumental.

Dark skies are full of curiosity and fascination but many think of them as scary and alien. International Dark Sky week is April 2 -8 and is a celebration of dark and natural light. This might be a great time to book a camping trip to one of the campgrounds in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. We’d love for you to share your photos with us!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Nature and You: Quail Ridge Reserve and Coyotes

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 18:59:43 GMT

Our March Nature and You lecture featured Dr. Ross Brennan, Director of the UC Davis Quail Ridge Reserve. Dr. Brennan gave an overview of Quail Ridge, discussed its natural history, and described some of the ongoing research at the site. He also shared some great videos from the reserve including a large aggregation of solitary bee nests, a mountain quail father with his chicks, and a mountain lion. If you missed his talk, you can view the recording here .

Our April Nature and You lecture will take place via Zoom on April 25th, and will feature Sarah Killingsworth from Project Coyote. Sarah will introduce coyotes, discuss how they fit into the ecosystem, their interactions with humans, and the conservation challenges they face. You can learn more and RSVP on our website.

About Geoffrey Benn

Geoff is Tuleyome's Education Associate. He has a Ph.D. in Plant Biology and previously taught introductory biology at UC Davis and American River College.

Science Corner: Toxic Algae, aka Cyanobacteria

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 18:11:14 GMT

Photo by Centers for Disease Control

It seems to be a fairly familiar summer local news story; beware - toxic algae may be present in neighborhood ponds. Often called toxic algae, in reality, it’s not an algae at all that threatens our summer fun; it is Cyanobacteria.

Blue-green algae is often given credit for changing Earth’s lifeforms by being the first known organism able to photosynthesize and produce oxygen - the basis of life on Earth. They are among the oldest known organisms with fossil records that date back over two billion years ago. However, blue-green algae isn’t an algae at all, it’s actually a specialized bacteria and belongs to one of the most numerous taxon - Cyanobacteria. Named for their color and identified by their pigments and ability to photosynthesize, they are an extremely important component in marine food webs. They naturally occur in fresh, brackish and marine environments and thrive in low oxygen environments. This charismatic bacteria that kick-started life as we know it also contains lethal toxins that can also be deadly to pets, people, livestock and wildlife.

When the weather gets warm, isolated bodies of water such as retention basins, stock ponds and even unmaintained backyard pools and fountains become stagnant. Nutrients from over-fertilizing and then over-watering lawns and gardens run off and can collect in neighborhood retention ponds causing eutrophication - when organisms such as algae and bacteria reproduce explosively in warm, nutrient rich waters depleting the oxygen level and resulting in environmental degradation. The optimal conditions for a cyanobacteria bloom.

Warm, oxygen deprived water brimming with organisms that thrive in these conditions can result in an overabundance or “bloom”. Some cyanobacteria contain lethal toxins and when present in out of control numbers decompose aquatic ecosystems and can cause potentially lethal intoxication of pets, people, livestock and wildlife if they come into contact with it. Cyanobacteria is too small to be seen with the naked eye but when conditions result in a bloom, gobs of bacteria collect on the surface of the water and may look like mats of floating vegetation, foam, pond scum, or even a film of paint or oil floating on the water. Colors range from vibrant greens and blues to yellow, red and brown and sometimes the mats sink which causes the water to smell like rotting vegetation or worse.

Cyanobacteria can produce different types of toxins including liver and neurotoxins which can cause serious illness and sudden death. Dogs are especially at risk because of their infatuation with water, the stinkier the better (according to them). They can ingest cyanobacteria by drinking contaminated water directly or by simply fetching an object that was tossed into the water. They can also get it just from licking the bacteria-laden water off of their wet paws and fur. Depending on which type of toxin they were exposed to, symptoms can arise less than 15 minutes to a couple of days after exposure and may include diarrhea or vomiting, drooling or foaming at the mouth, jaundice and neurologic signs such as weakness, disorientation, seizures and difficulty breathing. If you know your dog was in contact with cyanobacteria, immediately and thoroughly rinse them off with fresh water and urgently get them to the veterinarian. If caught very early, the vet may be able to flush out the toxins.

To help keep you and your dog safe, keeping them leashed around water, especially if it appears dirty, foamy or has mats floating on top is always a good idea and bring plenty of fresh water for them to drink. Although not all cyanobacteria is harmful, there are no clinical tests, designated treatments or antidotes so when in doubt, keep them out.

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Enjoying Outside! Natural Allergy Remedies

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 18:06:59 GMT

We begin with a slight detour.

Hello loyal Tuleyome supporters!

We here at Tuleyome thought that since it’s such a lovely time of year to be outside, we’ve decided to change up one of our favorite features. Enjoying Outside, Inside will now be simply Enjoying Outside!

Please enjoy it, inside or out!

And now back to our program…

I’ve heard people say that if you think you don’t have allergies, live in the Sacramento Valley for a year or two, and you will. It goes by the name “allergic rhinitis” but has a few aliases including pollenosis and hay fever. No matter what you call it, the symptoms are miserable: itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, tickly throat and ears and of course the ever present post-nasal drip. Gross.

In general, allergies materialize when your body’s immune system reacts to something foreign such as pollen, mold spores, pet dander, bee venom or something you ingest. Your immune system works by producing antibodies and if you have an allergy to one or more particular thing, your immune system makes antibodies that view those things as harmful and signals the release of histamines. Histamines are what cause many of the common allergy symptoms from sinus and skin issues to digestive issues. These reactions can range from very annoying to truly life threatening.

There are many approaches to treating allergies and often include medication or allergy shots. If your allergies are not life-threatening perhaps you’d like to try out some natural methods before resorting to medication. Avoidance is the best method to keep sinus allergies at bay but unfortunately, that’s not always feasible. If you’re allergic to a particular food or develop a topical reaction to chemical, you may be able to avoid them most of the time but when nasty teeny-tiny Death Star shaped things (pollen) are covertly floating around in the alluring springtime air; it’s real hard to avoid inhaling them.

Experts suggest staying indoors with the windows closed and using a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter for your house and vacuum to strain out the tiniest of allergens. And, stay indoors during peak pollen times, typically between 5:00 to 10:00 am and during the warmest part of the day to avoid some of the outdoor pollen barrage. Another simple thing you can do to help keep allergens out of your house is remove your coats and shoes before entering your home, and shower and wash your hair before bed to rinse off pollen that’s collected on you. Don’t forget to frequently bathe your pets as they can also track pollen inside your home and deposit it on your rugs, furniture, pillows and bed. Dusting and vacuuming often also help to control allergy and asthma triggers as dust mites, mold spores and pet dander can collect in household dust piles. Saline nasal rinses, which I can not make myself do even though I know they help, also cleanse and empty sinus cavities and nasal passages, however it’s extremely important to use only sterile or distilled water to avoid infection. We know that histamines are chemicals that cause allergic reactions and being hydrated aids in keeping your body from producing more of them. You can also sneak in foods that have a high water content like cucumbers, berries and soups to give your hydration routine a little boost. Eating spicy things helps to thin mucus and clear congestion. Another thing to try is eating local honey but only if you’re not allergic to bee venom and never give honey to a child less than a year old. The theory is that eating locally produced honey over time will lower the allergic reaction to the pollen that your body is reacting to. Bonus feature - honey also soothes irritated throats. Eating honey I can get behind, this sounds way better than a nasal rinse.

If you’d like to try adding some supplements to your daily diet, some that have been shown to provide some allergy relief include probiotics which may help improve symptoms of allergic rhinitis, and getting at least 2,000 milligrams of Vitamin C has shown to reduce histamine levels and lessen inflammation. Bromelain is an enzyme naturally found in papaya and pineapple that has positive effects on breathing and reduces swelling. Quercetin is an antioxidant and helps regulate histamine production and release. It can be taken in supplement form and foods rich in Quercetin include apples, honey, raspberries, red grapes, cherries, citrus fruits, onion and leafy greens. Butterbur has been shown to work as well as some allergy medications but can also be hard on the liver. Please keep in mind that supplements can have conflicting effects with medication and it is always best to check with your doctor before trying anything. And please do know that no natural remedy will help in the case of anaphylaxis or other allergy induced emergency.

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Congratulations, Graduates!

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 17:45:04 GMT

Last month, Tuleyome completed two Certified California Naturalist courses which showcased the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region. The 10-week courses included field trips focused on the flora, fauna, geology, and ecology found in the Monument region. In addition to our traditional public course, we partnered with the Bureau of Reclamation, Lake Berryessa and Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District to certify US Bureau of Reclamation rangers and NCRPOSD staff.

The graduates have been given knowledge and resources to improve their own enjoyment of our local ecosystems and increase others' understanding of the importance of the natural world. Thank you and congratulations to all of our graduates!

Tuleyome is hosting our third(!) course of 2024 at Wilbur Hot Springs, April 14 - 19. There is still time and space to join the course! Contact us for more information!

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

March 2024 Field Trips at WRPP

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 13:26:53 GMT

Ms. Manzanedo's 2nd graders at WRPP

On March 6th, a class of 2nd graders from Marguerite Montgomery Elementary School in Davis came to Woodland Regional Park Preserve to do a field trip with Tuleyome. The students completed the land trail, which included a mock fossil excavation, examining an example of erosion, and learning about the components of soil. The students also enjoyed examining aquatic insect larvae, looking at mushrooms, and using their binoculars to watch turtles sun bathing. You can view the full album here .

Students designing solutions for an erosion problem.

Annie's Trail Hike - March 9th 2024

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 13:22:09 GMT

Hikers along the ridge on Annie’s Trail, with Lake Berryessa in the background

On March 9th, six hikers joined Tuleyome to hike Annie’s Trail, a challenging hike that adds an extra loop to the popular Stebbins Cold Canyon trail near Lake Berryessa. We enjoyed a few early season wildflowers and marveled at how much the landscape has recovered since the last wildfire.

With the recent rains, there was even a waterfall in Wild Horse Canyon!

Group photo after completing Annie’s Trail

About Geoff rey Benn

Geoff is Tuleyome's Education Associate. He has a Ph.D. in Plant Biology and previously taught introductory biology at UC Davis and American River College.

Tuleyome at REI Roseville

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 13:15:19 GMT

Tuleyome continued our partnership with our local REI stores by giving a talk on March 19th at the Roseville REI. Executive Director Sandy Schubert and Education Associate Geoff Benn introduced Tuleyome’s programs, provided an overview of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and the ongoing efforts to expand the monument, and gave recommendations for the best places to hike, bike, and see wildflowers in the monument. We hope to continue working with REI in the future to support our work in the monument and in our community.

Monumental Questions - The Antiquities Act and Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument

Sun, 07 Apr 2024 18:40:57 GMT

President Theodore Roosevelt signed the Antiquities Act into law on June 8, 1906 cementing the public’s interest in protecting cultural artifacts and natural resources of historic or scientific interest (antiquities) on Federal lands. The purpose of the Antiquities Act was to preserve public natural areas as parks or conservation lands, prohibiting destruction of these sites. Over the past 116 years, the Act has been used over 150 times by presidents on both sides of the political line to establish new National Monuments and expand those previously designated. Teddy Roosevelt himself used the Antiquities Act 18 times but President Barack Obama holds the record with 26 new National Monuments established during his presidency.

The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument (Monument) was established by President Barack Obama on July 10, 2015 under the Antiquities Act. The Monument encompasses 330,780 acres and is jointly managed by both the U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (133,576 acres) as well as the United States Forest Service, Mendocino National Forest (197,204 acres); each agency managing their designated acreage within the Monument boundaries. The Monument includes three wilderness areas (Snow Mountain, Cache Creek and Cedar Roughs), one Wild and Scenic River (Cache Creek) and five Areas of Critical Environmental Concern. Now, we look to the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion Act, H.R. 6366/S. 4080, that would add the Lake County portion of Walker Ridge, known as Condor Ridge or Molok Luyuk in Patwin, to the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.

For the previous 11,000 years, the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region has been home to many tribes including the Yuki, Nomlaki, Patwin, Pomo, Huchnom, Wappo, Lake Miwok, and Wintun, making the it one of the most linguistically and culturally diverse areas in California. The addition of Molok Luyuk/Walker Ridge/Condor Ridge to the Monument will ensure that federally recognized tribes can co-manage and steward the land with their federal partners. As part of H.R. 6366/S. 4080, Walker/Condor Ridge will be renamed Molok Luyuk which honors its cultural significance, just as the Antiquities Act was intended to do.

Often called a Biological Hot Spot because the elevation, topography and geology of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region vary so greatly and create many different habitat types. The Monument provides some of the most scenic and most biologically diverse landscapes in California including Blue Oak Woodland and chaparral in the lower elevations which transition into intermediate vegetation communities that includes mixed conifers. True fir, Jeffrey pines and incense cedar are found at higher elevations along with exposed unvegetated rock outcrops. The Snow Mountain area is known as one of the richest, most biologically diverse areas in California. The extraordinary geologic history of the area also plays an essential role in the unique array of plants. The serpentine soils found here have distinct chemical and physical properties and plants that grow there are highly adapted to this high iron, low organic content environment. Because serpentine soils are rare, so are the plants that are able to survive in them. Serpentine soils are not found in many places in the United States and California boasts having the majority of them. Many of the serpentine plant species are endemic, meaning they don’t occur anywhere else, and are listed as special-status species.

The Berryessa Snow Mountain Expansion Act would be the a very fitting 116th anniversary celebration for the Antiquities Act.

-Kristie Ehrhardt; kehrhardt@tuleyome.org

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Tuleyome's Policy Corner - Tuleyome is in Washington, DC, Fighting to Protect Molok Luyuk

Sun, 07 Apr 2024 10:12:03 GMT

Camping on Molok Luyuk by Bob Fredenburg

This week, Tuleyome is in Washington, DC, with it’s partners, the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and California Native Plant Society, working to pass the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion Act, S 4080 and HR 6366. We are meeting with our champions, Congressional leadership, the relevant committees, the Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service and the Council on Environmental Quality.

As the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion Act passed out of the House as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee by unanimous, bipartisan voice vote, it is eligible for inclusion in a package, should one move.

What package? That’s not clear. Right now, there are three options. First, the bill could stay in the NDAA. That would be the first package up. We should hear today or tomorrow whether we are in the NDAA.

If not in the NDAA, it could be attached to the Omnibus Appropriations bill. That’s the bill that funds the government and must pass, eventually. You’ve all heard of continuing resolutions. That’s when Congress extends the current year’s funding, sometimes for days, sometimes for weeks, while they work through the details of the next years funds, and sometimes they just dig in their heals and refuse to move forward. We’re watching the timing on this one closely also.

The third possibility is a public lands package where a variety of bills are merged into one, larger bill or package. While it would be great, there is some skepticism as to whether this will happen. But, its not over until its over.

Thus far, our meetings have been successful and we are receiving positive feedback. Representative Garamendi took time out of his busy schedule to meet with us and strategize about next steps.

I’ll continue to keep you posted from DC!

Cheers, Sandy

Executive Director

Cub Scouts at Woodland Regional Park Preserve

Sun, 07 Apr 2024 09:52:42 GMT

On November 20, Tuleyome hosted Cub Scout Pack 499 at Woodland Regional Park Preserve. Scouts and their families were led along the trail while completing a scavenger hunt. Highlights were the learning about salt grass, the number of animals that make the park preserve their home, and of course, scat!

Look for Woodland Regional Park Preserve to open to the public soon! In the meantime, if your group is interested in visiting the park preserve, please get in touch!

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Spring Thing Schedule of Events

Sat, 06 Apr 2024 23:22:25 GMT

You won't want to miss this year's Spring Thing ! Check out the schedule of events and don't forget to mark your calendars for March 18th! Special thanks to our Level 3 sponsor Wilbur Hot Springs. See you there!

Stebbins Cold Canyon Volunteer Workday

Sat, 06 Apr 2024 23:11:47 GMT

On February 11, Tuleyome led a crew of volunteers to help maintain the trails at Stebbins Cold Canyon. The group included students from the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at UC Davis.

The trails at Stebbins have held up well during the winter storms but the high visitation requires regular maintenance. The crews focused on remedying the small erosion areas along the Homestead Trail.

Check out the photos from the workday on Flickr .

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Westlake Charter Field Trip

Sat, 06 Apr 2024 20:43:43 GMT

On March 7th, Dr. Galloway’s 9th grade class from Westlake Charter School in Natomas visited the Woodland Regional Park Preserve to learn about urban park transformations as part of their Planting a Revolution class. The Planting a Revolution class is focused on learning about sustainable agriculture and environmental practices while also developing farm to fork cooking skills. Students in this class are combining biology, chemistry, and food science with practical, hands-on skills training and field work.

During our field trip, students participated in several observational data collection activities, making note of the sites and sounds common to an urban preserve where nature meets urban residence. Students charted the noises they heard from bird calls to cars on the nearby roadway and discussed the impact that having urban noises so close might have on wildlife. Students also made observations of the plant and animal life throughout the preserve, noting the differences between different regions of the park. Their observations included everything from topography to plant type and size. Students then made claims about the cause of the differences, concluding that differences in water availability may be a large factor.

While we were able to cover a lot information during our field trip and discuss the relationship between nature preserves and food systems, the highlight of the trip came early on when students discovered that they would be able to take out a pair of binoculars on the hike… and that there were enough binoculars for everyone! The students were simply delighted to learn that everyone could use a pair of binoculars saying “you have enough for everyone?” And they did not miss an opportunity to use them, either! Students were able to view the nest of a red-tailed hawk, Canada Goose swimming in the middle of the pond, and another visiting class further along the path.

Another highlight of the trip was spotting some bones in the preserve. Using their binoculars, students found the bones and asked if we could check them out, so we detoured a bit and headed that direction. Students observed the bones and engaged in a truly inspiring conversation, trying to figure out what animal the bones belonged to. They found the spine and determined it was a mammal, and examined the teeth and concluded that it was an herbivore. In the end, they decided it probably belonged to a cow… and they were correct. Watching them work through the process of critical thinking and deduction was really incredible though!

The trip ended with a discussion about our watershed and water in our area. We meandered our way back towards the bus, stopping to look at various things and take pictures. In the end, students said they didn’t want to leave, which is a true testament to the wonder of the Woodland Regional Park Preserve.

-Kara Green ( kgreen@tuleyome.org )

Education Associate

Certified California Naturalist

Tuleyome Hosts Great Old Broads for Wilderness at Silver Spur Ranch

Sat, 06 Apr 2024 17:23:41 GMT

Stopping to smell the "roses" on Molok Luyuk

During the week of May 15, the Great Old Broads for Wilderness camped at Tuleyome’s Silver Spur Ranch. The event highlighted the beauty and preciousness of the Molok Luyuk area.

The group took part in stewardship activities, geology tours, and hikes. These ladies were not to be held back and attacked every task, challenge, and hike with a smile, excitement, and a pep in their step! Photos from the week are available on Tuleyome’s Flickr site .

Thank you, Great Old Broads for enjoying Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and supporting Molok Luyuk and the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion Act!

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Monumental Questions - Why were the wildflowers so spectacular this spring?

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 23:55:44 GMT

Simply put: precipitation.

In the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region, precipitation is usually rain. Seeds that had been dormant received enough water this year to burst to life. Even ridge tops were able to hold onto enough moisture to allow for large wildflower displays.

This winter, the region also received snow in low elevations! This also meant that temperatures were cooler than usual and stayed cooler later than usual. These conditions seemed to cause all sorts of confusion for the flowers! Some bloomed early, some bloomed late, and in some places they all seemed to bloom at the same time!

Another factor that led to the amazing wildflower season is the previous wildfires. These fires added nutrients to the ground which were taken up by the plants. In fact, some wildflowers do not bloom until after a fire has swept through an area.

Bear Valley is one of the best places in Northern CA and the BSMNM region and it put on quite the show this year ! Every week the color changed – pale yellow and white to pink to purple to orange to yellow and every color in between. This year, the entire Monument region had magnificent wildflower displays. Bear Valley is special because, even in drought years, the flowers in the valley put on a show. This is because the valley is supplied with water from springs on the eastern side of Molok Luyuk. By expanding Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument to include both sides of Molok Luyuk, future generations will be able to enjoy and marvel at the beauty of Bear Valley!

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Valley Vista Work Day

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 23:37:43 GMT

The last workday of Tuleyome’s 2023-2024 season was May 27 at Valley Vista Regional Park. Nate Lillge led a group of volunteers as they cleaned up and did minor repairs to a short section of new trail.

Tuleyome has partnered with Yolo County to construct 6 miles of new trail in the park. Construction began last fall but was halted due to this winter’s rain. When completed, this new trail will provide hikers a short, family-friendlier hike option while also connecting into the existing trail.

Photos from the day are available on our Flickr page.

Tuleyome Adventures takes a break during the heat of the summer but fear not! We are working hard to plan and schedule hikes, overnights, trail buildings days, and other activities for next fall, winter, and spring! Stay tuned to our events calendar!

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Tuleyome's Policy Corner: Supporting California's National Monuments

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 23:03:00 GMT

Currently, there are five National Monument proposals in California.

Tuleyome has been telling you a lot about the efforts to expand Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument by adding Molok Luyuk to the Monument. We hope you’ve signed our petition . If not, please do so now.

We’d also like share with you the four other California National Monument proposals that we hope you will support as well. All are public lands, are culturally significant and are critical habitats for biodiversity and achieving federal and state 30x30 goals (protecting 30 percent of our lands and waters by 2030). Co-stewardship by tribes is a critical part of managing these lands.

Chuckwalla National Monument would encompass 660,000 acres parallel to Joshua Tree National Park to the south, and bounded by Chocolate Mountain Air Gunnery Range in the east and Interstate 10 from east Coachella Valley to the Colorado River. Located in Imperial and Riverside Counties, the Monument would include Ladder Canyon, Bradshaw Trail, Corn Springs Campsite and Painted Canyon Trail. It is home to amazing rock formations and close to the Salton Sea. Supported by conservationists and indigenous peoples, the Monument would be the largest protected area in the Colorado Desert Bioregion, a unique climate and bioregion. The landscape holds immense tribal historical and present day significance for the Iviatim, Nüwü, Pipa Aha Macav, Kwatsáan and Maara’yam peoples (Cahuilla, Chemehuevi, Mojave, Quechan and Serrano Nations).

The Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe is calling on President Biden to protect more than 390,000 acres of their ancestral homeland as Kw'tsán National Monument . Located in Imperial County, these public lands border the Tribe’s reservation and encompass the Indian Pass Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), Pilot Knob (Avikwalal), Singer Geoglyphs ACEC, Buzzards Peak and Picacho Peak Wilderness areas. The Colorado River borders the lands on the east. This Monument would also connect to Chuckwalla National Monument and Spirit Mountain in Avi Kwa Ame National Monument. Endangered species and native plants live, and depend, on these lands.

The designation of Sáttítla, Medicine Lake Highlands, National Monument by President Biden is being called for by the Pit River Nation. Nestled within the Shasta-Trinity, Klamath and Modoc forests, and containing a designated Native American Traditional Cultural District, these 200,000 acres are culturally significant, geologically unique and water rich. Its aquifers store as much water as California’s 200 largest reservoirs and sustain millions of residents, agriculture and wildlife. The area has been sacred to numerous tribes who still use the area for ceremonies and gathering, including Pit River, Modoc, Shasta, Karuk and Wintu, since time immemorial.

A vast group of organizations and individuals is calling on President Biden to expand the San Gabriel National Monument by adding 109,000 acres of BLM and USFS public lands. The Monument would safeguard sacred spaces and cultural resources, expand equitable access to nature, protect critical wildlife habitat and is a key source of drinking water for the region. In fact, the Angeles National Forest provides one-third of Los Angeles County’s drinking water. Cultural resources include prehistoric archaeological sites as well as historic sites and landscapes. It would also protect the Mount Lowe Railway, which opened in 1893 to ferry residents from Pasadena to the top of Echo Mountain.

California is such a special place and these public lands are some of its most unique. Let’s all work together to protect them.

-Sandra Schubert; sschubert@tuleyome.org

Executive Director

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Welcome, Hekia!

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 23:03:00 GMT

Tuleyome's new Policy Director is Hekia Bodwitch, Ph.D.!

Hekia grew up in the Fingerlakes region of Upstate NY and currently lives in Lafayette, CA. She received her BS from Cornell University and her PhD from the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management from UC Berkeley. Trained as a political ecologist, she has worked to promote policies that advance environmental justice. Her projects have involved collaborations with Indigenous groups in New Zealand and Canada, to support Indigenous co-governance of natural resources. She has also collaborated with transdisciplinary teams of scientists and NGOs to identify how California can regulate cannabis production for environmental outcomes. In her free time, Hekia likes to hike, camp, and garden.

Welcome, Hekia! We are happy to have you as part of our team!

Science Corner: Mistletoe

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 23:02:00 GMT

Oak Mistletoe on an oak tree by R.A. Chasey.

During the winter months, the branches of blue oaks and valley oaks across the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument are mostly bare, apart from occasional spherical clusters of yellow-green leaves. These are not oak leaves that got confused and forgot to fall off in the autumn, but rather they are the leaves of another plant – the oak mistletoe ( Phoradendron leucarpum ssp. Tomentosum ).

Mistletoes are parasitic plants that tap into the vascular systems of trees to siphon off water, sugars, and nutrients. They are considered hemiparasites, because most species retain the ability to do at least some photosynthesis. In most cases, the impact of mistletoes on their host trees is thought to be relatively minor, however trees with a heavy load of mistletoe may be more susceptible to damage during droughts.

Phainopepla sitting on a mistletoe by Jerry Oldenettel.

Most true mistletoe species (in the genera Phoradendron and Viscum ) depend on birds to distribute their seeds to new host plants. The birds eat the mistletoe fruit (small berries) and then excrete the seeds, which are coated with a sticky substance. If the seed is fortunate enough to land on a suitable host tree, it will germinate and set to work penetrating into the host’s vascular tissues, using modified root structures called haustoria. While a wide range of birds and other animals eat mistletoe berries, some bird species have become specialists on mistletoe. In California and elsewhere in the Southwest, a bird called the Phainopepla is a mistletoe specialist that plays a key role in dispersing the plant’s seed.

Pine Dwarf Mistletoe by Charlie Russell.

Another group of mistletoes found in California are the dwarf mistletoes, which infect conifers. In the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region, this group is represented by the Pine Dwarf Mistletoe ( Arceuthobium campylopodum ). These tend to have scaly leaves that are yellow-orange in color, in contrast to the more blade-like green leaves of the Oak Mistletoe. Another difference is in seed dispersal – the dwarf mistletoes have evolved a fruit that uses hydrostatic pressure to launch its seeds through the air at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour.

In addition to our native mistletoe species, the non-native European Mistletoe ( Viscum album ) can also be found in Northern California. This species was brought to California by renowned horticulturist Luther Burbank around 1900 as an ornamental crop to be sold at Christmastime. It escaped cultivation and has been slowly spreading in Sonoma County, where it can now be found in a 15-mile radius of Sebastopol.

Despite being parasites, mistletoes are an important part of their ecosystems, providing food and nesting sites for animals, as well as contributing to nutrient recycling when they drop their leaves. For us humans, they also provide a much-appreciated splash of color in the drab gray-brown days of winter. I encourage you to keep an eye out for these unusual plants on your next hike and take a closer look if you do spot one.

-Geoff Benn gbenn@tuleyome.org

Tuleyome Education Associate

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Monumental Questions - Coyotes

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 23:02:00 GMT

The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument supports many different types of wildlife and they’re all important to the ecosystem but the coyote, Canis latrans , is definitely one of the most adaptable and likely most intelligent species present.

Once found only in the southwest and great plain of North America, the coyote is now found from Panama to Alaska, and from the west coast of the US to the east coast US. As settlers migrated west, the coyote also expanded their range westward and now occupies nearly every corner of North America and into Central America. They are extremely adaptable and can be found in nearly every terrestrial biome including deserts, savannas and grasslands, chaparral, forests, scrub and mountains. But they don’t just stay in unpopulated areas, they have also become common neighbors in agricultural, rural residential and suburban areas as well. Urbanized coyotes are far less shy than their rural relatives and have become accustomed to eating cultivated fruits, pet food and sometimes unattended pets. Because of their ingenuity and adaptability, they have learned to thrive in almost any environment and unfortunately, the coyote is sometimes feared as a neighbor.

Coyotes are between the size of a wolf and a fox, although that’s a tough comparison because both of those are less likely to be seen than a coyote. Coyotes’ weights vary greatly between about 20 pounds and close to nearly 50 pounds. They look relatively similar to German Shepherd dogs in shape and coloration with a long, narrow snout, erect pointed ears and golden eyes. Their backs are usually yellowish gray with a darker cross made of coarse hair between their shoulders and a stripe down the middle of their backs. They have a lighter, whitish throat and belly and the sides of their head and muzzle, forelegs and feet are a darker sometimes reddish brown. Their drooping, black-tipped tails are long and bushy and are usually positioned between their hind legs, even when running or trotting. Like their domestic dog cousins, coyotes shed their coats as the weather warms up. It begins with light shedding in the spring and then progresses into profuse shedding in the early summer months. It is generally believed that coyotes are monogamous and remain together for years if not life. Mating season occurs between January and March and usually about six pups are born in late spring. Dens are sometimes freshly dug but often the pair will remodel an existing badger or fox burrow and are used year after year. Both parents forage and feed the pups which usually disperse after about six months but sometimes remain with the family for an entire year. Female pups may stay with the parents for their entire lives.

Coyotes are primarily carnivores and a large majority of their diet consists of small mammals, birds, snakes and large insects but they are also scavengers and will eat carrion. They also eat plants, fruits and veggies when available. Coyotes have been observed teaming up with badgers to hunt small burrowing animals, each using their individual skills to benefit the partners; badgers are slow on land but speedy excavators and coyotes are fast on land but slow diggers. The badger digs up the prey and the coyote runs it down as it tries to flee.

If you haven’t seen a coyote, maybe you’ve heard one. They’re by far one of the most vocal mammals; Native Americans called the coyote “Song Dog” and their Latin name, Canis latrans , translates to “barking dog”. They have been documented as making eleven different vocalizations including variations of woofs, barks, growls, howls, yips and yelps. These vocalizations help them communicate with other coyotes in their family and to manage territory boundaries with other coyotes outside of their pack. Sometimes just two coyotes chatting can sound like many because of the variety of vocalizations.

Coyotes are most active after dusk and during the night but they have been seen at all times of the day as well. They are an important part of the ecosystem and provide many benefits. They help keep the agricultural pest population in check by hunting rabbits and small mammals and as scavengers, they help keep the environment free of animal remains. The presence of coyotes also limits other mesocarnivores such as skunks, raccoons, foxes and feral cats which in turn has benefited the ground-nesting and song bird diversity and populations. And, they help to keep rodent-born diseases down by helping to control the vermin population. Through the years, people have blamed coyotes for livestock depredation, attacks on humans and rabies transmission. Most states have no limit on the number of coyotes that can be killed and some of them support it by having gruesome coyote bounty contests. Interestingly though, trying to eradicate coyotes has done just the opposite. Because they are so highly adaptable, coyote populations boom under pressure. They are able to break their packs into smaller groups and flee danger, they readily adapt to new environments and their litter size increases when there are fewer of them. Coyotes have learned to solve problems through team work and have thus continued to thrive in all environments. If you’d like to learn more about co-exiting with coyotes visit Project Coyote .

Stay tuned for Tuleyome’s Nature and You Lecture in April to learn more about coyotes!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

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Enjoying Outside, Inside - Hydroponic Gardens

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 23:02:00 GMT

If you would like to grow your own salad bowl but don’t have space or want to deal with soil, an indoor hydroponic garden system might be exactly what you’re looking for. Hydroponic gardens are grown in water without soil. Plants are suspended over a tank of water while their roots hang down into the water and absorb nutrients. Plants grown hydroponically grow faster and often yield a larger bounty of in and off season produce than those grown in a typical outdoor garden. They use much less water and space and it doesn’t matter what the weather or outdoor temperature is. Another benefit is that you can have weed and pest-free produce without using insecticides or pesticides. To grow hydroponically you’ll need a largish container with a lid, suitable plants, water, nutrients and a light source.

Although you can purchase a premade hydroponic gardening system, making your own isn’t complicated or expensive. The easiest style to make is call a “deep water culture” and uses either a five-gallon bucket or a plastic storage tub to hold the water and nutrients, just do ensure that the container is food safe. You should choose a container that is roughly the size that the mature plant’s canopy will be. If you’re growing several leafy plants, a larger container will be needed. You’ll need a support or shelf to hold the plants in their pots above the water. If you’re using a bucket or storage container, just drill holes in the lid so the pots can dangle through the lid. The hole should be large enough for most of the pot to fit through but not fall completely through the hole.

As far as pots go, net pot, pots with slits along the sides of them work well and allow space for the roots to expand and reach the water below. There are several substrate options for inside the pots including rockwool, coconut coir, perlite, pumace and gravel. Some of them can be reused while some of them are more or less expensive.

If you’re growing inside the house, you’ll likely need an artificial light source and this might be the most complicated part of hydroponic gardening. LED and fluorescent lights are the easiest to set up. LED lights are very long lasting and energy efficient but they are more expensive. Fluorescent lights are cheaper but they have a shorter life and some of them do not emit the full spectrum. Some fluorescent bulbs emit mainly blue light which works if you’re only growing leafy greens. The red end of the spectrum helps plants to develop sturdier stems to support flowers and fruit. If your garden is easily to relocate, you can put it outside in the summer but that doesn’t really count as enjoying outside, inside!

The roots will need to have access to the air. If you’re using a smaller set up like the bucket or storage tub, make sure that a portion of the pot is above the water level to allow the roots to access to air. Once the roots have developed, only allow about 1/3 to 1/2 half of the root length to be submerged by lowering the water level of the container. If you’re growing several types of plants with different root lengths, an aquarium air stone connected to a pump will push oxygen into the water. If you have a very large set up with multiple containers, you may need to consider a system using tubing which circulates and aerates the water as it passes from the containers to a reservoir.

You’ll also need to check the condition of your water, specifically looking at the acidity (PH) and the alkalinity. The ideal PH range is 5.4 to 7 and anything higher or lower than this range will affect how the plants utilize the nutrients from the water. You can test the PH of the water with testing paper and then add the appropriate fertilizer to balance it out. Keep in mind that ammonium or urea-based fertilizer will make the water more acid (lower PH) and nitrate-based fertilizers make it more basic (higher PH). The water should be tested every few weeks. Alkalinity is the presence of bicarbonate in the water; hard water is usually more alkaline. Nitrate-based fertilizers will increase this. Using acid-based fertilizers that will lower the PH will help reduce the alkalinity of the water. You can also add citric, phosphoric, or sulfuric acid or vinegar to the water to help lower the PH. You can also use bottled reverse osmosis filtered water if your tap water is alkaline.

Plants require nutrients to develop and only carbon, hydrogen and oxygen are present in a hydroponic system. Large amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are needed as well as smaller amounts of calcium, magnesium, sulfur, manganese, iron, molybdenum, copper, zinc, boron, chlorine and nickel must also be added. There are lots of premixed liquid and dry fertilizers tailored to different vegetables to choose from with label directions for precise measuring. If you add or completely change the water, be sure to test it for PH and alkalinity and then add the appropriate amount of fertilizer for the amount of fresh water added or replaced.

Some plants that are great for novice hydroponic gardeners include leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, swiss chard, kale, chives, basil and mustards and if you have space, you can grow lots of different fruits such as strawberries, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes and many more. Because these plants (and many others) are self-pollinating, they can produce fruit while being grown indoors without the presence of pollinators. In fact, some commercial growers are producing these fruits hydroponically for market. And, if you’re really invested and want to branch out into a bigger and more complex system, you can grow root vegetables like carrots and beets as well as broccoli and cauliflower.

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

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February 2024 School Field Trips

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 23:01:00 GMT

Birch Lane 2nd graders working on the mock fossil excavation activity

On February 21 ^st , a class of second graders from Birch Lane Elementary School in Davis came out to Woodland Regional Park Preserve (WRPP) to complete the Land Trail. Students particularly enjoyed doing the mock fossil excavation activity and viewing birds with binoculars. View the full album here.

Birch Lane second graders at WRPP

On February 22 ^nd , another class of second graders from Birch Lane Elementary School in Davis came out to Woodland Regional Park Preserve (WRPP) to complete the Land Trail. Students particularly enjoyed doing the mock fossil excavation activity and viewing the turtles with binoculars. View the full album here .

Cesar Chavez 5 ^th graders examining a skull

On February 26 ^th , three classes of 5 ^th graders from Cesar Chavez Elementary School in Davis visited WRPP to complete the water trail. The students enjoyed playing the water cycle game, using binoculars to see wildlife, and checking out a cow skeleton on the property. View the full album here .

Cesar Chavez 5th graders at WRPP

Birch Lane Elementary 3 ^rd graders at WRPP

On February 29 ^th , two classes of 3 ^rd graders from Birch Lane Elementary in Davis visited WRPP to complete the Land Trail. The students particularly enjoyed seeing cattle bones, doing a mock fossil excavation, and seeing a tumbleweed roll by as the winds began to pick up. View the full album here.

-Geoff Benn gbenn@tuleyome.org

Tuleyome Education Associate

Eagle Scout Project At Valley Vista Regional Park

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 23:01:00 GMT

A new trail is open at Valley Vista Regional Park!

The new trail was completed by a Scout from Davis Troop 139 as part of his Eagle Scout Project. This Scout was responsible for organizing and leading the volunteer crews (under the supervision of Tuleyome staff) to open the frontside trail in this park. This trail opens up new views of Cache Creek and Capay Valley and creates a new way to access the old trail. Check out the photos from the workdays here . Thank you to all of the Scouts and volunteers that helped create this trail!

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

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Nature and You - CA Wildflowers and Quail Ridge Reserve

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 23:01:00 GMT

On February 22 ^nd , Tuleyome volunteer Board Member, Dr. Glen Holstein gave an excellent Nature and You lecture on California wildflowers. He discussed wildflower diversity hotspots around the state and how plant diversity is impacted by soils and other factors. If you missed the talk, you can watch the recording on our YouTube channel .

Our March Nature and You lecture will be given by Dr. Ross Brennan, the director of the UC Davis Quail Ridge Reserve on the shores of Lake Berryessa. Dr. Brennan will give an overview of the Reserve and then discuss some ongoing research projects at the site. The talk will take place via Zoom at 7pm on March 28 ^th - RSVP here !

-Geoff Benn gbenn@tuleyome.org

Tuleyome Education Associate

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Tuleyome's 2024 Certified California Naturalist Program Updates

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 23:01:00 GMT

Participants are nearly finished with Tuleyome's Certified California Naturalist program! Students have learned about the geology, hydrology, flora, and fauna of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region. Field trips have visited the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, Lake Solano, Oak Shores Day Use Area on Lake Berryessa and more! The course combines classroom instruction with hands-on activities and field trips to showcase this special area.

It's not to late to participate in Tuleyome's Certified California Naturalist program in 2024! We are hosting another course at Wilbur Hot Springs , April 14 - 19. Please contact Nate for more information about the course!

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

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Welcome, Darlene!

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 20:54:00 GMT

Tuleyome's new Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper is Darlene Collisson!

Darlene grew up in Southern California, in the suburbs of the San Gabriel Valley northeast of Los Angeles. She spent much of her childhood outside playing with friends, riding bikes and skateboards along with many trips to the Azusa Canyon exploring nature. After a 4-year stint serving as an F-16 Avionics Specialist in the United States Air Force, Darlene moved north and made Sacramento her home.

Darlene attended American River College pursuing associate degrees in accounting and horticulture all the while camping, hiking and biking the many trails throughout Northern California. She has worked for a variety of companies over the years but found the most enjoyment working for several non-profits in the Sacramento area including Fairytale Town, The Sacramento Zoo, and the Effie Yeaw Nature Center.

In her spare time, Darlene enjoys reading and playing the bass guitar, but is also an avid reptile lover (has a small zoo at home) along with devoting her time volunteering with NorCal Bats providing education and outreach services sharing the many benefits bats provide to our ecosystem.

We are excited that Darlene has joined our team!

Monumental Questions - What is TERA?

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 20:53:00 GMT

Tribal Eco Restoration Alliance

The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region is no stranger to the impacts of wildfires. The historic Mendocino Complex fire of 2018, which was the largest in California history until the August Complex fire of 2020 happened, devastated the landscape and lives of thousands of Northern California (and beyond) residents.

The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument is jointly managed by both the United States Forest Service (USFS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) - both agencies have formed strong partnerships with not only Tuleyome but other locally invested non-profits as well. One of those partners is the Tribal Eco Restoration Alliance (TERA).

TERA was established in 2019 to work with multiple organizations and cultures to invigorate the ecology, economy and culture using indigenous-led land stewardship methods. They teach the community how to implement prescribed and cultural fire, Good Fire, within the ancestral territories of Eastern Pomo, Southeastern Pomo, Lake Miwok and Wappo people. TERA’s current project partners include the Robinson Rancheria Pomo Indians of California, Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians and the United States Forest Service – Mendocino National Forest. These partnerships focus on jointly striving to share in the healing of the land and community through cultural land stewardship practices.

The TERA website lists their goals as follows:

TERA also works with various agencies and partners including tribes, academics, international, federal and state agencies, community members, and landowners to coordinate Prescribed Fire and Cultural Burning Training to meet the various needs of all involved using Indigenous land stewardship. TERA is working with many partners in Lake County to coordinate the Lake County 2 ^nd Annual Prescribed Fire and Cultural Burning Training Exchange and has several dates lined up. If you’d like to be involved in the process or would like to learn more about Indigenous land stewardship using prescribed burning, please visit the TERA website .

TERA can also be hired to perform services such as vegetation removal, onsite native plant and habitat restoration work, and restoration of culturally significant vegetation.

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

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Enjoying Outside, Inside - Natural Pest Repellants

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 20:53:00 GMT

Okay, okay; having outside critters sneaking inside your house maybe doesn’t really count as “enjoying outside, inside” but it’s bound to happen when someone opens a door. I found some natural and maybe even pleasant ways to help keep those little buggers outside where they belong.

Most of us have probably been around a citronella candle to keep mosquitoes away but did you know that you can grow a citronella plant in your back yard or in a pot on your patio? Citronella essential oil comes from a type of lemongrass (C ymbopogon ) but there is also a citronella plant ( Pelargonium citronellum ) that is in the geranium family and can easily be grown in Northern California. Simply having the plant nearby doesn’t repel mosquitoes but if you “fluff” it up a bit to expose the oil or crush up a couple of leaves and rub the oil on your exposed skin, it should repel those nasty little guys. Side note, the citronella plant, also known as a mosquito plant, has also been known to repel black flies, fleas, and ticks too. And if that wasn’t a good enough reason to plant one, it’s bee and hummingbird friendly too!

If you have ant invaders, try and spice things up by sprinkling ground cinnamon, paprika or garlic around doors and windows where they can sneak in. You may have to repeat the application weekly to keep the spiciness fresh though and do watch out for your kitties and pups as the spices might repel them as well. And do keep in mind that garlic is harmful to dogs so maybe only use that in places where Fido’s nose can’t reach. If ants have already made their way into your house, try a one-to-one mixture of vinegar and water to wipe down areas where you found them. Ants leave a pheromone trail to help other ants find the food source and vinegar works to neutralize the PH level of that pheromone. Fun fact, if you squish an ant and take a whiff, you can actually smell the pheromone.

If your furry friend is adventurous and likes to explore areas where the vegetation is tall and thick, it can be pretty easy for them to carry hitch hikers like fleas and ticks back inside the house. Those buggers can be hard to spot on dogs and cats with long hair and even harder to get rid of. Using a few drops of essential oils on your pet’s neck can help repel them. Some good ones to try include:

Fun fact, ticks are icky and hopefully you won’t find one but if you do, look closely. Bugs like beetles and ants have six legs but ticks have eight and are related to spiders.

If you’re finding cockroaches inside your house it’s because they like hanging out in nice places too. If you really prefer they NOT be inside your house, try diatomaceous earth which is widely available in the gardening section of your local hardware store. Diatomaceous earth is the fossilized remains of diatoms; minute aquatic organisms that have accumulated the bottoms of oceans, lakes, rivers and streams. It’s essentially nontoxic to fish, wildlife, pets, and people but kills all kinds of things we don’t really like having inside including cockroaches, crickets, fleas, ticks and spiders. It works as a desiccant and dehydrates them from the inside out. It can be used indoors or out and even though it’s non-toxic to pets, I’d still only use it in places where curious pets won’t disturb it.

Hopefully these ideas will help keep the outside critters from enjoying the inside of your home.

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

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Tuleyome's Policy Corner: California Legislators Support Expanding Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 20:53:00 GMT

On January 18, 2024 , three leaders in the California legislature introduced legislation in support of adding Molok Luyuk to Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.

Senator Bill Dodd (SD-3) Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire (AD-2) and Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (AD-4) introduced Senate Joint Resolution 10 urging the White House to expand Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument to include Molok Luyuk (Condor Ridge in Patwin and currently know as Walker Ridge) and to rename the new portion to reflect its cultural significance to the region’s Native American tribes.

“Berryessa Snow Mountain is one of the most scenic and diverse landscapes in all of Northern California, and I am proud to have been on hand when President Barack Obama finalized the official designation,” Sen. Dodd said. “Now, it makes sense to include this additional piece, which was home to native tribes for thousands of years. We can recognize the land’s cultural significance while protecting it for generations to come.”

The legislators explain the need for the adding Molok Luyuk to the Monument:

Our champions urge the President to use the Antiquities Act of 1906 to add Molok Luyuk to Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. Supporting them are our Congressional champions, Senator Padilla and Representatives Garamendi and Thompson.

“The establishment of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument was the result of a historic collaboration by the environmental, business and agricultural communities, recreational interests and tribal, local, and state government,” said Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, D-Winters. “Expanding the national monument to include the traditional tribal region known as Molok Luyuk in Lake and Colusa Counties will protect this incredibly valuable cultural and environmental resource and help our state reach our goal of protecting 30% of California’s lands by 2030. I was very proud to be a leader in winning the original federal designation and am excited to lend my support to this expansion effort. I thank my colleague, Sen. Dodd, for authoring this Resolution to add the support of the California Legislature to this campaign by Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, Robinson Rancheria, and the Cachil Dehe Band of Wintun Indians.”

To learn more about the Resolution and offer your support, click here .

You can also sign on to our letter in support of the Resolution here .

Thanks for all you’ve done for our public lands.

-Sandra Schubert; sschubert@tuleyome.org

Executive Director

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Tuleyome’s 2024 Certified California Naturalist Program

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 20:52:00 GMT

Tuleyome’s 2024 Certified California Naturalist program started in January. The course focuses on the natural beauty of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region including the local flora and fauna and the geology and geography of the area. Along with classroom hours, students will go on three field trips to get up close with nature.

We are teaching two courses simultaneously, one for members of the public and one with partners from the Bureau of Reclamation at Lake Berryessa and Napa County Parks and Open Space District.

The Certified California Naturalist course is a great way to deepen your understanding and appreciation for our natural environment and the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region. Instruction consists of in class discussions and field visits to enhance participants' knowledge of natural systems. In addition to gaining knowledge, participants have fun, make friends, learn of new volunteer opportunities, and how to share their knowledge with others.

We are also offering a one-week, intensive course at Wilbur Hot Springs, April 14 – 19. There are still spots available! Please contact the resort for registration and accommodation information. For questions about the course, please contact Nate.

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

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Science Corner: Manzanita

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 20:52:00 GMT

A common manzanita reaches out into the fog on Fiske Peak by Geoff Benn

Shortly after moving from the Midwest to California in 2009, I encountered the strange and wonderful manzanita for the first time, while on a hike in Napa. It looked like something out of a Star Trek set, with smooth bright red bark that seemed as if it had been poured onto the sinewy branches from a hot candle. After completing the hike, I learned that the weird-looking shrubs were manzanitas and have been fascinated ever since.

Manzanitas, whose common name comes from Spanish for “little apple”, are small trees and shrubs in the genus Arctostaphylos. California is a global diversity hotspot for the genus, with 95 named species and subspecies. The bulk of that diversity is found in the coastal counties of California, particularly in the central coast region, where it is thought that ancestral populations of manzanitas became isolated on patches of poor rocky soil and eventually developed into separate species or subspecies. In Yolo County, the species most frequently encountered is the common manzanita ( Arctostaphylos manzanita ssp manzanita ).

Like many California plant species, manzanitas have evolved to cope with wildfire. About 1/3 ^rd of the species can resprout from burls at the bases of their stems following fires, but the majority are obligate seeders, meaning that the plants will generally not survive fires and instead depend on seeds lying dormant in the soil from previous years to carry on the next generation. These seeds, often buried by rodents, will remain in their dormant state until they sense chemicals produced by wood burning in a wildfire. Once this occurs, the seeds will germinate and have a chance to grow with greatly reduced competition.

Common Manzanita blooming along the Fiske Peak trail in early February by Geoff Benn

Manzanitas are one of the first plants to flower in the inner coast range, typically producing their characteristic diminutive bell-shaped blooms in January and February. We saw manzanitas in full flower along the Blue Ridge last weekend during Tuleyome’s Fiske Peak hike. The unusual shape, downward-facing orientation, and very small opening of the flower raises the question of how manzanitas are pollinated. While some studies have indicated a role for small insects, such as thrips, in manzanita pollination, it is thought that most species depend on bumblebees for pollination. This is because bumblebees are able to do buzz pollination, where the insect latches onto the mouth of the flower, then uses its flight muscles to vibrate the flower and release the pollen.

Bumblebee pollinating manzanita flowers by Laura Camp

Manzanita with peeling bark and exposed dead wood. Note the green layer beneath the peeling bark by Geoff Benn

While manzanita flowers are quite pretty, the most visually striking aspect of the plant has to be its bright red bark, which is paper-thin, peels off annually, and may even die away completely along parts of a branch. There are several potential benefits of having thin bark, including allowing for stem photosynthesis in tissues just beneath the bark and preventing buildup of fungi and other organisms on the plant. In old manzanitas, it is common to see ribbons of bark interspersed with patches of dead wood – this has not been well-studied, but it could be similar to the phenomenon observed in bristlecone pines, where some branches and the vascular tissue that connects them to the rest of the plant (found just below the bark) die off to conserve resources.

Manzanita with peeling bark and exposed dead wood by Geoff Benn

While perhaps not as widely known as bristlecone pines and redwoods outside of California, I think that the manzanita has earned a place in pantheon of iconic Californian plants. If you’d like to learn more about these fascinating plants, I encourage you to watch this CNPS lecture from Kate Marianchild and check out the excellent Field Guide to Manzanitas .

-Geoff Benn gbenn@tuleyome.org

Tuleyome Education Associate

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Fiske Peak Hike

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 20:52:00 GMT

At the summit of Fiske Peak

On Saturday February, 3 ^rd , Tuleyome staff member Geoff led a hike up Fiske Peak in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. In addition to the great views from the top, the participants also enjoyed learning about regional botany and geology as the group passed through different ecosystems along the trail. Several early season wildflowers also made an appearance, including manzanita, shooting stars, warrior’s plume, and pacific houndstongue. Check out photos from the hike on our Flickr page .

Admiring manzanita blooms on the ridge

-Geoff Benn gbenn@tuleyome.org

Tuleyome Education Associate

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Nature and You: Wildlife of Yolo Bypass and Wildflowers of Northern CA

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 20:52:00 GMT

Baby Killdeer at Yolo Bypass by Jonathan Eisen

Dr. Jonathan Eisen gave an excellent Nature and You Lecture on January 25 ^th on “Hiking and Wildlife of Yolo Bypass.” The talk was attended by 98 people (wow!) and featured Dr. Eisen’s amazing wildlife photography. If you missed it, be sure to watch the recording to learn about the best places to see otters, owls, and other wildlife at the Bypass.

Tidy Tips near Cowboy Camp by Geoff Benn

Our February Nature and You Lecture, coming up on February 22 ^nd , with feature volunteer Tuleyome Board Member Dr. Glen Holstein, who will be discussing the wildflowers of Northern California and previewing the upcoming wildflower season. RSVP here to receive the zoom link for Dr. Holstein’s talk.

-Geoff Benn gbenn@tuleyome.org

Tuleyome Education Associate

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Tuleyome's Policy Corner - What a Year 2023 Was!

Sat, 13 Jan 2024 00:50:00 GMT

2023 was a good year for public lands across the nation and Molok Luyuk.

President Biden and his administration took numerous actions to safeguard our public lands and meet his “America the Beautiful” commitment to protect 30% of our land, waters and oceans by 2030 (30X30). In doing so President Biden is preserving the Nation’s vast biodiversity, numerous scientific and cultural resources, linking together critical wildlife corridors and elevating the role of Tribes in managing our lands.

President Biden designated four new National Monuments to protect significant natural, cultural and scientific objects throughout the West. Avi Kwa Ame (Spirit Mountain) National Monument spans 506,814 acres in southern Nevada and is important to numerous Indigenous peoples. Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon – National Monument safeguards nearly one million acres surrounding the Grand Canyon that contains ancestral places sacred to numerous Tribal Nations and Indigenous peoples. Castner Range National Monument in El Paso, Texas, protects 6,672 acres of high desert mountains that once served as an Army training site and contains numerous sites that trace the history of Tribal Nations. Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument is comprised of 5.7 acres spread over three sites in Illinois and Mississippi that are central to Emmett Till’s murder, the events that followed and the Civil Rights movement.

President Biden also took numerous other actions to protect our public lands. A recent report by the Center for American Progress, The Biden Administration Has Reached Conservation Records in 2023 , has documented the more than 12.5 million acres that he safeguarded and 200 co-stewardship agreement with Tribes in 2023 alone.

And, the Administration’s eyes have turned to California and Molok Luyuk in 2023. Tuleyome hosted 11 wildflower tours of Molok Luyuk and Bear Valley and numerous other tours of the area for partners, the Biden Administration, our Congressional champions, the media, scientists and more.

U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Deb Haaland visited Molok Luyuk with Representatives Garamendi and Thompson in September for a tour with Tuleyome and the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. The one on one opportunity was invaluable for Tuleyome to share the uniqueness of Molok Luyuk. She then held a roundtable with our Congressional champions and local Tribal Nations and conservation organizations, followed by a hike on Frog Pond Trail.

In December, DOI, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) hosted a Community Listening Session for feedback on the proposal to add Molok Luyuk to Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. Over 200 people attended and 75 offered comments, 100% in favor of protecting Molok Luyuk! The following day Tuleyome, the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and our partners hosted Nada Wolff Culver, Principal Deputy Director, BLM, Karen Mouritsen, BLM – California Director, Wade McMaster, Mendocino National Forest Supervisor, representing Regional Forester Jennifer Eberlien and Alexx Sanchez, Special Assistant, Office of Assistant Secretary - Land and Minerals Management, DOI, and others on a tour of Molok Luyuk.

All were able to see first hand the amazing natural, scientific and cultural resources that are part of Molok Luyuk.

But our work is not over. We need to keep building support and show the Administration how special this place is. We are only done when Molok Luyuk is added to Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. So, come join us in this effort – learn more , sign the petition , volunteer with us , join us for a hike or a tour and spread the word!

-Sandra Schubert; sschubert@tuleyome.org

Executive Director

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Tuleyome’s Science Corner: Snow Geese

Sat, 13 Jan 2024 00:50:00 GMT

Snow goose in flight by Frank Schulenberg

In the Sacramento Valley, we are fortunate to have a year-round calendar of natural wonders to enjoy. One of the highlights of the winter season for me is an annual pilgrimage up I-5 to visit the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows. SNWR is the winter home to hundreds of thousands of migratory birds, including huge numbers of snow geese. If you’re lucky enough to be on the auto tour route while a flock of snow geese takes off, be sure to roll your windows down to listen, as the din caused by thousands of hungry mouths and flapping black-tipped wings is truly unforgettable.

Flock of snow geese taking off from Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge by Geoff Benn

Snow geese ( Anser caerulescens ) are a medium-sized species of goose that can be found in great numbers in certain parts of North America. They are migratory birds that breed during the summer months in the far northern reaches of Alaska, Canada, and Greenland, and then travel south to the continental US and Mexico for the winter months. The species is split into two subspecies, based on geography – the lesser snow goose winters in Mexico and the western and central US, whereas the greater snow goose winters along the Atlantic coast of the US.

Wintering grounds are not just a place to find food during the cold months – they’re also where snow geese find their mates. Snow geese mate for life and typically choose their partners during their third or fourth winters. Each year in the early spring, the pairs will return to the same area of the far north where the female was hatched to build their own nest.

Historically, snow geese are believed to have relied on wetlands in their wintering grounds for food, but most now derive the bulk of their winter nutrition from leftover grain in farm fields. The great abundance of this food source led to a significant increase in the population of snow geese in the second half of the 20th century, going from as little as a few thousand individuals in 1900 to over 5 million today. This dramatic population increase resulted in significant damage to vegetation in the winter nesting grounds of snow geese, posing a threat to other species that use these same areas. To counter this danger, increased snow goose hunting quotas were implemented in the late 1990s. Populations have since stabilized, though still at a higher level than desired by wildlife managers. The short-term outlook is thus very good for snow geese, though climate change may pose significant challenges in the future, with a predicted loss of 73% of their range under a +2.0C global warming scenario.

If you’d like to see the snow geese for yourself, the best time to see large numbers of them at SNWR is from November through early March. It’s a great way to get outside and enjoy nature when hiking trails are muddy or covered in snow.

-Geoff Benn gbenn@tuleyome.org

Tuleyome Education Associate

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Nature and You: Yolo Bypass Hiking and Wildlife with Dr. Jonathan Eisen

Sat, 13 Jan 2024 00:50:00 GMT

Photos taken by Dr. Eisen at Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area

Our Nature and You lecture series resumes this month at 7pm on Thursday, January 25 ^th on Zoom, with a lecture from Dr. Jonathan Eisen on “Yolo Bypass Hiking and Wildlife.” In addition to his professional work as a Professor at UC Davis with appointments in the Department of Evolution and Ecology, the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, and the Genome Center, Dr. Eisen is also a long-time amateur birder, wildlife photographer, and prolific iNaturalist contributor with over 60,000 observations! In his talk, Dr. Eisen will discuss one of his favorite local places to view wildlife – the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. Be sure to join us to learn more about where to hike and the diverse array of wild animals that can be found in the Bypass.

Be sure to RSVP here to receive the link for Dr. Eisen’s talk. We hope to see you there!

-Geoff Benn ( gbenn@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Education Associate

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Tuleyome Book Recommendations 2024

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 20:19:31 GMT

See Tuleyome's Book Recommendations for 2022 and 2023

December 2024

Ghostwalker by Leslie Patten

November 2024

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby van Pelt

October 2024

The State of Fire - Why California Burns by Obi Kaufmann

September 2024

Hiking on the Edge by John McKinney

August 2024

Wildflowers of California by California Native Plant Society

July 2024

Upstream: Trust Lands and Power on the Feather River by Beth Rose Middleton Manning

June 2024

Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest by Suzanne Simard

May 2024

Lawns into Meadows: Growing a Regenerative Landscape by Owen Wormser

April 2024

Climate Stewardship: Taking Collective Action to Protect California by Adina Merenlender with Brendan Buhler

March 2024

Oaks of California by Bruce M. Pavlik, Pamela C. Muick, Sharon G. Johnson, and Marjorie Popper

A great book for anyone interested in learning more about these majestic trees!

February 2024

Exploring Nature: Activity Book for Kids by Kim Andrews

Great activities to do with kids to enjoy nature in your backyard, a park, or forest.

January 2024

This is Wildfire: How to Protect Yourself, Your Home, and Your Community in the Age of Heat by Nick Mott and Justin Angle

Along with providing an easy to follow history of wildfire, the authors explain the science of living with wildfire and offer ways to protect your home.

Monumental Questions - What is the Bartlett Springs Fault Zone?

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 20:13:56 GMT

Bartlett Springs Fault location (USGS)

Within the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument (BSMNM) boundaries lies the Bartlett Springs Fault zone. The Bartlett Springs Fault is part of a larger southeasterly trending fault system that also includes the Green Valley Fault and the Calaveras Fault. The Bartlett Springs Fault runs approximately 100 miles through Lake County beginning at the Round Valley Indian Reservation and then south ending east of Clear Lake after crossing Bartlett Springs Road.

The Bartlett Springs Fault was acknowledged decades ago but it was not determined to be regionally seismically significant until the 1980’s. Geologists have found that the Bartlett Springs Fault slips approximately a quarter of an inch a year compared to the much larger San Andreas Fault which is estimated to move approximately two full inches a year. Despite being a relatively small fault, the Bartlett Springs Fault is seismically active and over time geologists have followed a series of microearthquakes with epicenters along the fault line. A relatively strong 5.1 earthquake occurred along the fault as recently as 2016, the most significant quake in 50 years and was felt from the coast east into the Central Valley of northern California.

Most of California’s faults are part of a wide zone formed as the edges of the Pacific and the North American plates rub and slide against each other. The Bartlett Hot Springs which are located along the fault line and within BSMNM boundary are a result of this tectonic activity. Hot springs occur when rain or groundwater is heated by the Earth’s geothermic energy beneath the surface. The temperature of the heated water causes it to seep to the surface. The region around the fault line also has geologic outliers; areas of younger rock surrounded by older rock. An outlier forms when some of the surrounding older rock is eroded leaving a section or “island” of younger rock that is no longer contiguous with the remaining layer of younger rock. The geologic outliers in the Bartlett Hot Springs area contain marine invertebrate fossils that date back to the Cretaceous Period which began 145 million years ago as well as fossils from our current (Cenozoic) era. Landslides in the area also presumably created two tension-crack caves that support habitat for Townsend’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii), a special-status species. The serpentine soils in the region are a result of long-past frequent seismic activity and support several endemic plant species including the Adobe lily (Fritillaria pluriflora).

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Mark Your Calendars For Tuleyome's Spring Thing!

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 19:59:56 GMT

Mark your calendars for Tuleyome's Spring Thing 2024! This event, co-hosted with the City of Woodland, will be held at Woodland Regional Park Preserve on March 23rd from 10am until 5pm and will feature live music, a campfire for gathering and making smores, nature-focused activities for kids and adults, a silent auction, and the Hefty Gyros food truck from 11-3. RSVP here to let us know you'll be there!

We already have some exciting items lined up for our silent auction, including a 2-day Cache Creek rafting trip, a group hike in the Sutter Buttes, some lovely paintings of wildlife, and gift cards to a range of local restaurants. We are still looking for additional items for our silent auction, so if you or your business have something that you think might be a good fit, please reach out to Geoff at gbenn@tuleyome.org .

We are also looking for additional volunteers to assist with the event, particularly in the afternoon. If you're available and interested, please fill our this volunteer interest form .

About Geoffrey Benn

Geoff is Tuleyome's Education Associate. He has a Ph.D. in Plant Biology and previously taught introductory biology at UC Davis and American River College.

Last Chance to Sign up for our 2024 Certified California Naturalist Course!

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 19:51:48 GMT

Tuleyome's Certified California Naturalist course starts this Friday, January 12! There is still time to register!

The Certified California Naturalist course is a great way to deepen your understanding and appreciation for our natural environment and the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region. Instruction consists of in class discussions and field visits to enhance participants' knowledge of natural systems. The 10-week program meets every Friday, noon to 4 pm, on the UCDavis campus. The course is open to adults interested in learning more about what makes this regions special.

In addition to gaining knowledge, participants have fun, make friends, learn of new volunteer opportunities, and how to share their knowledge with others.

Please contact Nate ( nlillge@tuleyome.org ) if you'd like to join our 10-week course.

Tuleyome's Policy Corner - Unanimous Support for Protecting Molok Luyuk

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 20:31:37 GMT

Before the public began sharing their comments, the room was full of purple!

BLM, USFS and DOI held a community listening session on the expansion of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. It was an amazing day. We had unanimous support for adding Molok Luyuk to the Monument! None of us can recall another time that there was unanimous support.

Hosting the session were Nada Wolff Culver, Principal Deputy Director, Bureau of Land Management, Karen Mouritsen, Bureau of Land Management – California Director, Wade McMaster, Mendocino National Forest Supervisor, representing Regional Forester Jennifer Eberlien and Alexx Sanchez, Special Assistant, Office of Assistant Secretary - Land and Minerals Management, DOI.

Over 200 people attended (standing room only) from throughout California and all walks of life – Bay area, Stockton, Colusa, Lake, Redding and beyond, showing how important this place is for people throughout the State.

Tuleyome staff, four of our Board members and an Advisory Council member were present and many testified. We had tribal members and leaders, scientists, botanists, geologists, Colusa and Lake County community members, business and land owners, OHV recreationists, the State of California, Yolo County, City of Woodland, Lake County Board of Supervisors, Colusa City Council member, landowners , conservationists, coalition members and more testify. And nearly all wore purple Protect Molok Luyuk t-shirts. It was a purple wave.

The next day, we took BLM and DOI on a tour of Molok Luyuk. We made several stops on the way to the summit to look at wild flower locations and photos (the time of year isn’t prime for wildflowers but we’ll get them back out for wildflower season), geology, viewscapes, plants and tell stories of this place’s history.

It was an amazing couple of days.

These are critical steps forward in adding Molok Luyuk to Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.

Thank you for helping to get us here. But we’re not done yet. We need to continue to build support.
So, if you haven’t already, sign our petition to protect Molok Luyuk, do it now.

In the meantime, thanks to everyone for their support!

-Sandra Schubert; sschubert@tuleyome.org

Executive Director

Enjoying Outside, Inside – Homemade Faux Snow

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 20:28:42 GMT

I am not a fan of getting cold and wet to play in the snow, but if I can do it inside my house while my feet are warm and dry, I’d love it. Below are several easy to make at home recipes for your own indoor fake snow; in reasonable amounts rather than the midwestern snow measurements. Most of the ingredients are probably things you already have at home or could easily get from your nearest grocery store. I most definitely wouldn’t call any of the final products edible but none of the ingredients are things that you haven’t heard of.

The first recipe I found uses regular baking soda and corn starch and a smidge of water. Use equal amounts of baking soda and corn starch and using your fingers blend them together. The mixing can get mess,y so doing it in a larger container isn’t a bad idea. Once the dry ingredients are blended add just a tiny amount of water until the mixture is a snow-like consistency. Remember to go slow because if you add too much water your mixture will turn into a runny glop that will need lots more baking soda and corn starch to get it more snow like. Once you have it where it’s fun to play with, you’re done and ready to play! The corn starch will cause this mixture to be a little more off-white than bright white but I’m refraining from making any comments about yellow snow…

The next recipe isn’t really a recipe but more of a technique. Fill a plastic container with a lid or ziplock bag with shaving foam and freeze for a few days. The longer it’s in the freezer the more snow-like it will be. This doesn’t really hold its shape so you can’t really mold it and it does melt quickly but because it’s cold it’s pretty fun and satisfying to play with. If you can find unscented shaving foam it’ll be even more snow like.

Another recipe I found uses plain baking soda and either white hair conditioner or white body lotion. Simply mix about three cups of baking soda and about a half a cup of conditioner or lotion with your hands in a large bowl. If it’s too wet you can add additional baking soda and if it’s too dry add a bit more lotion or conditioner, whichever you’re using. Once it’s all combined it should turn out light and fluffy but also stick together like a snow ball. Invite your kiddos to make snow scenes with small toys or make and then re-make snow families using pebbles, sticks and whatever else they’d like to add.

This final recipe seems to be the most life-like and uses baking soda and shaving foam. Using a large bowl or even a plastic tub add roughly equal parts of shaving foam and baking soda and mix thoroughly with your hands. If the mixture is too dry add a bit more shaving foam and if it’s a bit more like melted snow, add some more baking soda until you like the texture. This mixture actually feels quite cold once it’s all blended and turns out light and fluffy but also holds its shape like real snow. This concoction was the clear winner for the best artificially made snow ball. Side note, you can actually use this mixture to clean stains from countertops, bathtubs and other surfaces so hang on to it once you’re done playing in the snow!

You can also purchase “fake snow” which uses sodium polyacrylate (which is the absorbent material found in diapers, potty pads and some medical bandages) and water. Although this is super fluffy and fun to play with, it does not hold its shape at all and what’s the fun of snow if you can’t make a snowball?

You can skip the boots, mittens and cold nose and while you can’t ski or sled in any of these recipes, you also don’t have to get all bundled up to play in the snow!

-Kristie Ehrhardt

Tuleyome Field Trip: Maxwell Elementary at WRPP

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 20:26:26 GMT

A student investigates Salt Grass, a native plant species.

On December 1st, Tuleyome hosted two classes of second graders from Rhoda Maxwell Elementary School in Woodland for a field trip at Woodland Regional Park Preserve. On the trip, students explored the Ecosystems Trail, which included investigating a small habitat and comparing organisms found in wet and dry areas of the preserve.

Students “flying” back to their nest to plant seeds.

After eating a picnic lunch, we finished the day with a fruit dispersal activity where students, pretending to be birds, “flew” over to a tree to pick up a “fruit”, brought it back to the nest and then planted the seeds.

Students opening up the “fruit” to plant their wildflower seeds.

The seeds were a central valley wildflower mix donated by Miridae Nursery. The students got to take home their planted seeds and will get to watch their wildflowers grow this spring! You can see the full album here .

About Geoffrey Benn

Geoff is Tuleyome's Education Associate. He has a Ph.D. in Plant Biology and previously taught introductory biology at UC Davis and American River College.

Science Corner: Christmas Berry

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 16:55:20 GMT

December in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument is a time of muted colors, with the dry browns of late fall slowly starting to give way to the wet greens of winter. One delightful exception to this palette of earth tones is the Christmas Berry, also known as the Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), which bears bright red fruit in the late fall and early winter. The Christmas Berry is a large evergreen shrub that is found throughout the coast ranges in a variety of ecosystems including both chaparral and oak woodlands.

Plants that have evolved in the fire-prone ecosystems of the Inner Coast Range typically utilize one of two strategies for rebuilding populations after fires – germination of seeds dormant in the soil or resprouting from underground root networks. In the case of the Christmas Berry, the aboveground portion of the plant is relatively fire-resistant and may be able to survive low-intensity fires. However, if the top of the plant is killed off in a fire, the Christmas Berry has a strong ability to resprout from its root crown. This ability is critical to its survival, because Christmas Berry seeds are easily damaged by heat and are therefore unlikely to germinate from the soil after a fire.

The fruit of the Christmas Berry have been used by California Indian tribes as both food and medicine. The fruit is somewhat bitter when raw, so it is typically dried or cooked before consumption. Culinary uses include making cider, dried fruit leathers, and inclusion in pancakes. If you’d like to try your hand at cooking with Christmas Berries, you can find a number of different recipes that use their fruit here .

While foraging for wild Christmas Berries may not be for everyone, they also make an excellent addition to landscaping and do particularly well in locations with full sun, where they will provide food for pollinators and birds alike. So, if you find your garden looking a bit drab mid-winter, consider adding some color by planting a Christmas Berry!

Nature and You Holiday Break 2023

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 17:19:49 GMT

Birds at Yolo Bypass by Jonathan Eisen.

Our Nature and You lecture series is taking a break for the holiday season. We will resume on January 25th with a talk from Dr. Jonathan Eisen on Yolo Bypass Hiking and Wildlife . In the meantime, you can check out our playlist of previous Nature and You lectures on YouTube .

-Geoff Benn ( gbenn@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Education Associate

November 2023 School Field Trips

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 17:17:58 GMT

Korematsu 6th graders bird watching.

On November 7th, Tuleyome hosted a class of 6th graders from Korematsu Elementary School at Woodland Regional Park Preserve (WRPP). The students started their day with a tour of the Yolo County Landfill and then came to WRPP, the site of the City of Woodland Landfill until the 1970s, to explore the adaptations trail and learn about how the site has been restored. Highlights of the trip included bird watching with binoculars and playing the Outcompeted game. You can view the full album here .

Patwin 1st graders checking out salt grass.

On November 8th, Tuleyome hosted a class of 1st graders from Patwin Elementary School at WRPP. The students learned how to use binoculars and explored the sun trail. Highlights of the trip included finding Wooly Bear caterpillars and building sun shelters. You can view the full album here .

Patwin 1st graders building a sun shelter.

If you’re a teacher and are interested in learning more about Tuleyome field trip programs, you can do so here .

-Geoff Benn ( gbenn@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Education Associate

About Geoffrey Benn

Geoff is Tuleyome's Education Associate. He has a Ph.D. in Plant Biology and previously taught introductory biology at UC Davis and American River College.

2023 End of Year Board Salon

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 17:12:25 GMT

On November 16th, Tuleyome held an End of the Year Board Salon on Zoom. Board Salons are a dialogue between board members and community members that are focused on a particular topic, in this case discussing Tuleyome’s accomplishments in 2023 and our plans for the future. The Salon began with brief discussions of Tuleyome’s work from Board President Stephen McCord, Advisory Council Member Bob Schneider, Board Member Lyndsay Dawkins, and Board Secretary Martha Cerda. We then opened the floor up to community members who asked questions on a range of topics including outdoor recreation planning in Lake County and finding balance between different types of trail users. If you missed it, you can watch the recording of the board member discussions here .

-Geoff Benn ( gbenn@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Education Associate

About Geoffrey Benn

Geoff is Tuleyome's Education Associate. He has a Ph.D. in Plant Biology and previously taught introductory biology at UC Davis and American River College.

Tuleyome's Policy Corner - What Does it Take to Add Molok Luyuk to Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument?

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 17:09:40 GMT

Molok Luyuk with Snow Mountain the distance by Marc Hoshovsky

In today’s policy corner, I thought I’d take the opportunity to answer some questions that we’ve received regarding the steps necessary to add Molok Luyuk to Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, or to establish any National Monument.

There are two ways to establish a National Monument and protect objects of historic or scientific interest. Monuments can be established through a Presidential proclamation pursuant to the Antiquities Act of 1906, 16 USC 431-433, or through an Act of Congress, legislation. The vast majority of Monuments are established by Presidential proclamation.

Representatives Garamendi and Thompson, Senator Padilla and the late Senator Feinstein introduced The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion Act in two different sessions of Congress. The legislation would add Molok Luyuk (currently known as Walker Ridge) to Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, rename it Molok Luyuk (Patwin for Condor Ridge) and require Tribal co-management of the Monument.

Tuleyome and our partners built support for the bills’ passage. We’ve been on the ground in Lake and Colusa County communities that will benefit from the increased recreation and economic benefits that Monuments bring, going door to door to talk with folks about our efforts. We have met with our elected representatives and decision-makers —locally, in California and in DC. We have published articles and held lectures with experts throughout the area.

This is democracy in action.

This support led to the House bill passing off the floor of the House of Representatives and the Senate bill passing unanimously out of committee with the support of leadership of both parties. Unfortunately, the effort could not withstand forces opposed to expanding public lands in the House of Representatives and the bills have not become law.

So, we turned our efforts to obtaining a Presidential proclamation.

Of course, the best way to share the significance of a place is to share the actual place. I was honored to be able to participate in Secretary Haaland’s visit to Molok Luyuk in September of this year. I had the opportunity to speak directly with Secretary Haaland, BLM Director Stone-Manning, Representatives Garamendi and Thompson and Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation Secretary James Kinter about the uniqueness and importance of this place. Secretary Haaland also held a roundtable with Tribes and community leaders and took a hike with us on Frog Pond Trail.

We have continued our on-the-ground efforts in the Counties, hosted a dozen wildflower tours for decision-makers and the media and keep expanding our coalition. We now have dozens of businesses, local and neighboring landowners, local Tribes, a coalition of dozens of varied groups, and more than 87,000 individuals supporting the effort to protect Molok Luyuk.

So, what are the next steps?

The next step is a public listening session, where we get the opportunity to speak directly with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) officials and share why this place is important to us. At it, BLM and USFS will hear from Tribes, elected officials and the public.

It is our chance to show President Biden what we want for our communities. It is our chance to convince President Biden to protect Molok Luyuk, to issue a Presidential proclamation adding Molok Luyuk to Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.

It is democracy in action.

The question Tuleyome doesn’t get from our members is: What does adding Molok Luyuk to Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument mean for me?

You already know.

It gives you a say in its Management, in what is protected and how, a say in how and where we play with our friends and family.
It brings recreation and economic opportunities to local communities.
It allows Tribes to co-manage these public lands in partnership with BLM, drawing on thousands of years of knowledge of the land and its cycles and better protecting the places that we love.
It means that your kids and their kids will also be able to enjoy and appreciate all that Molok Luyuk and Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument offer.

Adding Molok Luyuk to Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument means better stewardship of this place and its resources for all of us. After all, it is our public land.

So, if you haven’t already, join us in protecting Molok Luyuk for today and tomorrow.

Come to the Public Listening Session on December 13 from 2 - 4 pm at the Woodland Community and Senior Center and sign our petition .

-Sandra Schubert; sschubert@tuleyome.org

Executive Director

Thank You, Victoria!

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 17:04:15 GMT

Representative Mike Thompson named then-Tuleyome Board President, Victoria Brandon, his 2002 Lake County Climate Crisis Champion

Tuleyome wants to honor and thank Victoria Brandon for the breadth of what she’s done for Tuleyome and the region. Victoria recently held the position as board president for Tuleyome and has been a long-time board member. We at Tuleyome admire the huge contributions Victoria has made for the region. The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, and now its potential expansion with Molok Luyuk are a couple of examples of landmark preservation work Victoria has collaborated to enact. As a resident of Lake County, she always brought regional diversity to Tuleyome’s projects, with an informed, balanced, and compassionate perspective on Northern California, and especially Lake County.

Victoria deeply understands land preservation, political policy and collaboration. She connected the shared goals of land stewardship with many organizations, as she is a founding member the Lake County’s RCD board, and chairs the Sierra Club ‘s redwood chapter, National Food and Agriculture Team, and National Political Team to name a few. Victoria’s passionate and active caring for our region impacts current and future generations in ways that cannot be quantified. When you hike in the inner coastal region, or raft wild and scenic Cache Creek, Victoria is one of the people you can thank for the privilege.

With gratitude, Victoria Brandon, – you are one of Tuleyome’s strong, wise, and steadfast heroes.

-Lyndsay Dawkins

Volunteer Tuleyome Board Member

Enjoying Outside, Inside - Making your own Holiday Decorations using Natural Materials

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 17:02:13 GMT

Photo by GoodLifeEats.com

I love to bring the outdoors inside my home every chance I get and making Holiday decorations using natural materials is the perfect way to enjoy the outside, inside! Here are a few ideas that will definitely make Crate and Barrel and Pottery Barn wondering why they didn’t think of these.

Finding sticks and twigs to make twig ornaments should be pretty easy after the few days of wind that the northern Sacramento Valley just experienced. All you need is as many sticks and twigs as you would like, a glue gun and some twine. This tutorial walks you through making them and there are plenty of places for little hands to help with designing them. Once the glue is dry you can spray paint them white or gold, add glitter or leave them natural. They are gorgeous hung on a tree, made into a garland or decorating a package!

Speaking of natural ornaments, take a peek at these great ideas borrowed from nature (and Pinterest). Using pinecones, acorns, bits of evergreen branches, dried fruit slices or even nuts to decorate your home not only looks lovely but if you don’t add paint, glitter or ribbon, they can go right into the compost bin after the Holidays.

Slices of dried oranges not only automatically make anything they’re adjacent to look festive but the smell of them is equally lovely. Try hitting a local farmer’s market at the end of the day and pick up the leftover oranges for a discount. Try using different types and sizes of oranges for color variety. Slice them thin and if you don’t have a food dehydrator, you can easily dry them in a very low oven, see how here .

Once they’re dry simply slide a thread through the top and hang on the tree or add them to greenery or a bowl of pinecones for a pop of color. They look especially glorious on a Holiday tree with the light shining through them like stained glass!

Making your own garland is not only a wonderful way to bring the outdoors inside your home but your friends and family will be astonished by your talent and creativity. Here is a very detailed article that will walk you through making one yourself using the greenery you find in your yard or nearby Christmas tree lot. Once you’re finished, you can even add any leftover pinecones, dried fruits or pet-friendly berries to fill in spaces and add more texture.

Bringing Mother Nature inside your home for the Holidays is a personal and creative way to celebrate the seasonal outdoor beauty all around us.

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Monumental Questions - Berryessa Snow Mountain, Wildlife Corridor

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 16:58:33 GMT

Wildlife corridors, natural habitat connecting populations of wildlife, are important to maintaining biodiversity and enabling species to adapt to climate change. Providing fauna (and flora) corridors through which to move helps ensure healthy and diverse ecosystems.

Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument encompasses 330,780-acres, stretches 100 miles south to north, and includes many different ecosystems – open oak grasslands to chaparral to subalpine. Elevations within the Monument also vary from near-sea level to subalpine. The steep hillsides and narrow valleys throughout the region provide many microclimates.

Both the length and the elevation profile of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument provides plants and animals with the opportunity to find suitable habitat. As temperatures increase due to climate change, it is likely that organisms will move northward and upslope. Maintaining the existing corridors in and around the Monument will provide vulnerable species a chance to survive.

Elk, mountain lions, deer, bobcats, snakes, birds, and many other animals require corridors to find food and refuge. By protecting and maintaining these corridors these populations will remain healthy

Molok Luyuk, the ridge immediately east of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, is an essential wildlife corridor that is currently not included in the Monument. The ridge is orientated north-south which allows for northward migration, while the elevation gain from Indian Valley Reservoir to the west and Bear Valley to the east (approximately 2000 feet) provides for upslope movement. By including Molok Luyuk in Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, another important wildlife corridor will be protected.

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Tuleyome's Science Corner - Wild Turkeys in California

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 08:50:11 GMT

Male wild turkey by Jonathan Eisen

Like many urban areas in California, my neighborhood in Sacramento is home to a flock of wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo). I often see them foraging for insects and seeds in front yards, roosting in trees in the park, or even walking around on people’s roofs. I’ve always been struck by the beauty of their plumage – ranging from striking banding on their wings and tails to incredibly iridescent feathers around the breast. Their heads, particularly those of the males, do leave something to be desired aesthetically, at least from a human perspective.

Unlike turkey vultures, who have bald heads for sanitary reasons, male wild turkeys have bald heads primarily as an aid for courtship. The combination of bright red and blue colors, along with fleshy protrusions above their beaks (the snood) and along the neck (caruncles) are critical components of a male turkey’s courtship display. Large and brightly colored snoods and caruncles are an indicator to potential mates and rivals that a male turkey is healthy and well-fed.

Wild turkey in flight by Jonathan Eisen

Unlike their domesticated relatives, wild turkeys retain the ability to fly into adulthood. Like other ground birds, they are not long-distance flyers, but instead use flight primarily to escape predators or access roosting locations in trees.

Wild turkeys roosting in trees by Jonathan Eisen

Given their current prevalence in the state, I was surprised to learn that wild turkeys are actually an introduced species in California. Starting in the 1950s and continuing until the 1990s, the California Department of Fish and Game brought in wild turkeys from Texas and released them throughout the state. This was done in part due to their value as game birds, but also to contribute to a national turkey conservation effort. By the early 20th century, the nationwide turkey population had fallen from an estimated high of 10 million birds to as low as 30,000. This prompted an effort to save the species by introducing it to every state in the lower 48. The program was hugely successful, with the national turkey population now estimated to be at least 7 million, with 250,000 in California.

This raises the question of the ecological impact of all these turkeys in a state that hasn’t had turkeys since the end of the last ice age, when the Californian Turkey (Meleagris californica) went extinct. There is considerable debate regarding whether wild turkeys are causing damage to California native species and ecosystems, with some studies showing no impact on other ground birds and others suggesting some harm may be occurring to native plant and invertebrate species. What is clear is that while wild turkeys do not currently seem to be causing major ecological problems, there is a need for further study, particularly as their populations continue to grow and the environment is altered due to climate change.

-Geoff Benn ( gbenn@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Education Associate

About Geoffrey Benn

Geoff is Tuleyome's Education Associate. He has a Ph.D. in Plant Biology and previously taught introductory biology at UC Davis and American River College.

Road 53 Hike to Pierce Canyon Falls

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 08:33:31 GMT

On Friday, November 24th Tuleyome hosted an Opt-Outside hike in Guinda. We did the Road 53 to Pierce Canyon Falls hike and were joined by a diverse group of community members including families, UC Davis students, and retirees. Highlights of the hike included great views of the Capay Valley, seeing a coyote, and 31 different species of birds. There was even a trickle of water coming down the falls! Check out the full album here and be sure to keep an eye on our events page for upcoming hikes – we will be posting our winter hikes soon.

-Geoff Benn ( gbenn@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Education Associate

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Tuleyome Youth Boot Bank Boot Drive!

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 10:20:22 GMT

Rolling Dip on Dunnigan Hill Road

Tuleyome is excited to announce that we are partnering with REI for a Youth Booth Bank drive this holiday season.

The Boot Bank is a program that provides free six-month loans of hiking boots to youths in our community, allowing them to trade up to larger sizes of boots as they grow. With your help, we will soon begin offering loans of additional equipment for youths including tents, sleeping bags, and backpacks.

Donation boxes are in place at the Sacramento, Roseville, and Folsom REI stores, as well as at Tuleyome’s office at 622 Main Street in Woodland. The boxes at the REI locations feature artwork created by Patwin and Zamora Elementary students on our recent field trips.

We are looking for donations of new or used youth hiking boots and shoes, youth backpacks, youth sleeping bags, and tents. Donation boxes will be in place the week of November 13th through January 14th.

-Geoff Benn ( gbenn@tuleyome.org )

Education Associate

About Geoffrey Benn

Geoff is Tuleyome's Education Associate. He has a Ph.D. in Plant Biology and previously taught introductory biology at UC Davis and American River College.

Tuleyome Teacher Fair at Woodland Regional Park Preserve

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 10:14:58 GMT

A teacher tries out the fossil excavation exercise from out land trail

On Saturday, November 4th, Tuleyome held a Teacher Fair at Woodland Regional Park Preserve to showcase our field trip programs for K12 students. Teachers from Davis and Woodland schools attended and learned about our five educational trails – adaptations, ecosystems, land, sun, and water – and how they are aligned with NGSS science standards. The teachers participated in hands-on demonstrations, including several that they could take back to their classrooms. If you’re a local K12 teacher, you can learn more about our field trip programs here or by contacting Geoff Benn .

Teachers learning about the history of the Woodland Regional Park Preserve

-Geoff Benn ( gbenn@tuleyome.org )

Education Associate

About Geoffrey Benn

Geoff is Tuleyome's Education Associate. He has a Ph.D. in Plant Biology and previously taught introductory biology at UC Davis and American River College.

Tuleyome's Policy Corner - The San Pablo National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 10:08:09 GMT

San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge

There are many opportunities to protect our special places and their amazing cultural and natural diversity. And, our champions and partners are taking them.

In October, the California legislature passed SB 337, which ensconced in law the state’s goal of protecting 30% of California’s land and waters by 2030. We are well on our way to meeting that goal. As of May 2023, the State estimates that 24.4% of California’s lands and 16.2% of its coastal waters were conserved.

How are we going to get to 30%? By working together in partnership to protect our special places. There are many worthy efforts to make this happen – some new and some ongoing.

San Pablo National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act Discussion Draft

Representatives, Garamendi, Huffman and Thompson have released a discussion draft of The San Pablo National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act for feedback. The Act would 6,934 acres of lands belonging to the State of California and Sonoma Land Trust to the San Pablo National Wildlife Refuge. This would expand the Refuge by more than 28 percent, improve the long-term resiliency and biodiversity of the Refuge, help achieve our 30 X 30 goals and maintain recreational opportunities within the Refuge. The effort is supported by many, including the Coastal Conservancy, the Sonoma Land Trust, the California Waterfowl Association and Tuleyome.

The media release with links to the discussion draft and a proposed map can be found here.

What can you do?

You can submit feedback on the discussion draft legislation to Congressman Garamendi's office at San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge Act Survey. The 90-day deadline for public comment is December 12, 2023.

Molok Luyuk

Tuleyome is still working hard with our partners – landowners, businesses, community members, local, state and federal representatives, recreationists and tribes – to protect Molok Luyuk. And, we’ve made great progress, having garnered support from tens of thousands of individuals, numerous elected officials and dozens of organizations. But we have more to do. We need your support also.

What can you do?

You can:

Send a letter of support to the President, letting him know you want him to protect Molok Luyuk. Individual letters are always best. Here’s a sample in case it’s helpful. If you do send your own letter, please share it with Tuleyome – we are gathering up support.
If you’re just too swamped to do an individual letter, then sign our petition in support of Molok Luyuk.
Get to know and love the area even more – join us on a hike or come build a trial. Check out our Events page for upcoming adventures.
If you have extra time and want to volunteer, contact us and dive in.

Thanks for all that you do to protect California’s special places. Hope to see you on the trails!

Cheers, Sandy

Register for Tuleyome's Certified California Naturalist Course

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 09:58:19 GMT

Tuleyome is offering a winter Certified California Naturalist course in 2024. Instruction focuses on the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region while providing participants with skills and resources that are applicable anywhere to increase their knowledge, understanding, and enjoyment of the natural world.

The Certified California Naturalist course is presented by Tuleyome in partnership with the University of California extension program. This 10-week course will be offered from January to March in 2024, with classes on ten consecutive Fridays plus at least three field trips. Friday classes will be held at the University of California – Davis campus.

No advanced degrees or previous naturalist experience is required.

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Tuleyome Youth Boot Bank Boot Drive!

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 09:54:09 GMT

Rolling Dip on Dunnigan Hill Road

Tuleyome is excited to announce that we are partnering with REI for a Youth Booth Bank drive this holiday season.

-Geoff Benn ( gbenn@tuleyome.org )

Education Associate

About Geoffrey Benn

Geoff is Tuleyome's Education Associate. He has a Ph.D. in Plant Biology and previously taught introductory biology at UC Davis and American River College.

Trail Work at Knoxville Management Area

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 09:45:12 GMT

Rolling Dip on Dunnigan Hill Road

Rolling dips, armored crossings, and other measures have been completed on two trails in the Knoxville Management Area. The additions will improve recreational experiences and access while reducing erosion and improving water quality downstream. Rolling dips, armored crossings, and other measures will increase the durability of trails while preventing water from becoming channelized and creating gullies along the trail.

After the heavy machinery had completed their work, Tuleyome toured the site with Bureau of Reclamation staff and will be addressing a few issues to ensure that the trails are ready for the rainy season. Next spring, the trails will be “touched up” to remediate any damage that occurred during the rainy season.

Dunnigan Hill Road, from the northern entrance to Hunting Creek Camp, and Hunting Creek Road, from Hunting Creek to the intersection with Devilhead Road, is open for OHV use. The four-mile Cedar Creek Trail remains closed to allow the newly added structures to solidify.

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Enjoying Outside, Inside - Ways to Recycle and Share Your Pumpkins with Wildlife

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 09:41:39 GMT

Maybe you have a few pumpkins decorating your front porch or maybe you even grew some yourself. I’ve always put my out of season pumpkins in my green waste can but this year I gave our jack-o-lantern to the squirrel family in my backyard. It took them a day to be brave enough to investigate but watching them climb inside and nibble from the top was pretty adorable. Giving them their very own “snack-o-lantern” might even keep them out of your bird feeders for a little while.

I found several other ideas for recycling left-over pumpkins that benefits wildlife. You can place them near windows or other locations where you can see them without disturbing their meal and watch the birds and squirrels scurry to and from their snack. My dogs and indoor kitty also thought it was a fascinating project and spent hours watching them through the windows.

I seasoned and roasted the seeds for us to eat but larger birds like crows, scrub jays and mocking birds love them too. You can roast them without oil or seasoning or just rinse them and let them dry. Watching the birds savor them is totally worth the effort of gutting the pumpkin.

You can make a birdfeeder by cutting your pumpkin in half, hollowing it out (remember to save the seeds!) and filling it with birdseed. Drill a few holes in the bottom to let any water drain, hang from a nearby branch and watch the birds and squirrels feast. You can even run a couple of long skewers through it to provide perches for the smaller birds. It might not last long because pumpkins are about 90% water and as soon as they are cut, they begin to decompose. Chances are that the squirrels are going to nosh on it before it gets too soft though.

If you live in an area where deer, opossum, raccoons or rabbits visit your property, you can cut your pumpkins up into chunks and leave them in areas within your view so you can watch them find their seasonal treats. If you have backyard chickens you can offer them fresh chunks of pumpkin to peck at and I’ve heard that they love the seeds too. Even late season butterflies and moths will enjoy chunks of pumpkin flesh and pulp.

Just be sure to give them fresh pumpkins that have not been painted or preserved and be sure to remove candles or spilled wax from inside any carved pumpkins. Of course, please use caution when feeding wildlife as it can cause additional human-wildlife interactions and if you share an area with bears, it might be best to compost the juicy treat - you’ll still be feeding worms and microbes! If you have room, you can even plant some of the seeds next year. The blossoming vines will provide food for local pollinators such as squash bees, honey bees and other insects.

So, repurpose that “porch snack” and put it next to the window where you can watch your yard pets relish their very own pumpkin season treats!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Tuleyome's Science Corner - Sandhill Cranes

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 09:33:37 GMT

Sandhill Crane by Bob Zeller, National Wildlife Federation

When is the last time you saw a real-live dinosaur? I’m guessing it’s been a while, am I right? If you’d like to get an up close and personal look at a living fossil, look no farther than the wetlands and surrounding habitat types of California’s Central Valley. Sandhill Cranes (Antigone canadensis) are among the oldest living bird species on Earth. Beginning in October, their arrival from their northern breeding grounds creates quite a spectacle as thousands upon thousands of these giant birds arrive in the Central Valley to spend the winter. Their homecoming is announced by their unique and thunderous bugling calls.

There are 15 species of cranes world-wide with only two species occurring in the United States; Sandhill Cranes and Whooping Cranes. There are three migrating subpopulations of Sandhill Cranes: Lesser, Greater and Canadian, and three non-migratory subpopulations: Mississippi, Florida and Cuban, each occurring in their namesake locations. Both the Mississippi and Cuban subpopulations are critically endangered. Of the three migrating subpopulations, it is the Greater subpopulation that winters here in our region. During the cranes’ migration back to their breeding grounds in the spring, tens of thousands of them congregate along the Platte River in Nebraska. It is there that a fossil from a Sandhill Crane relative estimated to be approximately ten million (!) years old was found.

This living fossil belongs to the taxonomic order Gruiformes which dates back to shortly after the end of the dinosaurs, about 60 million years ago. The oldest conclusive Sandhill Crane fossil dates back about two and a half million years while most modern-day birds’ lineage dates back to less than two million years ago, proving Sandhill Cranes to be much older than most bird species.

Sandhill Cranes are large bulky birds with wingspans from five to seven feet. They stand about five feet tall and can weigh up to twelve pounds. Adults boast mainly slate gray plumage that may be streaked with mud, long necks with pale cheeks, an unmistakable bright crimson cap and their illustrious “bustle” of longer feathers covering their rears. Juveniles have the same gray plumage minus the red cap with the addition of a rusty wash on their on their wings, neck, back and tops of their heads. They are impressive fliers and take advantage of thermals and currents, staying aloft for hours without exerting unnecessary energy. They generally cover up to 300 miles in a single day but some have gone as far as 500 miles with a helpful tailwind. They fly with their necks outstretched and their feet and legs trailing behind them filling the skies with their shape and trumpeting sounds.

Sandhill Cranes are social and live in pairs or with their family groups, but when it is time to make the journey to their wintering grounds, large groups of unrelated cranes come together to migrate, forage and roost as one extensive unit. They mate for life and use their calls along with their elaborate and graceful dance moves to court and secure their life partners. Once bonded, the pairs build grand, mounded nests made of sedges, reeds and grasses in wetlands or the surrounding uplands. One to three eggs are laid and will hatch about a month later. As is common with ground-nesting birds, the hatchlings begin wandering from the nest after only a few hours. The young begin to fly at about three months of age, but remain with the parents during migration and for the remainder of the year until the next clutch is laid the following season. They are omnivores and their diet changes with their locations and the seasons. While in California they forage for seeds, plants, worms, snails, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals in open grasslands, fields and wetlands. Sandhill Cranes are famous for their rolling, reverberating calls which are a result of their anatomy. Their trachea is very long and coils into their breast bone which lowers the pitch and amplifies the sound of their call which can be heard for long distances.

They’re only here for a short time and if you’d like to see how special they are just visit the Woodbridge Ecological Reserve and/or the Cosumnes River Preserve from October through February. Cosumnes River Preserve offers guided Sandhill Crane tours. Note, you will need a Lands Pass, or a hunting or fishing license to enter the Woodbridge Ecological Reserve. And, although they’re enormous, you’ll kick yourself if you forget your binoculars!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

October 2023 Nature and You: Andrew Fulks

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 09:22:49 GMT

On October 26th, Tuleyome co-founder and advisory council member Andrew Fulks gave our October Nature and You lecture, where he discussed existing, in-progress, and planned trails throughout the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. Andrew provided fascinating insights into the history and philosophy of land use in the region and made extensive use of Google Earth during the talk, making it a delight for geography enthusiasts. If you missed the talk, you can watch the recording here – highly recommended if you’re looking for new places to hike this fall!

-Geoff Benn ( gbenn@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Education Associate

About Geoffrey Benn

Geoff is Tuleyome's Education Associate. He has a Ph.D. in Plant Biology and previously taught introductory biology at UC Davis and American River College.

Monumental Questions - Native American Heritage Month

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 09:15:28 GMT

Molok Luyuk Looking Northeast by Marc Hoshovsky 2023

November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate and honor Indigenous American people.

The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region has been inhabited for more than 20,000 years! The Monument region was and is extremely ethnographically diverse - home to at least eleven different tribes speaking five different languages. Three languages spoken in the region belong to the New World's two oldest language families.

Molok Luyuk, the ridge that acts as the border between present-day Lake and Colusa County (known as Walker Ridge) borders the Monument on the East. Molok Luyuk is Patwin heartland, plays a role in their origin stories and contains unique religious and ceremonial resources. It is also at the center of a network of trails linking the people in the area.

This trail system allowed the Patwin, Pomo, Miwok, Wappo, and Nomlaki peoples to take part in an extensive trade network, placing them in the center of cultural exchange between the Clear Lake Basin and the Sacramento Valley. Indigenous people from all directions came to Molok Luyuk's springs for ceremonies and healing. Plants on the ridge, such as McNab cypress, are used for ceremonies, tools, and medicines.

Protecting this land honors its cultural importance, conserves its biodiversity, increases equitable access, and contributes to climate goals.

Establishing historic tribal co-management and renaming the area in Lake and Colusa counties from “Walker Ridge” to “Molok Luyuk,” which means “Condor Ridge” in the local Patwin language, would honor this area’s immense cultural significance to Native Americans and enhance the protection of its natural, historic, scenic and cultural resources.

Tuleyome acknowledges and thanks those that have been stewards and caretakers of this area for thousands of years and is honored to work with them to ensure that the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region is protected for future generations.

More information about Native American Heritage Month is available here .

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

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Tuleyome Adventures Education Programs at Conaway Ranch

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 09:08:56 GMT

Korematsu 6th graders bird watching.

Tuleyome Adventures Education Programs resumed this month after our summer hiatus, with three field trips to Conaway Ranch. On October 20th, two classes of 3rd graders from Zamora Elementary School in Woodland participated in the adaptations trail, where they learned about how different species of birds are adapted to their ecological niches. Highlights of the trip included seeing a deer and watching the farmers harvesting rice next to the trail! You can view the full gallery here .

On October 23rd and 24th, two classes of 4th graders from Patwin Elementary School in Davis participated in the ecosystems trail, where they learned about how plants obtain resources in the environment and interact with other organisms. Highlights of the trips included seeing dozens of wooly bear caterpillars, finding a crayfish skeleton, and seeing a group of night herons roosting in a tree. You can view the full galleries here and here.

-Geoff Benn ( gbenn@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Education Associate

About Geoffrey Benn

Geoff is Tuleyome's Education Associate. He has a Ph.D. in Plant Biology and previously taught introductory biology at UC Davis and American River College.

Berryessa Peak Trail Work

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 09:01:51 GMT

Despite the forecasted rain, November 4 was a beautiful day for maintenance on Berryessa Peak Trail. This is one of the most talked about trails in Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. The seven-mile trail to Berryessa Peak offers fantastic views of Lake Berryessa, Cedar Roughs Wilderness, Knoxville Wildlife Area, and Snow Mountain.

Unfortunately, recent fires have impacted the trail and prevented organized trail maintenance. On Saturday, our crew headed out to check the condition and provide some quick maintenance. A large landslide about four miles in is preventing hikers from continuing to the peak. This is a significant barrier and one that will require multiple days to remedy. If you are planning on hiking this trail, please be aware of this slide.

Check out photos from the workday on Flickr .

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Looking for more articles like this? Click the hashtag below!

Hike to Frog Pond

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 12:14:43 GMT

Frog Pond was *hoppin’* on October 14!

The trail to Frog Pond is a moderate, two-and-a-half-mile hike (one way), with some steep climbs but wonderful views. It winds through gorgeous blue oak woodlands which give way to chaparral that surrounds the pond. A solitary cottonwood at the edge of the pond directs hikers through this thick tangle of bushes.

On October 14, Tuleyome led a group of 21 participants to the pond, which still has a significant amount of water despite not getting rain for three months. As the group approached the pond, frogs jumped from the bank into the water to get away from the kids looking to catch them. After one successful catch and multiple very muddy shoes, the frogs were left in peace.

Check out the pictures on our Flickr page.

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Tuleyome Participated in the Learn to Fish Event

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 12:10:41 GMT

On Saturday October 7th, Tuleyome continued our partnership with Yolo County Library and Yolo County Parks by supporting the Learn to Fish Event at Cache Creek Conservancy. At the event, staff from California Department of Fish and Wildlife taught kids how to cast and reel in fish, while staff from Tuleyome, Parks, and the Library did a variety of fish-related crafts for kids. The event was a great success, with over 300 attendees!

Photos from the event are available on Flickr!

-Geoff Benn ( gbenn@tuleyome.org )

Education Associate

Trail Building on a Beautiful Day at Valley Vista Regional Park

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 12:06:53 GMT

Volunteers helped create new trail at Valley Vista Regional Park on October 1. Tuleyome has partnered with Yolo County to add new routes to the existing trail network to provide users with additional options and some new and stunning views of Cache Creek and Capay Valley. Photos from the day are available on our Flickr site .

A workday has been scheduled for this coming Saturday (October 21) at Valley Vista Regional Park. No trail building experience necessary! We will provide all tools and training. More information is available on our website .

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

September's Nature and You Lecture Recording and October Lecture Reminder

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 12:03:43 GMT

On September 28th, Dr. Laura Bogar gave an excellent Nature and You lecture entitled “Symbiosis in the Soil: Trees, Fungi, and their Underground Networks.” Professor Bogar discussed how scientists study interactions between trees and beneficial fungi and then delved into the controversy surrounding the “wood wide web.” If you’d like to watch Dr. Bogar’s talk, it is available on Tuleyome’s YouTube channel .

Our next Nature and You lecture will take place on October 26th and will feature Tuleyome co-founder Andrew Fulks, who will be discussing “Hiking in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.” Be sure to sign up here if you’d like to learn more about trails and hiking opportunities in the monument!

-Geoff Benn ( gbenn@tuleyome.org )

Education Associate

Teacher Fair at Woodland Regional Park Preserve

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 11:58:50 GMT

Are you a K-5 teacher in Yolo County or the surrounding region? Attend Tuleyome’s Teacher Fair on 11/4/23 to learn about our free NGSS-aligned field trip programs at the new Woodland Regional Park Preserve and Conaway Ranch. Contact Geoff at gbenn@tuleyome.org to sign up or for more information.

-Geoff Benn ( gbenn@tuleyome.org )

Education Associate

About Geoffrey Benn

Geoff is Tuleyome's Education Associate. He has a Ph.D. in Plant Biology and previously taught introductory biology at UC Davis and American River College.

Tuleyome's Science Corner - River Otters

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 10:46:24 GMT

River Otters at Yolo Bypass by Jonathan Eisen

Meet one of California's cutest and most voracious predators – the North American river otter! River otters are found throughout most of Northern California, including in much of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. They live in aquatic habitats including rivers, lakes, streams, and marshes and can be found at Yolo Bypass, UC Davis Riparian Reserve, and in some of the many sloughs bordering rice fields.

Range of the North American River Otter in California (CDFW)

River otters will utilize a variety of locations as nesting sites, including thickets, cavities in riverbanks or logs, or burrows abandoned by other animals. In California, female river otters will typically give birth in March or April and the pups will remain with their mother until the following winter. Adult male otters have also been known to form social groups of up to 17 individuals.

The diet of river otters varies by location and time of year, but typically consists of fish and crustaceans such as crayfish. River otters have also been known to eat amphibians and birds, particularly migratory water birds during the winter.

River otter enjoying a crayfish at the UC Davis Riparian Preserve by Jonathan Eisen

River otters are also found along the coast and will hunt in bays and inlets. They can be distinguished from sea otters by size (sea otters are much larger) and by their behavior in the water – river otters are generally always moving in the water and don’t float on their backs like sea otters. According to a recent phylogenetic study , North American river otters (Lontra canadensis) are actually more closely related to several other species of river otters from Central and South America, than they are to sea otters (Enhydra lutris). The ancestor of these American river otters is thought to have crossed into the Americas from Asia via the Bering land bridge.

This study also showed that North American river otters have significantly higher genetic diversity than sea otters, likely because the latter were hunted almost to extinction in the 19th century for the fur trade. River otters were also trapped for fur until the practice was banned in California in 1961. Since then, river otter populations and ranges have expanded, with otters returning to the Bay Area and other parts of their original range. Due to their genetic diversity, sizable population, and wide range, North American river otters are not considered to be threatened, though water pollution and habitat destruction are still a concern.

This means that river otters are relatively easy to find in our area. The best places to look are bodies of water that are surrounded by thickets of vegetation. Signs of otters in the area include mud slides leading into th e water and latrine sites on shore with scat containing crayfish shells. If you are lucky enough to find otters, you should resist the urge to try to cuddle them, as they are wild animals and have been occasionally known to attack people . So, the next time you’re heading to an area with rivers or lakes, be sure to bring your binoculars and watch the water and shoreline for signs of our furry neighbors!

-Geoff Benn ( gbenn@tuleyome.org )

Education Associate

About Geoffrey Benn

Geoff is Tuleyome's Education Associate. He has a Ph.D. in Plant Biology and previously taught introductory biology at UC Davis and American River College.

Enjoying Outside, Inside - Fall Gardening

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 10:39:37 GMT

George loves helping inspect the yard!

Growing up my grandmother, Rose, was always proud of her garden. You could find her out there year round tending to her plants. Aside from Italian home cooking, one of the highlights of visiting grandma’s house was getting to look at all her vibrant, colorful flowers. Everything seemed to flourish magically when I was younger—now that I’m an adult with a yard of my own I’m starting to understand the work that goes into maintaining a yard through the seasons. For me, pulling weeds under the Sacramento Valley summer sun is pretty miserable and as a result fall is becoming one of my favorite times to garden. When the heat fades and crisp autumn air starts taking over it’s time to start laying the groundwork for a thriving spring garden!

A good place to start is by assessing your yard’s specific needs; take a walk through and make note of any problem areas that may require immediate attention. Clearing out weeds and pruning dead or diseased plant material now not only tidies up but also helps plants thrive and seal off wounds. You can also remove any annuals that are starting to decline; fading blooms, wilting and leaf discoloration are all common signs an annual is spent and can join the compost pile. Dividing any perennials that are overcrowded and transplanting them is an easy way to fill gaps left by annuals, but using winter plants like toyon and redbud, or planting bulbs for spring are also viable options. If you have trees, keep an eye out for any branches that are weakened or dead and consider having them removed before winter storms can turn them into a hazard.

While most of our instincts tend towards raking and leaf-blowing as soon as the weather gets cooler, leaving fallen leaves where they lie might benefit your garden far more. The leaves will create a natural mulch that will fertilize the soil and suppress the growth of unwanted weeds in your garden beds. They also provide winter homes for pollinators and creatures that feed on springtime garden pests. Additionally, adding extra mulch around the root area of sensitive plants will help to keep them safe during the upcoming colder months.

While fall gardening isn’t as labor-intensive as spring or summer, the work we put in is just as important for maintaining beautiful and productive spaces to be enjoyed year-round. With a few simple steps, your garden will be well-rested and ready to produce again in spring. Happy gardening!

-Chelsea Ferguson

Tuleyome Administrative Assistant

Monumental Questions - What's so Amazing about Molok Luyuk's Geology?

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 10:36:05 GMT

Molok Luyuk Geology

Molok Luyuk is a geologically unique area that exhibits 60 to 100 million years of history within an unusually small area. Its dramatic plate tectonic geology gives rise to extraordinary biodiversity and determines its human history. Geologists and miners have flocked to the area, the former to gain scientific understanding, the latter for mercury and gold. It has been called “perhaps the most accessible location” to see the unique geology of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.

On Molok Luyuk, one will experience the Coast Range Ophiolite, which dates from the middle to late Jurassic Age. Nearby are the Coast Range Thrust Fault and visible contacts between the North American Plate and the ancient Farallon Plate. Serpentinite, California’s state rock and the rock that produces much of the area’s unique soils and biodiversity, is visible throughout Molok Luyuk. As a result, the hydrology of the area is unique, with much-studied geothermal, mineral, carbonated, and freshwater springs that dot the area. Paleontological studies of fossils in the region not only help to date the area, but also show how the tectonic plates have moved, including the displacement along the Bartlett Springs Fault Zone. A walk across Molok Luyuk is a walk through 100 million years of history.

Molok Luyuk is thus a wonderful mashup of the millions of years of geological processes that led to what is now California. When exploring this ridge, even non-geologists can easily see the different types of bedrock and the life that has evolved on each. Plants growing on serpentine soil have evolved to have (generally) small, waxy leaves, and are often shorter than plants on non-serpentine soil. Different plant communities are easy to see on Molok Luyuk and faults can often be found at or near the borders of these communities.

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Tuleyome's Policy Corner - Protecting our Public Lands

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 10:31:30 GMT

Secretary Deb Haaland addressing Molok Luyuk round table with Representatives Thompson and Garamendi

As you know, we were honored by a visit to Molok Luyuk and the region by DOI Secretary Haaland, BLM Director Stone-Manning and Representatives Garamendi and Thompson at the end of September. It was an important opportunity to hear from them and our Tribal Partners on their priorities and to share why this unique place needs to be protected.

On October 11th, our Congressional champions, Senator Alex Padilla and Representatives Garamendi and Thompson reiterated their calls to protect Molok Luyuk . They led a letter from California Representatives to President Biden and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland urging the Administration to use its authority under the Antiquities Act of 1906 to expand the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument to protect the entirety of Molok Luyuk.

Citing the significance of the area to, and the support of, numerous tribes, including the Patwin, Pomo, Wappo and Miwok peoples, and the National Congress of American Indians, they urged co-management with tribes and directed that the Ridge be formally renamed “Molok Luyuk”, Patwin for “Condor Ridge”. Both of these are part of their legislation to protect Molok Luyuk.

Also in October, Senator Padilla joined the US Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which oversees much of our public lands, including BLM and USFS lands. Having Senator Padilla, a leader in public lands protection and environmental issues on both the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works will continue to ensure that our interests are heard and represented.

In October, California codified its commitment to protect 30 percent of our lands and waters by 2030 in Senate Bill 337. Protecting places like Molok Luyuk is how we reach these goals.

While we’re happy with the progress , we’re not done yet. We continue to work with our Congressional champions, tribes and other partners to build additional support to protect Molok Luyuk. We could use your assistance. How can you help? Here are a few suggestions.

Send a letter of support to the President, letting him know you want him to protect Molok Luyuk. Individual letters are always best. Here’s a sample in case it’s helpful. If you do send your own letter, please share it with Tuleyome – we are gathering up support.
If you’re just too swamped to do that, then sign our petition in support of Molok Luyuk.
If you have extra time and want to volunteer, contact us and dive in.

Help us protect Molok Luyuk and our lands. Together, we can do it!

Cheers, Sandy

Sandra Schubert

Executive Director

Become a Certified California Naturalist!

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 13:44:39 GMT

How many times have you been on a hike and wondered about the amazing flora and fauna that surrounds us? Have you ever thought to yourself what an amazing thing it would be to know more about the animals, plants, and geological landscapes? Would you like to learn how to share your knowledge of the area with others? If so, then the Certified California Naturalist Program is for you!

Tuleyome is offering a 10-week program from January to March 2024. The course will be held on 10 consecutive Fridays and includes at least 3 weekend field trips.

The California Naturalist program is designed to introduce anyone to the wonders of the natural world around us - no advanced degree required! All field trips consist of low-impact walking trips and auto-tours, made suitable for all fitness levels.

This Certified California Naturalist program centers around our magnificent Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about our local, unique ecology and how to become a steward of our land. Using science curriculum, hands-on learning, problem-solving, citizen science, and community service, you are sure to walk away with a deeper appreciation for our natural communities and local resources.

Space is limited so be sure to sign up today!

More information is available on our website or you can contact me !

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Enjoying Outside, Inside - Terrariums

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 13:37:27 GMT

A terrarium is an indoor garden. It is generally in a glass container and can either be sealed or open to the atmosphere. Sealed terrariums usually contain plants that thrive in warm, humid environments while an open terrarium can support many other types of plants including those typically found in arid environments. They are useful for plant propagation as well as plant and animal observation but mainly they are just a lovely bit of outdoors made for indoor enjoyment. Even those that may consider their thumbs a little less than green can usually keep a terrarium healthy.

A sealed terrarium requires very little maintenance because they are primarily self-sustaining. As the moist soil and plants release water vapor it is collected on the walls of the terrarium and runs down back into the soil to be used again by the plants thus, recycling the water in the sealed container. A sterile soil mix containing peat moss, vermiculite and perlite is a good growing medium for all terrariums. This mix provides the ideal growing conditions for tropical plants while reducing microbial growth. Slow growing, tropical plant species typically do the best in sealed terrariums as the conditions in the container mimic their native, warm and humid environments. Moss, small ferns, carnivorous plants, orchids and air plants do well. In fact, air plants can be very difficult to propagate outside of a sealed terrarium. If too much water vapor collects, the container can be opened once a week to allow some fresh air to enter and hinder the growth of algae or mold. If the plants look wilted or you don’t see any water droplets on the sides of the container, this may indicate that the terrarium is too dry. A spritz with a spray bottle is the best way to give them a little drink. Fun fact, cute little springtails may be used to consume mold that may be growing inside your sealed terrarium. Here is an article if you’d like to learn more about springtails and terrariums.

If you prefer to use plants that like a less humid environment an open terrarium would be a great option. Open terrariums also work well for plants that need more sunlight as sealed terrariums trap heat and can get too warm if exposed to a lot of direct light (think greenhouse effect). Open terrariums also have a reduced risk of disease because of their lower moisture content. However, they do need to be watered more frequently due to evaporation and exposure. Usually watering only every three to six weeks is enough but it’s best to check the soil moisture rather than water on a schedule. The types of plants and how many there are will help determine how often to water as well. If you over-water your terrarium may get gnats or mealy bugs. If this does happen, insecticidal soap can help get rid of them without harming the plants but simply not overwatering is the best plan.

If you’d like to try making your own sealed or open terrarium, you’ll need a transparent container (plastic or glass), growing medium, pebbles for a drainage layer, activated charcoal, decorative rocks, wood or moss (if you’d like) and plants that will stay fairly small and are suited for the type of terrarium you’d like to make. Empty aquariums, fish bowls, vases or even an empty soda bottle work nicely for containers. Fill the bottom of your container with the pebbles. Since there are no drainage holes in a terrarium, you’ll need to provide something to keep the plants roots from getting soggy. Next put down a layer of activated charcoal to help with drainage and any musty odors that might occur. Then, fill your container with a thick layer of the growing medium but reserving some to fill in around the plants. Make divots in the soil for each plant deep enough for them to stand upright and still allowing room for the roots to be able to spread. Then, add more of the growing medium around them and press it all down slightly to help the plant stay stable – it should be buried about as deep as it was in its nursery pot. You can then add pebbles, larger rocks, moss, wood or any other decorative items you’d like. The types of plants you chose will depend on whether you want to make a sealed or open terrarium. If you’re ready to make your own terrarium, here is a thorough article on how to make your own. Enjoy your mini garden inside, all year long!

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Monumental Questions - National Wilderness Month 2023

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 13:30:54 GMT

President Biden declared September to be National Wilderness Month – celebrating our country’s wilderness and renewing the commitment to protect these areas for future generations. In addition to providing us with places to remove ourselves from the day-to-day busyness, designated wilderness areas help protect us against climate change, help reduce natural disasters, and provide a refuge for biodiversity.

Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument includes three wilderness areas – Snow Mountain Wilderness, Cedar Roughs Wilderness, and Cache Creek Wilderness. Snow Mountain Wilderness is located in the Mendocino National Forest and encompasses over 60,000 acres of subalpine forest and chaparral. Cedar Roughs Wilderness is west of Lake Berryessa and is the smallest of the three wilderness areas at 6,287 acres. It includes many different ecosystems including stands of Sargent Cypress (Hesperocyparis sargentii). In 2006, 27,294 acres in eastern Lake County were designated as Cache Creek Wilderness . Cache Creek flows through the wilderness and is bordered by oak woodlands. If you’re observant while in the wilderness, you may spot a herd of tule elk (Cervus canadensis nannodes).

In his proclamation , President Biden states:

“We are coordinating across Federal agencies and encouraging collaboration with non-Federal partners to better conserve ecological connectivity and wildlife corridors. We are also partnering with Tribal Nations, working together as co-stewards of the lands that are most precious to them.“

Tuleyome looks forward to continuing our collaboration with our local federal field offices to protect the wilderness areas and other lands in the Berryessa Snow Mountain region. Additionally, we will continue to work with, learn from, and build relationships with Tribal Nations that have been protecting these lands for many thousands of years.

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Tuleyome's Policy Corner - Secretary Haaland Visits Molok Luyuk

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 12:31:46 GMT

Congressman Mike Thompson, Secretary Deb Haaland, BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning, Sandra Schubert, Congressman John Garamendi on Molok Luyuk

I was honored to meet with Interior Secretary Haaland during her recent visit to Molok Luyuk and to have the opportunity to share with her this special place. Molok Luyuk is a rare treasure of rich cultural heritage and history, diverse wildlife and rare plants, stunning natural beauty, and accessible recreational activities.

Protecting Molok Luyuk by adding it to Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument along with the guarantee of tribal co-stewardship would safeguard public lands that are sacred to the numerous native peoples and that are critically important to protect in the face of a changing climate.

We are also thankful to Congressman Garamendi and Congressman Thompson for bringing Secretary Haaland and BLM Director Stone-Manning to Molok Luyuk and for their leadership in protecting all of Molok Luyuk.

We are deeply grateful to Secretary Haaland for visiting these lands and learning why this unique place must be protected. We encourage President Biden to expand the existing monument and permanently protect Molok Luyuk.

To join us in our efforts to protect Molok Luyuk, click here .

Respectfully,

Sandra Schubert, sschubert@tuleyome.org

Executive Director

Interior Secretary, BLM Director Visit Proposed Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 12:27:53 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Erika Brink, Full Court Press Communications

erika@fcpcommunications.com | (951) 553-3561

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 25, 2023

INTERIOR SECRETARY, BLM DIRECTOR VISIT PROPOSED

BERRYESSA SNOW MOUNTAIN NATIONAL MONUMENT EXPANSION

Sacramento, CA — Today, tribal, congressional and community leaders thanked Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Bureau of Land Management Director Tracy Stone-Manning for visiting Molok Luyuk, the proposed Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument expansion area. On Sunday, September 24, the Interior Secretary and BLM Director visited the lands and held a roundtable discussion to hear from local community leaders on the need for President Biden to use the Antiquities Act to protect the landscape.

“We are humbled and excited to have our Nation’s leaders visit our ancestral lands, particularly Molok Luyuk, an area of sacred and historic importance to Patwin tribes,” said Chairman Anthony Roberts, Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation . “Tribes have stewarded this area for millennia and welcome deeper collaboration with the Department of Interior and local stakeholders to protect Patwin culture and heritage.”

The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, which is requesting the expansion, has a long and significant connection to Molok Luyuk, stretching back thousands of years. The ridge includes areas where religious ceremonies are practiced and sites that were central to vital trading routes. A key goal of this effort is also to establish co-management with federally recognized Tribes and to return to an Indigenous name for these lands. Molok Luyuk is Patwin for “Condor Ridge” and is a name provided by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. Currently the area is referred to as “Walker Ridge.”

“Molok Luyuk is a special and sacred place for area Tribes and for many local residents who enjoy recreation activities like hiking and mountain biking,” added Lake County Supervisor E.J. Crandell, a member of the Robinson Rancheria Tribe . “The natural beauty of our home also drives tourism, which is key to the economic vitality of the region. Protecting these beautiful lands would be a gift to future generations.”

Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument stretches from Napa County in the south to Mendocino County in the north, encompassing 330,780 acres of public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). President Obama designated the national monument in 2015, responding to a call from Representatives Mike Thompson and John Garamendi, then-Senator Barbara Boxer, other members of California’s Congressional delegation, and community leaders to permanently protect these lands.

“Molok Luyuk is a rare treasure of rich cultural heritage and history, diverse wildlife and rare plants, stunning natural beauty and accessible recreational activities,” said Sandra Schubert, Executive Director of Tuleyome , leader of a local conservation organization and a participant in the roundtable. “We are deeply grateful to Secretary Haaland and Director Stone-Manning for visiting the lands and listening to why we want this special place protected. We encourage President Biden to expand the existing monument and permanently protect Molok Luyuk.”

The proposed expansion area is located on the eastern edge of the existing monument and includes 13,753 acres of public lands in Lake and Colusa County. These BLM managed lands include oak woodlands, rocky outcroppings, wildflower meadows, the largest known stand of McNab cypress, and dozens of rare plant species. Protecting the landscape would help the state of California under Governor Gavin Newsom and the Biden Administration meet their shared goals to protect 30% of lands and waters by 2030 .

“Molok Luyuk is a ‘must protect’ area in the midst of a changing climate,” said Mary Creasman, Chief Executive Officer, California Environmental Voters . “These public lands serve as a critical wildlife corridor for species such as tule elk, mountain lions and bears. It’s also home to imperiled wildlife such as bald and golden eagles and many rare plants. Protecting this habitat would help preserve critically important biodiversity.”

Senators Alex Padilla and Dianne Feinstein and Representatives Garamendi and Thompson have called on President Biden to use the Antiquities Act to expand Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and permanently protect Molok Luyuk (Condor Ridge). The Antiquities Act is a 1906 law that grants presidents the ability to designate federal public lands, waters, and cultural and historical sites as national monuments to permanently conserve them.

“The meeting with Secretary Haaland and BLM Director Stone-Manning was a fruitful discussion on the many reasons why Molok Luyuk should be permanently protected,” said Elyane Stefanick, California Program Director for the Conservation Lands Foundation , who attended the event. “The addition of Molok Luyuk will protect the area’s rich biodiversity and play an important role in helping the State of California and the Biden Administration meet its goal of protecting 30% of U.S. lands and waters by the year 2030. We are grateful to the Interior Secretary and the BLM Director for personally visiting the area and listening to local community leaders.”

Popular recreation activities on these lands include hiking, mountain biking, photography, camping, horseback riding, and off highway vehicle (OHV) use on designated routes. Incorporating the adjacent federally owned land into the existing national monument would improve land management and public access, and protect sensitive wildlife, prime habitat areas, and cultural resources.

“As an avid OHV recreationist, I strongly support expanding Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument to include Molok Luyuk,” said Don Amador, former chair of the CA State Park Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission . “The permanent protection of Molok Luyuk will improve the management of these lands and increase public access to recreation opportunities. This is a win-win for our community and I add my voice in support of President Biden using the Antiquities Act to expand the monument.”

To learn more about this effort and to sign a petition in support of the expansion of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, visit www.expandberryessa.org .

# # #

Photos of the lands to be protected are available for use here .

Please credit Bob Wick for these images.

Please contact Erika Brink for English and Spanish interview requests, please contact erika@fcpcommunications.com , (951) 553-3561.

For interviews with the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, please contact R. Omar Carrillo, Director of Government Affairs at ocarrillo@yochadehe-nsn.gov (some interviews granted upon request).

Frog Pond Trail Work

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 09:23:21 GMT

Frog Pond Trail leads hikers to beautiful views of Fiske Peak, Glascock Mountain, and Cache Creek. The pond itself is alive with frogs (not surprisingly!) and is a nice refuge during hot days. Deer, turkey, quail, bears, mountain lions, and bobcats. The trail is easily accessible via Cache Creek Regional Park Lower Site and the new bridge over Cache Creek.

Last winter’s rain caused a small slide to block part of the trail. While it was still passable, Tuleyome led a workday to make the section a little easier to navigate. Photos from the workday are available on our Flickr site .

We have many opportunities for people to help maintain trails in Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. If you are interested, please check out our event page to see all of our upcoming events.

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org)

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Tuleyome in the Community

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 09:19:17 GMT

On Friday August 25th, Tuleyome participated in the Davis Family Fun Fest, a kid-focused event put on by the Davis Chamber of Commerce in Civic Center Park in Davis. Our booth had information on our programs for adults and a make-your-own pet rock activity, which was very popular with the kids. You can see the full collection of photo from the event here.

On Friday September 22nd, Tuleyome continued our partnership with the Yolo County Library, Yolo County Parks, and Latino Outdoors to help put on the Campfires y Cuentos event at Grasslands Regional Park in Davis. The event started with a build-your-own trail mix station and bilingual storytelling around the campfire, then Tuleyome led a night hike featuring natural history bingo and Spanish translations from Latino Outdoors. Over 80 people participated in the hike, so it was quite a sight to see all the headlamps stretching out along the trail! You can see the full collection of photos from the event here.

-Geoff Benn ( gbenn@tuleyome.org )

Education Associate

Redbud Hike

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 23:32:47 GMT

Tuleyome’s first hike of the season was along the Redbud Trail in Lake County. This trail is very popular due to its proximity to Clear Lake. It is within the Cache Creek Corridor Area of Critical Environmental Concern , and leads into Cache Creek Wilderness. Hikers can cross Cache Creek at Baton Flats, if the water is low enough. Because of last winter’s rain, the creek is still high, and the group was unable to cross. At Baton Flats, Cache Creek is a Wild River.

Photos from the trip can be viewed on our Flickr page .

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Tuleyome's Science Corner - Where are the Fall Colors?

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 22:41:49 GMT

Mostly brown and yellow foliage on blue oaks along the Cache Creek Ridge trail

Growing up in upstate New York, I always looked forward to fall foliage season, when the hills would be aflame with deep reds, glowing oranges, and vibrant yellows. After moving to the Sacramento area almost 15 years ago, I was disappointed by the relative lack of fall color in the wilderness areas on either side of the central valley.

To understand what makes our area so different from New England in terms of fall foliage, we need to start by understanding why leaves change color. Broad-leafed plants that evolved in areas with cold winters typically lose their leaves in the fall in preparation for winter dormancy. As part of this process, the pigments in leaves are broken down and recycled, which causes changes in leaf color.

The primary pigment in a green leaf is chlorophyll, which is the key player in converting solar energy into chemical energy in the plant’s cells. Throughout the growing season, chlorophyll is joined by a variety of other pigments, including yellow and orange xanthophylls, which contribute to capturing light energy and also help reduce damage from excess light.

Once the daylength hits a certain threshold in the fall, the plant will stop sending resources into its leaves. It will then begin breaking down the components of the leaf cells, so that they can be stored in the roots and reused in the spring. One of the first things to be broken down are the chlorophyll molecules – this causes the leaf to lose its green color and exposes any other pigments that are present, such as the yellow and orange xanthophylls.

In places with cold, sunny fall days, many species will produce red anthocyanin pigments after the chlorophyll has been broken down. Recent studies have shown that these anthocyanins help protect leaves from oxidative damage that can occur at low temperatures and high light. Reducing this oxidative damage is important for ensuring that the plant can recycle as much as possible from each leaf. These anthocyanins are the cause of the brilliant red foliage common to many tree species from the Northeast.

Aspens with yellow foliage in Hope Valley along the Carson Pass Highway

In the foothills of the central valley, cold temperatures are rare in the autumn, meaning that there is less benefit for plants to produce anthocyanins as part of the normal leaf breakdown process. Additionally, many of the most common tree species in the foothills are not fall-deciduous species – these include evergreen species such as live oaks and conifers, as well as the drought deciduous blue oak, which may lose its leaves during the summer months in dry years or retain them through winter in wet years. In oaks, the evergreen growth habit is particularly beneficial, because it allows them to do photosynthesis throughout the relatively mild and wet winters and then reduce growth to conserve water in the hot, dry summer.

In summary then, the two main reasons for our relative lack of fall foliage are mild fall temperatures and selective pressure for adaptations to California’s dry environment. The good news though is that you can still see stunning fall foliage in California – you’ll just need to drive up to higher elevations. I particularly enjoy the Hope Valley area south of Lake Tahoe and recommend checking the California Fall Color website to time your trip to hit peak foliage.

-Geoff Benn ( gbenn@tuleyome.org )

Education Associate

About Geoffrey Benn

Geoff is Tuleyome's Education Associate. He has a Ph.D. in Plant Biology and previously taught introductory biology at UC Davis and American River College.

Cowboy Camp Stargazing

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 22:34:57 GMT

On September 9, Tuleyome hosted a stargazing overnight at Cowboy Camp. The area is one of the most easily accessible dark sky viewing areas in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. The dark sky enabled participants to see many more celestial objects than in town – faint galaxies and stars and the Milky Way! Telescopes helped the group see star clusters, the rings of Saturn and even 4 of Saturn’s moons.

Before sunset, a herd of elk came down the hills to the east. The bulls were bugling and so were heard before they were seen. The herd spent the night circling Cowboy Camp and were seen disappearing into the hills the next morning. A special moment that reminded us of the wonders of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument!

Photos from the trip are available on our Flickr page .

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

September's Nature and You Lecture

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 22:32:00 GMT

Tuleyome's monthly Nature and You lecture series continues TODAY (9/28) with Dr. Laura Bogar from the Department of Plant Biology at UC Davis. Join us tonight at 7pm (Thursday!) via Zoom to hear Professor Bogar discuss the relationships between trees and fungi and how underground fungal networks affect the forest as a whole!

RSVP here to receive the Zoom link!

-Geoff Benn ( gbenn@tuleyome.org )

Education Associate

About Geoffrey Benn

Geoff is Tuleyome's Education Associate. He has a Ph.D. in Plant Biology and previously taught introductory biology at UC Davis and American River College.

Tuleyome Tale: The Importance of Trail Work at Knoxville Management Area

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 09:50:53 GMT

OHV on Dunnigan Hill Road with Berryessa Peak in the background

Located between Lake Berryessa and Clear Lake is the Bureau of Land Management’s Knoxville Management Area. This area, which is included in Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, is popular with off-highway vehicle (OHV) users from around Clear Lake to the Sacramento region and San Francisco Bay area. The 17,700 acres is fee-free, making it very attractive to all users - OHV riders, hunters, mountain bikers, and campers.

Knoxville, like the rest of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region, has been home to native people for many thousands of years. What we see as OHV trails today, were likely footpaths that the Patwin, Pomo, Miwok, and other people used as trade and travel routes. Some of these may then have been used by miners looking for mercury and other materials before being turned into the roads and trails that exist today.

Knoxville Management Area has been impacted by recent wildfires, including the 2020 LNU Complex Fire, and subsequent rains. Fire is a stressor on the ecosystem and the following rains can cause significant erosion, limiting regrowth. Trails have been closed in Knoxville to allow vegetation a chance to regrow in burned areas, to repopulate fire breaks, and to repair the trails. Bringing these communities back is key to decreasing erosion, which protects Knoxville’s natural and cultural resources. Fire is a common part of this cycle, just not to the degree we are seeing recently.

Fire-caused vegetation loss and improperly developed and constructed roads has led to increased erosion throughout Knoxville Management Area and downstream water quality has suffered. Tuleyome is leading a pair of projects to improve recreational experiences and access while reducing erosion and improving water quality downstream. Rolling dips, armored crossings, and other measures will increase the durability of trails while preventing water from becoming channelized and creating gullies along the trail.

Armored crossing on Dunnigan Hill Road

Placing rolling dips at regular intervals decreases the amount of water flowing on the trail, decreases the speed of flow, and lessens the erosive force. Armored crossings, rocks added to the trail bed where water flows across the trail, stabilize the soil and keep water flowing across the trail instead of following it. These can replace culverts which may become plugged by debris, melt, or collapse due to age.

Native Americans have used what is now Knoxville Management Area for thousands of years. Because of this, there are cultural resources scattered throughout the area. Local tribes have been consulted and are working with Tuleyome, BLM, and the contractors to ensure that these resources are respected and preserved.

Rolling Dip on Dunnigan Hill Road

More information about the projects is available on Tuleyome’s website . Visit the Bureau of Land Management website for more information about Knoxville Management Area .

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org)

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Certified California Naturalist Courses in 2024

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 09:43:19 GMT

Tuleyome is offering two Certified California Naturalist courses in 2024, a 10-week course and a 1-week immersive course at Wilbur Hot Springs. Our 10-week course will meet every Friday 12 pm to 4 pm from January 12 to March 15. In April, we are offering a 1-week intensive course at Wilbur Hot Springs.

Tuleyome's Certified California Naturalist class introduces students to the wonders of the biodiversity and unique ecology of our region and engages participants in the stewardship of California's natural communities. The course utilizes a combination of science curriculum, guest speakers, species-identification modules, field trips, and project-based learning to immerse you in the landscapes of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region. The course is provided in partnership with the University of California.

Both courses are designed to introduce anyone to the wonders of the natural world around us - no advance degree required! All field trips consist of low-impact walking trips and auto-tours, made suitable for all fitness levels.

Space is limited so be sure to sign up today!

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org)

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Tuleyome's Science Corner - Paper Wasps and Yellowjackets

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 09:41:28 GMT

Paper Wasp and Nest

The Sacramento region is home to at two very common types of social wasps (wasps that live together in a community); paper wasps and yellowjackets. Both yellowjackets and paper wasps belong to the family Vespidae which contains about 1,100 species. Yellowjackets belong to the subfamily Vespinae which contains two genuses (Vespula and Dolichovespala). Paper wasps belong to the subfamily Polistinae which contains approximately 300 species worldwide, 22 of which are in California and belong to the genus Polistes.

Yellowjackets and paper wasps are commonly confused and misidentified because they look quite similar, however there are some notable differences if you don’t mind getting pretty close to them. Yellow jackets are typically black with yellow markings, are slightly less than an inch long and appear chunkier lacking the very tapered “wasp waist” that paper wasps display. Paper wasps are slightly bigger than yellowjackets, dark brown with yellow markings and have orange-tipped antennae and long rear legs that dangle behind them in flight. Both yellowjackets and paper wasps build nests out of paper which consists of chewed plant material, wood and saliva. Both begin nest construction which is made of rows of individual hexagonal cells in the early spring as the weather warms and the queen has emerged from hibernation. Depending on the species, yellowjacket nests can be underground often in abandoned rodent burrows (sometimes this species is called “meat bees”) while other species build a suspended nest from a structure or inside the walls of a building. Generally, yellowjacket nests they are much larger than paper wasp nests as the colonies can host many thousands of individuals and ends of the cells are sealed with a paper envelope so the embryo is not visible. Paper wasp nests are smaller with open hexagonal cells and they are always attached to a structure by a small stalk or pedicel and look like a tiny, hanging umbrella. Some species of paper wasps manufacture a chemical that keeps ants from crossing the pedicel and accessing their larvae. Colonies of paper wasps are much smaller and may only support 100 to 200 individuals. Rather than build a single large nest, paper wasps use several nest sites which may include the eaves of a house or shed, outdoor birdhouses, benches, grills and other outdoor structures and shrubbery.

I recently learned most wasp species, yellowjackets and paper wasps included, play an important role in biological pest control. In the early spring as wasp colonies are growing, they prey on species that impact crops such as caterpillars, aphids, beetle larvae and flies. In late summer and early fall the colonies forage on nectar to feed the queen and workers. As a result, they are also important pollinators. It is also this time when yellowjackets and wasps may come into more frequent contact with humans by swarming around trash cans, barbecues and even open soda cans looking for sweet things.

Generally speaking, paper wasps are shy of humans, far less defensive and much less prone to sting unless their nests are disturbed. Yellowjackets are more irritable and aggressive and seem to almost want to pick fights with humans. Like all wasps, both species can sting multiple times and although not common, anaphylactic reactions can occur. Studies have shown that some species that display brighter colors have larger venom glands and as a result are more venomous. It’s thought that the brighter color is a warning to keep predators away from the nest.

The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District website states that it is dangerous to confront a yellowjacket nest and they offer free help with nest removal. They can be contacted here for more information.

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Enjoying Outside, Inside - Fake it 'til You Make It

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 09:36:31 GMT

My daughter and I were back to school shopping at the mall just a few days ago. As it turns out, so was the rest of the Sacramento region, it was pretty crowded. We went pretty early in the day thinking we’d accomplish our goals there and still have the rest of the afternoon to tackle a few more “before school starts’ tasks. Again, as it turns out, everyone must have had the same idea because parking wasn’t terrific.

We found a spot and strolled into the mall. Instantly we were blasted with chilly, pumpkin spice scented air. Chilly is actually an understatement, it was down-right cold air but looking around, the low air conditioning setting seemed to be intentional. The store mannequins were all decked out in outdoor fall attire. Ahhh, clearly these mannequins are all planning on attending a harvest festival or hay ride or whatever mall mannequins do when nobody is looking. And, of course the culmination of every outfit; the newest versions of all the boots were out on grand display ready to be snatched up and worn to go apple picking or what have you.

As we ambled through the mall, it seemed that every single store had their own version of pumpkin, mulled cider or cinnamon wafting through their racks of sweaters and puffy vests. And of course, pumpkin spice lattes and thick slices of banana bread were being peddled at all the coffee shops.

I’ll admit, it was a refreshing change. I’m not a pumpkin spice latte person but I do love a good fall candle and the delicious smells that come the oven when baking fall treats. I love the change in colors and the crisp mornings. I love opening the windows at night and being just cool enough to need a blanket. And it’s definitely not a bad thing when my tiny dogs get coldish and want to snuggle with me and my blanket either.

Both my daughter and I thought that this is good, back to school shopping and it actually feels like fall. This is nice. We strolled around from pumpkin scented store to pumpkin scented store trying on sweaters and hoodies, pointing out things that might make good Christmas gifts for each other and remarking how fast the summer went. We finished our shopping at the mall and headed to the door with a spring in our step despite the crowds and dodging thousands of (I’m exaggerating) strollers.

Thinking about what we were going to do next and chatting about maybe having some homemade soup or chili for dinner we gleefully threw open the glass door. Immediately, we were blasted by torrid, 100-degree air, sunlight so intense that neither of us had the muscle strength to open our pinched-shut eyes, and asphalt so sweltering that I’m positive it would have been comparable to walking across hot lava. The air felt like fire, it was hard to breathe. I’m pretty sure we both were browning like two pieces of garlic bread under the broiler during the walk to the car; which I’m confident somehow ended up now being parked on the actual surface of the sun.

WE WERE DUPED. Summer in Sacramento is no joke and just because the calendar says it’s back to school time does not mean that the temperature magically goes down. Rather than complain though, I’m going to try to will my way into autumn. Just those couple of hours in the mall being surrounded by all the pumpkin spice and fall fashions did make it feel like fall had arrived. Even though it’s not time to rake leaves yet, I can light a spicy candle and at least find where I stashed the rake last time I used it. It might be a little warm outside for soup but I can find and save some recipes and look forward to making them. It’s a little too hot outside to bake a lot but if you do it early in the morning you can have some yummy treats like spicy zucchini bread or apple dumplings for breakfast. And, at my house, the mere sound of football on tv makes it feel like fall, even if it’s preseason. To plan ahead for some outdoor activities when it does finally cool off, check out Tuleyome’s events page and rsvp for some upcoming fall trail work days or great fall hikes then locate those cooler weather clothes in the very back of your closet; if you can’t find them, the mall is chock full of boots and hoodies!

So, hang that fall wreath on the door and pretend its sweater weather outside.

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Nature and You Lectures

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 09:32:04 GMT

Breanna Martinico, a UC Cooperative Extension Wildlife Biologist, was the guest speaker for Tuleyome’s August Nature and You lecture series. Breanna discussed the beneficial role that birds, particularly raptors and songbirds, can play in agriculture in Northern California. How can we encourage these birds to live on and visit farms? What specific benefits do they provide? Watch the recording on our YouTube channel to find out!

Be sure to tune in for our next Nature and You talk on September 28th, which will feature Dr. Laura Bogar from the Department of Plant Biology at UC Davis. Dr. Bogar will discuss the symbioses between tree roots and fungi, and how those symbioses impact the ecology of forests as a whole. You can RSVP for the talk here.

-Dr. Geoff Benn ( gbenn@tuleyome.org )

Education Associate

Monumental Questions - Waterfalls in Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 09:28:50 GMT

As TLC says, “Don’t go chasin’ waterfalls” – please stick to your trusted source of all things Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument: Tuleyome. We are happy to direct you to our favorite spots!

Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument stretches over 100 miles north to south in the Inner Coast Range, from Lake Berryessa through Snow Mountain Wilderness in Mendocino National Forest. Although the Inner Coast Range tends to be dryer than the Outer Coast Range, there are still plenty of hikes for waterfall lovers to visit in the Monument.

Zim Zim Falls is the most popular waterfall in Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. This year-round fall is located north of Lake Berryessa and is easily accessed via Berryessa Knoxville Road – as long as one is willing to navigate some low water crossings and uneven pavement. The trail has many stream crossings and comes alive with wildflowers in the spring. A dip in the pool at the base of the falls can be refreshing on a warm day.

Pierce Canyon Falls is possibly the easiest waterfall to experience. The trail to the overlook is County Road 53 , which leads into the hills west of Guinda. These falls are usually dry by mid-summer and can only be seen from the other side of the canyon as they are located on private land. Despite this, the views of Capay Valley as you climb along the trail make the trip worthwhile.

If you are looking for a more secluded, less visited waterfall, look to Snow Mountain Wilderness. Take to the West Crockett Trail to Crooked Tree Trail. A short hike along the Waterfall Connector Trail will lead you to a gorgeous, year-round fall that seems out of place in the Inner Coast Range (pictured above). The canyon walls on either side of the falls are covered with ferns and the clear, cool water makes this a wonderful lunch spot or resting place while in Mendocino National Forest. Start your trip at the West Crockett Trailhead .

There are many other waterfalls – year-round and seasonal – in Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. We have our favorites, what are yours?

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org)

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Perseids Meteor Shower at Conaway Ranch

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 11:50:32 GMT

Bill Grabert and Jake Glassman are the newest members of Tuleyome’s Board!

Bill became a Tuleyome staff member in 2016, retired in 2021, and has continued his involvement with the organization as a volunteer. His staff roles included activities/education coordinator, lecture series host and California Certified Naturalist instructor. Bill fell in love with the natural beauty of the Berryessa-Snow Mountain area while working as a geologist in the geothermal fields of Lake County in the late 1970’s. He earned a double major BA in Environmental Biology and Geology from UC Santa Barbara. After a decade or so exploring for geothermal energy, Bill earned an MBA from San Francisco State University and started a second career in Information Technology designing and managing Health Care and Financial Information systems. Bill’s next, roughly decade-long, career was as a stay-home dad, scout leader, parent volunteer and home manager. In 2016, finding and joining Tuleyome was the perfect place to consolidate such a wide range of life experience into a final career. Bill is honored to continue his contribution to Tuleyome and the people of Tuleyome’s focus area as a board member.

Jake Glassman is an environmental professional with experience in both the clean energy and conservation fields. He currently works on the state policy team of the US Program at RMI (formerly Rocky Mountain Institute), engaging with leading states to increase the speed and scale of their climate policy. Prior to working at RMI, Jake was a consultant at Campaign for Nature, focusing on establishing stronger global conservation targets and funding to achieve them. His other professional experiences include ecology research, public lands conservation, and government relations work with an energy and environment focus. Jake has an M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering (Atmosphere/Energy program) and B.S. in Environmental Systems Engineering from Stanford University.

Update on Knoxville Management Area Projects

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 11:47:21 GMT

Work on two trails in the Knoxville Management Area has moved quickly! Multiple rolling dips, armored crossings, and other structures designed to increase the durability of the trails have been added along Cedar Creek Trail and portions of the main trail. All work is being done in Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.

By adding these structures to the trails in this fire impacted area, erosion is decreased which leads to improved water quality and improved riding conditions for people exploring the area via Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV). This will in turn decrease the amount of time, money, and resources needed to maintain the area.

More information about these projects, visit the project page on our website .

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Tuleyome's 2024 Certified California Naturalist Courses

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 11:44:15 GMT

The is designed to introduce anyone to the wonders of the natural world around us - no advance degree required! All field trips consist of low-impact walking trips and auto-tours, made suitable for all fitness levels.

Space is limited so be sure to sign up today!

Contact Nate for more information and to sign up!

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Tuleyome's Science Corner - Lichen

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 11:41:36 GMT

Oak Moss Lichen on a tree near the Dunfield Spring Trail in Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. Photo by Geoff Benn

The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument is home to a wide variety of lichens, ranging in appearance from drab flattened circles on rocks to wild filamentous and spiky forms that festoon trees. Among the latter category is our newly minted state lichen, the Lace Lichen, which can be seen in great numbers dangling from the branches of oak trees along Highway 128 south of Lake Berryessa.

So, what are lichens anyway? They’re actually not a single organism but are instead a long-term symbiosis between two different species – a fungal partner and a photosynthetic partner, which can be either a green alga or a cyanobacteria. Most of the body of a lichen is comprised of fungal filaments called hyphae, with a thin layer containing the photosynthetic partner just underneath the upper surface. The hyphae of the fungi wrap tightly around the individual cells of the photosynthetic partner, enabling the transfer of materials between the two species. There is still some debate about the exact nature of the relationship between the two partners, but the most commonly held view is that it is a mutualistic association where the photosynthetic partner provides sugars to the fungi and receives a protected place to live in return.

There are over 1900 species of lichen in California, with each adapted for growing on different types of surfaces, including species that specialize on desert soil, newly exposed rock, or living on trees. Lichens excel at living in these challenging environments because they can dry out almost completely and then revive once moisture returns. In fact, researchers with the European Space Agency exposed lichens to the vacuum of space for 14 days and found that they grew normally afterwards.

Lichens play an important role in the weathering of rocks by secreting chemicals that slowly break down the rocks, contributing to the formation of new soil. These rock dwelling lichens tend to be extremely slow-growing species that may grow at rates of only 1-2mm per year. Scientists have taken advantage of this fact by developing the field of lichenometry, which uses the growth rates of lichens to estimate the age at which a rock was first exposed to the surface. These techniques are particularly useful for dating surfaces that are 500 years or younger, where radiocarbon dating tends to be less effective.

Several species of lichen on a tree on the Fiske Peak Trail in Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. Photo by Geoff Benn

In addition to rock-dwelling lichens, species that grow on trees are very common in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. One of the most common is the Oak Moss Lichen, which I frequently see on Blue Oaks in the area. Unlike the parasitic mistletoes that also grow on oaks, lichens don’t harm the trees and only use them as a surface to grow on. Lichens may be more prevalent on dead or dying trees – this is likely due to the increased availability of sunlight due to the lack of leaves on the tree.

Lichens are also an important indicator of air quality. This is because they must absorb their nutrients from the air and are thus particularly sensitive to air pollution. This sensitivity is one reason why lichens tend to be uncommon in urban areas.

If you’ve been lichen this article, you can learn more about l ichens in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument by visiting iNaturalist .

-Dr. Geoff Benn ( gbenn@tuleyome.org )

Education Associate

Enjoying Outside, Inside - Stargazing

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 11:36:17 GMT

Did you catch the peak of the Perseids Meteor Shower this past weekend? The best time to see the shower was after midnight on Saturday night/Sunday morning. You’d be forgiven if you didn’t stay up (or wake up) to catch the peak. Tuleyome hosted a watch party at Conaway Ranch and while the group didn’t see many meteors, the ones that were spotted were beautiful. (And the lightning show over the Sierra made up for the lack of meteors.

The Perseids are still visible at night – in fact there could be meteors entering our atmosphere until August 24. Head out to your backyard or neighborhood park and look to the northeast. However, after the Perseids are done, there is still a lot to see in the night sky.

The first step is finding a location where you can see at least of portion of the open sky. Of course, if there is cloud cover, finding objects will be difficult but if the night is clear and you are able to omit some of the surrounding ambient light, the reward will be worth staying up a little later than normal. You don’t even need a telescope, a pair of 10X50 binoculars will leave you pretty impressed with your view of the night sky.

Doing a little bit of research is helpful before you find yourself sitting in a dark backyard. Here is a great article for beginner stargazers . You can also download one of the many apps designed to help you locate and track objects such as stars, planets, satellites, the International Space Station, phases of the moon, the location of constellations and other phenomena. I like the SkyView app, it shows you where objects are, even though you can’t see them. Like, if you point your phone at your feet, it’ll display space objects that are visible on the other side of the earth. Pretty cool, eh? Your research might also include exploring some websites. For example, NASA’s International Space Station website is fascinating. It’s updated so frequently, you can almost spy on the astronauts. On a side note, 2021 marks 20 consecutive years of humans occupying the space station. Stellarium is also a great website that will show you what to look for and when.

It’s important to let your eyes adapt to the darkness, it can take 20-30 minutes for your eyes to fully accommodate the darkness. If you’re using a flashlight, try covering the lens with a piece of red cellophane or find an app that uses red light such as Sky Walk. The red light won’t cause your pupils to dilate nearly as much as a white light does making it easier for your eyes to adjust between your flashlight or screen and the dark sky.

Now look up. Planets don’t flicker like stars appear to. When visible: satellites move steadily across the sky, Mars actually appears red, Venus is amazingly bright. Keep an eye on the news for meteor showers, passing comets, and eclipses. You can even sign up to receive notifications of when the International Space Station will be passing by your location . You can also join local astronomy clubs to learn when and where to look for things like different constellations.

If you prefer to save your neck muscles, here are some captivating YouTube videos to peruse.

Relaxing space nebulas

This one gives a short history of space exploration along with some amazing photos and videos of our own solar system.

These videos show images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope, which was designed to last only 15 years has actually been orbiting Earth for 30 years!

And, here is a timelapse of Alaska’s Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) and an instructional video on how they are formed and here is a video of the Northern Lights taken from the International Space Station .

Here is a live skycam from the Meadow View Observatory in Chico and another one from the Twin Pines Observatory in Belmont, CA . If you happen to look at them during daylight hours, you can check out the previous night’s action.

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

AND

Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Tuleyome's Policy Corner - Monuments in the Spotlight

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 11:28:50 GMT

Poppies on Molok Luyuk

A lot has happened in the couple of weeks, but we’re going to focus on protection for four National Monuments – Berryessa Snow Mountain, Grand Staircase-Escalante, Bears Ears, and Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon.

Close to home, support for protecting Molok Luyuk grows

Yesterday, August 15th, the Lake County Board of Supervisors voted 5:0 for a resolution in support of adding Molok Luyuk to Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, renaming it Molok Luyuk as requested by the Patwin people and ensuring co-management of the Monument by federally recognized tribes.

Supervisor Eddie “EJ” Crandall, whose district Molok Luyuk lies in, brought the resolution forward. Supervisor Crandall spoke eloquently about Molok Luyuk’s significance to Native American tribes in the region and the need to protect the place and its culture and natural resources. He was passionate in his discussion of the need for co-management by the region’s tribes and the benefits that would bring. All members of the Board of Supervisors spoke in favor of the Resolution.

Likewise, all public statements were in support of the resolution. I spoke on behalf of Tuleyome, pointing out that Molok Luyuk is an ecological, cultural and historical treasure that supports multiple habitats, a variety of wildlife and is renown for its remarkable geology. Adding Molok Luyuk to Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument will preserve this irreplaceable biological and cultural hotspot, protect public enjoyment of the lands, lead to more thoughtful and responsible management of these public lands and preserve our cultural and natural heritage, while bringing more resources and economic opportunities to the surrounding communities.

Also speaking in favor of the resolution were representatives from CalWild and California Native Plant Society. Thousands of others have sent letters, signed petitions and postcards, written LTEs and op eds, testified and gone door to door in support.

The Board will be forwarding their resolution of support to Congress and President Biden.

In Utah and surrounding the Grand Canyon, three National Monuments are protected – Bears Ears, Grand Staircase-Escalante, and Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon

Last week, on Tuesday, August 8th, President Biden designated Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, conserving nearly 1 million acres of public lands to the south, northeast and northwest of Grand Canyon National Park. The Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument protects thousands of cultural and sacred sites that are important to the Southwest Tribal Nations, including the Havasupai Tribe, Hopi Tribe, Hualapai Tribe, Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians, Las Vegas Paiute Tribe, Moapa Band of Paiutes, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, Navajo Nation, San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, Yavapai-Apache Nation, Pueblo of Zuni, and the Colorado River Indian Tribes. It does this while respecting existing rights, such as grazing and minerals, and preserving hunting and fishing access.

On Friday, August 11th, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit aimed at rolling back the Bear Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments. President Clinton established Grand Staircase-Escalante in 1996 and President Obama establish Bears Ears in 2017. In 2017, President Trump attempted to reduce their boundaries by approximately 50 and 85 percent, respectively. Both are sacred to native peoples, including the Hopi, Ute Indian, Ute Mountain Ute, Zuni Tribes and Navajo Nation. The State of Utah and others challenged President Biden’s the use of the Antiquities Act to reinstate the boundaries. U.S District Judge David Nuffer said that President Biden acted within his authority, that the President can issue proclamations creating Monument “as he sees fit” and that those actions are not reviewable by the Court. The State of Utah plans to appeal.

-Sandra Schubert; sschubert@tuleyome.org

Executive Director

Monumental Questions - What are Wild and Scenic Rivers

Sun, 20 Aug 2023 23:38:52 GMT

Rafting on a portion of Cache Creek designated as a Recreational River

In 1968, Congress passed the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act; four years later, California’s legislature passed the state’s Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. This state act preserves rivers, and their immediate environments, which “possess extraordinary scenic, recreational, fishery, or wildlife values”. California’s wild and scenic rivers are protected for the benefit and enjoyment of the public.

Both wild and scenic rivers are “those rivers or segments of rivers that are free of impoundments”. Wild rivers are “generally inaccessible except by trail” whereas scenic rivers are “accessible in places by roads.” The watersheds or shorelines of wild rivers are essentially primitive, and the waters are unpolluted. Scenic river watersheds and shorelines are still largely primitive, and the shorelines are largely undeveloped.

An additional classification is as a Recreational River. These are “rivers or segments of rivers” that are easily accessed via road or railroad. The shorelines may have some development and the river may have been impounded or diverted in the past.

Cache Creek, which flows east to west through Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument just south of CA-20, is, in various parts, a Wild, Scenic, and Recreational River. North Fork Cache Creek from where it crosses CA-20 to the confluence with the mainstem is a scenic river. The mainstem, from near Cache Creek Dam to just west of the confluence with Bear Creek near CA-16 is a wild river (with a few sections designated as scenic). The portion of Cache Creek from the confluence with Bear Creek to Camp Haswell is designated as a recreational river as it nearly parallels CA-16 through the canyon. This section is easily accessed via the three Yolo County Parks in the area.

The riparian habitat along Cache Creek is surrounded by oak woodland, grassland, and chaparral. This creates a diverse habitat. The area supports a large population of bald eagles in the winter and year-round habitat for tule elk, black bears, bobcats, mountain lions, and many other animals. Cache Creek has cut through hills and cliffs exposing amazing and unique geologic formations.

Cache Creek has been home to native tribes for many thousands of years. Because of the remoteness of the river, cultural resources have been left undisturbed. Respecting and honoring resources is another extremely important reason for protecting this amazing waterway.

For more information on Wild and Scenic Rivers, check out the information provided by Caltrans .

This pdf has information on the California Wild and Scenic River System including a description of designated areas.

An interactive map of nationally listed Wild and Scenic Rivers is available here .

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Work at Knoxville Management Area Starts!

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 12:16:00 GMT

Work started on Cedar Creek Trail on July 10 – the eighth anniversary of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument! The following day, July 11, work began on the main trail. These projects address fire damage and the associated erosion and improve each trail to protect natural and cultural resources. Our work will also decrease the amount of maintenance required in the future. Cedar Creek Trail is highly eroded and nearly impassible at points while the main trail received regular grading.

By the time the work is completed, OHV access (and enjoyment) will be increased, erosion decreased, water quality increased, and time and money needed to maintain the trails will be decreased. A win-win-win-win situation!

More information is available on the project webpage.

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Latino Conservation Week 2023 Event

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 12:10:04 GMT

Tuleyome participated in Latino Conservation Week 2023 by hosting a group at Cache Creek Regional Park Campground. Nearly 20 participants from Stockton joined the event which included stargazing, camping, and a short hike in Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. Many of the participants were first-time campers – Tuleyome was happy to help introduce them to the wonders of spending the night outside! To help first time explorers, Tuleyome provided tents to those who needed them and had boots on hand via our Boot Bank for anyone that needed quality hiking shoes or boots.

After dinner on Friday, the group was able to use telescopes to look at stars, planets, and galaxies thanks to Dr. Dan Phillips. Dr. Phillips has a wonderful way of describing and explaining what is seen to people of all ages. The campground provides a dark sky to see faint objects that are often obscured by city lights.

The group took a short hike on Saturday morning, crossing the new Road 40 bridge over Cache Creek to get a brief look at the Monument. Tuleyome staff provided an overview of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument as well as a summary of the efforts to expand the Monument to include Molok Luyuk (colloquially known as Walker Ridge). After the hike, the group returned to camp to cool down in Cache Creek.

Thank you to Hispanic Access Foundation and Dr. Dan Phillips for making this event a success! Additional gratitude to Alvaro Casanova and volunteer Tuleyome Board Member Martha Cerda for attending and providing the information in Spanish!

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Tuleyome's Science Corner - Poison Oak

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 12:06:32 GMT

Poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum) with fall foliage by Frank Schulenberg

I had my first encounter with poison oak when I was working in a research lab at UC Davis. I had just taken off my gloves after doing an experiment, when I noticed blisters across the back of my hand. Had I spilled acid on my hand? I frantically checked my gloves and work area – no sign of a spill or damage to the gloves. Then I remembered that I had gone hiking near Lake Berryessa a few days earlier. A Google image search confirmed my suspicions – the rash was caused by western poison oak.

Western poison oak is not an oak at all, but is actually a member of the cashew family, which includes cashews, mangos, and sumac. Its closest relatives are the other members of the genus Toxicodendron (Latin for “poison tree”), which includes eastern poison oak, poison ivy, and the Chinese lacquer tree. Western poison oak is the only member of the genus present in California, where it can be found throughout the Coast Ranges, in the Klamath, and at lower elevations in the Sierra Nevada.

Western poison oak takes both its common and species name (Toxicodendron diversilobum) from its lobed leaflets, which resemble oak leaves, except that they typically occur in clusters of three, while true oak leaves are singular. It can occur as either a shrub or a climbing vine and can have quite a bit of variability in the shape of individual leaflets. The key identifying feature is its compound leaves, which each have three leaflets, with the center leaflet having a longer stem. These leaflets begin the year with a green color that will change to red in the fall. The leaves are lost for the winter, during which time the plant can be identified by its reddish-brown stems. It’s important to note that all parts of the plant can cause a rash, so you’ll want to be careful even in the wintertime when it is leafless.

Poison oak and its relatives produce an oil called urushiol, which is rapidly absorbed into our skin upon contact. Once inside our skin, urushiol binds to a protein called CD1a. This causes CD1a to be recognized by the immune system as foreign, leading the immune system to attack the skin cells, eventually causing a blistery rash. Interestingly, CD1a has also been shown to play a key role in causing psoriasis.

Despite the headaches it causes for humans, poison oak is an important component of the ecosystem of the inner coast range, where its leaves provide forage for deer and its berries provide food for a variety of birds. This raises the question of how these animals can contact and consume poison oak without developing rashes like we do. While this question has yet to be definitely answered, the recent discovery CD1a’s role in causing the human reaction to urushiol provides an important clue – the CD1a gene is primarily only found in humans and other primates, suggesting that its absence may contribute to other animal’s lack of sensitivity to urushiol. This is supported by a 2016 study which showed that mice that were genetically engineered to have the CD1a gene became susceptible to urushiol.

Given that there’s not an obvious evolutionary benefit for primates to produce such a strong response to poison oak, you may be wondering “why us?” The answer is unknown, but I suspect that primate sensitivity to urushiol may be an unfortunate evolutionary accident – CD1a likely evolved to recognize other substances similar to urushiol, such as compounds produced by infectious bacteria or fungi, and therefore triggers a defense response when urushiol is present. The good news is that with a better understanding of how the human body reacts to poison oak, scientists may be able to develop more effective treatments. In the meantime, it’s best to keep an eye on your surroundings and remember the mantra “leaves of three, let it be.”

-Dr. Geoff Benn ( gbenn@tuleyome.org )

Education Associate

Enjoying Outside, Inside - Maps for Identification and Understanding

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 12:03:15 GMT

Do you wonder what trees you're seeing in a particular area? Want to understand something about the rocks in an area? Curious what animals you might come across? These maps can help you identify what you're seeing, understand patterns, and give you a sense of what you might find in a new area.

CalFlora What Grows Here : Zoom in to search for plants within the visible area or draw a shape on the map to find plants near a particular feature such as a mountain or lake. You can filter for native plants, rare plants, weeds, and non-natives, or search for trees, grasses, herbs, and the like. Search results include photos, flowering time, and links to species accounts. Zooming well in or filtering is recommended so as not to get overwhelmed—there are a lot of species out there!

eBird hotspots map : Zoom in on a location or enter a hotspot name to see the number of birds observed in that area, then click on View Details for a hotspot to see a species list. (The species list includes observer names so you may see someone you know!) Clicking on a species in the list gets you a description, photos, and statistics. This can also help you decide where to go for your next birding trip!

iNaturalist observations map : Zoom in (way, way in) to an area and see crowdsourced observations. Click on the observation points to see what other people have seen. They're color-coded so you can easily search for animals, plants, fungi, and even protozoans. Or you can search for a species to see where it's been observed. Observations where at least 2 people agree on the identification are considered "research grade" and iNaturalist tracks the number of people agreeing.

National Geologic Map Database (NGMDB) : Click and/or zoom to see all the geologic maps available via web for a given area. Zooming in shows more detailed maps. For California, these include both USGS maps and California's regional geology map series. Click on a map from the list on the left and then on "More info" to get downloadable map PDFs and more. Recent maps have GIS datasets available. Geology maps require a certain amount of nerding out to get the most out of them, but you can see patterns and basic rock types fairly quickly.

-Amy Boyer

Monumental Questions - Monument Management

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 12:01:02 GMT

Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument consists of 330,780 acres of federally managed public lands. It stretches over 100-miles from the Stebbins Cold Canyon area, south of Lake Berryessa, through Snow Mountain Wilderness to the Yuki Wilderness in Mendocino National Forest. Only federally managed public lands are part of the Monument, however, private landowners as well as other public lands managers (State, County, etc) that are within the boundaries may choose to align their land management practices with those of the Monument.

Broadly speaking, the southern portion of the Monument is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) while the north is managed by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). Highway 20, which connects Clear Lake with I-5, is roughly the dividing line between the north and south portions of the Monument. USFS manages slightly more acres than BLM, 197,204 acres to 133,576 acres. These two agencies can have differing management practices which could lead to confusion with Monument management.

To help clear up confusion, a Monument Manager is in place to work with both BLM and USFS. It is this person’s responsibility to ensure that management practices are consistent throughout the Monument – or at the very least, not contradictory. The first manager for Berryessa Snow Mountain was Rebecca Wong who started as Monument Manager in November 2016. In 2023, Melissa Hovey was selected to manage the Monument and continue the work to establish a Monument Management Plan.

The Monument Management Plan is essential to ensure that the land is being managed to benefit all user groups while still maintaining and preserving what makes Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument so special. Unique geologic features, including serpentine outcrops and deep-sea mud volcanoes, need to be protected to ensure that the rare species that depend on these features have a place to thrive.

The Monument is also home to many Native American tribes and has been for many thousands of years. Their history, culture, and stories are woven into the land and need to be protected. It is important that tribes be included in the development of the management plan.

Federally managed lands in Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument are public lands and should be open to everyone. So, while it is imperative that rare, endangered, threatened, unique, species have a place to thrive, it is equally important that the public have the chance to enjoy the land. Coordinating where and when certain activities can take place will increase access and safety for all while protecting sensitive areas.

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Tuleyome's Policy Corner - National Congress of American Indians Passes Resolution in Support of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 11:58:21 GMT

The National Congress of American Indians passed a resolution in support of the expansion of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument to include Molok Luyuk. The resolution notes the cultural significance and importance of the ridge to the Patwin, Pomo, Huchnom, Lake Miwok, Wappo, Yuki, and Nomlaki peoples of northern California. Further, it highlights that these lands are already managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the desire of tribes connected to Molok Luyuk and Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument to be included in the management of the Monument.

The full resolution (#MN-23-012) can be found on the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument page of our website.

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Tuleyome Welcomes Two New Board Members!

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 11:53:39 GMT

Tuleyome Education Associate, Geoff Benn, explaining the reason for the Perseids Meteor Shower

On Saturday, August 12, Tuleyome hosted a Perseids Meteor Shower watch party at Conaway Ranch. Although the peak of the shower was after midnight, we did see a few meteors streak across the sky. The star of the show, however, was the lightning over the Sierra!

The group arrived before sunset to experience nightfall in nature. We were treated to large flocks of ibis returning to roost after a day of foraging and swarms of dragonflies eating mosquitoes and other flying insects. It is a great experience to sit and watch the sky as it goes from day to night, seeing the first stars come out, the constellations, then satellites zooming overhead.

Thank you to Conaway Ranch for partnering with us and allowing us on the ranch to look at the stars! Check out the photos here .

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Featured Trail: Smittle Creek Trail

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 22:35:58 GMT

The Smittle Creek Trail follows the western shoreline of Lake Berryessa, connecting the Oak Shores and Smittle Creek day use areas. The trail features great views of the lake, relatively flat terrain, intermittent shade, and proximity to swimming opportunities, making it a good choice for a summer morning hike. Be sure to bring your binoculars, as this trail affords ample opportunities for viewing waterfowl and raptors, both close-up in the coves along the trail and at nesting sites on offshore islands.

For more information about trails in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region, check out our Trail Guide !

-Dr. Geoff Benn ( gbenn@tuleyome.org )

Education Associate

Tuleyome Tale: Scientific Studies on Silver Spur Ranch

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 22:32:21 GMT

Did you catch our most recent Tuleyome Tale? The article discusses the many scientific studies taking place on Tuleyome's Silver Spur Ranch Property. Silver Spur is located at the heart of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, just east of Molok Luyuk, what is colloquially known as Walker Ridge. The North Fork of Cache Creek flows through the property after exiting Indian Valley Reservoir, located just to the north.

You can read the Tuleyome Tale via Lake County News or Woodland Daily Democrat .

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Summer Hiking in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Region

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 22:28:11 GMT

Bob Schneider and Bill Grabert looking at Lake Berryessa and Snow Mountain in the distance while hiking at Stebbins Cold Canyon

Bob Schneider, one of Tuleyome's co-founders and current member of Tuleyome's Advisory Council, and Bill Grabert, a Tuleyome staff member turned volunteer Tuleyome Board Member, co-authored the following Tuleyome Tale. Although it was written in 2020, the safety measures outlined are timeless and a good reminder given the current temperatures in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region.

This area gets HOT in the summer. Every year, in extreme heat of summer, there are rescues of hikers in our region. Heat and dehydration can be life threatening, but rescues, which put our emergency personnel at risk and keep emergency resources occupied, can be avoided with just a little planning and common sense. Hiking in the midst of summer is possible...here are some recommendations on how to hike safely.

Check the weather. Don’t hike on high temperature days. Take LOTS of water. Know your route. Be prepared to turn around when temps increase and water runs low.

Get out early. If you can be on the trail at sunrise, all the better. Take lots of water because you will be sweating it out. Perspiration is essential to keeping your body temperature regulated. In this area, very few of the trails have water nearby. Some no-water trails, like the difficult 14.5-mile Berryessa Peak trail, should simply not be attempted on a hot summer day unless you plan to carry a couple of gallons of water with you. Getting out on the trail extra early has the added benefit of avoiding most other people who start on the trail at 9:00 AM or so. On the hottest days, plan to be finished with your hike and off the trail by 11:00 AM.

There are two main ways to keep cool while you’re out on a hike: shade and evaporation. You can get shade from a tree, but you can also get it from a hat. Wear a hat! A lot of the trails around here are lacking in trees, but you will always have shade if you wear a nice broad hat. You don’t see it here very often, but an umbrella can also be helpful. The best evaporative cooling is natural perspiration and a little breeze. However, a nice trick on an extra hot day is to carry a mister spray bottle for extra cooling from time to time.

One way to learn about hiking and the hikes in our region is to first go with others. Tuleyome, the Sierra Club, and many “Meet Up” groups may offer hikes. Check them out. You will learn to enjoy the outdoors safely and you will meet fellow hikers.

Sometimes accidents do happen. We are truly fortunate to have dedicated public safety men and women who take time away from their families and incur personal risks to aid those in need. But let’s be sure that we take personal responsibility to avoid unnecessary rescues and do our best to let them enjoy their time at home.

Top Twelve Safety Pointers:

Know where you are going – and let others know. There are maps online and trail books at outdoor stores. Plan your trip and let your family and friends know your plan. New hikers can first take trips with hiking groups in the region.

A whistle? Signal mirror? Cell Phone? It’s nice to be able to call for help when really necessary but keep in mind that often trails can be well out of cell phone range. Before you make that “rescue me” call, ask yourself: Is somebody injured? Is this a life-threatening emergency? Do I really need help or can I figure this out for myself?

Take a hat, dark glasses and sunscreen with you – and use them.

It is good to have some basic First Aid supplies. Super glue and duct tape are invaluable but you can also purchase small First Aid kits at outdoor stores.

Keep up your energy level. A sandwich, nuts, dried fruit and energy bars can give a quick boost and make for a happier hiking experience.

Be aware of the nature dangers in our area. The two most common dangers around here are poison oak and ticks. The best way to keep away from both of them is to stay on the trail. If you’re not brushing up against vegetation, you should be fine. However, it’s always wise to shower with plenty of soap and check your skin for ticks after a hike.

Rattlesnakes: watch where you put your hands and feet. They don’t always rattle. If you see a snake, just avoid it. It will be trying to avoid you too. Most likely, it’s a harmless gopher snake not a rattlesnake.

Mountain lions and bears: yes, they do live around here. Attacks are extremely rare but it’s wise to be particularly aware at dawn or dusk to keep your dog and children close to you.

Take a flashlight. Starting your hike late and getting “be-nighted” is not a reason for rescue! Flashlights or headlamps can allow you to hike during those unplanned nights out.

Take lots of water; at least two quarts for a day hike. Also, drink it! Your goal should be to end the hike with an empty (or nearly empty) water bottle.

Weather can change dramatically on the trail so be prepared for everything. Thunder storms are rare here, although they can happen. Fire is a real danger. If a strong summer wind kicks in, you might want to think about heading home, and if you smell smoke, get out fast.

If you hike with your dog, be aware that dogs can overheat even if you’re offering them water. Dogs cannot sweat the way humans do. They can cool themselves somewhat by panting with their tongues out, but that can only go so far, especially without shade and rest. I will always remember passing a very sad couple on the exposed ridge overlooking Cold Canyon carrying their unconscious 70 lb. dog in the 100+ degree heat.

Stay on the trails. Trails are built through careful planning and with the landscape in mind. Cutting switchbacks causes erosion and habitat destruction… and ultimately someone has to do the work to repair the damage caused by inconsiderate hikers.

Google “ten essentials” for serious outdoor preparation, with one caveat for our area. Ten essentials lists always contain supplies for making a fire. Please do NOT make a fire in the inner coast mountains in the late summer and fall. It takes very little for these mountains to go up in flames.

Everyone can enjoy our region and to do so safely. Our first responders want to help when really needed but let’s avoid all unnecessary call-outs. When hiking, have fun, be smart and keep safe! And, as always, don’t litter; pack out what you take in.

-Bob Schneider, Tuleyome co-Founder and Advisory Council Member

-Bill Grabert, volunteer Tuleyome Board Member

Monumental Questions - What are Areas of Critical Environmental Concern?

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 23:31:04 GMT

Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) are places that have been designated as needing special management attention to protect important historical, cultural, and scenic values, OR fish and wildlife, OR other natural resources, OR to protect human life and safety from natural hazards. This designation can only apply to areas within existing public lands. ACECs shall have substantial significance and values, not just locally but widespread.

ACECs are evaluated through land use planning using the best available information and extensive public involvement, meaning that the public has a say in how they are managed. If a proposed ACEC meets the criteria, a planning team develops potential management options and incorporates the proposed ACEC into a draft land use plan – which is open to public comment.

Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument contains multiple ACECs and there are others nearby. Some of these nearby ACECs are along Molok Luyuk, in the area included in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion Act. Due to these lands designated as ACECs, these areas are currently being managed differently than the lands surrounding them, adding confusion and extra time, money, and resources. By including Molok Luyuk in Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, the Bureau of Land Management would be able to streamline their management of this unique place.

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Welcome, Geoff!

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 23:28:53 GMT

Geoff grew up in upstate New York, where he spent much of his childhood reading, hiking, and camping with his family. He received his BS in Crop Sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his Ph.D. in Plant Biology from UC Davis, where he studied the molecular biology of plant stress responses. After completing graduate school, Geoff worked as an Academic Coordinator at UC Davis, where he oversaw teaching laboratory operations for a large introductory biology course (Biodiversity and the Tree of Life). While working at UC Davis, Geoff began hiking and botanizing extensively in and around what would become the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, which led to volunteer work with Tuleyome and Solano Land Trust, and eventually to the Education Associate position at Tuleyome. In his free time, Geoff enjoys hiking, hunting for wildflowers, cycling, and playing guitar.

Featured Trail: Cowboy Camp

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 23:26:53 GMT

Cowboy Camp has a large open space for group camping with access to lots of trails!

Cowboy Camp is located on CA-16, about 1 mile south of CA-20. This area, as its name suggests, is a popular starting point for equestrians, but is also great for hiking and mountain biking. The trail out of Cowboy Camp parallels Bear Creek as it flows south to meet up with Cache Creek. After crossing Bear Creek, users can choose many different trails located in this area. This is great for half-day hikes, day hikes, car camping, backpacking, long mountain bike rides, horseback riding, and stargazing! Cowboy Camp has a large open space for group camping with access to lots of trails!

-Chelsea Ferguson ( cferguson@tuleyome.org )

Administrative Assistant

Share Your Monumental Memories!

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 23:24:16 GMT

The anniversary of Berryessa Snow Mountain's designation as a National Monument is July 10th, and to celebrate Tuleyome wants to hear from YOU! Follow this link to share your Monumental Memories with us! Everyone who participates before noon on July 10th will be entered into a raffle to win a Tuleyome prize pack that includes: A Tuleyome t-shirt, camp mug, stickers and other goodies AND for our 21 and over friends, a bottle of wine.

-Chelsea Ferguson ( cferguson@tuleyome.org )

Administrative Assistant

June's Nature and You Lecture with Ken Ealy

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 23:17:55 GMT

Ken Ealy, Vice President of Yolo Audubon Society, was the guest speaker for Tuleyome’s Nature and You Lecture. Ken discussed the many birds found at Woodland Regional Park Preserve and how the area has become home to many species. How many species have been seen using WRPP? Which bird will fight its own reflection in a mirror? Watch the recording on our YouTube channel to find out!

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Enjoying Outside, Inside - Summertime Activities

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 23:15:50 GMT

As a kid, I always looked forward to summer. Was it because I didn’t have to go to school? Was it because (growing up in Wisconsin) I didn’t have to shovel snow for those three months? Probably a little of both. Regardless, I have many great memories of doing fun activities. If you’re looking for something to do to stay out of the heat, entertain children, or something to remind you of your childhood, here are some of my favorite things:

Tie-dye – who hasn’t had at least one tie-dyed shirt? There are many patterns to choose from: spiral, bullseye, stripes, or a heart. What colors to use? Try them all! A side “benefit” – you may have temporary tie-dyed hands!

Thread and a safety pin equals friendships bracelets. I remember sitting in the back seat on long trips tying knots to make colorful (and some not so colorful) bracelets. As with tie-dyeing, you can get as creative as you want.

Have a picnic. Sure, you could plan a special trip to a park or lake, but backyard picnics are just as wonderful! Forgot the ketchup? No problem! Need more chips? Run inside! Is it too hot? Take your picnic inside.

I remember going on scavenger hunts with friends. At their house, my house, or an open area nearby, we would create our own list and try to find worms, spiders, the largest leaf, something that started with the letter ‘C’. And don’t think you need to be a kid to have a scavenger hunt!

Run through the sprinklers!

Put up a hammock, read a book or take a nap. I didn’t do this a lot as a kid, but I have come to embrace the magic of a hammock in a nice shady area, with a book and a cool beverage close at hand. This is your reminder to take some time to relax and enjoy summer.

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Tuleyome's Science Corner - Black-tailed Deer

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 23:13:48 GMT

Black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) are very common in Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. These mammals are crepuscular meaning that they are most active and dawn and dusk, therefore, you will likely see their tracks or scat more often than the animal itself. They eat leaves, grasses, lichen, flowers, fruit, and berries. They even eat poison oak berries!

Baby deer, fawns, are usually twins and are born between May and July. A doe will give birth every other year, allowing her babies to stay with her for about two years. Newborn fawns have no scent at all during the first seven to ten days and lose their spots after three to four months.

Males start to grow their first “rack” of antlers when they are at least two years old – males less than two years old have single-prong antlers. Antlers start to grow in the summer and are covered with specialized hair called “velvet”. The velvet is covered with a webbing of blood vessels and is shed right before the rut, the breeding season, in the fall.

Because a deer’s pupil 10 times larger than a human’s pupil and they can see into the ultraviolet spectrum, deer have excellent low-light vision. Their eyes are placed in such a way that they have a visual range of about 310-degrees (humans have a range of about 180 degrees). In addition to their eyesight, their ears can move independently to help pinpoint where the sound is coming from. Ever seen a herd of deer scatter at the exact same time? Deer have a special gland on the outside of the lower part of the rear legs that produces a scent to communicate danger to the rest of the group.

Deer are one of the most frequently reported human-wildlife conflict species in the state. Here are some ways to limit your impact and interaction with deer:

Remove fallen fruit in a timely manner.
Clean bird feeders regularly and remove them if deer begin feeding under hanging feeders.
Do not feed deer. Feeding deer can attract predators. (Please be aware, if there are deer, there may be a mountain lion – even in Los Angeles!)
Leash pets when hiking or walking.
Keep a safe distance when you encounter a deer.
Slow down and be diligent when driving.

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Enjoying Outside, Inside - Foraging and Wild Foods

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 23:50:04 GMT

Photo by Dr Gordon Walker

Wild foods and foraging seem to be popping up in more and more places these days, from Bay Area restaurants to shows like Hulu’s Chefs vs Wild , a reality competition show where chefs are dropped into wilderness areas and must prepare a three-course meal with wild ingredients. While it takes quite a bit of training and experience to reach that level, anyone can learn the basics and start foraging and adding wild ingredients to their cooking. This can be a great way to improve your knowledge of the natural world and connect more deeply to the lands around us. It’s also a great topic to delve into on summer days when it’s too hot to hit the trail.

I’ve highlighted a few resources here to get you started:

If you’re interested in learning about foraging for wild mushrooms, I highly recommend checking out Fascinated By Fungi on social media and YouTube. Fascinated by Fungi is run by Dr. Gordan Walker, a Napa-based scientist and fungi educator with nearly two million followers on TikTok. Good places to start include his YouTube playlists on mushroom identification and cooking with wild mushrooms . Most of the videos are filmed in Northern California, so there’s lots of useful information for prospective foragers in our area.

Another great creator to check out in the foraging space is Alexis Nikole Nelson, the incredibly enthusiastic and knowledgeable force behind the popular BlackForager and alexisnikole accounts on Instagram and TikTok. Her videos typically cover identifying, preparing, and cooking a specific wild ingredient, with a focus on wild and urban plants found around her home in Ohio. While some of the plants she features are only found on the east coast, she also covers many edible invasives that are common in California.

If books are more your speed, I recommend California Foraging: 120 Wild and Flavorful Edibles from Evergreen Huckleberries to Wild Ginger by Judith Larner Lowry. The book covers edible wild plants, including where and when to pick, suggestions for preparation, and guidance on how to harvest sustainably. Another good option is The Bay Area Forager: Your Guide to Edible Wild Plants of the San Francisco Bay Area , by Kevin Feinstein and Mia Andler.

I will also give a second recommendation to Tending the Wild: Native American Knowledge and the Management of California's Natural Resources , by M. Kat Anderson, previously recommended in our post on local reads . This is an excellent book that not only explores the many ways California’s Native American tribes utilize wild ingredients, but also how they have managed ecosystems to improve productivity and sustainability.

Hopefully these resources will give you the knowledge and confidence to try foraging. If you do give it a go, take a picture and show us on social media!

As Alexis Nikole Nelson says: “Happy Snacking!”

-Geoff Benn

Monumental Questions - Clarifying National Parks and National Monuments

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 23:44:21 GMT

Serpentinite Rock on Molok Luyuk by Bob Wick

Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument is, as the title states, a national monument, not a national park. It includes 330,780 acres of federally managed public land, stretching over 100 miles from south of Lake Berryessa to north of the Snow Mountain Wilderness.

Tuleyome is currently working with many partners, community members, and congressional champions to expand the Monument to include the Lake County portion of Molok Luyuk, colloquially known as Walker Ridge. During conversations it has become apparent that clarification is needed on the difference between a national monument and a national park.

National parks, like Yellowstone, Yosemite, Lassen Volcanic, Dry Tortugas, are protected because of their beauty/inspirational value as well as being places of education and recreational value. To be classified as a national park, at least two items of interest must be present.

National monuments, Berryessa Snow Mountain, Bears Ears, Statue of Liberty, are protected for the location’s significance – historical, cultural, or scientific. A monument (or potential monument) needs to have only one item of interest but may include all three. Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument includes historical (mercury mining), cultural (Native American), AND scientific (geology) items of interest.

Molok Luyuk is representative of the entire Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument as it has items of historical, cultural, and scientific interest. The area was utilized by Native Americans for thousands of years as a trading route, evidence of which can still be found when exploring the area. Like the entire northern inner Coast Range, the area was heavily mined. Old mining roads, crumbling furnaces, and other debris are a legacy of the gold rush. Molok Luyuk provides geologists the opportunity to study deep sea tectonic activity without needing to use a submarine – portions of the ridge were formed deep in the ocean and have been uplifted due to tectonic activity. Botanists value Molok Luyuk because geologic history has produced rare soils which creates a home for rare plants. Opportunities abound on Molok Luyuk for legal-OHV riding, birders, hikers, geologists, and camping.

When asked to quickly differentiate between a national park and a national monument, I have described national parks are scenic recreation and national monuments as scientific or historic recreation. Simply put, national parks are undeniably beautiful while national monuments are important places, that you may or may not consider beautiful (we think Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument is breathtaking).

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Featured Trail: High Bridge Trail

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 23:40:34 GMT

Cache Creek from High Bridge Trail

The name “High Bridge” comes from the bridge over Bear Creek, just north of the trailhead . If Bear Creek is too high to safely cross, adventurers can use this bridge to cross without rock-hopping.

Once on the other side of Bear Creek, the trail switchbacks to the ridge and connects with the large network of trails between Bear Creek and Cache Creek Ridge. This trailhead is less popular than Cowboy Camp and Judge Davis Trailheads but leads to the same trails.

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Tuleyome's Science Corner - The Elusive Wolverine!

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 23:35:43 GMT

Wolverine (Gulo gulo) by Getty

Have you heard the news? A wolverine was observed in California for only the second time in a century! The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) confirmed that there were multiple recent and credible sightings; two in the Inyo National Forest and one in Yosemite National Park. CDFW believes that all three sightings were of the same individual and are calling the occurrence “extraordinarily rare”. So exciting!

To some, wolverines resemble little bears, however they actually belong to the same family (Mustelidae) as weasels, badgers, ferrets, otters, minks, martens and fishers. Their scientific name, Gulo gulo, translates to “glutton”; possibly for their voracious eating style. In North America, they are found primarily in the far north, cold, latitudes of Alaska and Canada but are also found in the Southern Rocky Mountains in Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico as well as the Cascade Range in Washington and a small portion of Oregon.

Wolverines are powerfully built and range from 18 to 40 pounds, males usually being larger than the females. They have strong, thick necks and a long 30 to 40-inch, tube-shaped body ending in a five to ten-inch tail. They are only about 18 inches high at the shoulder with powerful, stout and somewhat bowed legs and wide feet that have hair-covered soles; perfect for snowshoeing. Wolverines have small, rounded heads with powerful jaws full of strong teeth, two of them specialized to tear meat off of a frozen carcass. Their coarse dark brown coat is oily which helps repel snow and frost. They have lighter brown fur on their foreheads, the scruff of their necks, and continues down the left and right sides of their bodies. Like all members of the Mustelid family, wolverines have well-developed anal glands that secrete a foul-smelling fluid that is used for signaling to other wolverines and to mark territory. I’m quite certain those glands are why they have also been called “nasty cats” and “skunk bears”.

Primarily carnivores, wolverines are cunning and fearless hunters and are known for often taking down prey species more than twice their size. They’ve also been observed sparring with wolves and bears over resources within their range. When not picking fights with apex predators, their usual diet consists of small mammals, porcupines, livestock, moose, and deer but will consume limited amounts of vegetation and fruit when snow and food is scarce. They are also well-known scavengers, and a large component of their diet is comprised of leftover eagle, mountain lion and grizzly bear kills. Young wolverines are preyed on by gray wolves, mountain lions, golden eagles and grizzly bears but humans are responsible for taking the largest number of adults because of their water and frost repellant fur and threat to livestock.

Wolverines are usually considered solitary animals with very large home ranges that can include up to 600 square miles. They may wander up to 15 miles a day foraging for food. Mating takes place from May to August and males typically form lifetime relationships with several females within their home range. Gestation time varies greatly depending on weather conditions and when the fertilized egg implants. Females dig dens in the snow, often using boulders or uprooted trees to help shelter from the cold. If food is scarce, females will not produce any young but if conditions are good, one to five (most often two to three) snow-white kits are born in the spring. The young develop quickly but remain with their mother (with occasional visits from the father) for up to about a year. Although primarily solitary, small family groups have been observed traveling and hunting together.

Biologists estimate that there are no more than 300 individuals in the lower 48 states. Although they’ve never been abundant, wolverines are essential to a healthy ecosystem and their habitat requirements include a deep snowpack. Research in North America has shown a positive correlation between the depth of the snowpack and the wolverine population. This is possibly because harsh weather conditions result in more feeding opportunities for wolverines with a greater number of available large ungulate carcasses. Although the wolverine is extremely rare in the United States, it is currently not listed as a special-status species under the Federal Endangered Species Act. Relatively good news though, it is listed as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act and is afforded full protection under the California Fish and Game Code. To learn more about the wolverines that have visited California please visit Tuleyome’s friend and conservation partner Defenders of Wildlife.

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Last Field Trips of the School Year at Woodland Regional Park Preserve

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 23:33:23 GMT

With the end of the school year, Tuleyome’s field trips to Woodland Regional Park Preserve (WRPP) have concluded until next fall. The inhabitants of WRPP did not disappoint – they were on full display for the kiddos, showing off their home and delighting the students every step of the way.

At the Red-Tailed Hawk’s nest, we can now spot 2 baby hawks perching on the edge of their nest. Their darker feathers are starting to come in and they are growing rapidly, looking like they are anxious to take their first flight. Mom and Dad soared high above, keeping a watchful eye on things but staying in view of their babies and our binoculars. The Killdeer roamed the pathway as we walked along, which thrilled the students, and we even spotted a new addition to the Preserve- Magpies with their beautifully patterned black and white wings. Tiny frogs jumped about and turtles, large and small, lined logs in the pond. But, one of the most exciting moments for the students was when a family of geese, 4 goslings in-line with their parents, crossed the path directly in front of us. It was as if something out of one of their storybooks had come alive just for them.

After our walk through the Preserve, we headed back to the Kiosk area for a snack and short break before beginning the nature craft. The craft chosen for this group was the Seed Creatures craft- a “seed bomb” mixture of clay, organic soil, and native wildflower seeds that students got to mold into their favorite creature from the Preserve. We had lots of turtles, birds, leaves, and even eggs. The seed creatures dried in the sun for a bit while students enjoyed a few more moments at the Preserve. Then, they took their seed creatures with them as they prepared to leave, along with instructions on how to plant them. In the Fall, when they plant their Seed Creatures in a pot, home or school garden, they will be able to remember their time at the Preserve and why we work to protect these special places.

The last field trip was the first to participate in one of our SEL (social-emotional learning) trails which includes a nature walk and nature craft. This highly engaged, highly energetic group of kids were enthusiastic nature-lovers already and they were more than eager to adventure in the Preserve. In fact, they hiked the farthest along the trail than any other group their age!

The focus of the SEL nature walk is to engage students in a discussion about the need for preservation and conservation of special places like our urban regional park preserve, and to share with them all the beauty and wonder they can find there.

-Kara Green

Springlake second graders visit WRPP

Wed, 24 May 2023 17:37:21 GMT

The late spring is offering a bounty of things for students to see when they visit the Preserve right now, as the second graders from Springlake Elementary witnessed on May 11. This highly engaged group of students came out for a day of learning and were able to observe all the wonders of the Preserve while they were at it. They were not disappointed. Our resident Red-Tailed Hawk finally hatched her egg and students were able to use their binoculars to peer up at the tiny, fluffy baby bird, who was just as curious about them, peaking it’s head up and over the nest to look at all the kiddos who’d come to visit. Students also spotted a Killdeer nest just off the path and the remnants of several recently hatched goose eggs.

As we traveled further along the trail, we spotted evidence of coyotes that had likely visited throughout the night, as well as egrets, red-winged black birds, coots, and lots of turtles! The students were so enthusiastic about everything they saw and eager to take part in each of the activities.

The Springlake second graders participated in the Ecosystem and Adaptations trails. During the Ecosystem trail, students collected observational evidence about two different habitats at the preserve- the grasslands and the permanent wetlands. Students observed the different community members (plants and animals) living in each habitat and discussed the resources available in each space. They also made claims about what might cause such differences based on their observations. At the end of their time on the Ecosystem trail, students played a game called “Out-Competed” in which they each took on the role of a community member in the Preserve and competed for various resources.

The adaptation trail had students focus on various traits birds have that help them survive their environments. The Preserve is home to many different species of birds with many different adaptations- from raptors with their sharp talons and beaks to seed-eating blackbirds with their small, triangular beak and perching feet. After students recorded numerous observations in their field books, they tested out the attributes of various beaks in the “What Can You Eat?” game. Using a variety of different tools to simulate bird beaks (everything from tweezers to skewers), students hunted for different foods such as (Swedish) fish and (rubber band) worms. They soon discovered that some tools worked better at catching certain prey, much like how certain bird beaks are well-suited to catch and eat particular food sources.

By the time students left the Preserve, they were worn out and hot from the sun but they were full of excitement about everything they had seen, done, and learned. Students couldn't wait to return and kept talking about how much they looked forward to their next visit out. Parents and teachers, too, looked forward to another opportunity to visit the Preserve and enjoy all natural beauty it has to offer.

Enjoying Outside, Inside - Bonsai Trees

Wed, 24 May 2023 17:34:53 GMT

Confession- I have a secret obsession with the tiny home movement. I am constantly downsizing my possessions, always bearing in mind that tiny square of roped off space the host of my favorite tiny homes show tells his latest guests they must fit their possessions into so they can truly embrace their tiny home dreams. When my time comes, he won’t have to do that exercise with me. But the one thing I can’t let go of, the thing I must have in my tiny home, are living plants. A little bit of the outside brought inside. So, how do you manage plants in a tiny space? You go tiny of course- with Bonsai trees.

A couple of years ago I decided to give Bonsai trees a go. I ultimately want to grow them from seed but it’s not as easy as one might think and I’m still working my way towards my first sapling turned true Bonsai. In the meantime, my mom gifted me with a ready-to-tend Bonsai to get my collection started. It takes about 3-5 years to go from seed to Bonsai, so it’s not uncommon to begin a Bonsai project with plants in different stages.

Bonsai trees are truly trees in miniature. They begin from the seed of a standard sized tree. They eventually sprout and become saplings, just as their larger counterparts would. But careful tending of the plant which includes pruning, shallow planting, wiring and more creates a form of the large tree in miniature. Most individuals who raise Bonsai trees consider it an art form as much as a horticultural pursuit. The objective, after all, is to imitate the larger living tree in miniature and it’s for this reason that I love the hobby and consider it such an important part of my tiny home living. Being amongst the trees, particularly in a heavily forested area, brings me peace. The trees in my home bring that same peace from the outside, in.

If you are interested in pursuing your own Bonsai tree project, here are a few things worth knowing as you begin (and perhaps some fun facts, even if you aren’t raising Bonsai trees).

Bonsai trees are not their own species of tree. Any tree species can become a Bonsai tree with proper care and maintenance.
While any tree species can become a Bonsai tree, the species you choose to raise does matter. You will want to keep in mind things like whether you intend to keep the plant inside. Like their larger counterparts, most Bonsai trees will prefer to be outside but sub-tropical and tropical species do well inside.
You can order seeds, kits, and more online but you can also (where appropriate and allowed) collect seeds and saplings to start your Bonsai collection. It’s very important, however, to remember to check whether collections are allowed in the area you are hiking or visiting before doing this.
Flowering and fruit-bearing tree species work too… and they will bear their flowers and fruit! The tree will not bear nearly as much fruit as its larger counterpart, but the fruit will be relatively the same size.

Tuleyome's Policy Corner - The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion Act Passes Out of Senate Committee!

Wed, 24 May 2023 17:32:16 GMT

Hiking on Molok Luyuk

On May 17th U.S. Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources passed the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion Act ( S 683 ) with unanimous, bipartisan support. The bill, introduced by Senators Padilla and Feinstein, would expand public lands to protect Molok Luyuk, require a management plan for the Monument, and establish tribal co-management. It is companion legislation to HR 1396, introduced by Representatives Garamendi and Thompson.

Tribal and Community Leaders Applaud U.S. Senate Committee's Advancement of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion Act

Sandy Schubert

Executive Director

Tuleyome's Science Corner - Western Fence Lizards

Wed, 24 May 2023 17:28:15 GMT

Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis)

The Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis) is a moderately sized lizard commonly found throughout the western United States from Eastern and Southwestern Oregon, Southwestern Idaho, Nevada, Western Utah, Arizona and Baja California from sea level to around 11,000 feet. They can be found in a variety of habitats within their range including woodlands, grasslands, chaparral, forests, and urban areas such as farmland and neighborhoods. They usually occur near water and do not occupy desert regions.

Lizards are commonly measured from snout to vent (STV) and Western Fence Lizards usually range from a little over two inches to about three and a half inches STV. This measurement does not include the tail as is common when measuring lizards because tail length of individuals can vary greatly. Coloration ranges from light to darker brown, gray or even jet black but it is believed that the color variation is less camouflage and more related to thermoregulation, the process that helps them maintain their core internal temperature. Because lizards are ectotherms (cold blooded), their body temperature depends on external heat sources such as sunlight itself or the surfaces of other things that are warm such as rocks or the ground. Western Fence Lizards are diurnal which means that they are active during the day and can often be seen in open, sunny areas basking in the sun on rocks, fallen trees, trail edges or fences. Because they like to bask in open areas, they are susceptible to predation and a cold lizard is a slow lizard - an easy snack for keen-sighted raptors and mammals.

They have sharp claws for climbing and their sharply pointed scales make them appear spiny. They have grayish stripes along the length of their body with a lighter sandy colored wave pattern going horizontally. You might have grown up calling Western Fence Lizards “blue bellies” for obvious reasons; the adult males have bright, blue bellies as well as blue patches on the underside of their necks. The blue is usually absent or very pale on females and juveniles which makes determining sex in adult lizards fairly easy. The shade of blue can range from almost shockingly blue to a lighter, pale blue. The undersides of the front and rear legs are yellow to orange and occasionally, lighter individuals can have some bright, iridescent turquoise blue scales on their backs. Males establish territories which usually includes higher areas where they can perch and keep an eye out for intruders. You may have seen them busting out a few pushups to threaten rival males (or maybe just a passerby) to keep them from their territory and they will engage in physical combat if the rival male does not heed the warning to stay away. Adult males also do pushups and bob their heads to show off their bright blue patches to impress females. Courtship and mating usually occur from March through July and females can lay up to three clutches of up to nearly 20 eggs. The eggs are laid in shallow depressions dug by the female in loose, moist soil and begin hatching in August. Keep an eye out around that time and you will probably start seeing teeny tiny little two-inch baby Western Fence Lizards scurrying for the nearest safe place. Most of them do not breed until their second spring and individuals can live from five to seven years in the wild if things go well for them.

Western Fence Lizards eat a variety of invertebrates such as spiders, caterpillars, crickets, grasshoppers, mosquitoes and sometimes even their own babies.

If their tail is nabbed by a predator, they can detach it in an attempt to escape. The discarded tail continues to wiggle which will hopefully distract the predator enough so the lizard can escape. The tail usually grows back in about a month but is almost always shorter and will have a different scale pattern. Although this may save the lizard’s life, it is very costly and stressful for them.

It’s been discovered that Western Fence Lizards have an immunity to Lyme disease. They have a protein in their blood that kills the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. When ticks carrying the bacteria feed on a Western Fence Lizard, the protein kills the bacteria in the tick’s gut and the tick can no longer spread the disease. It’s been shown that cases of Lyme disease are fewer in areas occupied by Western Fence Lizards. Pretty cool.

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Third Weather Station Installed at Silver Spur

Wed, 24 May 2023 17:19:59 GMT

On May 22, Dr. Timothy Stark, Ph. D. with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, installed a third weather station at Silver Spur Ranch. These monitors are part of a study that is investigating the impacts of wildfires on landslides. This most recent station was added to a large slide along Cache Creek on the western side of Silver Spur. Installation included a hike up a large, steep ridge and finding a safe access point to the landslide.

Photos from the installation are on our Flickr page . Contact Nate ( nlillge@tuleyome.org ) with questions about the project.

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Woodland Regional Park Preserve Vernal Pool Tour

Wed, 24 May 2023 14:12:01 GMT

This winter's rains provided a lot of much needed water to the entire Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. Rains are especial important to plants in vernal pools - temporary bodies of water that are not connected to other bodies of water - rivers, streams, lakes, etc. These are usually shallow and have unique flora and fauna. Vernal pools could be found throughout California's central valley before land use changed. Now there is only a small fraction of these amazing treasures. Preserves like the Woodland Regional Park Preserve (WRPP) are necessary to ensure that these special locations survive.

To showcase these plants, Tuleyome volunteer Board Member, Glen Holstein shared his knowledge during a virtual tour of the vernal pools located on the preserve. You can watch the tour on Tuleyome's YouTube Channel . More information about WRPP can be found our Tuleyome's website .

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Featured Trail: Mount Konocti Trail

Tue, 23 May 2023 23:58:30 GMT

Mount Konocti is one of the most prominent and visible landmarks in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region. The trail to the top offers wonderful views of Clear Lake while winding through oak and knobcone pine (Pinus attenuata) forests. Stellars Jays (Cyanocitta stelleri) can be seen darting from tree to tree to ground and back to the trees.

The trail is pretty easy to follow - it is a public road for the majority of the hike. from the summit, hikers can get a 360-degree view of the area. Because of its prominence, there is a fire tower on top that is still used by volunteers to help spot wildfires.

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Pet Rocks at Duck Days

Tue, 09 May 2023 19:33:47 GMT

The joy and love of creating pet rocks never seems to grow old. For the second year in a row, Tuleyome brought the pet rock creation activity out to Yolo Basin Foundation’s Duck Days and it drew in another large crowd, rivaling the nearby snakes and Kestrel. Kids of all ages showcased their creativity while the adults learned about our hikes, local wildflower hotspots, and our campaign to expand Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.

This year’s event was even bigger than last year, with more activities and larger crowds. The table was busy nearly the entire day. We even had several people who visited last year and returned to make a “sibling pet rock” to go with the one they still have at home. Like I said, pet rocks never go out of fashion! Local UCD students even joined, a little shy at first, wondering if they were too old for the activity. But we assured them that pet rocks are for everyone and soon we were chatting about college majors, local hikes, wildflowers, and more- all while getting creative with our newly formed pets!

Overall, our time at Duck Days was a great success. We had the opportunity to talk to so many people about the many wonderful things we do at Tuleyome, and everyone loved their pet rocks they took home. We can’t wait to be back out next year when we will get to send everyone home with a new pet for their collection and share more about what we’ve been up to.

-Kara Green ( kgreen@tuleyome.org )

Education Associate

Certified California Naturalist

Tuleyome's Science Corner - California Wild Rose

Tue, 09 May 2023 19:29:30 GMT

Rosa Californica – Photo by Putah Creek Council

The California Wild Rose (Rosa Californica), one of several species of roses native to California, has a pretty descriptive name; Rosa, the genus that contains roses and Californica, meaning “of California”. Actually, California Wild Rose ranges from Oregon south to Baja Californica from the coast east through the valley to the foothills and mountains up to about 6,000 feet. It’s typically an understory vegetation species in Riparian or other areas with moist soil conditions however, it is also be considered fairly drought tolerant and can survive in arid environments as well.

In the valley and surrounding lower elevations, California Wild Rose prefers at least partial shade but as elevations increase or as locations get closer to the coast, it thrives in partial to full sun. It can be found growing as individual shrubs or in dense thickets often along streams, in meadows or even along the road side. As a shrub it reaches approximately three to six feet tall however it propagates quickly and dense thickets can form through rhizomatous growth. Rose thickets are important to wildlife and provide good shelter as the curved stems and hook-shaped thorns make it difficult for predators to follow smaller prey through them. Shrubs and thickets also provide nesting opportunities for birds and other wildlife.

California Wild Rose leaves and stems look like a typical rose having compound leaves with five to seven serrated leaflets and many branching stems complete with thorns, however they are not as robust as horticultural rose thorns. Flowers appear from May through November and range from white or vary pale pink to nearly magenta. Flowers look similar to cultivated roses but are simple and only have five petals and may occur as a single bloom or in a floral cluster (an inflorescence) of up to 20 flowers. When they are fully open, flowers range from one to two inches in diameter and appear flat like a saucer with many yellow stamens and pistols in the center. Flowers are showy and fragrant and are pollenated mainly by bees. The fruit, also called rose hips, is a valuable summer and winter food source for deer and elk and persist on the plants long after the flowers and leaves have disappeared. Interestingly, rose hips are not formed from the ovary of the flower like most fruits but rather are formed from other tissues and are technically called an “accessory fruit”. Other familiar accessory fruits include apples, pears, cashews, strawberries, figs and pineapples. Rose hips are high in Vitamin C and also contain calcium, phosphorus and iron and can be used fresh or dried steeped for tea or made into a sauce, jam or jelly. California Wild Rose flowers also have many uses and have been made into candy, condiments and perfume. You can also add them to salads as an edible garnish. Native Americans used the stems of wild roses for basketry.

California Wild Rose can be used in backyard gardening as a good screen or barrier plant or as a lovely flowering shrub. It can tolerate various soil conditions and although will do better with regular watering, it is easily acclimated to sparse water conditions. It is easy to propagate or transplant and grows quickly, just be sure to have enough space for it to spread or plant it in a container to limit its size. California Wild Rose also attracts pollinators which the rest of your garden will appreciate.

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Willett Elementary Kindergartens visit WRPP

Tue, 09 May 2023 19:27:42 GMT

On April 26, yet another class came out to experience the wonders of the Woodland Regional Park Preserve. Braving the heat, Kindergartens from Willett Elementary School in Davis started their adventure around 11am, just in time to see some of the critters that like to bask in the warm sunlight, including lizards and turtles, which are now being spotted in the pond. Teacher Ms. Lash chose the Ecosystem trail, so the eager students started off by getting binoculars and instructions for using this observation tool successfully. The kiddos then took some time practicing with their binoculars, peeking at the turtles close up and checking out the birds who seemed to be sitting still just for them.

Once all the students had their binoculars figured out (and parents had grabbed a pair also- they didn’t want to miss out!) we were on our way, heading down the ADA trail. We stopped just a short way down the trail where we had a clear shot of the geese and their four little goslings that recently hatched. As we came around the bend in the trail, we made our first official stop to investigate “the living tree” and discuss which animals call this place home. Even with the heat, this tree was brimming with life and with the help of the binoculars, students observed a lot! In our class field book we recorded butterflies, different types of birds, plants, trees, a hawk’s nest, and a very protective hawk who squawked her displeasure at us being there (she is diligently trying to hatch her eggs at the moment).

Our next stop was “the dead tree” where we questioned whether we might find critters living around a tree that fell to the ground and died some time ago. We were surprised to learn that this place, too, was home to many living things- though many of them were much smaller and living under the ground. We found worms, pillbugs, centipedes, beetles, ants, and more. The kids had an amazing time exploring the undergrowth and discovering the smaller living communities in our ecosystem.

When we finished, students enjoyed snacks under the canopy and in the Kiosk, next to the pond. They continued to make observations and chattered away about everything they saw. Parents and students alike raved about the wonders the Preserve has to offer and were grateful for the opportunity to spend the day enjoying a field trip out there.

-Kara Green ( kgreen@tuleyome.org )

Education Associate

Certified California Naturalist

The Boot Bank is on the Roll!

Tue, 09 May 2023 19:26:06 GMT

Tuleyome’s little yellow truck, the Boot Bank, hit the streets this past weekend, heading out to West Sacramento to deliver boots at the Latino Outdoors Semillitas Outdoors Week event. Volunteer board member Steve Drown brough the Boot Bank out and spent the afternoon fitting kids of all ages with boots. Little ones just starting their walking adventures toddled around in their new hiking boots, ready to hit the trail with their parents and whole families were able to outfit their kids with boots so they could enjoy a summer of hiking adventures. Altogether, we gave away more than 20 pairs of boots and shared lots of information about Tuleyome and the work we do.

-Kara Green ( kgreen@tuleyome.org )

Education Associate

Certified California Naturalist

Bear Valley Wildflower Tour on May 6

Tue, 09 May 2023 19:22:51 GMT

If you haven't gotten out to see the incredible wildflowers brought by our amazingly wet year, you can enjoy them from the comforts of home! And if you do go outside to see wildflowers, remember to be respectful: stay on paths, keep dogs leashed (and only bring them if allowed), and take pics, don't pick.

The Southern California flowers of Carrizo Plain, Anza-Borrego, and Antelope Valley are perhaps most famous, and they get national—even international—attention. NPR and The Atlantic both have spectacular photoessays. If you want to go farther afield, Atlas Obscura travels from San Diego to Arizona. You can even see the flowers from space in this article from the Guardian.

Closer to home:

San Francisco Chronicle has a map of where you can see different types of wildflowers, drawn from iNaturalist data.

North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve, near Oroville, has broad expanses of flowers and amazing waterfalls on columnar basalt, and hiking is easy. ActiveNorCal collected Instagram's best photos and videos. Given recent rain, you may still be in time to catch 164-foot Phantom Falls.

A quiet, ever-changing display can be had just down the road at Jepson Prairie Preserve , along with egrets. Try to get out there for a docent-led tour, when you may have a chance to see fairy shrimp and pick up a book on its wildflowers. You can enjoy a brief video tour that features the small, lovely Downingia there, or enjoy an article from Bay Nature magazine.

And of course Bear Valley, just east of Berryessa Snow Mountain and Molok Luyuk. Charlie Russell Nature Photography has a knowledgeable and gorgeous blog post. For an extensive tour of the flowers that will help you learn where they are and how to identify them, see Tuleyome's virtual tour . To see what Bear Valley looked like on May 6, 2023, check out this photo album !

-Amy Boyer

Enjoying Outside, Inside - Enjoying Wildflowers at Home

Tue, 09 May 2023 19:20:26 GMT

Closer to home:

San Francisco Chronicle has a map of where you can see different types of wildflowers, drawn from iNaturalist data.

-Amy Boyer

Featured Trail: Redbud Trail

Tue, 09 May 2023 19:16:32 GMT

The Redbud Trail to Cache Creek has some up, some down, but it is not too difficult. The trail winds up to the top of the ridge, where you get a fabulous view of the creek. Be sure to take the short spur to the nose of the ridge for the best view! Return to the main trail and continue to Baton Flat. If it is low enough to safely cross, the trail continues on the other side and heads to Wilson Valley.

In spring, there are many wildflowers along the trail. Elk have been seen at many parts of the trail, including having an acorn lunch under a grove of blue oaks.

More information about the trail is available on our website .

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Monumental Questions - More Views of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument

Tue, 09 May 2023 19:11:49 GMT

Yes, the mountains of the northern Inner Coast Range Mountains and Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument are not as high as the Sierra Nevada or even the Klamath Mountains. However, if you know where to go, you can get some amazing views.

I have previously recommended Annie’s Trail, Berryessa Peak, Snow Mountain, and a few other places for great views in Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. After rereading the post, I realized that there are other places that deserve a mention.

Cedar Roughs is located west of Lake Berryessa and has only one access trail – Cedar Roughs Trail . (A new access may be available soon thanks to Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District .) Iron Mountain is not the highest point in Cedar Roughs Wilderness, but it offers a good view of Lake Berryessa from a vantage that most people never see. Additionally, Cedar Roughs is rarely visited so the area is quite remote and relatively undisturbed.

Cold Spring Mountain is the high point of Molok Luyuk, which is included in the proposed expansion of the Monument. Goat, Snow, and St John Mountains are all visible to the north from this peak, even when visibility is low. Mount Konocti, Cobb Mountain, Mount St Helena, Fiske Peak, and Glascock Mountain can be seen to the south. To the east, visitors can see the Sierra and Sutter Buttes. On clear days, Mount Diablo, Mount Lassen, and Mount Shasta can be seen. This is truly a 360-degree view!

Also visible from Cold Spring Mountain is Bear Valley. In the spring, the valley is multi-colored due to the wildflowers. The valley is accessible from Cold Spring Mountain by taking Walker Ridge Road north to Brim Road. As this is a valley, one cannot see very far. However, the view is amazing when the flowers are in bloom. Shades of yellow, purple, pink, and green are a sight to see under blue skies dotted with white clouds. Check out the photo album from our May 6 visit to get a taste of how beautiful it can be!

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Thank You!

Tue, 09 May 2023 19:03:59 GMT

Thank you to everyone who donated during the Big Day of Giving. We are grateful for your support as we strive to conserve, enhance, restore, and enjoy our public lands in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region.

By donating to Tuleyome, you are joining our efforts to expand Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and protect Molok Luyuk, a geologic and biologic wonder with thousands of years of Native American history. The ridge is an important wildlife corridor for mountain lions, bobcats, and eagles while the serpentine soils are home to many rare plants including Indian Valley Brodiaea (Brodiaea rosea).

If you missed the Big Day of Giving, you can always help us protect our public lands by donating via our secure website .

Thank you for supporting Tuleyome’s mission. We dream. We act. Together we get things done!

Tuleyome's Policy Corner - Protecting Our Lands

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 20:13:09 GMT

Protecting Molok Luyuk continues to be a priority. These rugged public lands are on the eastern side of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. Commanding views in all four directions, this landscape is home to great biodiversity, multiple tectonic plates that can be traversed in hours, amazing wildlife and is sacred to local indigenous tribes.

The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion Act was reintroduced by Senators Padilla and Feinstein ( S 683 ). And Representatives Garamendi and Thompson ( HR 1396 ). As before, the bill adds the adjacent Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands of Molok Luyuk to the Monument, renames the area from Walker Ridge to Molok Luyuk (Condor Ridge in Patwin), requires a management plan for the Monument, and ensures co-management with federally recognized tribes.

Support for the expansion continues to grow. Local business, officials and community members, the conservation and recreation communities support the expansion, as do the BLM, the state of California, local, state and federal elected representative and area tribes. However, even with overwhelming bi-partisan support, we know that things can get stopped in Congress. That is why our Senators and Representatives have already written to President Biden asking him to protect Molok Luyuk through the Antiquities Act if Congress does not take action. This request was also made by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation , whose ancestral lands include Molok Luyuk. Tuleyome and a coalition of dozens of organizations support these requests .

We continue to work in our communities and with our Congressional champions to build support. Just over the last couple of weeks we hosted several wildflower tours to showcase the beauty of Molok Luyuk. While the wildflowers took center stage, a ride along Molok Luyuk introduces you to all of its wonders: geologic, paleontological and hydrological, flowers, wildlife, biodiversity and connectivity, wild and scenic, recreational, historic and tribal cultural. We had California state BLM staff, journalists and photographers, Congressional and state advisors, along with conservation partners and tribal representatives.

And, we are hopeful. The legislation has bi-partisan support. President Biden has committed to protecting 30 percent of federal lands and waters by 2030, and is taking steps in that direction. In March, designated the Avi Kwa Ame in Nevada and Castner Range in Texas as national monuments. Let’s protect Molok Luyuk next.

How can you help? In many ways.

Send a letter of support to the President, letting him know you want him to protect Molok Luyuk. Individual letters are always best. Here’s a sample in case it’s helpful. If you do send your own letter, please share it with Tuleyome – we are gathering up support.
If you’re an organization or a business, you can sign on to our organizational support letter .
If you’re just too swamped to do that, then sign our petition in support of Molok Luyuk.
If you have extra time and want to volunteer, contact us!

Help us protect Molok Luyuk. Together, we can do it!

Welcome, Chelsea!

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 20:00:43 GMT

Tuleyome's new Administrative Assistant is Chelsea Ferguson!

Chelsea's love for the great outdoors was instilled in her from an early age, growing up in the stunning mountains of Northern California near Yosemite. She spent much of her childhood exploring the surrounding forest, hiking and climbing among the trees, and marveling at the natural beauty around her.

As she grew older, Chelsea continued to find ways to immerse herself in nature, taking advantage of the area's plentiful natural resources. In the summer, she could be found wakeboarding and skating on the nearby lakes, while winter brought the opportunity for snowboarding and other winter sports.

Despite her connection to the outdoors, Chelsea initially pursued a career in hospitality, which brought her to Sacramento in 2018. Over time, however, she began to feel a strong pull back to her roots and her love for nature. Determined to find a way to merge her passion for the environment with her professional life, Chelsea began exploring opportunities to work in the environmental sector.

She is now proud to be a part of the team at Tuleyome, where she can combine her passion for the environment with her professional skills. Whether she's in the office or out in the field, Chelsea brings a tireless work ethic and a deep sense of purpose to everything she does. She is dedicated to making a positive impact on the planet and helping to preserve the natural beauty that has always been so close to her heart.

In her free time, she can still be found exploring the great outdoors, hiking and camping with her partner in the mountains she has always called home.

We are excited that Chelsea has joined our team!

Featured Trail: Judge Davis Trail

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 19:59:05 GMT

The Judge Davis Trail is a wonderful, 10-mile round-trip hike from CA-20 to Cache Creek. This moderate hike follows the ridge line and has lots of ups and downs, but wonderful views and beautiful wildflowers in the spring. If Cache Creek is low enough, hikers can cross into Wilson Valley and continue onto the Redbud Trail .

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Tuleyome's 2023 Certified California Naturalist Courses

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 19:56:07 GMT

Tuleyome recently held two Certified California Naturalist courses focused on the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region. The ten-week course was held every Friday at the Woodland Public Library with three field trips focused on the flora, fauna, geology, and ecology found in the Monument region. A one-week, intensive course was held at Wilbur Hot Springs, a unique location that allowed students to experience first-hand what makes the region so special.

As part of the course, students are required to complete a capstone project. This year’s projects included building and placing bluebird boxes on a local trail, writing Tuleyome Tales (coming soon to a newspaper near you!), informational signage about turret spiders, and creating bird habitat.

Tuleyome will be hosting Certified California Naturalist courses in 2024. Stay tuned for when those dates are announced!

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Monumental Questions - What does it mean to "expand Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument"?

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 19:53:36 GMT

Molok Luyuk with Snow Mountain in background (Photo by Marc Hoshovsky)

Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument was established in 2015 by President Obama through a Presidential Proclamation. The Monument includes 330,780 acres of federally managed public lands, stretching over 100 miles from south of Lake Berryessa through Snow Mountain Wilderness in Mendocino National Forest. The US Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oversee the management of the Monument.

Only federally managed lands are included in the Monument. This means that any privately owned land (or State or County managed land) within the Monument boundaries is NOT included. However, these lands can be managed in the same manner as the surrounding federal land.

Tuleyome and our partners have been working with Congressmen Garamendi and Thompson as well as Senators Padilla and Feinstein to expand Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. The expansion would include the roughly 4,000 acres of BLM-managed lands along Molok Luyuk (what is currently called Walker Ridge) in Lake County. The ridge forms the boundary between Lake and Colusa Counties and is an important corridor for wildlife, has amazing, unique geology, and contains thousands of years of Native American history.

Expanding Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument to include Molok Luyuk would help preserve and protect this important ridge and surrounding area. Private landowners in the area would retain most/all of their landowners’ rights. Additionally, the protections created by the monument would ensure that the area around their property is managed in a way that will benefit future generations. If private lands are included within the boundaries of the Monument, they will remain in private ownership. By including these federally managed lands in the Monument (which already includes the neighboring federally managed lands), BLM will not need to produce additional management plans thereby reducing the amount of government resources needed to manage the area.

Tuleyome, our partners, and our legislative champions encourage the public to become involved in the expansion of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument (expandberryessa.org). Additionally, BLM and USFS are in the process of developing a management plan for the Monument and welcome public input for the management of our public lands.

Additional information more information:

Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument – Tuleyome , Bureau of Land Management , US Forest Service
Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion – Tuleyome , Expand Berryessa/Protect Molok Luyuk
What is the difference between a National Park and a National Monument?
Why is Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument a National Monument and not a National Park?

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Tuleyome's Science Corner - California Newts

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 19:49:38 GMT

Why did the newt cross the road? To find out, keep reading! I’ve seen oodles of them crossing Walker Ridge Road in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument .

California newts, sometimes called orange-bellied newts are extra special because they are endemic to California, meaning they only occur here. They are found in grasslands, oak woodlands and chapparal near ponds and slow-moving creeks in California’s coastal counties, within the Coastal Range Mountains and the southern Sierra Nevada. There are two species of California newts: Coastal (Taricha torosa) and Sierra (Taricha sierrae); those occurring in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument are the coastal species.

Adult California newts have rough, grayish-brown skin on their dorsal side and golden dark yellow to orange skin on their undersides. Although very similar to related species, California newts have lighter skin on their eyelids and under their eyes as well as a pale yellow or golden iris. Their eyes also protrude beyond their jaw line when viewed from above (like my chihuahuas). At maturity, adults range from about five to nearly eight inches long from their cute, blunt snouts to the tips of their paddle-like tails. Their skin produces a highly toxic venom called tetrodotoxin which causes death in many animals if ingested. Helpful hint: don’t snack on newts. Once they reach maturity, terrestrial adults roam but remain close to available water. Although adults may venture out after a rain, most of them find refuge for the hot, dry summer months in cooler, moist places such rock crevices, abandoned small mammal burrows or under woody debris. Reproduction begins when the adults reach around three years of age. Breeding season begins in late December and lasts roughly six to twelve weeks depending on weather conditions. Breeding adults typically migrate back to breed in the same body of water where they hatched. Some adults have been captured up to two miles away from their natal pond and then recaptured again back at the same pond to breed. Their journey back to their breeding pond may take several weeks and sometimes migrating newts are observed in large numbers. This might explain why the newt crossed the road!

Egg masses are attached to submerged vegetation or rocks and, as long as they remain just below the water surface, hatch after about fifty days. California newts begin life as aquatic larvae using gills to breath. As temperatures rise and ponded water begins to diminish, the aquatic larvae begin to transform into adults; gills are replaced by lungs and stumpy legs with webbed toes form. Interestingly, larvae do not produce tetrodotoxin and are preyed upon by a variety of animals. It is believed that nearby adults may release chemical signals that cue the larvae to take cover to avoid predation.

California newts are diurnal which means they are active during the day and night. Adults eat a variety of invertebrates including worms, insects, snails, slugs, as well as other amphibian eggs and larvae. Aquatic larvae feed on detritus, tiny aquatic invertebrates and possibly their brothers and sisters. When threatened, adult newts have quite a dramatic response; closing their eyes, extending their limbs and tails straight out and throwing their chins up. This exposes their orange underside, possibly as a warning to a predator that they are toxic. It seems to work as some newts are believed to have survived in the wild for about twenty years. Although very faint and difficult to hear, newts also make a series of sounds including clicks, squeaks and whistles. It hasn’t been determined how the sounds are produced but clicks seem to be the most commonly made sound and may be used to establish territory. Research shows that the squeaks may be a defensive sound and the whistles occur during breeding. California newts are currently a California Species of Concern as some populations have been greatly impacted by the introduction of non-native species such as mosquito fish (Gambusia spp.) and red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkia) as well as human caused impacts to their habitat.

Fun Fact: All newts are salamanders but not all salamanders are newts. Newts and salamanders do look similar at first glance and they seem to occupy similar niches making it seem difficult to tell them apart. The word “salamander” is the name of the scientific order of amphibians that have tails as adults. One difference between newts and salamanders is that newts spend most of their lives in water, hence the webbed toes and shorter, flattened tail to help them swim. Salamanders have well-developed toes and a round tail that resembles a lizard. Although they breed in water, salamanders spend the majority of their time on land.

Another Fun Fact: The common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) and a few other species of garter snakes have developed a resistance to the toxin tetrodotoxin and successfully prey upon California newts. It’s also been documented that the amount of toxin and resistance varies by location and species.

If you would like to help protect the California Newt’s habitat, please join Tuleyome and our partners in expanding our favorite national monument .

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Enjoying Outside, Inside - Reading Locally

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 19:45:58 GMT

The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and its environs and people have inspired considerable literature. Reading any of these books will give you new perspective on our area, its ecology, and its stewardship.

You've probably seen the first two featured in the Tuleyome newsletter, but they bear mentioning again.

Eldridge Moores, Judith Moores, Marc Hoshovsky, Peter Schiffman, and Bob Schneider. Exploring the Berryessa Region: A Geology, Nature, and History Tour. Based on the tours that Eldridge and Judy Moores led, this road guide takes you on a tour from Winters, along Lake Berryessa, through Pope Valley, to Lake Hennessey, and back. Along the way you'll learn about the Coast Ranges from the ground up—and have a chance to visit a winery or two.

Robin Lee Carlson. The Cold Canyon Fire Journals: Green Shoots and Silver Linings in the Ashes. If you know fire is an important part of the landscape but miles of charred chaparral sink your heart, this book gives hope, with colorful sketches, accurate fire ecology, and first-hand observation of post-fire changes at Cold Canyon.

María Meléndez, How Long She'll Last in this World. In this PEN-nominated volume, birth, motherhood, death, controlled burns, and manzanitas intertwine in sharply observed, sharply questioning poems. The Sacramento Valley and other places interconnect and open out in unexpected ways, beautiful and stark.

M. Kat Anderson. Tending the Wild: Native American Knowledge and the Management of California's Natural Resources. The least local of all these books is nonetheless one of the most essential to understanding this place. It provides a detailed look at the history and traditions of stewardship by the peoples native to California, with insight into culturally important flora and fauna, how sustainability was woven into Indigenous cultures, and the complex roles of fire.

Mike Madison, Blithe Tomato, A Sense of Order, and others. Mike Madison is the Wendell Berry of the Sacramento Valley. A small farmer and prolific essayist, he muses on how our way of living on the land shapes us, as well as how the economics of farming work—or don't—in living sustainably.

Greg Sarris, Mabel McKay: Weaving the Dream. A biography of noted Pomo basket weaver and medicine woman Mabel McKay that travels from her early years with relatives in Rumsey, through Santa Rosa, and back to Rumsey, bringing alive her relations to people and place.

-Amy Boyer

Tuleyome at The Hive's Nature Day Event

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 19:43:39 GMT

On Saturday, March 8, 2023, Tuleyome was invited to participate in The Hive’s Nature Day event. Held each year, Nature Day celebrates sustainability, nature appreciation, and provides education on how we can reduce our carbon footprint. The event was held at The Hive’s beautiful facilities on Harter Ave in Woodland where visitors got to enjoy gorgeous weather, delicious food, fun family activities and learn about Tuleyome and the important work we do!

Our booth was part of the kid’s passport adventure created by the Hive, so children of all ages and their families swarmed to our table to create their life cycle of a plant diagram. After creating their diagram, they were invited to plant their own ornamental sunflower seed in an egg carton pod to take home and grow. Families and community members learned about Tuleyome and our work to conserve the public lands in our area. There was a great deal of interest in our hikes and education programs.

In the afternoon, children gathered for a special reading of Who Stole the Bees’ Wings? as part of Tuleyome’s time at the Nature Day event. There was a lot of excitement amongst the kids to discover who had taken the wings (and why!). As part of the reading, the kids (and their families) got to learn about the important job everyone does in helping plants grow.

The Hive’s Nature Day event was another great opportunity for us to let people know about Tuleyome and all that we do for our community. You can check out the entire flickr album here .

Tuleyome Adventures Education Program - Water's Journey

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 19:41:18 GMT

It’s easy to turn on the faucet at home and not think much about how the water made its way there. It’s easy, also, to see snow on distant mountain tops, a river flowing through a canyon, a small local pond, and ocean waves crashing on the beach but not to see the connection between each of them. Water is vital to life, needed by all living things, so water education is important. Helping students see these connections and appreciate water’s journey is the primary goal of the Water Trail as part of our Tuleyome Adventures Education Program.

This particular trail is designed for 4th and 5th grade students who focus a lot on the interactions between the hydrosphere, geosphere, and atmosphere during their science course work. Students begin with an activity and demonstration that helps students visualize the amount of water available on Earth and the much smaller amount of water available for human and wildlife use.

From there, students get to take a journey through the water cycle from the perspective of a water molecule travelling around the Cache Creek Watershed area. Students roll special dice and run from one station to the other, making their way between clouds, the ocean, groundwater, Cache Creek, and even plants and animals. As they travel from station to station, they track their movement in their field notebook, collecting data that simulates that of actual water molecules. Students begin to notice that water molecules get “stuck” in certain areas, like the ocean, and move out of other areas rapidly.

Now that students have journeyed through the water cycle, it’s time for them to take notice of their own watershed, the watershed responsible for sending water to our area. Students walk along the trail until they reach a good vantage point of the mountains to the West, the mountains that form the barriers of the Cache Creek watershed. Students take some time to sketch out the watershed in their notebooks. Later, they will add details showing how a single water molecule might move through this watershed.

An important aspect to understand about watersheds is the effect we have on one another through our actions. As students wind up their time on this trail, they will engage in an activity that helps them better grasp this concept. In this activity, students are told they have just received a plot of land and a million dollars. They can do whatever they want on their land, build whatever they want. With paper, crayons, and colored pencils, students go to work creating their dream space.

Once the pictures are drawn, students are seated on either side of a long blue ribbon representing a river that runs through the canyon of a watershed – Cache Creek. Students at the start of the ribbon live at the top of the watershed, in the mountains. Students at the end of the ribbon live at the bottom of the watershed. One by one, students share their drawings and talk about something that might affect their neighbors. Is there runoff that could end up in the river? Did someone need too much water, leaving too little for everyone else? Is something seeping into the groundwater or is there not enough water for wildlife? Through this activity, students start to recognize that each landowner doesn’t work in isolation. As a community, we must work together to protect the journey water takes as it makes its way to our faucets.

Prairie Elementary 1st Graders Visit WRPP

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 19:37:27 GMT

Have you ever seen a 1st grader with a pair of binoculars? When 2 of Woodland Prairie Elementary’s 1st grade classrooms came to join us at the Woodland Regional Park Preserve on March 24th, they were provided with a pair of binoculars to use during their adventure and the reaction was phenomenal. Students were given instructions on how to handle their binoculars and adjust them so they could see clearly. They were then given some time for free exploration, using binoculars to view the wildlife around the preserve before setting off to discover all about ecosystems.

Students were so excited to see anything and everything possible and the critters that inhabit the preserve did not disappoint! Spring time is a time of renewal and birth, so many birds at the preserve are preparing nests and laying eggs. A mating pair of Canada geese have formed a nest near one of the islands in the pond, which students were able to spot despite the distance and without getting wet- thanks to their handy binoculars! We stopped for a moment along the trail and observed the geese swimming in the pond, along with several other birds including a gorgeous Anna’s Hummingbird that likes to inhabit one of the trees on the pond’s perimeter.

As our group traveled around the bend in the trail, we came upon the Red-Tailed Hawk’s large nest. Normally our resident Red-Tailed Hawk, annoyed when there is human company in her preserve, will take flight to a tree some distance away, waiting for us to leave. But not this time! This beautiful bird circled her nest and us, squawking loudly. We didn’t stay long, careful not to upset her, but we did get to engage in a conversation about why she might be so protective all the sudden.

“Does she have babies up there?” one little girl asks.

“Well, that’s a great idea,” I respond. “But do you hear tiny chirps like little baby birds?”

We all listen, observing quietly. No chirps, just her protective cries. “She has eggs!” several students shout at once. And yes, we all conclude, based on our observations, she might have eggs in that nest.

Just past the hawk’s nest is where we make our first official stop as part of our education trail. Our objective is to discover what an ecosystem is, so we set out to observe several different habitats in the preserve. The first habitat is a living tree. Students use their binoculars to make observations about everything they notice about the habitat. Who lives there? Is the top of the tree inhabited by different critters than the bottom? Are there plants as well as animals? We record our observations in a class book and talk about the definition of a habitat. Then we talk about all those living creatures that inhabit the habitat and discover that they form a community.

Next, we move to a tree that died some time ago. Is the dead tree a habitat? Will we find a community of living things here, just as we found at the living tree? Carefully, students lift up decomposing logs and shriek with delight when they discover a whole host of creepy, crawly things including large beetles and sowbugs, ants, and even a centipede! It appears that the dead tree is a habitat, home to a large community of small, living creatures. We record more notes and finally discuss the question we’ve really been after- what is an ecosystem? After some questions and discussion, we conclude that an ecosystem is a habitat with a community, all working together. The first graders, delighted with their work but now very aware that their stomachs are grumbling, head back to the Kiosk area to join the other class for lunch.

After lunch, the 2 classes switch groups, and each gets to engage in the other adventure. The second adventure scheduled for this day is the Sun Trail. During the Sun Trail, students make observations and run simple experiments to discover the effects of the sun on the living parts of the preserve. They observe what it feels like to stand in the sun and the shade and how water, soil, and rocks are affected when they are left to sit in the sun for a long time. Once students conclude that sometimes it can get too hot, it’s time to make a shade shelter! Students use poles and sheets to create shade shelters (forts) that will protect them from the heat of the sun.

During both trails, observations and discussions were recorded in class books that teachers took back to the classroom to add to their class library. Students will be able to look through and read these books over and over again and remember their time at the preserve.

As students were preparing to leave, they seemed delighted by the day and all they had seen and done. A pair of binoculars and some showy critters who don’t mind a group of 40+ 6-year-olds was more powerful than any video game I’ve come across. I took a minute to chat with one of the teachers who shared with me how grateful he was for this experience. It was the first time they’d been able to plan a field trip since schools had shut down for Covid. I thought about that for a bit and then realized what that meant… as first graders, this was probably their first field trip experience ever. I know these students walked away with a powerful science lesson, but more than that, they walked away with a powerful experience in our beautiful urban preserve.

Featured Trail: Bear Valley Wildflowers

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 23:08:52 GMT

This is one of the best places to see wildflowers in northern California!

The Bear Valley Wildflower trek is really a driving tour following Bear Valley Road north from CA-20. The road winds through a narrow valley with steep walls - be sure to drive slowly to see all of the flowers on the hillsides. Take the time to get out of the car and get up close with the flowers - you will find many more flowers as you are inspecting what caught your eye. Please sure to pull to the side and leave enough room for vehicles to pass. The road eventually opens up into Bear Valley, the main attraction of this trek! The floor of the valley is carpeted with wildflowers - yellow, white, purple, red!

When you go this year, please be aware that the rain has made the road very muddy and it may be impassable until we have some sustained dry weather. The cool weather has delayed the bloom - the flowers should start to "pop" in a couple of weeks.

More information about this trek can be found here .

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Westlake Charter Servicing Game Cameras at Woodland Regional Park Preserve

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 23:06:39 GMT

Students from Westlake Charter School joined Tuleyome at Woodland Regional Park Preserve on March 7th to service the game cameras on site. After servicing the cameras, the students will look through the captures and record the data to help Tuleyome and the City of Woodland catalog the wildlife at is present at the preserve.

This is Westlake Charter’s second visit of the year. Data from the earlier visit showed that wildlife used the preserve even without water in the wetlands. Captures included coyote, raccoons, and many song birds. The most surprising capture was a ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)!

The next time the students visit, captures will include visitors at the Spring Thing! Photos from the visit can be seen in this Flickr album .

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Spring Thing - Filled with Gratitude!

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 23:02:50 GMT

On March 18th, Tuleyome hosted their second annual Spring Thing celebration at the beautiful Woodland Regional Park Preserve and we could not be more grateful for such a glorious day! The weather cooperated wonderfully, blessing us with sunshine in the morning and cool, fresh breezes in the afternoon. The pond and uplands were alive with wildlife providing everyone in attendance with a grand show, especially our avid birders. We are so thankful for all the volunteers and community members who helped us put on this amazing event and all the community members who joined us.

This event would not have been possible without the hard work and commitment of our incredible group of volunteers. I am truly awed by all the time, talent, and dedication that went into making the Tuleyome Spring Thing possible. The morning events opened with music from The Pretty Good String Band, a talented group of musicians who graciously volunteered their time and serenaded us with their joyful tunes. Josh Greenfield and Sammi LaRocca with the Yolo Audubon Society led an early morning birding walk for a large group of community birders of all levels, kicking off a day of trails and guided hikes.

Lyndsay Dawkins with Nature’s Theater led 2 amazing interactive children’s nature walks featuring Superbird and 2 local authors, Jeff Falyn and Robin Carlson brought their considerable talents to the event as well. Jeff’s new book, Who Stole the Bees’ Wings was shared during a campfire reading and Robin, author of the book The Cold Canyon Fire Journals led 2 nature walks, sharing her incredible teachings on nature sketching and journaling. When visitors were ready for a break from the trails, Madam Flora Bella was available to offer an eco-fortune reading, guiding individuals on their path towards helping the Earth.

Kids visiting the event got to enjoy face painting thanks to the wonderful and talented Jillian Wilkowski as well as s’mores at the campfire and games thanks to the City of Woodland’s Rec2Go program. Crafts, Power animals, and fort building were also available along with a binocular check-out station which offered visitors of all ages the opportunity to use a pair of binoculars during their walks.

For the adventurous explorers visiting us, Gideon Alston was on hand to provide a morning tracking adventure where participants looked for evidence of animals that inhabit the preserve and Jack Holmes led an afternoon Compass Navigation Course, teaching his group all about the fundamentals of navigation. Board member Glen Holstein and Advisory Council member Andrew Fulks provided visitors with facts, information, and stories throughout the day.

The walking trail was lined with booths of exciting information and things to see thanks to Tuleyome and our community partners. The walk began with a visual story of Tuleyome and all the good work we do. Walking through the story of Tuleyome, visitors learned about our work with Land Conservation & Stewardship, Education & Outreach, and Advocacy. These tables featured pictures of volunteers building trails and participating hikes, adult students engaging in the California Naturalist course and school-age students enjoying field trips. The advocacy table featured our work on the expansion campaign to make Molok Luyuk part of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and invited members of the committee to learn more and get involved by signing post cards of support.

This was followed by several community partners who came out to support us and share their work. Corky Quirk from Norcal Bats was available, along with a few of her flying mammal friends, as was Morgan Curtis with the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Jennifer Hogan with the Native Plant Society, Tom Wendt and Larry Greene with the Rotary Club, and young Callum Wyeth, a 13 year-old local student who has designed a fantastic campaign to educate community members about invasive bullfrogs.

Countless volunteers pitched in to help with parking, checking people in at the entrance table, running the raffle, sales, and crafts tables, and so much more. I am truly inspired by and incredibly grateful to everyone who came out, volunteers and visitors, to make our second-annual Spring Thing such a wonderfully magical day. Thank you!

All of the amazing photography seen here capturing the day are courtesy of Leia Hewitt and Kelli O'Neill who donated their time and considerable talent! Check out the entire album here.

-Kara Green ( kgreen@tuleyome.org )

Education Associate

Certified California Naturalist

Tuleyome's Policy Corner - Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Gains Support at Spring Thing!

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 22:44:33 GMT

Many folks at the Spring Thing were eager to learn more about the efforts to expand Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument to protect Molok Luyuk. In the area dedicated to Molok Luyuk folks were able to learn about Tuleyome and the Protect Molok Luyuk coalitions’ work to protect this amazing place, gather information, and sign up to support the effort.

And, we had good news to share. On March 7, 2023, Senators Padilla and Feinstein and Representatives Garamendi and Thompson reintroduced the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion Act (S 683/HR 1396), continuing our fight to protect Molok Luyuk.

The expansion of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument would safeguard existing public lands that are sacred to the Patwin people and that are critically important to protect in the face of a changing climate. The legislation would add 3,925 acres to the current monument, support tribal co-management, and change the name of the additional wildlands from “Walker Ridge” to Molok Luyuk—Patwin for “Condor Ridge”—a name the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation provided.

Adding the adjacent BLM managed land into the existing national monument will improve land management, bring additional resources for trail construction and maintenance, help improve public access, and protect sensitive wildlife, prime habitat areas, and cultural resources. It’s a win-win all the way around.

While our chances of passing the legislation in the Senate is good, the same is not true for the House of Representatives. So, we’re pulling out all of the stops. In addition to working with our Congressional champions to pass their bills, Tuleyome, Tribal and community leaders have joined Representative John Garamendi and Senator Alex Padilla in calling on President Biden to use the Antiquities Act to expand Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument .

How can you join the fight to protect Molok Luyuk? In multiple ways. First, please sign our petition or write your own letter urging President Biden to protect all of Molok Luyuk. Then, urge your friends to do the same. We also have postcards that folks can sign and send to show their support. Feel free to stop by the office and grab a bunch of them to share with others. Want to learn more about the amazing wildflowers that adorn Molok Luyuk, join us on our Wildflower Tour with Dr. Glen Holstein . Need or have more ideas? Share them with us!

Come join us and let’s work together to protect Molok Luyuk!

Cheers, Sandy

Monumental Questions - What makes Woodland Regional Park Preserve a Gateway to Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument?

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 22:42:06 GMT

Woodland Regional Park Preserve (WRPP) is a local sample of what is available to enjoy in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. Within the 330,780-acre monument boundary, elevations reach 7,000 feet with many different ecosystems to explore. These habitat types support an enormous variety of plant and wildlife species including many that are listed as threatened or endangered.

When visiting the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, one can explore seven different ecosystems: chaparral, oak grassland, riparian, mixed evergreen forest, coniferous forest, closed-cone forest, and sub-alpine. Each of these ecosystems has wonders to discover.

Chaparral ecosystems are dominated by short, evergreen shrubs with hard, waxy leaves. The branches of these bushes become intertwined as they grow which makes travel difficult off-trail. Oak grasslands are much easier to travel cross country as the oak trees grow some distance apart with little understory. Riparian ecosystems are those found immediately adjacent to water. Cache Creek and Putah Creek, along with other smaller streams, provide refuge for plants and animals during the hot, dry summer.

Mixed evergreen forests are dense stands of evergreen trees/bushes that are adapted to hot, dry conditions. Coniferous forests are dominated by coniferous trees with an understory and canopy. Closed-cone forests are defined as stands of trees that have hard, pitch-covered cones that require heat or fire to open.

Woodland Regional Park is gateway to Berryessa Snow Mountain – it offers some of what makes the monument special. Visitors to the park can experience riparian and grassland ecosystems, similar to those in the northern Inner Coast Range mountains with many of the same species. Birding, botany, hydrology can take place on site. An ADA trail provides the opportunity for guest to enjoy nature while proposed future trails on site will take hikers to more remote areas of the preserve to experience a wilderness hike. The mountains of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument are the high point of the watershed while WRPP - and the area around Woodland - is the low point. The geology of the monument creates the amazing soils and habitats at WRPP. Vernal pools and alkaline soils are present because of the sediment that has been carried out of the mountains by Cache Creek.

Guests at last Saturday’s Spring Thing got the opportunity to experience this gateway first hand. Tuleyome staff, Board members, and our amazing volunteers helped guests understand how WRPP and Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument are connected.

If you would like to learn more about the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument or WRPP, please visit Tuleyome’s website at https://www.tuleyome.org.

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Enjoying Outside, Inside - Woodland Regional Park Preserve Videos and More!

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 22:40:42 GMT

Here at Tuleyome, we love our nature videos. And there's a new one to enjoy of Woodland Regional Park Preserve, where Tuleyome holds our annual Spring Thing. All the rain this year made Woodland Regional Park Preserve a birder's paradise, as you can see from this short video about WRPP from The Jona Gaze.

Tuleyome's YouTube channel contains many other opportunities to enjoy our home place. For more birds, check out Summer at Woodland Regional Park . If watching coyotes brightens your day, see what they think of wildlife cams in Woodland Regional Park Game Camera Highlights —and, as a bonus, catch the funniest of all Tuleyome's bird footage a little past the halfway mark. Are you suffering a shortage of cute kid videos? You'll feel better after watching Tuleyome and Nature's Theater at Woodland Regional Park Preserve .

Farther afield, you can enjoy A Walk Through the Lupine at Silver Spur Ranch for a couple of minutes or take a deeper dive into Silver Spur and wildflowers with the Silver Spur Ranch Virtual Wildflower Tour May 2020 . See some of Tuleyome's folks exploring Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument , from the north end to the south. There's even a little snow ! There are too many fun videos to list, so enjoy exploring!

-Amy Boyer

Tuleyome's Science Corner - Habitat Types at the Woodland Regional Park Preserve

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 22:39:01 GMT

What was once a literal dump, has been transformed into a regional treasure under the guidance of Tuleyome and the City of Woodland. With support and input from stakeholders, educators and other local non-profits, the 165-acre Woodland Regional Park Preserve (WRPP), which previously hosted the City of Woodland refuse disposal site, has been remolded into a living classroom boasting a variety of habitat types found less and less frequently in our urban environment.

The upland grassland habitat occurs on the northern portion of the site. Topographically speaking, this is the highest portions of the site and supports native and non-native grasses and forbs as well as some trees. Wildlife species such as coyotes and upland birds have been documented in the upland habitat areas. The only water this portion of the site receives is rain water so is typically brown and dry in the hot summer months but green and alive with plants and wildlife during the wetter portions of the year. This area provides dry places for denning and foraging as well as nesting opportunities for ground nesting birds.

The riparian forests of California are sometimes called the “rain forests of California” because of the huge diversity they support. The riparian habitat onsite at WRPP occurs adjacent to the seasonal and perennial wetlands and along connecting drainages. Typical species found here include Fremont cottonwood (Populus fremontii), valley oak (Quercus lobata) and willow (Salix spp.) species along with California buckeye (Aesculus californica), blue elderberry (Sambucus mexicana) and coyote bush (Baccharis pilularis) to form a multilayer canopy. This dense canopy provides year-round cover for many species including: great-horned (Bubo virginianus) and barn owls (Tyto alba), red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis), American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos), western bluebirds (Sialia mexicana), tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor), white-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys), common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis), Pacific gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer), racoon (Procyon lotor), western pond turtles (Actinemys marmorata) and many other species terrestrial and aquatic species.

Wetlands have their own ecosystems made up of hydric soils and hydrophytic plant species and are classified into types such as seasonal or permanent depending on how long they remain wet, what the soils are composed of and what type of vegetation they support. The seasonal and perennial wetlands on site at WRPP provide vital habitat for migrating waterfowl coming through the Pacific Flyway. Wetlands also produce oxygen, sequester carbon and filter toxins from the water that recharges our underground aquifer. As the name suggests, seasonal wetlands are only wet for part of the year with soils that remain waterlogged for long periods of time. The emergent vegetation that grows in seasonal wetlands is specialized for soggy soil conditions and includes cattails (Typha sp.), bull rush (Scirpus acutus), sedges (Carex sp.) and rushes (Juncus sp.). Floating vegetation such as duckweed (Lemna sp.) or water primrose (Ludwigia peploides) can also be present. Eventually they dry and become cracked basins with little to no once-lush vegetation. Perennial or permanent wetlands stay inundated year-round and typically have open water with some aquatic floating or emergent vegetation around the edges of the water where the soil transitions from ponded to waterlogged. The vegetation provides cover for fish and wildlife species that may use the open water as part of their habitat. Species observed in the open water includes various waterfowl species such as mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos), wood duck (Aix sponsa), American coot (Fulica americana) and many other waterfowl species.

Vernal pools are specialized seasonal wetlands. They are depressions in soil that has an underlying hardpan layer and typically don’t drain well. Because the underlying soil doesn’t drain, water from rain collects in these depressions and ponds until the rainy season is over. Vernal pools provide habitat for highly specialized plants and animals; many of them are listed as special-status species. While the pools are inundated, seeds from vernal pool plant species begin to germinate and aquatic invertebrate species begin to hatch. Vernal pool invertebrate species survive the dry period, sometimes for hundreds of years, as cysts in the soil and don’t hatch unless the conditions are right for them. The word “vernal” is a Latin word that means “spring” and as the pools begin to dry down, usually beginning in the spring, many colorful rings of flowers may appear in concentric circles around the sides of the depression. Vernal pools also provide habitat for a variety of other aquatic invertebrates, amphibians are an important source of food for waterfowl and shore birds.

Tuleyome was able to show off the amazing ecosystems at WRPP during the Spring Thing on March 18. Visitors had the opportunity to go on guide hikes showcasing the wetlands, birds, mammals, and "wild areas" of this urban "wilderness".

If you would like to learn more about WRPP, please visit Tuleyome’s website at https://www.tuleyome.org .

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Spring Thing WRPP Trail - Nature Theater's Superbird

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 20:41:34 GMT

One of the trails offered at Saturday's Spring Thing was Nature's Theater's Superbird! Read on to hear all about the adventure kids went on during Saturday's event and the empowering lessons they learned.

The families gather around two guides beside the stunning lake at Woodland Regional Park Preserve. Their kids aged 4 to 9 jump at the invitation to go explore and check out some birds. What they don’t know, is that they are about to embark in a Nature’s Theater walking story that will ignite the imagination.

A feather stick gets passed around the circle and each participant names their favorite bird. Flamingos, eagles, and penguins, as well as some locals, like blue-jays magpies and red winged black birds are mentioned. Then, Lyndsay Dawkins asks her co-guide, Cam Stoufer, “Did you hear that? I think I heard Super Bird!" Cam says – “Yes, Super Bird is in trouble.”

They explain to the families that Super Bird ate a white blank-o berry and forgot everything. And Super Bird helps the birds and many of the animals. The guides eye the kids – “we could help Super Bird – does anyone know anything about birds?”

Surprise! Kids know everything about birds! And so begins the quest. As the group walks, kids demonstrate how to build nest, how to fly (the kids are much faster than the adults!), how birds move (the kids even learn the funky chicken – and even the parents get into that dance!). As the group begins to explore what birds eat, they mention that Eagles eat Salmon. One of the girls on the walk has two Salmon face painted on her forehead – so the whole group promises to make sure an eagle doesn’t try and eat her head if they see one.

Amidst laughter and banter, special moments arise, and the interactive quest unwinds. As they notice all the bird sounds and make up their own bird calls, one boy recommends that the group sit in silence for one minute and count how many different birds they can hear. These moments of empowerment for the kids are gems, and soon the minute of silence is up, and some children have counted 10 different bird calls.

The adventurers settle to hear the Super Bird story, and then they use their bird calls to try and locate Super Bird. Sure enough, they are successful. They follow the calls and see Super Bird in the distance. To the kids younger, the costumed character is real. Each child steps up and tells Super Bird something about birds, and a chocolate egg is offered up as a gratitude gift. Soon the lost memories return to Super Bird and the kids have saved the day! Nature’s Theater loves to help kids realize that they can do big things. They can be heroes for this world!

-Lyndsay Dawkins

Volunteer Tuleyome Board Member

Here Comes the Sun...

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 23:27:57 GMT

The sun is many things. In our solar system, it’s the closest star, the largest object in the sky, and the center of gravity that holds our small system together. In the universe, it’s a relatively small star, burning at a relatively cool temperature. On Mercury, the sun remains so close that it burns off any atmosphere that might exist there and on Neptune, the sun looks like a small blip, just another star in the night sky. But on Earth, the sun’s distance is just right to provide the warmth and light needed for life to flourish. The energy that we receive each day from our food doesn’t start on the Earth, it actually starts with the sun.

This idea is the basis of what students will be learning as they travel on the sun trail at Woodland Regional Park Preserve. For the Kindergarten and 1st grade students, this will mean observing the effects of sun and shade on life at the preserve as well as themselves. For the 4th and 5th grade students, this will mean tracing their source of energy from what they eat all the way back to the sun.

Kindergarten and first grade students will begin their adventure with a nature walk, making observations about where the sun shines on the Earth and where it is blocked to form shade. They will observe how life looks different in those different environments and will ponder why that might be. These young students will also participate in a some hands-on experiments. They will take a few moments to sit in the sun and the shade, discussing their sensory observations in each environment. They will also observe how several non-living materials (a rock, soil, and water) are affected by sun and shade, making predictions about each before testing them. At the end of their adventure, we will talk about the need to sometimes protect ourselves from the sun and create shade… which will lead to a final activity of building sun shelters (forts!) that the students can use to enjoy their snacks or lunch.

The 4th and 5th grade students will become sun trackers on their adventure, tracking both the movement of the sun and the energy it provides as it makes its way through the food web. Students begin by creating a solar clock using stone markers, a stick, and a compass. They also measure and mark their shadows before leaving for their nature walk so they can observe the change when they return. As students venture out on their nature walk, they learn to become animal trackers, spotting clues of the many different animals that inhabit the preserve- everything from prints to scat. Students will talk about the difference between carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores, as well as predators and prey. As they do this, they will start to think about what each animal in the preserve uses as a food source, or in other words, where they get their energy. Eventually, students will trace their way back to plants, at which point we will have to ask the question, “Where do plants get their energy from?” This takes us back to the sun! At the end of their nature walk, students return to their solar clock to track the movement of the shadows and discuss what this means about the movement of Earth’s position in relation to the sun, and how that effects the food web.

On Earth, the sun isn’t just a source of light and warmth, it is also a source of energy. The energy passing through our food webs can be traced all the way back to the sun and the sun greatly affects an ecosystem. At the preserve, students have the opportunity to experience and observe these effects firsthand as they adventure on the Sun Trail.

-Kara Green ( kgreen@tuleyome.org )

Education Associate

Enjoying Outside, Inside - Camping Indoors

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 23:25:52 GMT

Camping is a pastime that I instilled in my child from a very young age. Since the time they could walk, we would hit the road whenever possible to find a new camping locale or visit a favorite spot. As they grew older, and entered middle and then high school, camping became a way that we could stay connected and check in. It was over campfires while roasting marshmallows and disconnected from the electronic world that I heard about their triumphs and trials. In fact, when I suspected that something was bothering my budding teenager, that was when I often decided it was time for our next trip.

As they grew older, friends, other activities, and inclement weather could pull them away from the lure of a camping trip but when my child was young, the concept of bad weather impeding an overnight in the tent was simply unthinkable. This is how we came to love indoor camping, a pastime that occupied many of our most blistery winter weekends.

Those times when we just could not make it out for a camping trip, we brought the camping trip inside, setting up the tent in the middle of the living room. To be perfectly honest, this was the hardest part for me because I keep a pretty tidy home and this meant letting go for a bit and just letting the living room be our camping space. But, the rule was, if we were camping… we were camping! So, no electronics! Obviously, we were not setting up a campfire in the middle of the living room floor (not that my child didn’t try to persuade me!) but we did get our share of s’mores by making the graham cracker, chocolate, marshmallow sandwiches, wrapping them in foil and baking them in the oven at 350 degrees for about 5 – 10 minutes. We also popped popcorn and ate chips and Pop-Tarts and all the other things that I usually declared “camping food.”

Board games were a big part of these nights as well. My family has always been big board game players and that tradition has carried on with my child. So, we would get out the board games and play on the floor with our snacks and blankets. My kiddo wasn’t much into crafts (unless it involved playdough) but every so often I could get them to do a craft or 2. At the time I had to get super creative coming up with ideas, but now the internet has a wealth of ideas. Some of my favorites can be found at the California Academy of Science’s Science@Home website which features fun and fantastic science crafts you can do at home.

As the rainy winter weather continues in our area, I encourage you to give camping indoors a try, especially if you have little ones at home - whether that be kids or grandkids or nieces and nephews. Camping doesn’t just afford us time to connect with nature, it also affords us time to connect with ourselves and the ones we love.

(The dog comes camping with us also - inside or out!)

-Kara Green ( kgreen@tuleyome.org )

Education Associate

Monumental Questions - Where can I ride my mountain bike in Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument?

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 23:19:49 GMT

Mountain Biking Cache Creek Ridge

The Berreyessa Snow Mountain National Monument region has many recreational opportunities – legal OHV-riding, night sky viewing, wilderness areas, hiking, kayaking, and camping. One activity that is often overlooked is mountain biking. In fact, when I talk to mountain bikers, most of them are completely unaware of the possible routes in the monument region.

A couple of options for less-experienced riders, Road 40/Rayhouse Road and Walker Ridge Road are great ways to get into the region. Road 40 starts at the lower site of the Cache Creek Canyon Park, north of Rumsey. The road is accessible by crossing Cache Creek using the new bridge. The route takes you into the mountains of western Yolo County.

Walker Ridge Road is a public road (that is often busy on the weekends) along the top of Molok Luyuk, forming the border between Lake and Colusa Counties. Bikers experience the wonder of the area and gain an appreciation of the need to protect the ridge by expanding Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. On a clear day, there are wonderful views of Mount Konocti, Mount Diablo, the Sutter Buttes, Mount Lassen, Mount Shasta, and Snow Mountain.

Another road that would be extremely beautiful this time of year is Bear Valley Road . This road takes travelers to Bear Valley, one of the best wildflower areas in northern California. Because of this, the road is heavily traveled (for a remote, dirt road) in the spring.

For those looking for more of a challenge, Cache Creek Ridge offers a 9.5-mile (one-way) ride. This ridge has multiple climbs and descents through oak grassland. Riding from the Judge Davis Trailhead to the High Bridge Trailhead means the ride is mostly downhill.

A more difficult ride is the trail to Fiske Peak and the Blue Ridge . This is accessed from the lower site of the Cache Creek Canyon Park, like Road 40. However, this is a narrow trail that climbs steeply to the ridge top.

Check out our Trail Guide to get more information about these trails and to see what other trails can be ridden in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region.

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Featured Trail: Road 53

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 23:14:35 GMT

Capay Valley from Road 53 (February 2023)

Check out the photos from the workday on Flickr .

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Boy Scout Troop 69 Completes Orienteering Course at WRPP

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 08:21:10 GMT

On Saturday, January 28th Tuleyome hosted the Woodland Boy Scout’s Troop 69 at the Woodland Regional Park Preserve for an orienteering course. Jeff Walton, one of the troop leaders, set up a challenging course throughout the preserve that tested the scouts’ skills in orienteering. Prior to coming out to the preserve, the mostly 12- and 13-year-olds had learned to read a map, take and follow compass bearings, calculate their pace, and judge distance. The scouts showed a ton of perseverance and determination as they worked their way through the challenging course. Along the way, they also had the opportunity to see much of the wildlife the preserve has to offer including Snow Geese, Canada Geese, red-winged blackbirds, and even a Garter snake! More activities are scheduled in the coming weeks with the launch of our field trip education program at the preserve. We can’t wait to see more kids out there! To see more pictures of the event, be sure to check out our flickr album here .

-Kara Green ( kgreen@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures Education Program- How the Land is Continuously Changing

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 08:19:51 GMT

If you reside in California, you’ve likely heard of the San Andreas Fault. But did you know that the San Andreas is just one of a series of faults created by the convergence of the North American plate and the Pacific Plate? The Earth’s Crust, broken into many pieces called tectonic plates, are constantly moving, shifting, and colliding. But their borders rarely make straight lines as often portrayed on tectonic maps. Rather, the crust fractures and creates multiple fault lines. At each of these fault lines, pressure can build up and be released in many different ways.

We happen to reside at the center of one of the most interesting geological areas in the world. From an educational standpoint, this is an amazing opportunity! Our nation-wide science standards, the NGSS, ask 4th grade students to understand the geological processes that have helped shape the Earth. That’s a big ask! It can be difficult for a lot of us to wrap our heads around the vast amounts of time and slow, grand processes that go into creating the features of the Earth including mountains, valleys, and volcanoes. So, if you can stand in a place and actually see the results of that process and place your hands on a simulation that replicates the geological space around you, that can be a profound experience. This is exactly what we are doing with the Land Trail at Woodland Regional Park Preserve (WRPP).

When 4th and 5th grade students visit WRPP to attend the land trail, they will not only see the effects from various geological processes, they will get to simulate them using a number of different demonstration tools. Students begin the trail by looking at a geological process that tends to have more immediate effects, specifically erosion. Making predictions beforehand, students will experiment with different soil types and vegetation coverage to see how each is affected by the forces of wind and water. The landscape of WRPP is comprised mostly of clay soils and as students will discover, water tends to pool up on clay soils which lends itself to the wetlands we have at the preserve. They will also find, however, that without the protective cover of vegetation, wind and water are powerful and sometimes destructive forces that can drastically change the landscape of the land.

After the first simulation, students will move out in both space and time to consider how the region in which we live has formed over millennia. Students will use topographical maps of the region, specifically of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, along with their binoculars to identify many of the features in our area. Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument is a fascinating geological wonder, home to a lesser-known fault that resides along the border of the 2 plates, the Bartlett Springs Fault. The mountains in this region, which students will be able to spot with their binoculars, were formed hundreds of millions of years ago, during the Jurassic period. And it was formed under the sea.

To gain an understanding of what this process would look like, students will engage in another simulation- a sea mountain creation demonstration table. The activity will allow students to fast-forward through geologic time and watch a simulated version of the plates converging, one submerging under the other, with cooling magma and crust rising out of the sea to form mountains. In the Bartlett Springs area, this phenomenon has led to sea-life fossils dating back to the Jurassic Period and a special type of rock called the Serpentinite rock. Over time, the Serpentinite rock has experienced the same weathering and erosion process students already learned about, leading to a unique soil composition in this region of the monument- Serpentine soils.

Along with locating the features of the region both on the map and through their binoculars, students on this trail will have the opportunity to see sample Serpentinite rocks and soil from the area. The rock type is just one piece of evidence of the geologic history of our region. Another clue is fossil evidence. Finding fossil evidence in a region provides important information about what took place before our time. Students will get to experience this during their simulated excavation dig in which they unearth clues like those found in the Bartlett Springs region.

At the end of trail we will circle back to our first simulation in which we looked at the process of erosion. Throughout our time on the trail we will be focusing on the question: “how has the land changed over time?” What students will ultimately discover during our time at WRPP is that the land has changed significantly and that some of these changes have occurred slowly while others occur quite quickly and have great impact on our daily lives. But humans can have a large amount of influence over some of these changes by choosing how we manage our land.

(Photo from " Remarkable geology sets new Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument apart" by EldridgeM. Moores and Judth E. Moores , Earth Magazine 11/12/15)

-Kara Green ( kgreen@tuleyome.org )

Education Associate

Tuleyome's Spring Thing is Coming!

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 08:16:15 GMT

It’s coming! Mark your calendars because Tuleyome Spring Thing is coming Saturday March 18 . Get ready for campfires, hikes, s’mores, and more. Get updates on our web page here:

Spring Thing Updates

Want to volunteer? Fill out the form here:

Volunteer to help with Spring Thing

Thanks to our AMAZING sponsors who are helping make this event possible!

Wilbur Hot Springs
City of Woodland
Tsakopoulos Family, Greg Scott, and Conaway Preservation Group

Want to become a sponsor? Contact Kara at kgreen@tuleyome.org .

Enjoying Outside, Inside - BIPOC Writing on the Outdoors

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 08:14:22 GMT

When I looked at my bookshelves I realized that they could be richer in outdoor writing from authors who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. As biological ecosystems are more fertile and resilient when they are diverse, so too with intellectual and cultural systems. Here are a few books that have enriched me lately; this list largely features Black writers, so more will come.

Colors of Nature: Culture, Identity, and the Natural World. Alison H. Deming and Lauret E. Savoy. The editors note that nature writing as a literary tradition began with “solitary explorations of wild places…seeing nature as a place apart.” Yet, they say, “what is defined by some as an edge of separation between nature and culture, people and place, is a zone of exchange.” This anthology, from writers of varied racial and ethnic identities, is about the diversity of this human ecotone: the ways that our day to day lives are woven with nature, the ways that culture impacts nature, and how the ways that we connect with each other—or refuse connection—reflect our connections with nature. Often challenging, these essays and poems are also deeply healing.

Black Nature. Camille T. Dungy, ed. What poems does a person write about the outdoors when “both emancipation oaks and hanging trees” are part of nature? Or when an invitation to write “a tree poem” stimulates the realization that there is not a tree in sight among the asphalt? Hundreds of poems by nearly a hundred poets provide myriad answers, complex, angry, amused, loving, beautiful, always stimulating. Browse this anthology and your view of nature will be greatly expanded, if not exploded.

The Unlikely Thru-Hiker: An Appalachian Trail Journey. Derick Lugo. An urbanite with a taste for challenge, all the more if it involved travel, Derick Lugo had hardly hiked at all when he picked up Bill Bryson’s book A Walk in the Woods. Through-hiking the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine became his next adventure. Another hiker recommended that he photograph the people he met as well as the landscape, and this memoir follows the advice; Lugo portrays the traveling community that the sole Black through-hiker of the season encountered on his months-long journey, to moving effect.

The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors. James Edward Mills. It can be hard to imagine yourself doing something when you never see people like yourself doing it. Expedition Denali, a majority-Black attempt to summit the highest peak of North America, was also a push to show that Black people can and do climb mountains. Mills portrays not only the physical challenge of that expedition but also the history of African-American outdoor adventurers, from Matthew Henson, arguably the first person to reach the North Pole—but not the one to get the credit for it—to Barbara Hillary, the first African-American woman to reach the Pole, at the age of 75.

-Amy Boyer

Tuleyome’s Science Corner – Groundhogs

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 08:12:08 GMT

We probably all know how the legend goes…if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow on February 2, we get to enjoy six more weeks of winter. Perhaps the only true science behind the Groundhog Day lore is the groundhog itself.

Groundhogs (Marmota monax), also knowns as woodchucks, are members of the squirrel family. There are 15 species of marmots and one groundhog in the genus Marmota. All marmots are, essentially giant ground squirrels and various species can be found in Asia, Europe and North America. Found generally in the central and eastern United States and Alaska, groundhogs prefer wide landscapes such as meadows, pastures and other open fields, road sides, and near creeks and streams but are occasionally found in wooded areas.

Groundhogs are North America’s largest ground squirrel weighing in at around 13 pounds. They have small, round ears, black eyes and their stout bodies range from 18 to 24 inches long with a short, bushy tail that averages about half of their body length. Males are slightly larger than females. They are covered in thick fur that ranges from shades of light to dark brown with lighter underparts and darker limbs. They have short legs and powerful feet equipped with thick claws which they use to excavate extensive burrow systems. Since Groundhogs spend about 80% of their time underground, their burrows are intricate; some of them nearly 70 feet long and even include separate “restrooms”. The burrows provide protection from predators which include raptors, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, black bears and other regional meat-eaters. Groundhogs can whistle using their incisors to warn other groundhogs within earshot of approaching danger. They are not track stars but groundhogs are good swimmers and climbers but will defend themselves if they are in a situation without an escape route.

Their sophisticated burrows also provide secure places for them to raise their young. Groundhogs are solitary except during the spring. When a male and female greet each other to show interest in mating, they rub their noses and lips together. Mating takes place in late February to early March and three to eight pups are born in the spring and stay with mom for two to three months.

Groundhogs are true hibernators, meaning they spend the harshest parts of winter in a state close to death. Breathing is almost imperceptible at about only two breaths per minute. Their body temperature drops from about 99 degrees to only 37 degrees Fahrenheit, sometimes lower if the air temperature of the burrow is lower, and their heart rate slows from 80 beats to just about five beats per minute. Hibernation begins in October or November and lasts until, you guessed it, February. To get ready for hibernation, groundhogs bulk up their fat reserves the rest of the year foraging on vegetation, fruit, bark and buds. They’re big fans of hay, alfalfa and clover which sometimes gets them in trouble with farmers. Groundhogs eat an average of one pound of vegetation during a feeding; that’s equivalent to a 150-pound person eating 15 pounds of food in one sitting. Groundhogs are diurnal and are most active during dawn and dusk.

As far as seeing its shadow, groundhogs actually have pretty poor eyesight. Maybe that’s why a menagerie of other animals are used to predict if spring is coming in other parts of the United States. Sardis City, Alabama uses an opossum named Sand Mountain Sam. Eastford Connecticut claims Scramble the Duck and nearby Bridgeport has Beardsley Bart the prairie dog. There’s a pair of frogs named Tad and Lil in Snohomish, Washington and an armadillo named Bee Cave Bob in Texas. There’s even a bass named Benny in the Buckeye Lake Region of Ohio that has folks awaiting the arrival of spring based on his decision to eat a minnow or not.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) states that Punxsutawney Phil is correct about 46% of the time. Not too bad for a groggy squirrel.

-Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Monumental Questions - What is the moutain with snow on it right now?

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 08:10:33 GMT

Tuleyome spokes-bear, Essa, on Snow Mountain

Recently, I have been asked many times: “What is that mountain with all snow on it? The one over there.” This is accompanied by a wave of at least one hand to the Coast Ranges.

This is Snow Mountain – the northern “anchor” of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.

Snow Mountain has two peaks – East and West. Snow Mountain East has an elevation of 7,056 ft, Snow Mountain West is 7,043, about a half mile to the southwest. Snow Mountain East is on the border of Colusa and Lake counties and is the highest point in each.

The geologic history of Snow Mountain is quite fascinating. The mountain started life under water, deep in the Pacific Ocean. This seamount traveled with the oceanic plate and was buried up to 30 kilometers below the continental edge before rising again to the surface. There are 140 million year old, submarine volcanic rocks on the mountain that look as if they were laid down a few years ago!

Hikers can access the peak via the Summit Springs Trailhead in Snow Mountain Wilderness. The wilderness area was burned in the Ranch Fire (Mendocino Complex) in 2018 and the August Complex Fire in 2020. These fires impacted the area and, in some locations, made the trail impossible to find. For those wanting to summit Snow Mountain, be sure to have an accurate map and GPS system.

After explaining what make Snow Mountain unique, I then highlight the two other peaks that (as of writing) also have snow on them – Goat Mountain (6,121 ft) to the south and St John Mountain (6,746 ft) to the north.

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Featured Trail: Annie's Trail

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 08:08:52 GMT

Annie’s Trail is accessed via Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve. This trail extends the trail network in the Reserve to the south, including access to Tuleyome’s Cold Canyon Headwaters property and the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.

This is a difficult trail with steep sections and has some narrow portions on the ridge top. Annie’s Rock is a great place for lunch with spectacular views of Lake Berryessa and the Coast Range mountains to the north. On a clear day, you will be able to see Mount Konocti, Snow Mountain, the Sutter Buttes, and Mount Lassen.

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Welcome, Dr. Stephen McCord!

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 08:06:31 GMT

New Tuleyome Board Member, Dr. Stephen McCord

We are excited to welcome Dr. Stephen McCord as the newest member of Tuleyome's Board! Dr. McCord first came to the region as a graduate student at UC Davis in the 1990s, and has worked as an environmental engineering consultant based in Davis since 2000. As President of McCord Environmental, he helps clients manage lakes, restore mine sites, improve watershed health, and more throughout northern California and internationally. He has worked throughout that time with several environmental-based non-profits in the region as a consultant, volunteer, trainer and board member. His expertise in water quality and watershed management has allowed him to support Tuleyome’s mission of restoring the Coast Range landscape, with particular focus on rehabilitating rural roads/trails and restoring abandoned mercury mine sites. With a love of the outdoors, Stephen can often be found (or lost) hiking/backpacking on trails, bicycling/motorcycling on roads, rafting/kayaking on waterways, traveling internationally, and more in the great outdoors. For his many efforts supporting UC Davis, he received the Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award in 2021.

Enjoying Outside, Inside - Webcams to Inspire Travels

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 08:38:47 GMT

The best way to enjoy outside is to be outside. However, sometimes it is not safe to be outside – like during a storm. Live webcams are a great way to see what is happening outside – either in your location or in some far-off location. Be aware that webcams may provide inspiration for future travels!

In our area, a great livestream is provided by the Friends of Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge . The Refuge , located just south of Willows on I-5, teams with waterfowl during the winter and offers an auto-tour that allows visitors to get relatively close to the birds without too much disturbance. The webcam, changes views regularly and often shows Mount Lassen, if it is clear enough.

Here are some other cameras that may inspire travels:

Although it doesn’t focus on wildlife, the webcams at Sierra at Tahoe ski resort are a good way to enjoy the snow and mountains without making the trip. The cam can also be used to judge how many people are on the mountain.
If you prefer the coast, the San Francisco Bayfront Cam is for you. The camera is centered on Alcatraz Island and allows viewers to zoom in.
Patagonia , anyone?
The United State Antarctic Program has multiple webcams at McMurdo Station . Compare those cams with the Australian Antarctic Program which also has multiple webcams.

Let us know what webcams you enjoy!

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Tuleyome’s Science Corner – Everything Plays a Part in the Ecosystem

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 08:31:31 GMT

Imagine you are 6 years old. You’ve just been handed a pair of binoculars and given instructions on how to use them. At first, when you place them against your eyes, everything goes blurry, but with a little help, you get them adjusted juuuust right… and now you can see everything! You’ve hiked for what seems like forever but you’ve seen so much cool stuff along the way, with the help of the binoculars. You’ve seen lots of different birds, insects, and you even spotted a bunny hopping past. Now the trail guide stops everyone right in front of this one gigantic tree and they want you to search the tree for signs of living things using your binoculars. There is so much to see! You and your friends inspect everything from the roots to the very tips of the branches and you discover there are living things on every inch of the tree! And not just the same living things. Worms and beetles live near the roots, insects and a squirrel crawl around on the trunk, and all sorts of different birds live throughout the branches, including a gigantic hawk (you know she lives there because her nest is there). After everyone shares what they found in the tree the group keeps hiking further and further and then, the trail guide stops at another tree. Only, this one is dead. Plus, it looks like it died a long time ago. It’s fallen over and broken and it looks like it's rotting in some places. The trail guide wants us to look for signs of living things again, but we aren’t going to find anything here. Are we?

Dead trees are an often overlooked part of the ecosystem, but they’re a large focus in one of our newest Tuleyome Adventures Education Program trails. Ecosystems are communities of living, interacting organisms and the habitat they live in. Living organisms in a community are reliant on each other but also on their habitat. They support each other as part of the food web and are provided resources such as nutrients, shelter, and water from the habitat. However, the habitat is just as reliant on the community members. If community members were to continuously drain their habitat of resources, without ever replenishing the supply, eventually the habitat would have nothing left to give, and the community members would suffer. An ecosystem tells the story of this intricate and balanced interaction, an interaction that operates as a cycle.

So how is a habitat replenished of all the nutrients it needs to support its community members? It happens through decomposition. When organic matter like a tree dies, it becomes another chapter in the ecosystem story. A new set of community members move in and take over this habitat- namely, decomposers. Looking carefully at a fallen tree you will probably first notice an array of gorgeous fungi and lichen. Carefully lift up a branch or broken piece of the trunk, and you are likely to find a host of critters crawling about underground- worms, pill bugs, beetles, and more. This special group of organisms are especially skilled at absorbing and consuming the dead organic material. In the process, they break down the complex molecules found in that material into more basic components like nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus and return them to the soil.

As it happens, nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus are just what plants need. Plants take in these nutrients through their roots along with the water, provided to them by the replenished Earth. The plants, as part of a complex food web system, go onto feed other members of the community, passing along the nutrients. Decomposers are key community members of this story, closing the cycle and returning resources to the habitat so the ecosystem can continue on and thrive.

Students adventuring on our new educational trails are sure to be entranced by all the wildlife and creatures they will encounter while out at the preserve. Observing with their binoculars and magnifying glasses will make them feel like real explorers. But their time on the trail is also a chance to understand more broadly what it means to be a part of the ecosystem. Afterall, as humans, we are community members as well, constantly affecting our habitat and requiring its resources. We are part of the ecosystem story. As we learn and educate about what it means to be a part of the ecosystem, we can think, too, about what we take and how we can give back to the Earth, our habitat and home.

More information about our new Tuleyome Adventures Education Program can be found on the field trips page of our website.

-Kara Green ( kgreen@tuleyome.org )

Education Associate

Monumental Questions - Who is the new Manager for Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument?

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 08:27:01 GMT

The BLM has recently hired a new manager for the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument! Melissa Hovey joins the Ukiah Field Office as the monument manager with more than 25 years’ experience in environmental quality and air resource management. She has been with the BLM for over a decade and has held positions in headquarters, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. Melissa has a B.S. and M.S. in civil and environmental engineering. In her spare time, she enjoys skiing, camping, and spending time outdoors with her family and dogs.

Featured Trail: Zim Zim Falls Trail

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 08:25:20 GMT

Certified California Naturalist students in the field

The Zim Zim Falls Trailhead is located on Berryessa Knoxville Road, north of Lake Berryessa. Look for the green gate on the east side of the road, just south of mile marker 24. Be aware, there are concrete low-water crossing between the lake and the trailhead – use caution!

The hike itself starts out relatively flat in a nice wide valley. Zim Zim Creek meanders through this valley and crosses the trail many times – wet feet are common! As the valley narrows, the trail climbs the hill leads to views of the falls.

Late January through early May is a great time to hike this trail because of the wildflowers!

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Tuleyome's Certified California Naturalist Course Started

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 08:23:25 GMT

Certified California Naturalist students in the field

Tuleyome’s Certified California Naturalist program started on Friday, January 13. The course focuses on the natural beauty of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region including the local flora and fauna and the geology and geography of the area. Along with classroom hours, students will go on three field trips to get up close with nature.

The class is open to members of the public with no prerequisite necessary. This year’s students include a Tuleyome staff member, employee from the Bureau of Reclamation at Lake Berryessa, an employee of the US Forest Service (Mendocino National Forest), and a staff member from the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. We are excited about sharing this wonderful area with the students and encourage them to share their new knowledge with others.

If you are interested in Tuleyome’s Certified California Naturalist course, please get in touch!

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Tuleyome Book Recommendations 2023

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 09:13:38 GMT

See Tuleyome's Book Recommendations for 2022

December 2023

Adventures in nature;: Selections from the outdoor writings of Edwin Way Teale

Join America's foremost naturalist-writer in his adventures out-of-doors. Travel with him in 31 adventures ranging from the Maine Woods to the California coast.

November 2023

The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire that Saved America, by Timothy Egan.

The Big Burn, by Timothy Egan, is a fascinating look at two intertwined stories – that of the largest wildfire in U.S. history (the Big Burn of 1910) and the founding and early struggles of the U.S. Forest Service. The book is packed with both physical action on the fire line and political action in Washington, brought to life through the perspectives of larger-than-life characters such as Ed Pulaski, Gifford Pinchot, and Teddy Roosevelt.

October 2023

Anderson Marsh State Historic Park: A Walking History, Prehistory, Flora, and Fauna Tour of a California State Park by Kathleen Scavone

September 2023

A Year in the Woods by Torbjorn Ekelund

How does the same locat ion look throughout the year? What changes with the seasons? What remains constant? The author returned to the same spot throughout the year, taking note of changes, small and large.

What It's Like to be a Bird

by David Allen Sibley

More than two hundred species of the most commonly seen birds are discussed and with beautif ul pictures.

August 2023

The Sting of the Wild

by Just in O. Schmidt

Ever wonder it feels like to stung by various insects? Justin Schmidt does the research for you and compares them to "everyday" occurrences!

July 2023

Sounds Wild and Broken

by David Geo rge Haskell

David Haskell investigates the songs, ca lls, and sounds found in nature - deep in the oceans, rainforests, swamps, and urban environments. How have these sounds evolved with nature and how are they adapting to new environments? Haskell describes how human sounds and music have evolved - ivory flutes from Paleolithic caves to listening to music on earbuds.

Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter

by Ben Goldfarb

June 2023

C alifornia Foraging

by Judith Larner Lowry

May 2023

The Outdoor World of the Sacramento Region

by The American River Natural History Association

Wildflower Wonders

by Bob Gibbons

April 2023

Braiding Sweetgrass

By Robin Lee Kimmerer

March 2023

Who Stole the Bees' Wings?

By Jeff Falyn

Bringing Nature Home

by Douglas W. Tallamy

February 2023

The Ministry for the Future

by Kim Stanley Robinson

January 2023

Tuleyome's Science Corner - Great Horned Owl

Thu, 29 Dec 2022 09:40:57 GMT

Do you ever poke your head out during the cold winter nights and hear the deep hoot of a Great Horned Owl? Great Horned Owls begin nesting early, usually in December, which is why you may hear them talking on a cold winter night. Occasionally, I hear a pair chatting it up between the tops of the redwood trees across the street; and sometimes a third owl joins in from around the corner.

Great Horned Owls (Bubo virginianus) are sometimes called “Tiger Owls” because of their aggressive and powerful hunting skills. They have big yellow eyes, two feather tufts called “plumicorns” on the top of their round head, short wings and a mottled, striped breast. Their coloration varies from pale gray to a dark sooty color depending on where they are within their range. Their facial disk, which helps them locate prey by directing sound toward their ears, can vary from a reddish brown to gray but they all typically have a bright white patch on the front of their neck. Great Horned Owls cannot move their eyes within their sockets but they can rotate their heads almost 180 degrees allowing them to see in any direction. Females are typically larger in size than males but males have a bigger voice box which allows their hoots to be deeper and heard from a greater distance.

Great Horned Owls are found all throughout North America and occupy forests, swamps, deserts, agricultural and urban areas. Their home range usually includes forests or woodlands with trees for nesting and open areas such as wetlands, pastures or cropland for hunting. Although they are primarily nocturnal, Great Horned Owls have also been observed hunting during the day but this usually only occurs in the winter.

Typically, they hunt from a perch or but have also been observed walking on the ground to pursue prey items. Great Horned Owls have the most diverse diet of all North American raptors taking small species like scorpions and bats to porcupines (which can be fatal for both the owl and the porcupine), geese and other raptors. They eat mainly mammals but will also take fish, birds and reptiles and sometimes even carrion. Owls living in cold territory may allow excess food to freeze and then “incubate” it to thaw and be consumed later.

Great Horned Owls prefer large trees for nesting such as cottonwood and pines. They sometimes nest in cavities but prefer to reuse a sturdy stick nest previously constructed by other large birds such as crows, ravens or other raptors. They line the nest with leaves, down, fur and/or shredded bark. Mating occurs in late winter and mated pairs vigorously defend their nests and territory by hooting, hissing, bill-clapping, and other vocalizations. They may also display physical intimidation threats such as spreading their wings and striking with their feet. One to four eggs are laid in the nest and tended to primarily by the female. Incubation lasts for about a month and the young are fed by both parents for about a month and a half. Around about five weeks, the young may wander out of the nest and climb onto nearby branches. They can fly at roughly ten weeks but continue to be fed by the parents and remain with them for several months. After nesting season is over, the adults may remain within the territory but roost individually.

Great Horned Owl Facts:

The oldest Great Horned Owl currently on record was at least 28 years old
Great Horned Owls have extremely strong talons and when clenched, require nearly 30 pounds to open
Great Horned Owls are fierce predators and American Crows may gather from near and far to harass one for hours
Great Horned Owl populations remain relatively steady despite habitat loss, increases in rodenticide use and collisions with cars

-Kristie Ehrhardt (kehrhardt@tuleyome.org)

Tuleyome's Policy Corner - Molok Luyuk End of Year Summary 2022

Thu, 29 Dec 2022 09:37:32 GMT

Protecting Molok Luyuk and ensuring tribal co-stewardship advanced considerably . The Berryessa Snow Mountain Expansion Act was introduced by Representatives Garamendi and Thompson ( HR 6366 ), then followed by Senators Padilla and Feinstein ( S 4080 ). Both the Senate and House of Representatives held positive hearings on the bills. BLM, the current land manager of Molok Luyuk, supports the bills. It is supported by community members and public officials at all levels of government – local, state, and federal. It passed out of the House as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, and out of the Senate Energy Committee by unanimous, bi-partisan vote. We were hopeful that the Act would be added into a public lands package or the Omnibus Appropriations bill that passed last Friday due to its overwhelming and bi-partisan support. While many had hoped for a passage of bi-partisan public lands bills at the end of the year, it did not happen.

However, we have made significant progress and continue to build support. Our champions will need to introduce legislation in 2023, in the new session of Congress. We will need to work with President Biden, Secretary Haaland, and our partners at BLM to protect this special place and all that it holds. Our Senators and Representatives have already written to the President asking him to protect Molok Luyuk through the Antiquities Act if Congress does not take action. This request was also made by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation , whose ancestral lands include Molok Luyuk. Tuleyome and a coalition of dozens of organizations support these requests .

And, we are hopeful. President Biden has committed to protecting 30 percent of public lands and waters by 2030. A new report by the Center for American Progress shows that in the first two years of the Biden administration, President Biden has moved to conserve over 12 million acres of public lands and has funded over $10 billion in federal, state, local, and Tribal conservation efforts, three times more than any previous president at this point in office. He restored the boundaries of three national monuments – Bears Ears, Grand Staircase Escalante, and Northeast Canyons and Seamounts National Monuments – where tribal co-stewardship of the land is underway. President Biden already designated the Continental Divide National Monument in Colorado, and has committed to designating Avi Kwa Ame in Nevada as a national monument. Now it’s time to protect Molok Luyuk.

How can you help? There are many ways.

Send a letter of support to the President, letting him know you want him to protect Molok Luyuk. Individual letters are always best. Here’s a sample in case it’s helpful. If you do send your own letter, please share it with Tuleyome – we are gathering up support.
If you’re an organization or a business, you can sign on to our organizational support letter .
If you’re just too swamped to do that, then sign our petition in support of Molok Luyuk.
If you have extra time and want to volunteer, contact us!

We can make this happen – with your help – in 2023!

Until then, have a Merry New Year!

Cheers, Sandy

Executive Director

Enjoying Outside, Inside - Women Writing on Nature

Thu, 29 Dec 2022 09:27:02 GMT

You're probably familiar with nature writers such as Henry David Thoreau, John Muir, Edward Abbey, and Gary Snyder. You may also have noticed that all of these writers are men. Here are some women nature writers to explore as we come into winter, the perfect season for adventures through reading.

Mary Austin is best known for her classic, Land of Little Rain , essays about her experiences in the Mojave desert. She was deeply sensitive not only to the place she walked in but also the cultural landscape, and championed rights for women, Native Americans, and Mexican-Americans.

Gene Stratton Porter wrote novels set in Indiana's enormous Limberlost swamp while it was being logged off. Her books, like those of Dickens, are written with immense heart and memorable characters. She portrays the Limberlost as it was changing, providing a window onto a little-known place and time. My favorites are Freckles and A Girl of the Limberlost .

Robin Wall Kimmerer perhaps needs no introduction, but if you read only one book on this list, make it Braiding Sweetgrass . A botanist specializing in mosses and an enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Kimmerer weaves together scientific understanding and the lessons learned from her family, her tribe, and Anishinaabemowin, the language of the Potawatomi, to point a direction for healing the world.

Annie Proulx has a lively sense of history and an eye for place. The Shipping News is wonderful not only for its human characters but also for its evocation of the Newfoundland land-and-seascape; her other fiction is equally perceptive of the many regions she writes about. Her newest book, Fen, Bog, and Swamp , discusses one of the most important types of ecosystems in the struggle with global warming: peatlands.

Mary Oliver says she was saved by nature and poetry, and her work is based on her sharp, long-term observation of the nature around Provincetown, where she lived for many years. Dream Work is perhaps my favorite volume of her poems, and Upstream , a collection of essays, ranges from her childhood, to Wordsworth, to owls.

-Amy Boyer

Second Weather Station Installed at Silver Spur Ranch

Thu, 29 Dec 2022 09:23:57 GMT

Tuleyome continued our partnership with Timothy Stark, Ph. D. to install an additional weather station at our Silver Spur Ranch property in Lake County. Dr. Stark is studying the impact of fires on landslides throughout the county.

On December 14, Dr. Stark placed the second of three weather stations which will record temperature, wind, rainfall, and soil moisture. Plans are being made to place a third station on a large landslide on the west side of the property.

Tuleyome is excited to be a part of this study! For more information, please contact Nate ( nillige@tuleyome.org ).

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Featured Trail: Blue Ridge Trail South

Thu, 29 Dec 2022 09:21:02 GMT

Blue Ridge Trail South is accessible again due to the new bridge over Cache Creek!

After crossing the new Road 40 bridge over Cache Creek, follow the road until you reach the top of a saddle and see a Bureau of Land Management road sign at an intersection. After turning left, you will reach the headwaters of Fiske Creek at the base of Blue Ridge. The trail climbs about 200 feet to the ridge top – turn north and follow the ridge to Fiske Peak.

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Monumental Questions - What are the Major Watersheds in Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument

Thu, 29 Dec 2022 09:17:56 GMT

Overlooking Lake Berryessa, part of the Putah Creek Watershed

There are three major watersheds that are included in Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument – Cache Creek, Putah Creek, and the Eel River. Cache Creek and Putah Creek drain to the east toward the Sacramento River while the Eel River flows to the Pacific Ocean.

The Eel River is the largest of these watersheds at over 3,900 square miles. The headwaters are in Snow Mountain Wilderness and drains the north and west portion of the monument. The river and its tributaries flow through Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt, and Trinity Counties.

Cache Creek’s headwaters are on Goat Mountain in Snow Mountain Wilderness. This river flows to the east and carries the water from many small tributaries and the water flowing from Clear Lake. This 1,300 square mile watershed flows through Lake, Colusa, and Yolo Counties before entering the settling basin east of Woodland.

The 71 square mile watershed of Putah Creek includes portions of Lake, Napa, Solano, and Yolo Counties. Lake Berryessa is the most notable feature of this watershed. The upper end of this watershed is Cobb Mountain and water flows through Putah Creek to the settling basin east of Davis.

Other watersheds in the area are the Stony Creek, Russian River, Napa River, and Suisun Creek Watersheds. All of these watersheds are impacted in some way by the activities in Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument - illustrating the connectivity of landscapes and habitats.

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Featured Trail: Frog Pond Trail

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 12:53:26 GMT

Dr Stark with Weather Station at Silver Spur Ranch

Frog Pond is now accessible again due to the new bridge over Cache Creek!

The trail takes hikers through riparian ecosystem, oak woodlands, and chaparral before reaching Frog Pond (although it is now mostly dry). There are great views of Cortina Ridge and Glascock Mountain. The top of the trail was burned recently and is still recovering - but there is still plenty of life in the region. Bear prints and scat are regularly seen on hikes!

This is a moderate hike and presents a good introduction to the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. Tuleyome is hosting a hike to Frog Pond on December 3!

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Adminstrative Assistant

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 09:44:36 GMT

Position Title: Administrative Assistant

Formed in 2002, Tuleyome is a regional non-profit organization headquartered in Woodland, CA, with a footprint throughout the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region. Tuleyome is a Lake Miwok Indian word that means “deep home place,” illustrating our organization’s deep connection to our environment, our communities and our regional lands. Tuleyome’s Mission is to provide advocacy and active stewardship to conserve, enhance, restore, and enjoy lands in the Northern Inner Coast Range region. Working with partners, we have protected vast areas of public lands, from large swaths such as the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and Cache Creek State Wild and Scenic River to Woodland Regional Park Preserve. We are also neighbors, holding title to nearly 3000 acres, plus an additional 1200 in conservation easements and 640 in Williamson Act easements, all of which protect key ecological parcels and enhance access to public lands across the region. Tuleyome’s leadership on Northern Inner Coast Range protection, restoration, access, advocacy and education has led increasing numbers of people to protect, restore, and enjoy the natural landscape of the Northern Inner Coast Range.

Position Description

The Administrative Assistant will help advance Tuleyome’s expansion, restoration, protection, education and engagement efforts for the Northern Inner Coast Ranges of California. The position works collaboratively with Tuleyome’s team and local, regional and statewide conservation organizations, local, state and federal agencies, and local landowners and businesses to enhance support for, and stewardship of, the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. The Administrative Assistant is an integral part of the team and works under the leadership of the Executive Director. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated individual with strategic instincts, high-level organizing, and administrative experience to maximize and strengthen Tuleyome and its efforts to defend, protect, expand, and restore the lands in our region.

The Administrative Assistant will have a love of outdoor recreation, an appreciation of wildlife and the importance of public access to public lands, strong leadership and interpersonal skills, the ability to work with people from a range of diverse backgrounds and work on dynamic, high-performance teams. The candidate is committed to Tuleyome’s mission, is emotionally intelligent, and has high integrity.

Position Objectives

Ensure the seamless operation of the office and its administrative and financial systems.
Work collaboratively to create efficient document and Member Relations Management systems that integrate Tuleyome’s operations and data.
Create and implement effective IT systems for implementing Tuleyome’s programs and mission.
Work collaboratively to create efficient systems for engagement with, and representation of, Tuleyome with members of the public.
Liaison between Tuleyome and members of the public.
Streamline scheduling, primarily Executives’, and ensure that meeting requests have agendas and supporting documents.
Seek grant and fundraising opportunities, write grants and assist other staff with the same.
Qualifications of a Successful Candidate

Outstanding organizational and project management skills.

Experienced communicator with excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to interact with a wide diversity of people.
Experience with office management, office systems and database management.
Technology savvy with experience using a wide range of social, digital, and multimedia tools to share information and reach target audiences.
Ability to travel regionally and work extended hours as needed. Driving, travel, temporary assignments and occasional extended work hours are required. A valid driver’s license is required.
Experience handling confidential information appropriately.
Commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and diversity within the organization and in the environmental movement.
Problem solver with the ability to prioritize, adjust focus, and wear many hats in a fast-paced environment.
Passion, creativity, integrity, positive attitude, and intellectual curiosity.
Fluency in Spanish is a plus.

Hours and Salary Range

This is a part time position at 20 hours per week during normal office hours with the possibility of future growth.

Salary and Benefits: $21,000 - $26,000 annually, with vacation and sick time, staff participation in retirement plan.

To Apply

Send a cover letter and resume to information@tuleyome.org .

Tuleyome will begin reviewing resumes on January 1, 2023. The position will remain open until filled.

No phone calls, please.

Tuleyome is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability or status as a U.S. veteran.

This job description reflects the assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

PDF of job description is available HERE .

Monumental Questions - The Ecological Importance of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 10:09:36 GMT

The steep slopes, deep valleys, and high ridges have a positive impact on Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument's ecological importance.

Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument was established by Presidential Proclamation on July 10, 2015 by President Obama using his authority via the Antiquities Act of 1906. This was the reward for years of hard work by Tuleyome, our partners, and our supporters. It highlighted our vision: “We dream. We act. Together we get things done!”

In 2017, in response to Executive Order 13792 – Review of Designations Under the Antiquities – Conservation Science Partners submitted a report to the Center for American Progress highlighting the ecological values of 22 national monuments. Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument was included in this report.

The report looked at “12 landscape-level indicators of ecological value” including ecological connectivity, ecological intactness, climate resilience, and mammal, reptile, and bird diversity. Looking at landscape-level data is important to help conservation planning that is functional and resilient. Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument was in the 90th percentile or higher in ecological system type rarity, climate resilience, bird diversity, and rarity-weighted species richness.

Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument scored highest – 95.4 percentile – in ecological system type rarity – an area’s ability to “support rare unique, or irreplaceable natural systems.” In addition to vegetation, this metric looked at the landscape, substrate, hydrology, and climate.

Climate resilience is the measure of an area’s ability to adapt to climate change. The species in areas of high climate resilience can adapt through local and long-distance movement. Two other indicators that were studied and are closely related to climate resilience are ecological intactness (minimal-“ness” of human activity that allows the landscape to support evolutionary and ecological processes) and ecological connectivity (the capacity to facilitate natural processes – migration, gene flow, etc). Berryessa Snow Mountain ranked in the 77th and 56th percentile, respectively, which indicates that these are important factors.

That Berryessa Snow Mountain is in the 90th percentile for rarity-weighted species richness indicates that the area is home to numerous endemic species and/or has critically imperiled species with limited distributions. Protecting the region is important to maintain diversity and protect “rare, sensitive, and irreplaceable species.”

This report looked at Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument in its entirety, from the land around Stebbins Cold Canyon to Snow Mountain Wilderness. While it did not provide metrics for Molok Luyuk specifically, this area exemplifies each of these. Driving along the ridge, it is easy to see the different ecosystems and habitats – serpentine/chaparral, oak grasslands, springs, cypress stands. The varied elevation also provides opportunity for species to move locally to adapt to climate change while providing a connection between valleys to help diversify gene flow.

If Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument is expanded to include the federally managed lands along Molok Luyuk, the area will be better prepared for climate change and continue to provide habitat to endemic and rare species.

The full report is available for download here .

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Congratulations!

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 10:02:05 GMT

Tuleyome Executive Director, Sandra Schubert, and Tuleyome Advisory Council member, Bob Schneider, were recently honored!

Sandra was honored by the California State Senate as a Safe Schools Health Hero. Robina Suwol, Founder & Executive Director of California Safe Schools wrote of Sandra:

“The California Safe Schools Health Hero Award celebrates visionaries whose dedication and selfless efforts make our world a much better place.

Sandra Schubert, Esq, was honored for her decades of extraordinary contributions on local, state, national programs and policies that have become international models for school districts and communities.

Sandra’s ability to successfully work with diverse groups led to the creation of policies and programs that not only established a more protective environment for the health and safety of all people, but also for our environment and ecosystem today, and for future generations. We salute Sandra Schubert for being a true Champion for Change!”

Bob was selected as Rocknasium’s Member of the Month. He has been a regular at Rocknasium since it opened and credit’s the climbing gym for helping him stay in shape for outdoor climbing, including Lovers Leap, Yosemite, and other places around the world. He was honored in the November/December 2022 Rapline, Rocknasium’s newsletter. Next time you see Bob, ask about his “outlaw days” in Alaska!

Congratulations, Sandra and Bob!

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Enjoying Outside, Inside - Board Games about Nature

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 09:58:36 GMT

Whether you're thinking about gift-giving or indoor time with family and friends, games about nature are seasonally appropriate! Many have some science behind them. Here are 6 table games that have made a number of best-of lists. (Disclaimer: I have yet to play any of these; but I'm looking forward to trying them!) All of these are competitive, but some can be played as solitaire. Most are for ages 10 and up but I've included a couple that younger players can enjoy.

Wingspan

Players: 1-5, ages 10+

Approximate time: 40-70 minutes

This scientifically-accurate game seems to be on everyone's list, and it's won plenty of awards for its beautiful art, actions drawn from real bird behavior, and game play that appeals to bird lovers and gamers alike. You draw from over 100 cards featuring real-life birds and try to attract them to your habitat, feed them, and get them to lay eggs. Each bird has an effect on the potential of the habitat, so strategy is important, and it can be played over and over again.

Cascadia

Players: 1-4, ages 10+

Approximate time: 30-45 minutes.

Based on the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, this 2022 Game of the Year involves creating your own habitats using tiles and placing animals in your landscape, trying to balance your ecosystem. Playing cards and tiles are beautiful and there's plenty of flexibility in the game.

Photosynthesis

Players: 2-4, ages 8+ (players recommend 10+)

Approximate time: 30-60 minutes.

Plant trees on the gameboard and watch them grow. The older and bigger they get, the more light points they get—but they also overshadow other trees. The rules of the game are faithful to how photosynthesis works—even to how sun direction changes—and again, strategy is important.

Parks

Players: 1-5, ages 10+

Approximate time: 40-70 minutes.

With art from the 59 Parks Print Series , this game invites you to traverse trail tiles with your two hikers to visit U.S. National Parks. Game play is easy enough to be accessible and challenging enough to be fun, especially as you decide which hiker is most advantageous to move. Purchases support the National Parks Service.

Arboretum

Players: 2-4, ages 8+ (players recommend 10+)

Approximate time: 30 minutes

Collect cards to create a pathway through a colorful, beautiful arboretum. How you connect your cards is as important as which ones you have in your hand. Rules are simple enough for younger players, but possible choices are complex. The artist, Beth Sobel, also worked on Wingspan.

Planet

Players: 2-4, ages 8 and up (players recommend 6+)

Approximate time: 30 minutes

Planet has won numerous awards for being a good family game that conveys some basics about habitat, and players say it's easy to pick up—literally. You get a blank, 3-D planet core that is fun to play around with and place magnetic tiles on it to create large, connected wildlife habitat.

-Amy Boyer

Featured Trail: Blue Ridge Trail North

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 09:54:49 GMT

Blue Ridge Trail North is accessible again due to the new bridge over Cache Creek!

This trail is not for beginners – it is steep and the terrain is rough. The trail is easy to find and follow after crossing the Road 40 (Rayhouse Road) bridge over Cache Creek. After crossing the bridge, follow the road to the left through the yellow gate. The trail is well marked when you enter a small clearing. At the top of the ridge, a few short up-and-downs get you to Fiske Peak.

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Blue Ridge Trail Workday

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 09:50:16 GMT

Volunteers taking a break to enjoy the view along the Blue Ridge Trail

With work completed on the new Road 40 (Rayhouse Road) bridge over Cache Creek, recreational opportunities on the public lands beyond the bridge are again easily accessible from Yolo County. Tuleyome took the opportunity to check in on a popular trail that has not received maintenance for some time: Blue Ridge Trail North .

Despite the lack of maintenance and recent fires, the trail is in good condition. The workday consisted of trimming low branches and brush that was encroaching on the trail – no work was necessary on the tread. Tuleyome will host another workday to finish clearing the trail, keep an eye on our Event Calendar! Check out photos from the workday on our Flickr site .

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Tuleyome's Science Corner: The Value of Ecosystems Found at Woodland Regional Park Preserve

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 09:46:41 GMT

The wetlands at Woodland Regional Park Preserve provide habitat for Black-necked Stilts (Himantopus mexicanus) and Canada Geese (Branta canadensis)

The Woodland Regional Park Preserve (WRPP) located on the corner of Road 102 and Road 25A is home to critical habitats and ecosystems that aren’t just aesthetically pleasing, they play an important role in protecting this area we call home. The habitats at WRPP include Vernal Pools and other seasonal wetlands, as well as Grasslands. Each of these unique habitats play a special role in supporting diverse ecosystems and protecting the resources we rely on each day.

As the name suggests, grasslands are dominated by vegetation from the grass family. This family of plants thrives in areas where there is not enough rainfall to allow for forest growth, but too much to create a desert. The amount of rainfall is just right for these plants! Grasslands provide several crucial benefits to the ecosystem. The first of these occur underground. With a root system that can extend as far down as 3-6 feet, grasses provide a strong system of support in the soil that helps prevent erosion. The long, intertwining, root fibers create a net that actually holds the soil in place, keeping it from moving during periods of strong rains, winds, or floods.

Another benefit to supporting our grassland habitats comes in the form of clean air. Grasses act as natural air filters, pulling carbon dioxide from the air and transforming it into useful materials such as oxygen. They play an important part in cycling nutrients through the atmosphere, biosphere, and geosphere. In the process, they create clean, breathable, oxygen-rich air for us and a healthy food supply for the critters that call this habitat home.

In addition to the grasslands, WRPP plays host to several types of wetlands thanks to its unique topography and soil make-up. When we think about the delicious food products that have made their way onto our plate each night, it’s our wetlands we should thank for this abundance of culinary delights because they create the foundation of our food web. Shallow waters spread out across a large area which characterizes most wetlands gives way to an abundance of diverse life - everything from microbes and bacteria, to insects, plants, and amphibians. Sunlight, the initial source of all our energy, feeds the growth of algae and bacteria, which in turn feeds larger animals. Fertile, wet ground gives way to a wealth of different plants. All of this invites larger animals into the habitat, drawn by the abundant food sources and water. The energy that started with the sun moves its way through the food web in these incredible, diverse wetland habitats and eventually makes its way to our plate, providing us with nourishment.

WRPP is a unique urban park preserve that features several important habitats beneficial to our area. The park will provide us with many things- recreation, opportunities for mental and physical health, and educational opportunities as well. But the habitats found at the park are already hard at work, providing us with many hidden benefits that will continue for years to come.

-Kara Green ( kgreen@tuleyome.org )

Education Associate

Weather Station Installed at Silver Spur

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 12:51:29 GMT

Dr Stark with Weather Station at Silver Spur Ranch

Tuleyome is excited to work with Timothy Stark, Ph. D. with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, to install weather stations on our Silver Spur Ranch property to study the impact of fires on landslides in Lake County. Silver Spur Ranch has many small landslides throughout the property which makes the property a great study area.

On November 16, Dr Stark installed the first station on a small slide that had burned in the 2018 Pawnee Fire. The station will record temperature, wind, rainfall, and soil moisture. Using the data collected, Dr Stark will determine when slopes are likely to slide. This is the first of three stations Dr Stark will be installing on the property.

Tuleyome is excited to be a part of this study! For more information, please contact Nate ( nillige@tuleyome.org ).

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

October’s Nature and You Lecture

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 12:49:16 GMT

Tuleyome volunteers building a new trail at Valley Vista Regional Park

On October 27, Michael Starkey, founder and Executive Director of Save the Snakes joined us to speak about California’s venomous snakes. He provided tips on how to identify different snakes, busted some “snake myths,” and stressed the importance of learning what to do when you encounter a snake.

If you couldn’t join us for the lecture, you can view it on our YouTube channel . For those of you who aren’t sure what to do if you encounter a snake, keep your ears open for the 30-30 rule.

Our Nature and You Lecture series is done for 2022 but will be back next year! We will post the upcoming lectures on our events page . If you have an idea for a lecture or know someone who may be interested in being a guest speaker, please get in touch!

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Valley Vista Regional Park Workdays

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 12:47:26 GMT

Tuleyome volunteers building a new trail at Valley Vista Regional Park

In October and November, volunteers joined Tuleyome as we started the construction of a new trail at Valley Vista Regional Park, north of Rumsey. The new trail will provide access to a portion of the park that had previously been inaccessible.

This trail is part of Tuleyome’s agreement with Yolo County to add 4.5 miles of trail to the park. Tuleyome constructed 2.5 miles of the new trail network in Valley Vista Regional Park over the last 6 years, working with volunteer crews. The trails are not only a regional jewel, but feedback from Rumsey residents has been nothing but positive with much gratitude and appreciation expressed for providing public access to the park via the trail network.

See the progress on our Flickr page . Check out our upcoming workdays at Valley Vista Regional Park on our events page .

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Is the Certified California Naturalist Course for You? YES!

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 12:32:23 GMT

How many times have you been on a hike in our local area and wondered about the amazing flora and fauna that surrounds us? Have you ever thought to yourself what an amazing thing it would be to know more about the animals, plants and geological landscapes? If so, then the Certified California Naturalist Program is for you!

Partnering once again with the University of California extension program, Tuleyome is pleased to offer TWO exciting opportunities to complete the program this year. The winter program runs from January – March 2023 and spans 10-weeks. The course will be held on 10-consecutive Fridays and includes at least three Weekend field trips. The spring course is a 1-week program hosted at beautiful Wilbur Hot Springs. Both programs cover the same curriculum allowing you to choose the option that works best for your schedule.

The California Naturalist program is designed to introduce anyone to the wonders of the natural world around us - no advance degree required! All field trips consist of low-impact walking trips and auto-tours, made suitable for all fitness levels.

Space is limited so be sure to sign up today!

More information is available on our website or you can contact Nate Lillge at nlillge@tuleyome.com to receive your registration packet.

-Kara Green ( kgreen@tuleyome.org )

Education Associate

Artwork Unveiled at Woodland Regional Park Preserve

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 12:29:18 GMT

Woodland Mayor Pro Tempore, Victoria Fernandez, and artist Susan Shelton

On October 27, docents, volunteers, and other stakeholders of the Woodland Regional Park Preserve received a real treat as they participated in the unveiling of Susan Shelton’s masterful art piece, recently installed at the park kiosk. The art piece, which hangs on the south side of the kiosk, is visible as you enter the paved trail. It is sculptured from clay and poignantly captures everything that makes our park and our region so unique.

Artist Susan Shelton took a few moments to speak to the crowd about her work and the inspiration behind it. The colors featured in the art piece were inspired by the many topographical maps of the park which represents the unique soil composition. Other elements of the design included much of the flora and fauna that this growing habitat will play host to, as well as special details like tiny bikes and a pavement-style border meant to represent the parks urban neighbor.

Woodland Mayor Pro Tempore Victoria Fernandez was on hand to offer her praise of the work, and the artist herself, on behalf of the city. The evening ended with Stephanie Burgos, City of Woodland Program Manager, honoring other members of the community for their hard work and dedication to this project as well.

The city is always seeking volunteers, input, and ideas for this ongoing project. If you would like to know more about the project or want to find out how to get involved, please contact Stephanie Burgos at stephanie.burgos@cityofwoodland.org.

-Kara Green ( kgreen@tuleyome.org )

Education Associate

Tuleyome at GoWILD! Event

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 12:23:39 GMT

On Saturday, October 22, Tuleyome joined the Yolo County Library and Yolo County Parks, along with many other local outdoor and wildlife organizations at the Go WILD! event in Capay. Yolo County Libraries have been successfully rolling out their themed activity backpacks and the Go WILD event was a chance to showcase the latest in this lineup - the Nature Explore Backpacks! Tuleyome was proud to be a part of the event which, along with the new backpacks, focused on encouraging families to get out in nature and enjoy the magnificent wildlife in our own backyard. Our table featured a display on local frog species and invited children to make hopping origami frogs - a big hit amongst all participants! We also shared information about our programming, conservation efforts, and the important work we do for our communities. The event drew in many participants from all over the county, including a number of young children excited to be out in nature.

-Kara Green ( kgreen@tuleyome.org )

Education Associate

Tuleyome's Science Corner: Stargazing

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 12:21:36 GMT

When I was little, looking up at the stars was a traditional pass time in my family. At my grandma’s house, when the summer heat had finally worn off and the sky was good and dark, we would sit outside and listen to stories about the constellations. My grandma would even encourage me to find my own patterns in the starry sky and create my own stories which I would tell her with great gusto. As we sat together each night, my grandma would point out various stars, planets, and constellations and we would laugh and talk long into the night while the bats swooped down overhead.

I have fond memories of starry summer nights with my grandma and much of my love for astronomy grew out of those nights. But it’s fall that has become my favorite star gazing period of the year. Starting in late August and Early September, the planets Jupiter and Saturn become visible in our night sky after sunset. These large gas giants shine bright with the reflection of the sun and become some of the largest, brightest objects in our night sky. As fall continues, Mars comes into view, along with Uranus, and sometimes, as we slip from October to November, there’s even a chance of spotting Venus and Neptune.

We are very blessed, living in our region, that we have the opportunity to see so many objects in the night sky, including many of our solar system’s planets. Even with the naked eye, these planets are easily recognizable by their size, brightness, and lack of sparkle. (Because they are simply reflecting the light of the sun, they don’t shimmer the way stars do, which are undergoing a process of nuclear fusion.) And while I love backyard stargazing anytime, nothing is more breathtaking than the view you get in more remote locations.

According to the Bureau of Land Management, public lands offer a fantastic opportunity for stargazing. Their distance from cities and bright lights gives the night sky a chance to really showcase all it’s amazing sights. (You can check out BLM’s flicker site here which features views from within the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument). If you are looking for a place to camp within the monument with dark skies, check out Cowboy Camp. Or want to try out something like a sunrise hike, our trail guide is a great resource to check out here.

I’d also highly recommend downloading a star gazing app to your smart phone or device. While these might not help in more remote areas, they are great for backyard star gazing, especially with kids. The apps work like star maps and help you locate and decipher all the objects in the sky. I like Sky Map, which is available for android devices. Night Sky is another app that works well with iOS devices. Whether in your backyard or somewhere in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, I hope you find time this fall to peer up into the sky and enjoy the beauty our region’s nighttime sky has to offer.

-Kara Green ( kgreen@tuleyome.org )

Education Associate

Monumental Questions - Cache Creek Bridge Brings Opportunity for Recreational Renewal

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 10:19:00 GMT

The old bridge over Cache Creek, which only allowed foot traffic, has been replaced!

With news that the Road 40 (aka. Rayhouse Road) bridge over Cache Creek is complete, it is important that people realize both the opportunities as well as the challenges that come with it being almost 14 years since the original bridge was condemned. One of the issues with areas that have reduced public and maintenance access over such a long time is that many if not all of the people in charge of management of the area have moved on or in some cases, have passed away. Their successors won’t necessarily know the backstory of an area and what needs to take place after the access issue has been resolved. They, and even much of the general public, won’t know the historical context of the area and may only be familiar with the current conditions, not how the area was before the bridge was condemned.

Though not yet a National Monument, in 2008 the Fiske Creek canyon area of the Blue Ridge in Yolo County was a hub of recreation opportunity for residents of the region. Yolo County has the Lower Cache Canyon Regional Park day use area next to the creek where the rebuilt bridge crosses. Before 2008, BLM actively managed the canyon lands as well as a number of trails, including the Blue Ridge Trail north and south , Fiske Creek Trail , and Frog Pond Trail . There was a primitive camp at the south end of the Fiske Creek Trail along Fiske Creek Road, complete with concrete fire pit and picnic table. The Blue Ridge South Trailhead was reachable by 2-wheel drive car back then. Buck Island campground, a remote wilderness camp along Cache Creek at the end of Langs Peak Road was a draw for family camping. BLM invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into the Buck Island campground and it features two precast concrete restrooms. Buck Island was also the put-in for two rafting concessions, allowing them to run two-day wilderness trips that explored different parts of the river between days.

Then, in 2008, Caltrans condemns the low-water bridge over Cache Creek as the footings are undermined. This is also the year of the financial crisis, so Yolo County, no longer able to cross the bridge with a road grader, opts to cease maintenance of Rayhouse Road. BLM, also unable to cross the bridge and with Rayhouse Road now unmaintained, can no longer get a road grader to the upper areas to maintain Fiske Creek Road and Langs Peak Road to Buck Island. BLM can’t get inmate crews up to the Fiske Creek Trail or Blue Ridge Trail South trailhead, as busses can no longer travel over the bridge or the unmaintained Rayhouse Road. Volunteer crews can’t feasibly access the Fiske Creek and Blue Ridge South trailheads to maintain the trails, as they are many miles away and the day would be done by the time one was able to walk the old road to the trailhead.

This inability to cross the bridge, which led to lack of maintenance on the dirt Rayhouse Road, begins the downward spiral of recreation opportunities and management. Rayhouse Road suffers from massive erosion as winter rains and runoff plug the culverts, causing flow across the road and vertical eroded edges where it travels down the bank. The same thing happens on BLM’s Fiske Creek Road and Langs Peak Road, rendering them impassible. Lacking the maintenance from inmate and volunteer crews due to vehicle inaccessibility, Blue Ridge Trail south of Fiske Peak becomes overgrown and almost impassable. Fiske Creek Trail suffers the same, with overgrown brush making it very difficult find and to follow. Buck Island, now only accessible by motorcycle or quad and no longer having active ranger patrols, begins to see vandalism. The rafting concessions lose a quarter of their business, as they can no longer offer the 'wilderness' overnight trip. Marijuana growers move into Fiske Creek Canyon and near New Cacheville, as the Sheriff no longer patrols the area. Several fires, including the 2009 Oasis fire and 2015 Rocky and Jerusalem fires are difficult to access due to the lack of a bridge. A portable pontoon bridge is installed to allow firefighting efforts during the 2015 fires as well as the 2018 County fire. CalFire grades Rayhouse Road, but only for fire suppression efforts during those events, so it washes out immediately after the rains begin as the grading is not performed with longevity in mind.

Yolo County and Tuleyome began pushing for bridge replacement almost immediately after it was condemned in 2008, but it was the subsequent fires that made the bridge a priority. Thanks to our State Representatives, funding was secured for the design and replacement of the bridge. In 2020, construction is began on a replacement and the bridge has just been opened!

The bridge replacement gives us the opportunity to restore management and recreation opportunities in the Fiske Creek Canyon area of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.

There are opportunities such as:

*Yolo County can now access Rayhouse road and resume maintenance

*BLM can restore maintenance of Fiske Creek Road and Langs Peak Road, now that Rayhouse Road will be again accessible

*Once Fiske Creek Road is restored, Fiske Creek Trail and Blue Ridge Trail south can be brushed, re-opening the trails for the public.

*Frog Pond Trail can be rebuilt after damage from CalFire during the County Fire last summer.

*Fiske Creek Campground can be re-opened.

*Buck Island will again be usable for the general public via access from Highway 16.

However, with an almost entirely new BLM and County staff, there isn’t an internal push to repair and re-open all of the trailheads, campgrounds, and access roads that can be restored after the bridge is replaced. It is up to us to advocate for repair and restoration of this amazing recreational resource, and let our leaders and land managers know we want to regain what we had 14 years ago.

This area is a substantial part of the National Monument, the only part of the monument accessible within Yolo County, and is a beloved public resource. I am hoping the replacement of the bridge spurs both conversation and action between BLM, Yolo County, and non-profit groups like Tuleyome, to prepare for future public use of the area. A plan is needed to deal with the increased public access that will result from the bridge begin restored. Working together, we can make the area like it was prior to 2008, or even better! With restored public recreational access, and with access for ranger and sheriff patrols, the public and natural resources will benefit from completion of the new Road 40 bridge over Cache Creek!

-Andrew Fulks

Tuleyome Advisory Council Member

Enjoying Outside, Inside - Climate Change: Finding Out What Works

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 10:15:05 GMT

Camping on Molok Luyuk by Bob Fredenburg

If you’re like most Americans, you support policies to mitigate climate change but believe other Americans don’t. Meanwhile, although mainstream news outlets are devoting more coverage to climate change, they tend to focus on impacts rather than solutions , which can add to a sense of helplessness. But solutions are out there, and by learning about them you have more opportunity to support them.

In my experience, news outlets and organizations that specialize in environmental issues often cover solutions even in discussions of problems. Here are some of my favorite sources for solutions-oriented journalism.

Top of my list—partly because I write for it—is Project Regeneration Nexus . Want to know why toilet paper is driving climate change? Check out the Boreal Forests page. Wondering whether carbon credits are for real or just greenwashing? Read the Offsets and Onsets pages. Never thought of seagrasses as a climate solution? See why they are one of the world’s most effective carbon storage systems (OK, that page is mine; the others are by my colleagues). Every carefully researched page both discusses climate impacts and provides ways to act at levels from individual to governance.
Grist.org has been covering climate issues for many years. Its Grist Fix section features change makers in all walks of life; this year the section focuses on imagined futures that we might actually want, instead of the dystopias that are catching our attention spans (and making money off of them). It also runs current articles on solutions like why eating lionfish can save other fish and profiles changemakers from all walks of life.
If you want a global discussion that covers frontline and indigenous communities, try Mongabay . Their nuanced, nuts-and-bolts focus can help with making better individual choices (like how to reduce computer gaming energy use ) and policy choices (like why preserving even a tiny riparian buffer is better than none).
Yale Environment 360 gives deep dives into a variety of environmental issues. Even when the headline emphasizes problems, their article typically discusses potential solutions, as in this article on failed tree planting projects that links to a more successful approach , or this article on pollen and heat that discusses a variety of ways that researchers and growers are making sure their crops can pollinate.
For a more tech-oriented approach–or to really get involved–see the ClimateBase blog . ClimateBase is a job search site for those who want to use their skills to combat climate change, and their blog features financial , technological , and industrial aspects of climate change.

There’s a lot happening out there—go take a look!

-Amy Boyer

Monumental Questions - Did California's Gold Rush Impact the Northern Inner Coast Range?

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 13:31:22 GMT

James W. Marshall discovered gold at Sutter’s Mill on January 24, 1848, which sparked the “Gold Rush” during which hundreds of thousands of people flocked to California. The peak of the Gold Rush was in 1852 but “ended” by 1855. Most of the “Forty-niners” headed to the Sierra Nevada to try to strike it rich. However, some miners didn’t get past the Coast Ranges.

These miners were not after gold. From the 1850's (and into the 1970's) mercury deposits were mined in the upper Cache Creek and Putah Creek watersheds and processed to produce the elemental form known as “quicksilver.” The Mercury mined in this region was then sent to the Sierra Nevada to amalgamate and recover gold particles from ore and placer deposits.

The Sulphur Creek Mining District, located on the eastern slopes of Molok Luyuk (Patwin for Condor Ridge and colloquially known as Walker Ridge), was home to numerous mines. The mines were located along the length of Sulphur Creek and produced extensive quantities of mercury as well as sulfur and copper, and small amounts of gold. Mines were given names – Wide Awake, Empire, Manzanita, Elgin, Turkey Run. With these mines, came the need for miners, who brought their families. Many villages were established during this time.

In addition to the mining activities, the mining district became a tourist area with many hot springs and resorts. People would take the train from San Francisco to Williams, be picked up by a stagecoach, and taken to the resorts to enjoy the natural beauty. Periodically the natural peace and quiet of the area would be broken by machinery crushing rock or the blast of dynamite.

Today, it is possible to see the remains of this area when exploring the area. Some old mines are on private land, but many can be visited while exploring the BLM lands. Wilbur Hot Springs is still in operation and has a nature preserve which includes many of the old mine and settlement locations. Anyone wanting to explore the area should have maps, GPS, food, water, first aid, and a sense of adventure as there are no trail markers or signs. Never enter any mine – look but keep out!

More information about the Sulphur Creek Mining District is available here.

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Trail Flagging at Valley Vista Regional Park

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 13:29:29 GMT

On September 24, volunteers helped Tuleyome flag a new trail Valley Vista Regional Park, north of Rumsey in the Capay Valley. This is the necessary step between drawing a line on a map and building the trail.

Volunteers arrived early and hiked through tall grasses and sharp thistles while carefully traversing steep side slopes to determine the best alignment for the new trail. Once built, the new trail will provide access to the southern extent of the park and provide additional views of Cache Creek as it flows into Capay Valley and a beautiful canyon that was previously hidden from view along the trail. This new trail will be an easier way to enjoy the views that this county park provides.

Tuleyome has partnered with Yolo County to build an additional six miles of trail in Valley Vista Regional Park. Construction of this trail will begin on October 22. Visit our webpage for more information and to RSVP. Check out photos from this event on our Flickr page .

-Nate Lillge; nlillge@tuleyome.org

Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Pope-to-Putah Hike October 1, 2022

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 13:27:08 GMT

The Pope-to-Putah Trail, just west of Lake Berryessa in Napa County, is a 10-mile, challenging trail that takes hikers from Pope Creek to Putah Creek where they flow into Lake Berryessa. At the start, the trail winds through chaparral for the majority with a few oak woodlands near Putah Creek. The area was burned in the 2020 LNU Complex fire.

On October 1, Tuleyome led a hike on the trail – our first event on this trail since the fire. The scenery has changed – chaparral completely burned, trail covered by burned and fallen vegetation, hillsides eroded. In many places, the trail could not be found. GPS units and accurate maps were required to stay within the trailway and on public land.

Despite the difficulty finding the trail in places, it was a beautiful hike. The area is already starting to “green up” – vegetation is coming back. Due to the condition of the trail, Tuleyome will be scheduling some work days to make the trail easier to follow. Right now, DO NOT hike the trail without an accurate GPS track and map. Please contact us before heading out.

Check out photos from the day on our Flickr page .

-Nate Lillge; nlillge@tuleyome.org

Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Tuleyome's Science Corner: Peregrine Falcons

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 13:25:03 GMT

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) by Stan Keiser/Audubon Photography Awards)

Fast.

That’s the first thing that I learned about Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus) and indeed, they are one of the world’s fastest birds. If you are quick enough, you may see these birds in Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument or the surrounding region.

Peregrine’s reach their top speed when diving onto their flying prey from high above. This attack allows these relatively small raptors to take prey that is much larger than they are. However, Peregrines may also chase prey while flying level or even when flying very low, close to the ground or water.

Birds are a Peregrine’s favorite and most common prey. In cities, pigeons make up the majority of their diet while ducks and shorebirds are favored along the coast. Birds as small as songbirds and and as large as loons, geese, and large gulls are not safe when a Peregrine is hungry. If a bird is hard to find or capture, Peregrines will eat some small mammals or settle for insects.

The preferred nesting sites are usually on a cliff ledge, but pairs will settle for a hollow broken-off tree or use an old stick nest from another large bird. In cities, tall buildings and bridges replace cliffs. Pairs mate for life and defend the immediate nest area but hunt over a large area. Some nest sites are used for many years.

Females lay 3 or 4, whitish eggs marked with warm brown spots. She incubates the eggs for about a month while her mate brings her food. After the eggs hatch, both parents bring food the young. After 40 to 50 days, the young are ready to take their first flight. The National Geographic show, Super/Natural has a great feature on how adult Peregrines teach their kids how to hunt.

During the 1940s to the 1970s, pesticide concentrations in the prey heavily impacted the reproductive ability of Peregrines causing their populations to disappear from some areas. Although current populations appear to be stable, climate change models have shown that these birds will be impacted by moving their range northward.

More information about Peregrine Falcons is available via the Audubon Society . California Department of Fish & Wildlife produced a map that shows the nesting territories of Peregrine Falcons from 1953 to 2017. There are multiple territories in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region and the Molok Luyuk (Condor Ridge/Walker Ridge) area.

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Enjoying Outside, Inside - Online Maps and Mapping Tools

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 13:23:00 GMT

Vegetation cover in California (CalFire)

Sometimes maps are the next best thing to being actually outside. They let us imagine journeys, prepare for disaster, and make unexpected connections. There are an unbelievable number of maps online that allow us to explore our world. Here are just a few maps and mapping tools to dive into.

For hikers there are a couple of highly interactive resource that allow you to build your own maps:

Caltopo lets you build, save, and print amazingly detailed maps. Hit the "Start mapping" button to build your map. First zoom in on the area you want, then select your base map, and then choose overlays, which can give you everything from a fairly crude geology map to cell phone coverage to a wind plot for a time of your choosing up to 36 hours in the future.

Topobuilder at USGS helps you to build your own custom 7.5 minute topo map. If Ithere a place you want to hike that runs over two topo maps, this pilot program allows you to select an area that is the same size as the classic 7.5 minute topo map and build a map that has just as much detail. Be aware that you may need some ingenuity to print your map at a workable resolution. They have a detailed user guide too.

To explore California on a large scale, try the maps at CalFire's Fire Resource Protection Program . They have numerous high-resolution pdf maps that immediately stimulate questions and thought. They also have GIS data for pro mappers. Here are a few highlights:

The ownership map shows public lands in California and makes it easy to locate parks.

The vegetation cover map shows wildlife habitat types throughout the state.

The fire perimeters map shows areas for large wildfires from 1950 to 2021.( This one is download-only; click on Fire Perimeters.)

Speaking of fire, Inciweb shows wildland fires across the nation, including prescribed burns. Zoom in to see active California fires. Clicking on incidents gets you to the most recent public updates and perimeter maps. Airnow.gov has a specialized fire and smoke map that shows especially active plumes and where air quality is good or poor.

You can also see the latest earthquakes in the US or around the world at the USGS: how big, how recent, and how close to populated areas.

Check out this previous Enjoying Outside, Inside article for more maps!

-Amy Boyer

Certified California Naturalist Courses in 2023

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 13:20:02 GMT

Students are encouraged to examine the details during Tuleyome's Certified California Naturalist course. Photo by Jonathan Serna.

Tuleyome is offering two Certified California Naturalist courses in 2023 - one in the winter and one in spring. Instruction focuses on the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region.

The Certified California Naturalist courses are presented by Tuleyome in partnership with the University of California extension program. The winter course will be offered from January to March in 2023. This course is 10-weeks long (with classes on ten consecutive Fridays and include at least three field trips. The spring course is a 1-week program hosted at Wilbur Hot Springs.

No advanced degrees or previous naturalist experience is required. Both courses cover the same material.

The UC California Naturalist Program is designed to introduce Californians to the wonders of our unique ecology and engage the public in study and stewardship of California’s natural communities. The program uses a science curriculum, hands-on learning, problem-solving, citizen science, and community service to instill a deep appreciation for the natural communities of the state and to inspire individuals to become stewards of their local resources.

More information is available on our website .

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Stebbins Cold Canyon Trail Work October 15, 2022

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 13:18:14 GMT

Volunteers helped remove erosion ditches that had formed along the trail.

Tuleyome has a long partnership with the University of California Natural Reserve System to maintain the trails at Stebbins Cold Canyon. October 15 was the latest opportunity to continue this partnership.

Stebbins Cold Canyon hosts over 65,000 visitors every year! This heavy use, in addition to the repeated fires that have swept through the canyon, requires constant monitoring and regular maintenance of the trails. The latest workday focused on a section of trail near the trailhead – a section that every hiker must pass on the way in and the way out. This means that this point receives double the amount of traffic as other points on the trail.

Volunteers reworked the trail to remove erosion ditches that had developed and narrowed the trail to allow for revegetation along the trail to help facilitate water filtration and decrease erosion. Other groups helped remove old, burned steps from the trailhead and some of the piping left over from the Vlahos homestead that had become a hazard on the trail.

To see the great work that our volunteers did, check out the photo album .

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Tulyeome’s Policy Corner: Big News Regarding the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion!

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 12:56:15 GMT

Snow Mountain from Molok Luyuk/Walker Ridge Road

This week, California legislators, the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, and a coalition of partners sent letters to President Biden asking him to expand Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and protect Molok Luyuk (Condor Ridge). Protecting these public lands on the eastern edge of the Monument will honor their cultural significance and protect their unparalleled biodiversity, complex geology, wildlife cooridors, and amazing viewsheds.

The legislative delegation, led by Congressmen John Garamendi and Mike Thompson and Senators Alex Padilla and Dianne Feinstein, requested that President Biden use his authority under the Antiquities Act of 1906 to add Molok Luyuk to the Monument, ensure co-management by federally recognized tribes, and rename the land Molok Luyuk, Patwin for Condor Ridge and colloquially known as Walker Ridge.

On Wednesday, Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation Chairman Anthony Roberts requested the protection of Molok Luyuk . “Many of the plant and animal species within Molok Luyuk are traditionally important to the lifeways of the Patwin people, and we consider their protection and stewardship to be part of our sacred responsibility to the land. Molok Luyuk was home to California condors as well as bald eagles, golden eagles, and peregrine falcons, and the area provides wildlife corridors and vital habitat for other culturally important species. The Yurok Tribe’s recent reintroduction of the California condor to the north of Molok Luyuk gives hope that condors will once again soar over the ridge,” said Yocha Dehe Tribal Chairman Anthony Roberts.

Tuleyome and a coalition of partners sent our own letter in support of protecting Molok Luyuk . “Molok Luyuk is a rare treasure of rich cultural heritage and sacred history, diverse wildlife and rare plants, and stunning natural beauty and accessible recreational activities,” said Sandra Schubert, Executive Director of Tuleyome, a local conservation organization. “We are deeply grateful to our Tribal and Congressional champions Reps. Garamendi and Thompson and Sens. Padilla and Feinstein for shepherding this effort. We encourage President Biden to expand the existing monument and permanently protect Molok Luyuk.”

More information about Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and the proposed expansion is available on our website .

To show your support for protecting Molok Luyuk, visit www.expandberryessa.org and sign the petition.

-Nate Lillge ( nlillge@tuleyome.org )

Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Featured Trail: Valley Vista Trail

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 13:51:49 GMT

A volunteer takes a break from trail building to enjoy the view of Cache Creek

The Valley Vista Trail is located north of Rumsey at the northern end of Capay Valley. As the name suggests, the trail leads to wonderful views of Capay Valley to the south. Tuleyome volunteers have built additional trails that provide fantastic vistas of Cache Creek as it flows through the canyon to the north. We are hosting more volunteer work days to add even more trails! Check out our event calendar for more information.

A new trail is now open that parallels CA-16 and provides new views of Cache Creek and Capay Valley!

This is a difficult trail with many steep sections. Hiking poles are recommended as well as hiking boots or sturdy shoes.

-Nate Lillge; nlillge@tuleyome.org

Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

National Public Lands Day is Saturday, September 24

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 13:48:21 GMT

Proposed trail network in Valley Vista Regional Park linking to trails on BLM managed lands

This Saturday, September 24, is National Public Lands Day. Join with people around the country to celebrate and enjoy our public lands. In California approximately 52% of the total land area is public.

Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument currently offers over 330,000 acres of federally managed public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management and the United States Forest Service. There are additional public lands included in the boundaries but not managed by federal agencies – County parks, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, etc. There are many public lands to enjoy in our region.

One of the County parks within the boundaries of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument is Valley Vista Regional Park at the northern end of Capay Valley, across State Highway 16 from Camp Haswell Park. Tuleyome volunteers built a trail in the 587-acre park which provides hikers with wonderful views of Capay Valley to the south. Since the original trail was built, Tuleyome has worked with Yolo County to expand the trail network in the park.

On National Public Lands Day, we will be continuing this work by flagging the next section of trail. Flagging the trail is the necessary step between drawing a line on a map and actually building the trail. We will be “ground-truthing” the mapped line and determining the route of the trail.

In all, Tuleyome will be adding nearly 6 miles of trail to Valley Vista Regional Park. These new trails will provide wonderful hiking opportunities with the County Park as well as providing access to the BLM-managed lands to the west. The map above shows the proposed trail network in Valley Vista Regional Park with future connections to trails on BLM-managed lands.

-Nate Lillge; nlillge@tuleyome.org

Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

September's Nature and You Lecture - Sacramento Heron and Egret Rescue with Christy Berger

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 13:45:29 GMT

Black Crowned Night Heron

September 22 is Tuleyome’s next Nature and You lecture. Join us via Zoom to hear from Christy Berger, co-founder of Sacramento Heron and Egret Rescue. Since 2015, this all-volunteer organization has been helping herons, egrets, and other wild birds in urban areas. Christy and her team have rescued and assisted many injured and orphaned baby birds in the Sacramento area.

Please RSVP to receive the Zoom link. Questions? Contact Nate .

-Nate Lillge; nlillge@tuleyome.org

Adventures and Engagement Director

Certified California Naturalist

Enjoying Outside, Inside - Wildlife Live Cams

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 13:41:32 GMT

Audubon Puffing Loafing Ledge (audubon.org)

If you’re looking for a break from an all-too-indoors day, wildlife live cams are a great way to reset your brain. Wildlife live cams aren’t just entertaining; they give thought-provoking glimpses into wildlife, their behavior, and their relationship with humans. You can find bird cams, bear cams, underwater cams, watering hole cams, zoo cams, aquarium cams, even simply gorgeous scenery cams. Whatever your interest, there’s probably a live cam for you.

Live feeds stream from all over the world. Many cams have a lot of activity at some seasons or times of day, and very little at others. The camera may be solar powered, so there may not be much to see at night. Most of them are set up by non-profits, who have extra information on the wildlife you’re seeing, often including times when you can see the most wildlife. They may have highlight videos that are especially entertaining or illuminating. Most of them have sound, too, so you can listen to rushing waterfalls or chirping birds.

Here is a non-exhaustive list of live feeds to check out!

In the recent Condor article I mentioned a Condor Cam at All About Birds. The chick is now old enough to explore outside the nest, and they have highlights of it spreading its wings. More condors are at Ventana Wildlife Society , which has 2 cameras inside breeding sanctuaries and one in a nest.
All about Birds has a wide variety of other bird cameras , and each one has a Twitter feed so you can find out when there’s activity. They also have highlights on Instagram and YouTube. I especially enjoyed the New Zealand Royal Albatross feed, which has a lovely seascape even when the birds aren’t active.
If you want more bird action, the Audubon Society provides it. Their feed for Ospreys in San Francisco Bay at the populous Red Oak Victory site, even without ospreys, had me thinking about how wildlife finds a way to make a living in a world dominated by humans.
If sea life is what you’re interested in, the Monterey Bay Aquarium has everything from sea otters to moon jellies , including a 24-hour Monterey Bay cam that rotates among various views of the bay.
The National Park Service has hundreds of webcams , from sled dog puppies at Denali to scenery at Nez Perce National Historic Park . Some of these are videos; some of these are stills that change moment to moment.
Saving the best for last: Explore.org has 94 feeds around the world, including several African watering holes. You can go to their “ Currently Live ” page for a currently active site: Katmai brown bears swimming at Brooks Falls, as I wrote this. No, wait, flying foxes in Florida . No, wait, a bald eagle on Catalina Island . They mean it about exploring! Many of their sites include highlights videos. One of my favorites was watching gorillas spooning each other as they fell asleep at Grace Gorillas .

If some species of wildlife is dear to your heart but you haven’t found it through this list, try searching. Chances are you’ll be able to find a live camera that shows your favorite animal somewhere.

-Amy Boyer