CDFW Newshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/NewsFact Check: Debunking Misinformation About Lake Tahoe’s Black Bearshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/fact-check-debunking-misinformation-about-lake-tahoes-black-bearsHuman Wildlife ConflictFri, 16 Feb 2024 10:08:18 GMTIn recent weeks, misinformation about black bears has been circulating online and on flyers posted throughout the Lake Tahoe community. With all this information swirling, it can be challenging to tell inaccurate information from facts – supported by science. The Tahoe Interagency Bear Team (TIBT) is here to help!<p>In recent weeks, misinformation about black bears has been circulating online and on flyers posted throughout the Lake Tahoe community. With all this information swirling, it can be challenging to tell inaccurate information from facts – supported by science. The Tahoe Interagency Bear Team (TIBT) is here to help!</p> <p>TIBT is a collective of bear experts across state and local agencies who study and understand these animals and have devoted much of their professional lives to ensure the health and well-being of the Lake Tahoe Basin’s black bears. TIBT would like to set the record straight by debunking some of those claims and educating the public about the real issues and dangers this misinformation poses.</p> <p>Tahoe bears may at times seem like a unique bear species due to their general lack of fear and boldness around humans, but these black bears follow the usual biological patterns of black bears across California and Nevada. Whether living in or visiting bear country in the Lake Tahoe Basin or beyond, this information should clarify what is really needed to help wild bears survive and thrive.</p> <p><strong>The Claim: Bears Need Human Help Denning During Hibernation</strong></p> <p>Many have seen photos and videos perpetuating the myth that property owners and residents should allow bears to den under homes and in crawl spaces. Some may have even seen people encourage this unwanted behavior by laying out hay and other materials for the bears. But most homeowners don’t even know a bear is under or around their home until it has already established a makeshift den.</p> <p>Bears will tear out wood and insulation, exposing pipes to freezing temperatures or damaging them in the process. And once a bear gets nice and cozy, it can be difficult to get it out. This increases the chances of human-bear conflict and habituated behavior. Bears have evolved to comfortably survive winter without human help so it is very important to board up all crawl spaces around homes to discourage bears from setting up camp and damaging property. For more information about securing crawl spaces, visit this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvI2ZglHLfw" target="_blank">YouTube (Video</a>.</p> <p><strong>The Claim: Bears Are Starving, and People Need to Feed Them</strong></p> <p>False! Black bears are some of the most resilient and adaptive animals and they can tailor their diet to what is available around them. It is true that bears need A LOT of calories, especially in preparation for winter but giving them handouts will not set them up to thrive. Giving a bear food will teach it to keep coming back and possibly investigate further by breaking into homes, vehicles and garbage bins. This behavior will also condition cubs to do the same and continue a cycle of human-dependent bears. Human food and garbage are not good for bears and can make them sick and damage their teeth, leaving painful abscesses that can lead to death. And importantly, feeding bears is ILLEGAL in the states of California and Nevada.</p> <p>Bears instinctively forage on a variety of natural foods including insects, plant material and carrion (dead animals) and have a vital biological role to play in the health of forests, from spreading seeds and fertilizing through their scat to curbing disease and keeping insect populations in check. If people teach bears to search for food in neighborhoods or other developed areas, that biological role is lost. Even after an incident like the 2021 Caldor Fire, where a huge swath of vegetation was burned, wildlife biologists saw bears find natural ways to survive like the resilient omnivores that they are.</p> <p><strong>The Claim: Bears Belong in Neighborhoods</strong></p> <p>It can be exciting to see a big, beautiful animal like a black bear in a neighborhood, but that is not where bears belong. Neighborhoods have roads with cars, which bears must cross in order to get to the unhealthy human food and garbage in developed areas. By allowing bears to comfortably live in or pass through neighborhoods, the chances that they will get struck and killed by vehicles increases immensely. If a bear is in a neighborhood, encourage it to move on by scaring it away so that it can lead a safe, natural life in the forest. For more information on bear-vehicle collisions, check out this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVi9LXRoFJc" target="_blank">YouTube (Video</a>.</p> <p><strong>The Claim: Don’t Call the Experts</strong></p> <p>TIBT is dedicated to creating the best environment for bears to thrive and remain wild in an ever-growing, ever-changing environment like the Lake Tahoe Basin. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) should be the first point of contact for any bear-related incidents or questions. CDFW and NDOW have dedicated and committed black bear experts who will help navigate any human-bear conflicts.</p> <p>Learn more about keeping Tahoe bears wild at <a href="https://www.tahoebears.org/" target="_blank">TahoeBears.org</a> and <a href="https://bearwise.org/" target="_blank">BearWise.org</a>.</p> <p>To report bear incidents or conflict in the Lake Tahoe Basin, use the following:</p> <ul> <li>In California, contact CDFW at (916) 358-2917 or report online using the Wildlife Incident Reporting (WIR) system at<a href="https://apps.wildlife.ca.gov/wir"> apps.wildlife.ca.gov/wir</a>.</li> <li>Non-emergency wildlife interactions in California State Parks can be reported to its public dispatch at (916) 358-1300.</li> <li>In Nevada, contact NDOW at 775-688-BEAR (2327).</li> <li>If the issue is an immediate threat, call the local sheriff’s department or 911.</li> </ul> <p>Thank you for helping to keep Tahoe bears wild and safe.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contact:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:Peter.Tira@wildlife.ca.gov">Peter Tira</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858</em></p> CDFW Awards Record Number of Scholastic Archery Equipment Grants in 2023https://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/cdfw-awards-record-number-of-scholastic-archery-equipment-grants-in-2023EducationTue, 28 Nov 2023 14:32:51 GMTCDFW National Archery in the Schools Program (CalNASP) will add 11 new extensions to its in-school target archery program for the 2023-24 school year.<p>The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) National Archery in the Schools Program (CalNASP) will add 11 new extensions to its in-school target archery program for the 2023-24 school year. That’s a department record, since CalNASP’s inception in 2005. </p> <p>CalNASP is a target archery program designed to be taught by credentialed teachers and delivered to students in physical education or elective classes in grades 4-12. The program provides educators the opportunity to engage with participants through a sport that is inclusive of all students, no matter their skill level or ability.</p> <p>“CalNASP allows true inclusion when it comes to students being able to participate in a team sport,” says CalNASP Coordinator, Leticia Palamidessi. “The very nature of the program is set up so that schools of any size or capacity can offer their students the opportunity to be a part of a team, and I’m proud more schools and more students will have this opportunity this year.”</p> <p>CDFW’s CalNASP Equipment Grant provides new schools with a start-up archery equipment kit, training on how to use the equipment and curriculum resources to begin target archery classes. Prior to 2023, the most equipment grants awarded in one year by CDFW were 10, totaling roughly $32,000 per year.</p> <p>“Not only did CDFW award the most equipment grants in program history in 2023, they also garnered the largest applicant pool as well,” said Palamidessi.</p> <p>In 2023 the CalNASP Equipment Grant was awarded to five California high schools, and six elementary/middle schools. Two of the schools teach a large percentage of unhoused or foster youth, while another has 10 percent of its students with a documented disability. Adaptive equipment is available for students with physical disabilities who wish to participate in CalNASP.</p> <p>Public, private, charter, continuation, home and special education schools can all apply for and administer CalNASP. The curriculum is aligned to the State Physical Education Standards and offers standards-based activities from other subject areas, such as Math, English and Language Arts.</p> <p>To qualify for CDFW’s CalNASP Equipment Grant schools must get district approval to teach target archery during school hours as part of their everyday, in-school lessons. They must also submit a full application packet during the grant application cycle which runs from Sept. 1-June 30. Teachers administering the program will have to obtain an archery certification through CDFW prior to starting lessons.</p> <p>For more information and to apply for the CalNASP Equipment Grant email: <a href="mailto:Leticia.Palamidessi@wildlife.ca.gov">Leticia.Palamidessi@wildlife.ca.gov</a></p> <p><em>*CalNASP is an affiliate of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP™)—a nonprofit, international style archery program dedicated to providing students in grades 4-12 the opportunity to learn and participate in target archery.</em></p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contact:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:Leticia.Palamidessi@wildlife.ca.gov">Leticia Palamidessi</a>, State Coordinator, CalNASP</em></p> Grant Awarded to Restore Los Angeles Zoo Oak Woodland Habitat by Engaging Participants from Disadvantaged Communitieshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/grant-awarded-to-restore-los-angeles-zoo-oak-woodland-habitat-by-engaging-participants-from-disadvantaged-communitiesWildlife Conservation BoardThu, 16 Nov 2023 15:28:14 GMTThe Wildlife Conservation Board provided a $3.6 million grant to Outward Bound Adventures, Inc. to restore approximately six acres of oak woodland habitat adjacent to the Los Angeles Zoo. The Los Angeles Zoo Oak Woodland Restoration and Career Pathways project will strengthen oak woodland health and biodiversity for long-term resilience by restoring an ecosystem that can serve to mitigate the impacts of climate change through carbon sequestration.<p><em><strong>Wildlife Conservation Board Awards $116.6 million in Grants to 37 Habitat Conservation and Restoration Projects</strong></em></p> <p>The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) provided a $3.6 million grant to Outward Bound Adventures, Inc. (OBA) to restore approximately six acres of oak woodland habitat adjacent to the Los Angeles Zoo. The Los Angeles Zoo Oak Woodland Restoration and Career Pathways project will strengthen oak woodland health and biodiversity for long-term resilience by restoring an ecosystem that can serve to mitigate the impacts of climate change through carbon sequestration.</p> <p>The work will be undertaken through a unique partnership between the Zoo and OBA, the oldest non-profit in the nation created and dedicated to providing outdoor education, conservation and environmental learning expeditions for low-income urban youth from diverse communities in Los Angeles.</p> <p>“Restoration initiatives like the OBA/Zoo Oak Woodland restoration project have tremendous impact not only in the oak woodland habitat and plant community, but it will have unparalleled impact in the low-income communities of color who will be engaged to do the restoration through a conservation education workforce development program,” said Charles Thomas Jr., Executive Director, Outward Bound Adventures, Inc. “This will promote ownership, stewardship and career training in a community that has historically been absent in conservation.”</p> <p>Through the restoration of this oak woodland habitat, we will be providing important resources for native pollinators, birds, and other wildlife; informing future restoration activities through rigorous science; and providing the leaders of tomorrow with experience needed to pursue careers in conservation,” said Jake Owens, Conservation Director at the Los Angeles Zoo.</p> <p>WCB approved approximately $116.6 million in grants to 37 projects at its Nov. 15, 2023, quarterly meeting that will help restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat throughout California. The grants will support Governor Newsom’s goal of conserving 30 percent of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030, an initiative known as 30x30. The initiative seeks to protect biodiversity, expand access to nature for all Californians and address climate change.</p> <p>Other funded projects include:</p> <ul> <li>A $30 million U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Habitat Conservation Plan Land Acquisition grant for a cooperative project, <a href="/Lands/Places-to-Visit/Rancho-Jamul-ER">Rancho Jamul Ecological Reserve, Expansion 6</a>, with The Nature Conservancy to acquire approximately 1,291 acres of land located just north of Otay Lakes within Proctor Valley in San Diego County for the protection of coastal sage scrub habitat that supports listed species, wildlife movement corridors and key regional wildlife linkages within the San Diego Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan. It will also provide future wildlife-oriented, public-use opportunities. <blockquote>"Preventing biodiversity loss is critical to a healthy California, and this investment significantly protects core habitat including many endemic species like the golden eagle and endangered quino checkerspot butterfly,” said Cara Lacey, Climate Program Associate Director at the Nature Conservancy California. “Conserving this landscape not only helps keep habitat connected for vulnerable species but will also benefit people with an expansive urban refuge in San Diego County.”</blockquote> </li> <li>The transfer of approximately 40 acres of land by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to Fort Independence Indian Community of Paiute Indians of the Fort Independence Reservation to own, operate, and maintain the <a href="/Fishing/Hatcheries/Mount-Whitney">Mount Whitney Fish Hatchery</a> in perpetuity for purposes of public access and habitat preservation. The Mount Whitney Fish Facility is in the city of Independence in Inyo County.</li> <li>A $1.5 million grant to Mendocino Land Trust to restore pollinator habitat along the southern Mendocino County coast with a particular focus on restoring habitat for the federally endangered Behren’s silverspot butterfly (BSB). The <a href="https://www.mendocinolandtrust.org/our-mission/saving-wildlife-habitat/" target="_blank">Coastal Mendocino Pollinator Habitat Enhancement</a> project will restore a combined 53.4 acres of coastal prairie habitat, with a focus of planting highly dense patches of early blue violets, at Navarro Point, Manchester State Park (MSP), Point Arena-Stornetta Unit and Pelican Bluffs. Additionally, 47 acres of invasive European beachgrass will be removed at MSP, allowing the native dune mat to reestablish. <blockquote>“Members of our diverse working group all specialize in supporting each part of these insects' complex life cycles,” said Anna Bride, Stewardship Project Manager, Coastal Mendocino Land Trust. “From captive rearing and release efforts of the BSB to early blue violet restoration, we're all passionate about these little organisms and their place in the greater ecosystems of our region.”</blockquote> </li> <li>A $14.8 million grant to the Western Riverside Regional Conservation Authority (RCA) to acquire approximately 670 acres of land at B Canyon for the protection of critical wildlife habitat and a movement corridor that supports many special status species including the Southern California/Central Coast Evolutionary Significant Unit mountain lion population in the Santa Ana Mountains, and to provide future wildlife-oriented, public-use opportunities located in unincorporated Riverside County. <blockquote>“This linkage is a key component of the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan reserve system and exemplifies the integration of good planning for our environment and infrastructure,” said Natasha Johnson, Chair of the RCA Board of Directors. “Conserving B Canyon south of the existing undercrossing at State Route 91 preserves a critical linkage between Cleveland National Forest and Chino Hills State Park, providing mountain lions and other wildlife the movement corridors and habitat they need to thrive.”</blockquote> </li> <li>A $1.9 million grant to the Transition Habitat Conservancy for a project to study the effects of using a broad range of tortoise conservation tools and techniques to enhance tortoise survival at known tortoise hotspots, located approximately six miles west of Boron in San Bernardino County. <blockquote>“In response to the ongoing decline of desert tortoises, the <a href="https://hardshelllabs.com/overview/conservation" target="_blank">Desert Tortoise Conservation Innovations</a> project will apply a wide array of cutting-edge conservation actions with long-term monitoring to assess their effectiveness,” said Tim Shields, Founder and CEO of HardShell Labs, Inc. “Tortoises in the study area will benefit from habitat enhancements and raven predation reduction but, more importantly, the innovative combination of actions will serve to inform tortoise conservation efforts across the range well into the future.”</blockquote> </li> <li>A $4 million grant to the Wildlands Conservancy (TWC) to acquire approximately 8,085 acres of land at <a href="https://wildlandsconservancy.org/behold-the-beauty-association-news/introducing-eel-river-canyon-preserve" target="_blank">Lone Pine Ranch</a>. This land will be added to and managed by TWC’s approximately 18,575-acre Eel River Canyon Preserve. The acquisition will protect the oak woodlands, freshwater creeks, grasslands, ponds, marshes, riverine habitat, and conifer forests that support numerous wildlife species. TWC will provide free access for passive recreation and interpretive activities. This is the fourth and final phase of the acquisition of Lone Pine Ranch. WCB will have provided nearly $20 million toward three of the four phases, permanently protecting 26,412 acres located in the rural area south of the community of Kettenpom in Trinity County. <blockquote>“We are honored to receive support today from the Wildlife Conservation Board to complete the protection of the Eel River Canyon Preserve lying along over 18 miles of one of the wildest and most scenic river canyons in the country,” said Frazier Haney, Executive Director of the Wildlands Conservancy. “The preserve will serve as the keystone to our larger vision for an ‘Eel River Emerald Necklace’ of preserved lands stretching along the river, protecting wildlife and habitat, providing access to hike, paddle and camp along the future Great Redwood Trail, and engaging local communities.”</blockquote> </li> </ul> <p>For more information about the WCB, please visit the <a href="https://wcb.ca.gov/" target="_blank">WCB website</a>.</p> <p><em>Photo of Outward Bound Adventures, Inc., conservation workforce interns at the Los Angeles Zoo Oak Woodland Restoration site courtesy of Jake Owens.</em></p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:Mark.Topping@wildlife.ca.gov">Mark Topping</a>, Wildlife Conservation Board, (916) 539-4673<br /> <a href="mailto:rebecca.fris@wildlife.ca.gov">Rebecca Fris</a>, Wildlife Conservation Board, (916) 212-5637</em></p> Elementary Students Shine at CDFW's Nature Bowl 2023https://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/nature-bowl-2023EducationTue, 11 Jul 2023 11:20:00 GMTMore than 40 student teams and their coaches from across CDFW's North Central Region converged this spring to compete in Nature Bowl 2023.<p>More than 40 student teams and their coaches from across the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) North Central Region converged this spring to compete in Nature Bowl 2023.</p> <p>Open to students in grades three through six, the annual team science competition gives kids the opportunity to flex their nature knowledge through fun and educational activities, including the “Nature Relay,” “Nature Investigations,” “Team Problem Solving,” “Speedy Ringers,” and “Enviromercials.”</p> <p>It was the first time since 2019 that the Nature Bowl held in-person events after being a remote, family challenge the past three years during the pandemic.</p> <p>“It was just wonderful to see all those students out there engaging in deep learning. As coaches, we loved watching them problem-solve and work together toward a common goal,” said coach Carmel Portillo, Superintendent-Principal at Belleview Elementary School District in Sonora. “The kids showed up pretty nervous so we especially loved seeing how confident they became and successful they felt throughout the day’s events. It’s a testament to the well-designed learning activities and challenges. Nature Bowl is always a highlight of my year!”</p> <p>Four semi-final events took place at Nature Bowl partner venues outdoors. These included the New Melones Visitor Center in Tuolumne County, the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area in Yolo County, the American River Conservancy educational center in El Dorado County and the Nimbus Fish Hatchery in Sacramento County.</p> <p>The 12 highest-scoring teams advanced to the finals event May 6 at Camp Pollock on the Lower American River Parkway, where Sacramento’s Phoebe Hearst Elementary took the third-fourth grade team title and Davis’ St. James elementary school took the fifth-sixth grade team title. The grand prize for these two winning teams is a trip to accompany CDFW’s American River Hatchery staff on a trout plant to the Sierra Nevada.</p> <p>“These kids are amazing,” said Genelle Treaster, CDFW’s Nature Bowl coordinator. “Their knowledge of science and the natural world inspires those of us working in natural resource conservation. The hardest part for us as adults is not giving all the teams first-place awards.”</p> <p>Nature Bowl, now in its 37<sup>th</sup> year, inspires students as well with some going on to major in science-related fields in college.</p> <p>“My daughter, who is 20, participated in Nature Bowl every year from third through sixth grade. Today, she is in her second semester at Cal Poly Humboldt as a botany major,” said Sacramento parent Kristen Stauss. “I know Nature Bowl helped a lot in her interest in science and her direction in college. Thank you so much.”</p> <p>Nature Bowl partner organizations include the Yolo Basin Foundation, Tuolumne Office of Education, American River Conservancy, Sacramento Valley Conservancy, Sutter-Yuba Resource Conservation District, Friends of Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, and Placer Nature Center.</p> <p>For more information on Nature Bowl, contact <a href="mailto:Genellet.Treaster@wildlife.ca.gov">Genelle Treaster</a> or visit the <a href="/Regions/2/Nature-Bowl">Nature Bowl pages</a> on the CDFW website.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:Genelle.Treaster@wildlife.ca.gov">Genelle Treaster</a>, CDFW North Central Region, (916) 542-3869<br /> <a href="mailto:Peter.Tira@wildlife.ca.gov">Peter Tira</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858</em></p> Get Outside and Make a Difference During California Invasive Species Action Weekhttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/get-outside-and-make-a-difference-during-california-invasive-species-action-week1Invasive SpeciesThu, 01 Jun 2023 15:33:53 GMTCDFW invites everyone with an interest in natural resources to join us in recognizing California Invasive Species Action Week (CISAW), Saturday, June 3 through Sunday, June 11.<p>The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) invites everyone with an interest in natural resources to join us in recognizing California Invasive Species Action Week (CISAW), Saturday, June 3 through Sunday, June 11. For the past 10 years, CDFW has devoted the first week in June to engaging the public in taking action to prevent the harmful impacts of non-native plants and animals that threaten California’s natural resources, ecology and economy.</p> <p>On Friday, June 2, from 12 to 1 p.m., California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot will host a webinar titled “Defending the Golden State: Safeguarding Californians from Invasive Species.” The webinar will feature a panel of experts including California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross. For registration information visit the California Natural Resources Agency <a href="https://resources.ca.gov/About-Us/Secretary-Speaker-Series" target="_blank">Secretary Speaker Series web page</a>.</p> <p>Historically, agencies, non-profits and volunteer organizations across the state have teamed up to host events for CISAW. This year, opportunities to participate include virtual events and activities in all parts of the state, such as:</p> <ul> <li>Restoring habitat at Tolowa Dunes State Park in Crescent City with California State Parks, Tolowa Dunes Stewards and Redwood Parks Conservancy.</li> <li>Protecting the American River Parkway near Sacramento from invasive plants with the American River Parkway Foundation.</li> <li>Becoming a “Weed Warrior” at Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego by assisting with efforts to remove non-native grasses and other invasive plants.</li> <li>Learning how to identify Lake Tahoe’s native and invasive aquatic plants during a webinar with the League to Save Lake Tahoe.</li> <li>Watching lunchtime webinars from the University of California Cooperative Extension on topics such as removing the invasive seaweed Caulerpa and efforts to stop damaging insects from entering California.</li> </ul> <p>Visit the <a href="/Conservation/Invasives/Action-Week">CISAW schedule</a> on CDFW’s website for details on these events and many more.</p> <p>You can also watch webinars and learn about how to stop the spread of invasive species by taking small, everyday actions, such as landscaping with native plants, not releasing unwanted pets into the wild, reporting invasive species findings, and cleaning, draining and drying gear when recreating in bodies of water. The <a href="/Conservation/Invasives/Action-Week">CISAW web page</a> lists simple actions Californians can take all year long while visiting natural areas, boating or fishing, or at home.</p> <p>Next week, CDFW will announce winners of the annual California Invasive Species Youth Art and Video Contest on social media. This year’s theme was “Think Ahead and Prevent the Spread.”</p> <p>The mission of CDFW’s Invasive Species Program is to reduce the impacts of invasive species on the wildlands and waterways of California. The program is involved in efforts to prevent the introduction of these species into the state, detect and respond to introductions when they occur, and prevent the spread of those species that have established. For questions or more information about CISAW, please contact <a href="mailto:invasives@wildlife.ca.gov">invasives@wildlife.ca.gov</a></p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media contact</strong>:<br /> <a href="mailto:Ken.Paglia@Wildlife.ca.gov">Ken Paglia</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120<br /> <a href="mailto:Elizabeth.Brusati@wildlife.ca.gov">Elizabeth Brusati</a>, CDFW Invasive Species Program</em></p> Wildlife Conservation Board Funds Environmental Improvement and Acquisition Projectshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/wildlife-conservation-board-funds-environmental-improvement-and-acquisition-projects7Wildlife Conservation BoardWed, 31 May 2023 10:17:13 GMTAt its May 25, 2023, quarterly meeting, the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) approved approximately $83.15 million in grants to help restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat throughout California and, in some cases, provide new and improved public access, recreational and educational opportunities.<p>At its May 25, 2023, quarterly meeting, the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) approved approximately $83.15 million in grants to help restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat throughout California and, in some cases, provide new and improved public access, recreational and educational opportunities.</p> <p>Among the 28 projects approved, the WCB provided a $24 million grant to The Wildlands Conservancy for a cooperative project with the State Coastal Conservancy to acquire approximately 11,691 acres of land in the Carmel Valley in Monterey County for the protection of upland and lowland habitats and the wildlife species they support.</p> <p>The habitats consist of chaparral, oak woodlands and rolling grasslands along with seasonal creeks that provide riparian corridors supporting numerous species, including threatened and endangered California red-legged frogs and the California tiger salamanders. The property, which exceeds the total acreage of some state parks, will provide wildlife-oriented education and research along with compatible public and private uses.</p> <p>Funding for these projects comes from a combination of sources including the Habitat Conservation Fund and bond measures approved by voters to help preserve and protect California’s natural resources.</p> <p>Other funded projects approved by the WCB on May 25 include:</p> <ul> <li>A $2.42 million grant to the Mattole Restoration Council for a cooperative project with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to restore coastal prairie habitat at the Table Bluff Ecological Reserve located 4.5 miles southeast of the city of Loleta in Humboldt County.</li> <li>A $3.1 million grant to the Xerces Society for a cooperative project with the California Department of Parks and Recreation, resource conservation districts and the Natural Resources Conservation Service to administer a block grant to address the decline of monarch butterflies and other imperiled pollinators by creating high quality habitat across California, targeting both monarch overwintering sites and the monarch priority restoration zones as well as improving connectivity across the landscape in various counties.</li> <li>A $4 million grant to the South Yuba River Citizen's League for a cooperative project with the Yuba Water Agency to increase spawning habitat, create backwater habitat and reduce bank erosion on the Yuba River one mile north of Smartsville in Yuba County.</li> <li>A $3.4 million grant to Ducks Unlimited for a cooperative project with USFWS, Sonoma Land Trust, Sonoma County Sanitation District, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and State Coastal Conservancy to develop shovel-ready plans and environmental compliance documentation for up to 6,000 acres of the Sonoma Creek Baylands portion of the San Pablo Baylands in Sonoma County.</li> <li>A $4.2 million grant to The Wildlands Conservancy to acquire approximately 2,333 acres of land for wildlife habitat preservation, restoration and management, wildlife-oriented education and research, habitat connectivity and future wildlife-oriented, public-use opportunities near Bridgeport in Mono County.</li> <li>A $3.34 million grant to Western Rivers Conservancy (WRC) for a cooperative project with Sierra Nevada Conservancy to acquire approximately 2,285 acres of land for the protection of threatened and endangered species, wildlife corridors, habitat linkages and watersheds, and to provide wildlife-oriented, public-use opportunities near the community of Weldon in Kern County. At close of escrow, WRC will direct the seller to convey the approximate 1,039 southwestern acres to the Kern River Valley Heritage Foundation and the approximate 1,246 northeastern acres to the Tübatulabal Tribe’s nonprofit organization for long-term stewardship.</li> <li>A $3.19 million grant to the Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT) for a seed bank expansion project to collect, process and store seed, conduct research and develop protocols, create an inventory of California desert seed, and develop and implement outreach and education materials on MDLT-owned lands in Imperial, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.</li> </ul> <p>For more information about the WCB please visit <a href="https://wcb.ca.gov/" target="_blank">wcb.ca.gov</a>.</p> <p><em><strong>CDFW Photo:</strong> Rolling hills and oaks within the Carmel Valley courtesy of Frazier Haney. The property will be acquired to protect the upland and lowland habitats and provide wildlife-oriented education and research<strong>.</strong></em></p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contact:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:mark.topping@wildlife.ca.gov">Mark Topping</a>, Wildlife Conservation Board, (916) 539-4673</em></p> California and Nevada Get BearWisehttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/california-and-nevada-get-bearwiseWildlifeTue, 31 Jan 2023 14:08:03 GMTThe California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) are proud to support BearWise, the innovative North American program that helps people live more responsibly with bears.<h2>New Program Makes It Easier to Live Responsibly with Bears</h2> <p>The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) are proud to support BearWise, the innovative North American program that helps people live more responsibly with bears. The BearWise website, <a href="http://www.bearwise.org/" target="_blank">www.bearwise.org</a>, offers a wealth of scientifically sound information and practical advice. The state agencies will work closely with the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit and California State Parks to incorporate the BearWise messaging as part of their united effort through the Lake Tahoe Interagency Bear Team. This will ensure that residents and visitors across the Tahoe Basin will receive the same messaging regarding bears and how to manage human-bear conflict across state lines.</p> <p>“In the Tahoe Basin, growing numbers of both bears and humans are leading to an increase in human-bear encounters and conflicts,” said NDOW Biologist Carl Lackey. “Bears pay no attention to boundaries and have no idea when they cross from public to private lands or from one state to another; that’s why a North American program with consistent messaging that can be used by anyone who lives, works, recreates and travels wherever bears also live makes so much sense.</p> <p><strong>BearWise Information and Resources</strong><br /> <a href="http://www.bearwise.org/" target="_blank">Bearwise.org</a> offers a wealth of information on black bear biology and behavior as well as sections on preventing human-bear conflicts at home and outdoors, including vacationing in bear country, bear safety information, guidelines for raising livestock, bees and crops, tips for dog owners and bird lovers, helpful FAQs, and information about how neighborhoods, communities and businesses can put BearWise to work.</p> <p><strong>BearWise Resource Center</strong><br /> In addition to "The Six Bear Wise Basics” for both “At Home” and “Outdoors,” the BearWise online store offers a variety of handouts and activity sheets people can download for free in addition to items like magnets, door hangers, stickers and signage that can be ordered individually or in bulk.</p> <p><strong>BearWise Article Bank</strong><br /> The BearWise Article Bank features dozens of articles that focus on bears, bear behavior, and what people can do to prevent conflicts with bears. Articles can be reprinted in newsletters or community newspapers and shared on social media. Anyone can sign up to receive timely news and helpful information.</p> <p><strong>About the BearWise Program</strong><br /> BearWise was developed by state agency bear biologists who wanted to make sure that no matter where people lived, played, or traveled, they got the same consistent message about coexisting with bears. Today the BearWise program is managed by a team of North American bear biologists and communications professionals and supported by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the BearWise member state wildlife agencies.</p> <p>For more information and to sign up for email alerts, visit <a href="http://www.bearwise.org/" target="_blank">www.bearwise.org</a></p> <p>For more information on Lake Tahoe bears, visit: <a href="http://www.tahoebears.org/" target="_blank">www.tahoebears.org</a></p> <p>To report human-bear conflicts:</p> <ul> <li>In California, contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife at 916-358-2917 or report online using the Wildlife Incident Reporting (WIR) system at<a href="https://apps.wildlife.ca.gov/wir"> apps.wildlife.ca.gov/wir</a>.</li> <li>Non-emergency wildlife interactions in California State Parks can be reported to its public dispatch at (916) 358-1300.</li> <li>In Nevada, contact the Nevada Department of Wildlife at 775-688-BEAR (2327).</li> <li>If the issue is an immediate threat, call the local sheriff’s department or 911.</li> </ul> <p><em><strong>Media Contact:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:Peter.Tira@wildlife.ca.gov">Peter Tira</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858</em></p> State Wildlife Agencies to Hold Public Forum on Wild Pigs in Californiahttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/state-wildlife-agencies-to-hold-public-forum-on-wild-pigs-in-californiaWildlifeTue, 20 Sep 2022 16:26:41 GMTDue to ongoing concerns with wild pigs in California and the damage they cause, the California Fish and Game Commission and CDFW will be holding a virtual public forum to discuss related issues and explore potential solutions that address and reduce problems.<p>Due to ongoing concerns with wild pigs in California and the damage they cause, the California Fish and Game Commission and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will be holding a virtual public forum to discuss related issues and explore potential solutions that address and reduce problems.</p> <p>The forum is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 22, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and will be available to the public via Zoom link. Everyone interested in participating in this important conversation should visit the Commission website (<a href="http://fgc.ca.gov/meetings/2022" target="_blank">fgc.ca.gov/meetings/2022</a>) to learn how to join the forum."</p> <p>“The Commission and CDFW have heard and understand public concerns about wild pigs in California,” said Vice President Erika Zavaleta, Chair of the Commission’s Wildlife Resources Committee. “Living with non-native, invasive species such as wild pigs can be a challenge for people and other wildlife. This forum is a chance to learn more about those challenges and discuss how we can collectively address that reality.”</p> <p>This public opportunity is intended to elicit a broader discussion about wild pigs in California by presenting a scientific framework that supports open and respectful discussion, educating one another about wild pig issues and vetting potential solutions with various experts in the field. Adaptive and integrated strategies will be necessary to address concerns.</p> <p>“One of the great things about the state of California is the abundance of open areas, natural habitat and diverse wildlife,” said CDFW Wildlife Branch Chief Scott Gardner. “But some non-native species, when introduced, can become prolific and destructive over time. We are looking forward to having a meaningful dialogue with residents, hunters and anyone who has an interest in – or concerns about – wild pigs in our state, so we can work together on strategies to mitigate some of the problems.”</p> <p>The forum will include two panel discussions, with one focused on issues and concerns associated with wild pigs in California (including animal health, wildlife health, ecosystem health and economic impacts) and the second focused on potential solutions to the identified issues.</p> <p><strong><em>CDFW file photo of wild pig.</em></strong></p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:melissa.miller-henson@fgc.ca.gov">Melissa Miller-Henson</a>, California Fish and Game Commission, (916) 208-4447<br /> <a href="mailto:kirsten.macintyre@wildlife.ca.gov">Kirsten Macintyre</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714</em>  </p> Secure Food, Trash and Other Summer Attractants: Keep Tahoe Bears Wild!https://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/secure-food-trash-and-other-summer-attractants-keep-tahoe-bears-wildHuman Wildlife ConflictTue, 16 Aug 2022 15:30:25 GMTSummer can be a tough time to be a bear. Green grasses have dried up and berries haven’t quite ripened for eating yet, causing black bears to move around more in search of easy food. This means there is a lot to think about when living, visiting, or recreating in the Lake Tahoe Basin this time of year.<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>*** An Interagency, Lake Tahoe Basin News Release ***</strong></p> <p>Summer can be a tough time to be a bear.</p> <p>Green grasses have dried up and berries haven’t quite ripened for eating yet, causing black bears to move around more in search of easy food. This means there is a lot to think about when living, visiting, or recreating in the Lake Tahoe Basin this time of year.</p> <p>Food on barbecues and picnic tables brings curious bears into neighborhoods and campgrounds to investigate, making it very important always to practice proper food storage.</p> <p>Never leave food unattended. Any attractant left out becomes accessible to bears and could result in a food reward, which will bring bears back for future visits and make bears think it’s OK to look to humans for food. If a bear approaches, yell at the bear, honk a horn, and scare the bear off before it is rewarded.</p> <p>If you are unable to chase the bear away, there are others who can help. On National Forest lands, a campground host or employee may be able to assist in moving the bear along and securing attractants. Likewise on California State Parks properties, park rangers can often assist. If you are in a residential area, call 911 for a trained local sheriff to come and help move the bear away from the property.</p> <p>Bears love barbecues. If you have used a barbecue, grease and food bits left on the grill could be a tasty snack for a hungry bear. After you have finished cooking your own food, keep the grill fired up on high heat for about 10 minutes to burn off any residual food scraps and make the barbecue less attractive to passing bears. Make sure you clean up all food and place garbage in a secure wildlife-resistant container or bear box. Never keep food or garbage in your vehicle. Bears will break in.</p> <p>The point is this: It is neither natural nor healthy for bears to forage on human food and garbage. This can damage their claws, teeth, and digestive systems. Whether intentional or not, it is illegal to feed bears. Do your part to follow the law and prevent bears from accessing human food and garbage. Human-sourced food keeps bears from participating in the natural ecosystem, which depends on bears to scatter native seeds, control insects, and clean up animals that have died. A healthy, wild bear means a healthy, wild ecosystem.</p> <p>Here are a few seasonal tips for summer:</p> <p><strong>Visitors to Home Rentals:</strong> If your bear box is full, take your garbage home with you. Please don’t leave it next to the bear box. Bears will get into it and get the food reward before the garbage is picked up, creating more conflicts for future visitors and residents.</p> <p><strong>Businesses:</strong> Always keep your dumpsters locked, even during the day when employees may be accessing them frequently. If dumpsters are overflowing, businesses should make every effort to empty them or find another secured location to place excess garbage.</p> <p><strong>Campers:</strong> Bears will approach at all times of the day. Never leave your food or garbage outside of the bear box, except while closely attended and in use. Diligently follow all campground rules regarding food storage.</p> <p><strong>Beachgoers:</strong> If you bring food to the beach, it must be attended to, and garbage must be thrown away properly. If all bear-resistant garbage containers are full, take your garbage with you so it is not available to bears.</p> <p>The warm summer days and cool nights in the Tahoe Basin make us all want to open our windows to let in the mountain air. However, as we let the fresh air in, we let food smells out. Black bears, with their keen sense of smell, will gravitate to open windows and doors. It is very important to make sure you close all windows when you are either away from a house or asleep at night.</p> <p>Bears know when humans are active or present and will take advantage of those quiet times to enter a home through a window or a door to access a kitchen for easy food. Likewise, it is wise to lock your doors. Some bears know how to open doors and locking them is the only way to keep bears from entering a home.</p> <p>Living and recreating in the Lake Tahoe Basin’s bear country is a year-round responsibility. Please do your part to help keep Tahoe’s bears wild and healthy.</p> <p>Other year-round, bear best-practices include:</p> <ul> <li>Never feed wildlife. Feeding wildlife often brings animals in conflict with people and attracts wildlife to human homes and neighborhoods where they can get struck by vehicles and encounter other human hazards.</li> <li>Store all garbage in and properly close bear-resistant garbage containers, preferably bear boxes. Inquire with local refuse companies about new bear box incentives and payment programs. In California, visit <a href="https://southtahoerefuse.com/bear-info/" target="_blank">South Tahoe Refuse & Recycling Services</a> for information and resources. In Nevada residents should check the Nevada Department of Wildlife’s (NDOW) <a href="https://www.ndow.org/blog/living-with-bears/" target="_blank">Living with Bears</a> resources.</li> <li>Never leave groceries, animal feed, garbage, or anything scented in vehicles, campsites, or tents.</li> <li>Be sure to always lock vehicles and close the windows. Understand that eating – even drinking coffee – in your car often leaves lingering odors that attract bears.</li> <li>Keep barbecue grills clean and stored in a garage or shed when not in use.</li> <li>Keep doors and windows closed and locked when the home is unoccupied.</li> <li>Vegetable gardens, compost piles, fruit trees, and chickens may attract bears. Use electric fences where allowed to keep bears out. Refrain from hanging bird feeders.</li> <li>When camping, always store food (including pet food), drinks, toiletries, coolers, cleaned grills, cleaned dishes, cleaning products, and all other scented items in the bear-resistant containers (storage lockers/bear boxes) provided at campsites. Bear-resistant coolers that come equipped with padlock devices should always be locked to meet bear-resistant requirements.</li> <li>Always place garbage in bear-resistant dumpsters in campgrounds or in bear-resistant containers at campsites (storage lockers/bear boxes), and close and lock after each use</li> <li>Store food in bear-resistant, hard-sided food storage canisters while recreating in the backcountry.</li> <li>Give wildlife space. Enjoy wildlife from a distance, especially when they have young with them.</li> </ul> <p>To report human-bear conflicts in California, contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) at (916) 358-2917 or report online using CDFW’s Wildlife Incident Reporting (WIR) system at <a href="https://apps.wildlife.ca.gov/wir">apps.wildlife.ca.gov/wir</a>. Non-emergency wildlife interactions within California State Parks property can be reported to public dispatch at (916) 358-1300. To report human-bear conflicts in Nevada, contact NDOW at (775) 686-BEAR (2327). If the issue is a direct threat or emergency, call 911 to seek immediate help from local law enforcement.</p> <p>For more information on peacefully coexisting with bears, visit <a href="https://www.tahoebears.org/" target="_blank">TahoeBears.org</a>.</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contact:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:Peter.Tira@wildlife.ca.gov">Peter Tira</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858</em></p> <p><em><strong>Photo:</strong><br /> Courtesy of the Nevada Department of Wildlife.</em></p> New California Grunion Season and Limit Regulationshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/new-california-grunion-season-and-limit-regulationsMarineMon, 16 May 2022 13:35:35 GMTEarlier this year, the California Fish and Game Commission adopted regulatory changes to increase the length of the seasonal closure and create a bag and possession limit for grunion, an iconic species found in California and Baja California.<p>Earlier this year, the California Fish and Game Commission adopted regulatory changes to increase the length of the seasonal closure and create a bag and possession limit for grunion, an iconic species found in California and Baja California.</p> <p>Effective June 1, 2022, the new regulations add June to the seasonal no-take closure for grunion, which now extends from April 1 through June 30. Additionally, a bag and possession limit of 30 grunion was created.</p> <p>The main goal of the proposed amendments is to protect the existing population of grunion while allowing for a sustainable and satisfying recreational experience. Increasing the seasonal closure to include June will allow grunion more opportunities to spawn without being subject to recreational harvest. Additionally, the new bag and possession limit will ensure sustainable take of the species while allowing more grunion to remain in the population to spawn. These new changes were designed to help ensure a sustainable fishery and provide positive impacts to the California marine ecosystem, since grunion are a key prey item for a variety of marine species.</p> <p>California grunion facts, a schedule of expected runs and current regulations can be found on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s <a href="/Fishing/Ocean/Grunion">grunion web page</a>. During the open season, a California fishing license is required for persons 16 years and older, and grunion may be taken by hand only. No appliances of any kind may be used to take grunion, and no holes may be dug in the beach to entrap them.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:armand.barilotti@wildlife.ca.gov">Armand Barilotti</a>, CDFW Marine Region, (562) 342-7164<br /> <a href="mailto:kirsten.macintyre@wildlife.ca.gov">Kirsten Macintyre</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714</em></p> <p><em>Grunion photo by CDFW</em></p>