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    Photos of presenters Kim Tenggardjaja, Melanie Gogol-Prokurat, and Martha Volkoff

    Launched in 2018, the California Biodiversity Initiative is a statewide effort to secure the future of California’s biodiversity. Such a large undertaking entails improving our understanding of California’s biodiversity, protecting and recovering California’s native species and ecosystems, and engaging participation by many partners. This talk will provide an overview of the California Biodiversity Initiative and the history of its development and will share initial efforts to implement the Initiative that are underway at California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

    Kim Tenggardjaja joined CDFW in April 2019 as the Biodiversity Coordinator in the Science Institute and also serves as the lead coordinating staff for the California Landscape Conservation Partnership. Before this, she worked at the State Water Resources Control Board for several years, primarily focusing on seawater desalination and once-through cooling power plants. Kim has a PhD and MA in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from UC Santa Cruz, where her dissertation research focused on marine biodiversity in the Hawaiian Islands.

    Melanie Gogol-Prokurat is a Spatial Ecologist in the Biogeographic Data Branch, where she develops and analyzes landscape-level datasets to support decision-making in conservation planning. Melanie began her career with the Department in 2000, and has been with the Conservation Analysis Unit since 2009. She received her PhD in Conservation Ecology at UC Davis.

    Martha Volkoff, Environmental Program Manager for the Habitat Conservation Planning Branch’s Invasive Species Program, has worked for the Department for 20 years, the past 11 of those in the Invasive Species Program. A native to the Sacramento area, Martha earned her BS and MS in Biology, with a Concentration in Conservation, from CSU Sacramento.

    Date: Monday, December 9th Time: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
    Location: 1416 9th Street, Room 1131, Sacramento (and via Skype)
    Register to view online or in-person
    Questions? Contact: Whitney Albright

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    Categories:   Education and Awareness

    Days are getting shorter, temperatures are getting cooler, and rain is starting to fall. These changes are welcomed by many species that thrive in this wetter, chillier weather. We encourage all of you to get outside, enjoy this changing weather, and see these great plants and animals for yourself! Here are our favorite photos submitted through the online field survey form during November:

    Frontal closeup of Del Norte salamander

    Plethodon elongatus – Del Norte salamander
    Submitted by Mark Raggon of the United States Forest Service

    Mark snapped a close-up of this juvenile Del Norte salamander, a California Species of Special Concern, near the California Oregon border in Del Norte county. This species inhabits the very northwestern portion of the state in Del Norte, Siskiyou, Humboldt, and Trinity counties. Del Norte salamanders are lungless salamanders, so they breathe through their skin and tissues surrounding their mouths! Because of this unique way of respiration, they must live in wet terrestrial environments and remain mostly inactive during hotter months. Little activity combined with short limbs make for a fairly sedentary lifestyle. Studies have shown that the Del Norte salamander stays within a 7.5 square meter area within a year. This is only about a 24-foot square! Populations of this species are sensitive, yet stable even though logging is a cause of habitat loss and disturbance. Thank you, Mark, for the great picture of this neat species!

    subalpine fir

    Abies lasiocarpa var. lasiocarpa – subalpine fir
    Submitted by Dana York

    This evergreen tree was found by Dana while hiking along a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail in Siskiyou County. It is listed as a 2B.3 (Rare or Endangered in California but common elsewhere; not very threatened in California) in the California Rare Plant Ranking system. In California, Abies lasiocarpa var. lasiocarpa is restricted to meadows and subalpine coniferous forests in Siskiyou County. Like many firs, A. lasiocarpa var. lasiocarpa creates cones that are wind pollinated, often in early summer. Once fully mature these cones begin to fall apart releasing winged seeds dispersing with help from the wind. Thank you, Dana, for sharing this amazing find from your hike!

    Categories:   Contributor Spotlight

    A view of Lassen Peak from the top of Cinder Cone

    From moist forest to the dry deserts, California is home to diverse natural beauty. Luckily, the state is also home to numerous trails! This Sunday, November 17th is National Take a Hike Day. Celebrate by hitting the trails and appreciating nature! Who knows what you'll encounter along the way? If you see any CNDDB-tracked plants or animals, be sure to share your findings with us via the Online Field Survey Form.

    Categories:   Education and Awareness

    Biogeographic Data Branch
    Physical Address: 1700 9th Street, 4th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95811
    Mailing Address: P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090
    (916) 322-2493 | BDB@wildlife.ca.gov