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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Sunday, Sept. 28 marks the 30 year anniversary of Snow Mountain Wilderness.
In 1984, Congress passed the California Wilderness Act, establishing 23 new wilderness areas including the 37,000-acre Snow Mountain Wilderness area in the Berryessa Snow Mountain region.
It later was enlarged to 60,076 acres with Congressman Mike Thompson’s North Coastal Wild Heritage Act of 2006.
Snow Mountain Wilderness is located in the Mendocino National Forest and includes Colusa, Glenn and Lake counties.
In the late 1960s, the U.S. Forest Service was actively building roads and logging the lower slopes of Snow Mountain.
Students at U.C. Davis, members of a group called Active Conservation Tactics (ACT) adopted Snow Mountain and began working with the local Sierra Club and other groups to seek wilderness designation for the area.
The ACT students quickly learned that the support of local government was essential to preserving the mountain. They discovered conservation-minded people in the rural counties who wanted to help.
Pear farmer Katherine Petterson became a key contact in Lake County, and in Glenn County Lisa Thompson, wife of a Forest Service engineer, began organizing wilderness backers. The women also made contacts with equestrian groups in Colusa County.
With students and locals working together, the boards of supervisors of all three counties passed resolutions endorsing a Snow Mountain Wilderness.
This strong support led Congressman Robert Leggett to introduce wilderness legislation in congress in 1971, and Senators Alan Cranston and John Tunney did the same in the U.S. Senate.
Even the state attorney general pitched in, filing a lawsuit to stop a timber sale the Forest Service had sold.
At the same time, the Forest Service was planning to build a major forest road across Snow Mountain just west of the summit.
It took until 1984 for Snow Mountain to be protected as a wilderness area, but the strong local support, legislation pending in Congress, and a settlement in the lawsuit filed by the state of California caused the Forest Service to stop their development plans for the mountain.
Summit Springs is a gorgeous trail that winds up to the East and West peaks of Snow Mountain. Towering at more than 7,000 feet elevation the breathtaking views overlook the lush splendor of the Mendocino National Forest. It’s truly worth the two- or three-hour drive.
The first portion of the trail is surrounded by gorgeous chaparral and native brush. As you ascend along the trail the scenery changes into pockets of blue oaks and conifer forest.
In June after the snow has melted the trail reveals an explosion of annual wildflowers. The snow melt from the summit of Snow Mountain drains water toward the Sacramento River on the east and the Eel River Basin on the west.
Other neat sights on the trail include soft native meadows, natural streams, and outcrops of rich green serpentine, sandstone, and shale.
Snow Mountain was once a seamount in the Pacific Ocean. With plate tectonics it was subducted down 15 or 20 kilometers beneath the surface and then the top of this ancient volcano was uplifted to the surface where we see this impressive massif at 7000 feet elevation.
Here you can discover rare plants found nowhere else on the planet, as the area is part of California’s biological hotspot.
This is a place where plants and animals from the Bay Area region meet those of the Klamath Siskiyou region and rare and endemic plants are found on serpentine soils
In addition to hiking and backpacking, the remote backcountry of Snow Mountain Wilderness is perfect to explore on horseback.
You also will find many great options for camping, hunting and fishing. In order to minimize human impact, road construction, development, motorized travel and bicycles are prohibited.
In spring 2015, Tuleyome will host a camping and hiking trip to Snow Mountain Wilderness.
For more information, or to sign-up, visit www.tuleyome.org or contact
For more information about permanent protection of the Berryessa-Snow Mountain region, please visit www.berryessasnowmountain.org .
Jim Eaton was a cofounder of the California Wilderness Coalition and worked on passage of the Snow Mountain Wilderness bill from its inception through passage in 1984. He is a Tuleyome Board member. Tuleyome is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission of protecting the wild and agricultural heritage of the Northern Inner Coast Range and Western Sacramento Valley for existing and future generations.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control continues to have a full house of dogs available for adoption this week.
Mixes of basset hound, border collie, boxer, Labrador Retriever and pit bull are ready to go to new homes.
Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.
If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets hoping you'll choose them.
In addition to the animals featured here, all adoptable animals in Lake County can be seen here: http://bit.ly/Z6xHMb .
The following dogs at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (additional dogs on the animal control Web site not listed are still “on hold”).
Basset hound-pit bull mix pup
This pup is a mix of basset hound and pit bull.
He has a short black and white coat.
He is in kennel No. 2B, ID No. 577.
Basset hound-pit bull mix pup
This female pup is a mix of basset hound and pit bull.
She has a short black and white coat.
She is in kennel No. 2C, ID No. 581.
Basset hound-pit bull mix pup
This female pup is a mix of basset hound and pit bull.
She has a short white coat with black markings.
She is in kennel No. 2D, ID No. 584.
Basset hound-pit bull mix pup
This female pup is a mix of basset hound and pit bull.
She has a short black coat with white markings.
She is in kennel No. 2E, ID No. 673.
'Dot'
“Dot” is a border collie and pit bull mix puppy.
She has a short white coat with black markings.
She's in kennel No. 3a, ID No. 674.
'Lefty'
“Lefty” is a young male Labrador Retriever and shepherd mix.
He has a short buff and tan coat.
Lefty is in kennel No. 11, ID No. 666.
'Aces'
“Aces” is a female pit bull terrier mix.
She has a short coat with beautiful markings.
Information was not posted on her age or if she has been altered.
She is in kennel No. 24, ID No. 573.
'Bessie'
“Bessie” is a basset hound pit bull terrier mix.
Shelter staff said she is a very sweet dog that came in with puppies that are now big enough to be on their own.
She loves to be with people and would make a great family companion.
Bessie is in kennel No. 25, ID No. 574.
Boxer-pit bull mix
Shelter staff said this female boxer-pit bull mix is a very mellow, sweet dog who is good with other dogs.
She would fit well in most household situations with children age 10 and over.
She's in kennel No. 27, ID No. 559.
'Hank'
“Hank” is a male pit bull terrier mix.
Shelter staff said he is great with other dogs. He is very playful but calms down quickly.
He needs training with basic manners but he is a quick learner and would make a good family pet for a family with children age 5 and above.
Hank is in kennel No. 28, ID No. 672.
To fill out an adoption application online visit http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dog___Cat_Adoption_Application.htm .
Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm .
For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
NASA’s Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft successfully entered Mars’ orbit Sept. 21, where it now will prepare to study the Red Planet’s upper atmosphere as never done before. MAVEN is the first spacecraft dedicated to exploring the tenuous upper atmosphere of Mars.
“As the first orbiter dedicated to studying Mars’ upper atmosphere, MAVEN will greatly improve our understanding of the history of the Martian atmosphere, how the climate has changed over time, and how that has influenced the evolution of the surface and the potential habitability of the planet,” said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. “It also will better inform a future mission to send humans to the Red Planet in the 2030s.”
After a 10-month journey, confirmation of successful orbit insertion was received from MAVEN data observed at the Lockheed Martin operations center in Littleton, Colo., as well as from tracking data monitored at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) navigation facility in Pasadena, Calif.
The telemetry and tracking data were received by NASA’s Deep Space Network antenna station in Canberra, Australia.
“NASA has a long history of scientific discovery at Mars and the safe arrival of MAVEN opens another chapter,” said John Grunsfeld, astronaut and associate administrator of the NASA Science Mission Directorate at the agency’s Headquarters in Washington. “Maven will complement NASA’s other Martian robotic explorers – and those of our partners around the globe – to answer some fundamental questions about Mars and life beyond Earth.”
Following orbit insertion, MAVEN will begin a six-week commissioning phase that includes maneuvering into its final science orbit and testing the instruments and science-mapping commands.
MAVEN then will begin its one Earth-year primary mission, taking measurements of the composition, structure and escape of gases in Mars’ upper atmosphere and its interaction with the sun and solar wind.
“It's taken 11 years from the original concept for MAVEN to now having a spacecraft in orbit at Mars,” said Bruce Jakosky, MAVEN principal investigator with the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado, Boulder (CU/LASP). “I'm delighted to be here safely and successfully, and looking forward to starting our science mission.”
The primary mission includes five “deep-dip” campaigns, in which MAVEN’s periapsis, or lowest orbit altitude, will be lowered from 93 miles (150 kilometers) to about 77 miles (125 kilometers).
These measurements will provide information down to where the upper and lower atmospheres meet, giving scientists a full profile of the upper tier.
“This was a very big day for MAVEN,” said David Mitchell, MAVEN project manager from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland. “We’re very excited to join the constellation of spacecraft in orbit at Mars and on the surface of the Red Planet. The commissioning phase will keep the operations team busy for the next six weeks, and then we’ll begin, at last, the science phase of the mission. Congratulations to the team for a job well done today.”
Dr. Tony Phillips works for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – U.S. Reps. Mike Thompson (CA-5) and John Garamendi (CA-3) on Friday announced a $372,923 School Climate Transformation Grant from the Department of Education for the Lake County Office of Education.
The School Climate Transformation Grant is a federal program designed to help make schools safer and improve mental health services for students and young adults.
“A safe, high-quality learning environment goes hand-in-hand with a high-quality learning experience,” said Thompson. “The classroom should always be a place where students come to learn, grow and prepare for their future. And the programs these grants support will help make sure our students are in the best possible environment for educational success.”
“This grant will help improve the learning environment for Lake County students. Every child deserves a secure and productive learning environment, and it’s important for us to directly address behavioral and mental health issues before they get out of hand,” Garamendi said. “Students in school should be focused on graduation and preparing for their futures, not on distractions in the classroom that can be avoided. I look forward to seeing the results of this important program.”
Rob Young, author of the School Climate Grant and director of the new program, said, “We are incredibly excited about this opportunity to develop proven and powerful programs that can mean better futures for Lake County students. This comprehensive program gives us the resources we need for systems changes that help us achieve our number one priority: successful students who are coming to school ready to learn and graduating ready to succeed.”
The School Climate Transformation Grant provides funds to school districts that will be used to develop, enhance, or expand systems of support for implementing evidence-based, multi-tiered behavioral frameworks for improving behavioral outcomes and learning conditions for students.
The goals of the program are to connect children, youths, and families to appropriate services and supports; improve conditions for learning and behavioral outcomes for school-aged youths; and increase awareness of and the ability to respond to mental-health issues among school-aged youths.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Celebrate National Public Lands Day – Saturday, Sept. 27 – right in your own backyard.
Lake County is one of the five counties included in the Berryessa Snow Mountain region comprised of 350,000-plus acres of federal public lands to be enjoyed.
The Berryessa Snow Mountain region stretches nearly one hundred miles from the shores of Lake Berryessa to the flanks of Snow Mountain in the Mendocino National Forest.
This undiscovered landscape provides wonderful opportunities to hike, horseback ride, and hunt, camp, fish, bird watch, use motorized vehicles on designated routes, enjoy both motorized and non-motorized boating, water recreation, and much more.
The Berryessa Snow Mountain region has a botanical biodiversity that makes it the center of the California global hot spot.
Come visit the blue oak woodlands, Shasta red fir forests, chaparral, rivers, riparian areas, and jaw dropping explosion of annual spring wildflowers.
This stunning outdoor wonderland provides habitat for nearly half of California’s dragonfly species, a wealth of butterflies, river otters, trout, tule elk, deer, mountain lions, bears, osprey, and California’s second largest population of wintering bald eagles.
Here are a few ways you can celebrate National Public Lands Day:
Go fishing: Sept. 27 also is National Hunting and Fishing Day. Check both celebrations on your list by going fishing in the Berryessa Snow Mountain region. Putah Creek is a great place to practice your catch and release fishing for wild trout. Don’t forget to only use artificial flies and lures with barbless hooks.
Sign-up for a hike or trail day: Tuleyome has an exciting list of hikes and trail days coming up in the Berryessa Snow Mountain region. These events are free to the public and led by experienced hike docents. Learn more about these hikes at www.tuleyome.org and sign up online at www.MeetUp.com/Tuleyome-Home-Place-Adventures .
Ask President Obama to take action: Permanent protection of this quintessential piece of California’s wild outdoor heritage will improve coordination between federal agencies, help adjustments to climate change, keep our water clean and provide additional federal funding opportunities for conservation management, invasive species eradication, and recreational enhancement. Ask President Obama to permanently protect the Berryessa Snow Mountain region by signing a postcard of support at www.berryessasnowmountain.org .
Upcoming Tuleyome hikes and trail days in the Berryessa Snow Mountain Region:
Hikes
– Saturday, Oct. 18.
– Saturday, Dec. 6: Berryessa Peak Hike.
– Saturday, Jan. 10: Cold Canyon Hike.
– Saturday, Feb. 7: High Bridge Trail.
– Saturday, April 11: Redbud Trail.
– Saturday, May 2: Berryessa Snow Mountain wildflower tour.
– Saturday, June 6, to Sunday, June 7: Snow Mountain camping trip (weather permitting).
Trail days
– Dec. 20: Volunteer trail restoration day at Stebbins Cold Canyon.
– Jan. 24: Volunteer trail restoration day at Stebbins Cold Canyon.
– Feb. 21: Volunteer trail restoration day at Stebbins Cold Canyon.
– March 21: Volunteer trail restoration day at Stebbins Cold Canyon.
– April 18: Volunteer trail restoration day at Stebbins Cold Canyon.
– May 16: Volunteer trail restoration day at Stebbins Cold Canyon.
MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – Fire restrictions on the Mendocino National Forest were lifted at 6 p.m. Friday as a result of recent rains and lower temperatures in the area.
Visitors with a valid California Campfire Permit will once again be able to have fires outside of designated campgrounds, including wilderness areas.
The fire restrictions were put in place June 17 due to increased fire danger and hot, dry weather.
“The Mendocino National Forest has been very fortunate this season to not have a large wildfire, despite hot weather and ongoing drought conditions,” said Forest Supervisor Sherry Tune. “This success is largely due to the care taken by our visitors with campfires, stoves and anything that can create a spark. We want to thank our visitors and ask that they continue to help us prevent human-caused wildfires by being vigilant when recreating or traveling in the forest.”
Despite the change in weather, fire season is not officially over.
Visitors are asked to continue to be careful when using campfires, charcoal fires and gas stoves in the National Forest.
When you have a campfire, please do the following:
– Clear all flammable material away from the fire for a minimum of 5 feet in all directions to prevent escape of the fire.
– Have a shovel available at the campfire site for preparing and extinguishing campfires.
– Have a responsible person in attendance at all times.
– Extinguish campfire with water, drowning the fire, stirring the coals and ash, and feeling for heat or warm spots; continue the process until the coals and ash are cold.
Campfire permits are available free of charge from any Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management or Cal Fire offices, including the Mendocino National Forest.
For more information, please contact the forest at 530-934-3316 or visit www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino .