CalWild

🌟 Exciting Update! The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in California has a new State Director! “It is an honor to return to the BLM California as State Director,” Joe Stout said. “I look forward to building upon the important work the Bureau has accomplished here and to grow our partnerships that are so vital to managing public lands and the communities we serve.” Stout will oversee 15 million acres of public lands and 42 million acres of minerals and energy resources in California, plus 1.6 million surface acres in northwestern Nevada. Welcome, Joe Stout! 🌲🌄

“Designating the monument can encourage visitor spending in gateway towns, benefiting hotels, restaurants, and shops. Outdoor recreation already injects $54.7 billion into California's economy and is an important engine for our state and region.” In her letter to the editor, Hemet San Jacinto Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cyndi Lemke encouraged @POTUS to designate the proposed Chuckwalla National Monument in the CA Desert! Read more in the Desert Sun: https://lnkd.in/gJUV--fk 

“Kaufmann traces the history of fire back billions of years and points to indigenous tribes and plant life as exemplars of how to live in better harmony with nature. He posits that rapid response teams alone can’t solve this — and may unwittingly be part of the problem.” Check out this great review of Obi Kaufmann’s new book, The State of Fire: Why California Burns in the Nob Hill Gazette! https://lnkd.in/gfZ-7n3B

✨GOOD NEWS! The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued new guidance for implementing the Public Lands Rule to improve and conserve the health of our public lands. BLM also announced an advisory committee to ensure public participation in the process. BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning said, “With this guidance and the announcement of our advisory committee, we are showing our work, demonstrating how this rule will look in practice and asking the public to help inform our implementation so we can make good on our obligation to protect and conserve the health of our public lands.”

30 miles northeast of Mount Shasta, Sattitla is a vital water source and sacred site for the Ahjumawi and Modoc tribes. This diverse volcanic landscape supports unique wildlife and captures crucial snowmelt. Yet, it’s under threat from industrial geothermal development. The proposed Sattitla National Monument would offer essential protection for this sacred area. We need your support! Visit https://lnkd.in/gZhvEQ7S to sign the petition and urge President Biden to protect Sattitla. Excerpts from a 2001 film called Save Medicine Lake by Mt Shasta Ecology

Join Our Reforestation Effort! Adventure Scientists is looking for volunteers to help scout and document conifer cones across eight national forests in California. The cones you find will be used to gather seeds for replanting areas ravaged by wildfires and climate change. In recent years, California has experienced over 10,000 wildfires annually, devastating vast forest areas. If you're a hiker, backpacker, or outdoor enthusiast, this is a great way to make a real impact. Read the 2023 project report here and sign up to volunteer today: https://lnkd.in/gvXMbiPr

Over 225 business supporters have joined the call for President Joe Biden to Protect Chuckwalla! Designating a national monument in the California desert would benefit the economies of local communities and protect places that are beloved for outdoor recreation like Painted Canyon and the Mecca Hills. Click this link to let your voice be heard: https://lnkd.in/gFfBCazw 📸: Bob Wick

Over half a million people have already spoken up for our old-growth forests. You can join them by clicking this link: https://lnkd.in/gJMaTk-9 Submit your comments to the U.S. Forest Service by September 20th and demand robust protections for these climate heroes. Every voice counts! 🌳

Stop the Attack on American Forests! U.S. Representative Bruce Westerman’s Fix Our Forests Act claims to protect communities from wildfires but undermines essential environmental laws like the Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act. It also erodes democratic checks and balances by granting decision-making power to political appointees with minimal expertise. CalWild supports the return of cultural burning by Tribes and advocates for science-based fire management policies. However, we oppose this bill as it threatens crucial environmental protections and democratic principles. This is not the solution it claims to be. Click this link to urge your Member of Congress to vote against this flawed legislation: https://lnkd.in/gRH5gjb7

Read this important article about by Environment America about why land conservation is vital for California's wildlife! "Development knocks out two football fields’ worth of wilderness every minute in the United States. As we carve up our wild spaces, wildlife gets trapped in dwindling parcels of nature, penned in by roads, fences, and other human obstacles." For example, the Chuckwalla National Monument will protect over 660,000 acres of desert habitat, ensuring vital resources for vulnerable species and enhancing biodiversity. Learn more about how these conservation efforts are crucial for preserving California’s natural wonders in this article: https://lnkd.in/gPFbi2DP