Recent News
Climate Change
California, and the world, endured a 2014 heat wave
San Luis Obispo Tribune, John Lindsey, 1/10/15
Sierra Link: A warming trend has meant a dwindling Sierra snowpack and the numbers from last year show it was the warmest year in California since 1895.
Forestry
Forest Service yanks $10 million contract to boost its image
The Associated Press, Jeff Barnard, 1/6/15
Sierra Link: With the growing presence of Sierra wildfires, we know the Forest Service’s budget is being stretched thin to keep up with the increasing costs of fighting those fires while also paying to maintain trails and timber sales. Perhaps with that in mind, the organization recently decided to not spend $10 million on a five-year nationwide public relations campaign.
Recreation
Names of Yosemite’s sacred sites threatened by trademark spat
SF Gate, Kurtis Alexander, 1/2/15
Sierra Link: Names that go back 150 years in Yosemite’s history could soon be changed if the disagreement on who owns the names isn’t settled.
Water
First Sierra snow survey finds a good base, but not a drought-buster
Sacramento Business Journal, Mark Anderson, 12/30/14
Sierra Link: Deeper snowpack than this time last year but the California drought is still in effect and the Sierra will need plenty more snow throughout the year to make it out of the ongoing four year drought.
County saves 500M gallons of water in ’14
The Union Democrat, Guy McCarthy, 1/8/15
Sierra Link: Residents in Sierra counties of Tuolumne and Calaveras conserved on average 60 gallons of water per person per day from June to November 2014 when compared to the previous year. With little to no precipitation expected, water conservation in the Sierra and California is becoming a critical issue as we enter a fourth year of drought.
Wildlife
Wildlife groups seek federal protection for Calif. spotted owl, say logging is a threat
The Washington Post, Scott Smith, 12/25/14
Sierra Link: Studies are showing that California spotted owls are flourishing after the Yosemite Rim Fire -- the Sierra Nevada’s largest fire in recorded history.
U.S. scientists to study monarch butterfly numbers for protected status
Los Angeles Times, John Glionna, 12/29/14
Sierra Link: The yearly monarch migration may become a thing of the past if something isn’t done to protect them soon. With changing temperatures and less snowpack, what could this mean for animals in the Sierra that may be experiencing similar declines in population.
Other Articles
The goats fighting America's plant invasion
BBC News, Joanna Jolly, 1/12/15
Sierra Link: With millions of dollars being spent on invasive species removal around the US, could this be a lower cost and more sustainable approach to the invasive species plant removal in the Sierra and California.
Young leaders changing the West
High Country News, Ben Goldfarb, 1/13/15
Sierra Link: Inspiring stories about 10 young leaders under 30 that are working to shape the West’s future. Including several working in California and the Sierra.
