Key wildlife habitat added to Coachella preserve

Deputy Secretary of the Interior Lynn Scarlett joined a group of Federal, State, and local officials and leaders to dedicate a key wildlife habitat acquisition in the Coachella Valley near Palm Springs yesterday.

The 321-acre parcel is part of a larger acquisition effort that combines available funding from Federal, State, local, and private sources to piece an 8,880-acre addition to the Coachella Valley Fringe-toed Lizard Preserve, also a BLM Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC).

Surrounded by swaying palm trees at the “Thousand-Palm Oasis,” Scarlett commended all those present for their vision:  This is “not conservation for a moment, but conservation for an age,” Scarlett said.

She explained that the recent BLM acquisition was made under a new program authorized by the Federal Lands Transaction Facilitation Act (FLTFA) that uses funds from BLM land sales to acquire habitat and recreation lands elsewhere.

The Deputy Secretary noted that 19 other special parcels in seven western states are also being acquired with $18 million in the FLTFA funds and stated more funds are available and be added to broaden the program, that can include acquisitions by other Federal agencies: the National Park Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Forest Service.

Source: BLM California

To read more about the desert, go to DesertUSA.com.

Flagstaff Festival of Science Sept 21st-30th

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - It had feathers, but scientists don’t think it could fly; it was found deep in an ancient sea, but scientists don’t think it lived in water; it had three long, sickle-like claws on each hand, but scientists don’t know why. So when the therizinosaur (thair-uh-zi’-na-sore) skeleton was found in the southern Utah [...]

National Park Service Remembers Sept. 11, 2001

Today, on the sixth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, President Bush has directed that flags be flown at half staff and that the day be remembered with appropriate ceremonies, activities and remembrance services - including a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. EDT.National Park Service law enforcement, emergency services and other employees were among the [...]

National Fire Activity - Preparedness Level 3 - Sept 11th Report

National Preparedness Level 3 (On a scale from 1 to 5)September 11, 2007Firefighters continue to make great suppression efforts in the western states. The Grays Creek fire near Council and the Tamarack Resort was contained yesterday at 24,900 acres. Other wildland fires are estimated to be contained later this week as well.Weather Discussion: Warmer and [...]

Employee Attacked And Injured By Bear Outside Yellowstone Park

A park employee was attacked by a bear early last Sunday morning near Gardiner, just north of the park. Ken Meyer, the park’s safety manager, was hunting for black bear when he was mauled by what is believed to have been a female grizzly bear with cubs. Meyer sustained injuries to his arms, legs and [...]

Excellent Breeding Success for Endangered Bolson Tortoises at New Mexico State Park

Nine Eggs Hatch, Nine Others Expected at Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State ParkCARLSBAD, NM - Less than a year after four endangered Bolson tortoises were brought to Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park in Carlsbad, nine eggs have hatched with an additional nine expected to come out of their shells by mid [...]