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Daily Catch: Nature News

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Cosco spill captain wants to set sail again

May 23, 2012
The captain of the ship who caused the worst oil spill in the San Francisco Bay in two decades has been trying to renew his mariner's license. John Cota served 10 months in prison after investigators found he ignored safety precautions and was impaired by prescription drugs. Source: Bay Area News Group.

Tags: Cosco Busan |

Calif. Fish&Game sues feds over tree cutting

May 23, 2012
The California Department of Fish & Game is joining the fray over federal rules that require the cutting of millions of trees along levees in the state. The U.S. Army Corps says trees undermine levee structure, but the state and environmental groups say cutting them is a violation of the Endangered Species Act. Source: Sacramento Bee.

Tags: levees | Endangered Species Act |

Marin judge rules against salmon protections

May 23, 2012
A Marin judge backed the county in a lawsuit brought by SPAWN, a salmon protection group. SPAWN wanted more comprehensive restrictions on building close to streams in spawning areas. Source: Marin Independent Journal.

Tags: SPAWN - Salmon Protection and Watershed Network |

Rock climbers grab hold of Castle Rock State Park

May 21, 2012
It's become the mission of a dedicated group of rock climbers to keep Castle Rock State Park in Los Gatos from closing come July, due to state budget cuts. Famous climber Chris Sharma flew to Spain to headline three events with proceeds supporting Castle Rock and Portola State Park. Source: Peninsula Press.

Tags: state parks crisis | Castle Rock State Park |

Heron colony nesting in downtown Oakland

May 21, 2012
A colony of black-crowned night herons has been relocating to downtown Oakland to breed, apparently liking the dense ficus trees there. The steely blue birds - 2 feet high - go back to Lake Merritt to eat, and city public works has its hands full cleaning up their droppings. Source: San Francisco Chronicle.

Tags: black-crowned night herons | urban wildlife |

Sierra towns live with gold mining's toxic legacy

May 21, 2012
In the Sierras, old gold mining towns are still dealing with the toxic remnants of 47,000 abandoned mine sites. Mercury, lead and arsenic have contaminated soils and creeks. Native plants may be the solution to soaking up the heavy metals. Source: Capital Public Radio.

Tags: gold mining | soil contamination |

Pacific leatherback turtles nearing extinction

May 18, 2012
Why are Pacific leatherbacks nearing extinction while their Atlantic cousins seem to be doing alright? It may be because of their foraging patterns. Unreliable food supplies in the Pacific make it harder for them to stop, rest, and procreate. Source: Huffington Post.

Tags: leatherback turtles |

Hendy Woods nearly off closure list

May 17, 2012
Save the Redwoods League and state officials are close to signing an agreement on funding and staffing the Mendocino state park. The 845-acre redwood-studded park has been helped by $20,000 in donations and 1,000 volunteer hours. Source: Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

Tags: Save the Redwoods League | Hendy Woods | state parks crisis |

Officials truck salmon smolts to SF Bay

May 17, 2012
The California Department of Fish & Game hauled 100,000 Chinook salmon smolts from the Sacramento River to the San Francisco Bay in order to try and boost return rates. Source: Central Valley Business Times.

Tags: chinook |

Lawmakers object to state park fees

May 17, 2012
California State Parks is obtaining permits to install self-pay parking meters at Mendocino state parks and beaches. But opposition is brewing among lawmakers who believe the $8 fee will deny access to public parks. Source: Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

Tags: state parks crisis | parking fee |

Day use fee to visit Sonoma beaches

May 16, 2012
The California State Parks Department is planning to charge a day-use fee for some Sonoma County beaches as a revenue generating measure. Officials want to charge $8 a day for parking at Goat Rock in Jenner, Bodega Head, Salt Point State Park and at several other beaches where access now is free. Source: Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

Tags: parking fee | state parks crisis | Sonoma beaches |

SF proposes $195 million parks bond

May 16, 2012
San Francisco's parks are being "loved to death," said the city's parks manager. Officials are proposing a $195 million bond to fund playground safety, water conservation, forestry and trail maintenance. Source: San Francisco Examiner.

Tags: San Francisco - Recreation and Park Dept. |

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