Anti-logging lawsuits hurt fight against forest fires, officials say*

Rep. McClintock’s Congressional subcommittee hears witnesses that claim suits are harming efforts to reduce the incidence of fire. (Editor’s note: Sadly, it appears no one was there to talk about collaborative groups help to move projects forward without litigation.) Sacramento Bee, May 15  Read More

What is your mountain lion IQ?

A look at coexisting with our local large predator, the mountain lion. Amador Ledger Dispatch, May 8  Read More

Transformation plan threatens state parks*

Parks should be managed to protect their resources, not make a profit, former State Parks’ official says. Sacramento Bee op-ed, May 14  Read More

Calaveras County supervisors decide not to fund AB 142

River conservation opponents persuade supervisors not to support funding for Mokelumne Wild and Scenic study bill they’re still on record as supporting. Union Democrat, May 13  (You must have a paid subscription to read stories in Union Democrat)  Read More

An overview of how new reporting requirements, frost protection regulations, water curtailments, and some pending litigation could affect water rights

Earlier this year, the U.C. Davis Viticulture & Enology Department held a one-day seminar  on Changing Water Regulations and the Impact on Vineyard Management in California which touched on several topics of interest to small- and mid-sized growers. One of the speakers was Paula Whealan, consulting civil engineer with Wagner and Bonsignore, who gave a presentation on the impacts that new regulations in effect this year could have on growers... Read More

A Forest Carbon Future

This report by the Forest Policy Forum, entitled “Sustaining a Forest Carbon Future,” recognizes that the carbon-related benefits of managed forests and the array of products those forests produce – from lumber to paper to packaging to energy – are all essential products that are renewable, reusable and/or recyclable and support forest-based carbon benefits. About The Forest Products Forum: The Forest Products Forum came together... Read More

Changes in land use pose greater threat to aquatic diversity than climate change

For the first time, scientists have modeled the effects of land use changes on the species diversity in rivers and streams. Their results show that the loss of biodiversity is caused to a significantly higher degree by changes in land use practices than by climate change. In consequence, conservation concepts for this valuable ecosystem and the organisms that live in flowing water should be adapted accordingly.  Read Here Science Daily  Read More

Managing Forest Health for Water Resources

Successful forest management plans and a study that found that forest thinning can increase runoff by 20% demonstrate the benefits of upper watershed management. Read Here  Read More

Dams Aren’t The Answer To California’s Drought

The Friends of the River group fought strong winds and currents on the Sacramento River, but they also expect stiff resistance from lawmakers who support the construction of new dams. See CBS NEWS  Read More

How much water are you eating tonight?

All food takes water to grow. This nifty little calculator lets you choose items for your dinner plate, then gives you the average amount of water you’re consuming. Los Angeles Times, May 3  Read More