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Winter is an excellent time to watch for America’s national symbol, soaring over head or perched majestically in the trees. Photographer Jake Ryan explains spotting this one on a quiet snowy day, “I was watching this eagle fish all day on Lake Coeur d’Alene in northern Idaho. It would swoop down and grab the Kokanee salmon and fly back up into the tree to eat. It landed on the perfect branch and after dropping the fish carcass, he was eyeing down his next catch.” How about you? Are you seeing our national bird out and about? From November through February migrating bald eagles visit the Lake Coeur d’ Alene area to feed on the spawning salmon. The Bureau of Land Management runs a yearly count and documents their impressive numbers. How about you? Have you spotted any bald eagles recently? Photo courtesy of Jake Ryan (@Jakeryan.photography)
On December 16, the Bureau of Land Management held a virtual award ceremony honoring more than 89 employees from across the Bureau who were recipients of the Director’s Awards for their valuable contributions.
In opening remarks, William Perry Pendley, BLM Deputy Director for Policy and Programs, honored the award recipients for their unfailing commitment to their jobs, leadership and hard work.
“You represent the best of the BLM, and too often, you do not receive the recognition you deserve for your hard work, innovation, and dedication. Each of you continue to strive for excellence and go above and beyond what is needed to perform your job every day, even throughout the Pandemic,” Perry said.
Mike Nedd, BLM Deputy Director for Operations, also shared his sincere appreciation for the award winners: “On behalf of BLM’s leadership, I would like to express our appreciation to all of you. Thank you for being truly extraordinary. As principal stewards of 245 million acres of public lands, we have an incredibly broad and complex mission, with a diverse array of responsibilities unlike that of any other federal agency. We have been challenged to sustain the health, productivity and diversity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. This is no easy task, and it has been made harder by the pandemic. To carry out the day-to-day responsibilities of public land stewardship, we need people like you: who believe in our mission, who love our public lands, and who go the extra mile to provide public service. Needless to say, I have been consistently impressed by our workforce, and I am grateful to have this opportunity to thank you,” Nedd said.
During the ceremony, 23 employees received the Meritorious Service Award, the second highest honorary recognition granted to employees in the Department of the Interior. It is presented for an important contribution to science or management, a notable career, superior service in administration or in the execution of duties, or initiative in devising new and improved work methods, and procedures.
Pendley also acknowledged the 14 recipients of the Superior Service Award. This award is given to those that have made significant achievements to aid the mission of the Department of the Interior.
In addition, 52 employees were honored with the BLM Directors’ Awards for their exemplary service in the following five categories: Excellence Through Leadership; Excellence Through Stewardship; Team Accomplishments; Diversity and Inclusion, and Safety.
Let us all join together in congratulating these incredible employees of the Bureau of Land Management!
Have you noticed two bright objects in the sky getting closer together with each passing night? It’s Jupiter and Saturn doing a planetary dance that will result in the Great Conjunction on Dec. 21. On that day, Jupiter and Saturn will be right next to each other in the sky – the closest they have appeared in nearly 400 years!
Skywatching Tips from NASA
Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech
For those who would like to see this phenomenon for themselves, here’s what to do:
Find a spot with an unobstructed view of the sky, such as a field or park. Jupiter and Saturn are bright, so they can be seen even from most cities.
An hour after sunset, look to the southwestern sky. Jupiter will look like a bright star and be easily visible. Saturn will be slightly fainter and will appear slightly above and to the left of Jupiter until December 21, when Jupiter will overtake it and they will reverse positions in the sky.
The planets can be seen with the unaided eye, but if you have binoculars or a small telescope, you may be able to see Jupiter’s four large moons orbiting the giant planet.
How to Photograph the Conjunction
Credits: NASA/Bill Dunford
Saturn and Jupiter are easy to see without special equipment, and can be photographed easily on DSLR cameras and many cell phone cameras. Here are a few tips and tricks:
These planets are visible in the early evening, and you’ll have about 1-2 hours from when they are visible, to when they set. A photo from the same location can look completely different just an hour later!
Using a tripod will help you hold your camera steady while taking longer exposures. If you don’t have a tripod, brace your camera against something – a tree, a fence, or a car can all serve as a tripod for a several-second exposure.
The crescent Moon will pass near Jupiter and Saturn a few days before the conjunction. Take advantage of it in your composition!
On November 17, the Bureau of Land Management held three virtual award ceremonies honoring more than 200 employees from across the Bureau who were recipients of the Department of the Interior’s Unsung Heroes Awards for their valuable behind-the-scenes contributions during the pandemic. Despite the challenging times, these employees fought wildland fires, inspected oil and gas operations, kept recreation sites open and safe for visitors, performed field work, and provided critical administrative support, among other vital functions.
In opening remarks, Deputy Secretary of the Interior Kate MacGregor honored the award recipients for their unfailing commitment to their jobs and their dedication to the American people during the challenges brought on by the pandemic.
“The exceptional men and women we recognize today stepped up at a time of great national need,” said MacGregor. “Many of you worked long hours to keep as many of our public facilities and lands open as possible under extremely difficult circumstances, while doing everything possible to keep visitors safe. You did all this while continuing to help your children with online learning, caring for loved ones, and volunteering in your local communities to help in myriad other ways, such as sewing masks and making deliveries to vulnerable people. In every way, these exceptional employees have lived up to Teddy Roosevelt’s maxim to “Do what you can, with what you’ve got, where you are.’”
Mike Nedd, BLM Deputy Director for Operations, emceed the events and shared his sincere appreciation for the award winners: “You represent the best of BLM, and too often, you do not receive the recognition you deserve for your hard work and dedication,” Nedd said. “Each of you continues to go above and beyond what is needed to perform your job everyday throughout the pandemic. For that, we are extremely grateful.”
Perry Pendley, BLM Deputy Director for Policy and Programs, also gave remarks. He noted that these unprecedented times have “not been easy for any of us, but especially for those of you on the front lines executing BLM’s mission. To carry out the day-to-day responsibilities of public land stewardship, we need people like you: who believe in our mission, who love our public lands, and who go the extra mile to provide public service.”
BLM State and Assistant Directors then acknowledged each awardee from their office and provided a few examples of what these Unsung Heroes have accomplished, despite the complexities caused by the pandemic.
Let us all join together in congratulating these Unsung Heroes of the BLM!
Happy 20th anniversary to Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, encompassing 176,000 acres of federal land administered by the Bureau of Land Management. This Monument is located in the Four Corners region of southwestern Colorado, about 50 miles west of Durango, 10 miles west of Cortez and 12 miles west of Mesa Verde National Park. The Monument was designated on June 9, 2000 by Presidential Proclamation to protect cultural and natural resources on a landscape scale.
The Monument contains the highest known archaeological site density in the United States, with rich, well-preserved evidence of native cultures. The archaeological record etched into this landscape is much more than isolated islands of architecture. This cultural landscape contains more than 6,355 recorded sites that reflect all the physical components of past human life: villages, field houses, check dams, reservoirs, great kivas, cliff dwellings, shrines, sacred springs, agricultural fields, petroglyphs and sweat lodges. Some areas have more than 100 sites per square mile. The number of sites is estimated to be up to 30,000.
The Monument has been used or inhabited by humans, including the Northern Ancestral Puebloan culture (or Anasazi), for 10,000 years, and continues to be a landscape used by humans today. Historic uses of the Monument include recreation, hunting, livestock grazing and energy development.
In addition to the Monument’s cultural resources, it is managed for multiple uses, including recreation, research, hunting, livestock grazing, and oil and gas development. The Monument is a fine example of BLM’s multiple use mission and the people of southwest Colorado have a special connection to this place.
Today kicks off #GreatOutdoorsMonth! The more than 245
million acres of public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management offer a wide
variety of diverse landscapes that feature unique and memorable experiences as
vast as the land itself. This summer, we invite you to explore the outdoors with
us, but please do so safely and responsibly.
Following guidance from the White House, CDC, and state and
local public health authorities, we are increasing access and services to
BLM-managed public lands, offices and facilities in a phased approach based on
regional, state, and local conditions. Before visiting, please contact your
local BLM office to check operating status and current conditions: www.blm.gov/contact.
If you go outdoors, please #RecreateResponsibly by being prepared,
flexible and respectful of other users, as well as of the natural and cultural
resources on public lands.
Tips to Recreate Safely and Responsibly:
Stay home if you don’t feel well or have recently been sick.
Avoid heavily used or crowded trails, parking areas, and sites and seek
dispersed recreation opportunities in your local area. Have a backup plan to avoid crowded high-use areas. If you find an area to be crowded, turn around.
Check with local offices for current conditions, including closures and changes in service, before visiting popular areas and visit blm.gov for operating status updates.
Practice social distancing. Be considerate of others enjoying the outdoors by giving them as much space as possible in parking lots, at trailheads, and out on public lands.
Help prevent human-caused wildfires. Completely extinguish campfires by using the “drown, stir and feel” method. Don’t park on dry grass and ensure tow chains aren’t dragging and tow straps are secured. Observe fire danger restrictions on BLM lands designated as high-risk early in this fire season. Follow fireworks restrictions and target shooting requirements at all times.
Avoid unnecessary risks while recreating to prevent overwhelming medical facilities.
Bring supplies for sanitation with you and pack out your trash. Facilities,
including bathrooms and visitor centers, may not be open or available for in-person contact.
If you’re unable to visit
#yourpubliclands, please continue following along with us on our social media
for plenty of virtual trips through our ongoing #ArmchairAdventures.
Story and photos by Tyson Finnicum, BLM-Wyoming public
affairs specialist
On March 7, 2020, dozens of families made use of a sunny, spring-like day snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and just playing in the snow at Winter Adventure Day on Casper Mountain. The BLM’s Casper Field Office and National Historic Trails Interpretive Center (NHTIC) partnered with the Casper Mountain Biathlon Club to bring participants, particularly kids, hands-on learning experiences and the opportunity to try out winter activities.
Nearly 150 people stopped by to join the fun over the course of the day, with more than 30 staff and/or volunteers there to assist. In addition to skiing and snowshoeing, participants had the chance to ride fat bikes, shoot electronic rifles, dig for treasures, and craft their own s’mores. The best part, the equipment and instruction provided was absolutely free.
“Winter Adventure Day allows families and individuals without the means, gear, or expertise to try these activities at no cost to them. It also highlights what Casper Mountain and the Biathlon Club have to offer,” says Stacey Moore, a visitor information assistant at the NHTIC. “A highlight for me was the number of families that said, ‘Wow! I never knew this was here’ and were excited to come back.”
Moore spearheaded the event in partnership with the biathlon club in 2018 as project for the ee360 Fellowship Program which she was a part of. Her project for community engagement and local environmental education evolved into what we now celebrate as Winter Adventure Day.
“The whole purpose is to get families out, together, to recreate and learn about our local environment in winter conditions,” Moore says.
What seems as pure play to a child is injected with educational components. Burying self-made jello frogs and tunneling through snowbanks, kids learned about how animals survive in winter. Human survival skills like building a shelter or starting a fire using the traditional stick method were also demonstrated.
The Medicine Bow Conservation District, the nonprofit organization Hike it Baby, and local ski patrol assisted as well to provide education and oversight at the event.
“This year was a success,” concludes Moore, “but only because we had such great people helping pull it all together!”
Looking for the best place for social distancing? The more than 245 million acres of public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management can provide that distance, but please do it safely and responsibly! Avoid high-risk outdoor activities, stick to small groups of people, stay in your local area and don’t forget to leave no trace. If you do head out, please follow CDC guidance to prevent the spread of infectious diseases: maintain social distancing, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and stay home if you feel sick. Learn more here: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov.
As the Covid19 situation continues to evolve, please remember to review state and community guidance before heading out. Contact your local BLM office for the latest information on public lands near you: www.blm.gov/office/national-office or monitor news on their social media channels here: www.blm.gov/media/social-media.
If you’re home with your kids, check out BLM’s Junior Ranger books to help your kids connect with the natural world and cultural resources: https://on.doi.gov/3ahHT1m. Books cover a wide variety of topics including: native plants, wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, geology, etc.
Local partnership increases healthy desert bighorn sheep populations across southeastern Arizona
Desert bighorn sheep populations across southeastern Arizona have greatly increased thanks to an ongoing partnership between the BLM, Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD), and the Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society (ADBSS). Through the partnership, sheep from large herd areas on BLM-managed public land are relocated to lesser populated areas with similar land features.
A Fall 2018 relocation from the Silver Bell bighorn sheep population in the Ironwood Forest National Monument is an example of a successful project made possible by this partnership. This herd, which was one of the few remaining historical populations of bighorn sheep in southeastern Arizona, was reduced in number by disease in 2003. Cooperative efforts by the BLM, AGFD, ADBSS, and private landowners ensured the population survived.
In October 2003, 4,800 domestic goats wandered onto state trust land near the Ironwood Forest National Monument with 400 to 500 escaping and trespassing into the Monument. “Those escapees (goats) carried two diseases that infected and dramatically reduced the native desert bighorn sheep population in the monument from about 80 to 50 in a matter of months,” said AGFD Wildlife Science Coordinator Jim Heffelfinger. Because of quick action by ADBSS and other partners coordinated by the AGFD and BLM’s Tucson Field Office, the goats were removed and the remaining sheep were treated with medications.
Over subsequent years, the BLM and the AGFD worked together to construct a new wildlife water catchment and rebuild a number of other wildlife water catchments in the monument. “Because of these efforts, the bighorn sheep population in the monument soared to more than 200 animals by 2017, and provides an abundant source of desert bighorns for relocation to other historic habitat in southern Arizona,” said retired BLM Natural Resource Specialist Darrell Tersey.
In November 2018, the AGFD spearheaded an effort to capture 30 bighorns and transport them to the Picacho Mountains on BLM-managed public land. The land was a historic range for the sheep until the 1930s when their population declined due to over hunting prior to the creation of state hunting regulations. The release area was only 17 miles away as the crow flies, but impossible for the sheep to reach because of man-made barriers including an interstate highway, railroad tracks, and a large canal fenced on both sides with 10-foot tall chain link fencing. The capture crew was efficient, one time bringing as many as five sheep at once to the volunteers to be checked by veterinarians and ear tagged. AGFD staff placed radio collars on ten of the desert bighorn sheep.
“The capture was planned to take two days, but everyone stepped up and made the target of 30 sheep ready for transport by the end of the first day,” said AGFD Region 5 Terrestrial Wildlife Specialist Rana Tucker. The bighorn sheep, including those with radio collars, were transported to the new location and released. The radio collars will provide information on sheep movement within the habitat.
The AGFD’s Tucson office regularly collects the collar data and shares it with the BLM and other partners to document the status of the native wild bighorn sheep moved to the historic use areas on public lands. Six months later, the data from the relocation to BLM lands indicates that none of the collared bighorn sheep have died or moved elsewhere.
Typically, second and third translocations are necessary to get the bighorn sheep close to a self-sustaining level with good genetic diversity. In this case, because they are doing so well, the AGFD may not have to do a third translocation to this area.
Partnerships like this one ensure that desert bighorn sheep will continue to thrive in southeastern Arizona and provide a wealth of hunting opportunities and wildlife viewing opportunities now and into the future.
The fifty-year strong partnership supports the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) Secretarial Order 3356 that directs bureaus to coordinate with states, tribes and territories in planning and decision-making that impacts hunting, fishing and recreational shooting access. It also supports Secretarial Order 3362 that directs DOI bureaus to evaluate how their lands can contribute to State or other efforts to improve the quality and condition of priority big game winter and migration corridor habitat and improve hunting and fishing access, opportunities, and game species habitat and population management directives.
Story by Darrell Tersey, retired BLM Tucson Field Office Natural Resource Specialist; June Lowery, BLM Gila District Public Affairs Specialist; Rana Tucker, Arizona Game and Fish Department Region 5 Game Specialist.
Photos courtesy of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
Buddy (pictured above on the left) is a pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus), which is the only bat that snatches the majority of its prey from the ground, and it is one of two known bats immune to scorpion venom.
Representing the spotted Bat (Euderma maculatum) is Spike! The spotted bat is the largest bat of North America. Their wingspan stretches up to 14 inches, and take a look at the size of those ears!
Ace is a California leaf-nosed bat (Macrotus californicus)—the only bat in North America known to catch caterpillars and is among the very few insect-eating bats that supplement their diets with cactus fruit.
Cocoa is a Mexican free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis)—whose colonies are the largest congregations of mammals in the world. The largest colony found near San Antonio has nearly 20 million bats!
Then, vote on who you think is the “Cutest Bat of 2019″. We’ll announce the winner on Halloween- to celebrate the finale of #BatWeek.
