Lead poisoning threatens rare wild condor chick

In April National Parks Traveler reported on the first condor chick to hatch in the wild in 100 years.

Now they report that toxic levels of lead is threatening the 50-day-old hatchling. Initially treated with chelation - a calcium EDTA injection that binds with heavy metals to avoid tissue retention - the chick's health continued to decline and biologists evacuated it to a special treatment facility.

Lead poisoning has been an on-going problem for condor populations. Condors are exclusively scavengers, feeding on a wide range of dead mammals. Research has established that the principle source of lead exposure among condors is lead ammunition.

Lead Ammunition has been banned for the taking of big game in a wide region of central and southern California, although that move has been a controversial one for some hunters. Park officials note that shooters who have made the switch to non-lead ammunition have made an invaluable contribution to the health of scavenging wildlife.

Lead levels were also found to be toxic in the condor father and he was also given chelation at the Los Angeles Zoo. Biologists are also trying to trap the mother condor to determine is she also has been exposed to lead.

Read the full story: Bad news for condor chick at Pinnacles National Monument

Photo by Gavin Emmons / National Park Service

Natural wonder of Pinnacles National Monument

San Jose Mercury News reports on the natural sights at nearby Pinnacles National Monument:

The secluded 24,000-acre jewel is San Jose's nearest national wilderness. Yet it is largely unknown to the travelers on nearby Highway 101, hurling themselves toward San Francisco or Los Angeles.

"It's spectacular, and it's in our own backyard," says Jo Feeney of Los Altos, hiking with husband Hal up the steep Condor Gulch Trail along wildflowers and a waterfall. "I can't believe we've been all the way to South Africa's national parks, and have never been here."

The Pinnacles can be sampled in a single day — but visit soon. In April and May, its creeks still gurgle with water and its paths are decorated with colorful poppies, buttercups, lupines and paintbrush. By summer, temperatures reach a scorching 100 degrees.

Read the full story: Pinnacles National Monument: A Nearby Geologic Wonder

Rare condor chick hatches in CA NP

National Parks Traveler reports on the first condor chick in over a century to hatch in California's Pinnacles National Monument.

Condors were put on the federal endangered species list in 1967, captive breeding programs began in the 80s to ward off complete extinction and reintroduction to Southern California began in the 90s.

The parents of this newly hatched chick were released into the wild and were seen doing courtship rituals last winter.

National Park Service Wildlife Biologist Daniel George reports that the first-time parent condors have been exhibiting normal behavior, regularly feeding and incubating the new nestling. He notes, "The milestone highlights regional efforts to bring the condor back from the brink of extinction."

The park has some tips for anyone interested in coming to view the birds:

Although the areas directly around the nest cliff will be closed to public use for the duration of the nesting period, public viewing is still possible. The strenuous hike to the viewing area is approximately two miles from the closest East or West Side parking areas. From the west, the elevation gain is approximately 1100 feet, and from the east it is over 1200 feet. Please ask in park Visitor Centers for more complete directions to the viewing area.

Read the full story: Condor chick is first to hatch in over a century at Pinnacles National Monument

Photo from NPS

Earth Day = green travel

Smarter Travel reports on green travel for Earth Day.

Tips to be greener include:

• use less paper napkins
• walk instead of drive
• reuse hotel towels
• use reusable water bottles
• visit a farmer's market
• take shorter showers
• stay in an eco-friendly hotel

This month, resorts are offering a variety of eco-programs and deals. Opt for Santa Fe's Eldorado Hotel & Spa and save 15 percent with a "go green save your green" deal. The San Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort offers free eco-education activities until April 24. (Dolphin Monday, anyone?) In California, Loews Coronado Bay Resort invites families to explore a state beach with an environmental educator and then help with a beach cleanup. The Hyatt Regency Monterey lets you buy a tree sapling with proceeds to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Or book in April with Planeterra and receive a 10 percent discount on all volunteer travel.

Read the full story: Traveling green on Earth Day

Photo from hotelplanner.com

Five California Bay Area outdoor escapes

San Jose Mercury News reports on five outdoor experts' local escapes.

Kayaking, biking, horse back riding, hiking and star-gazing are covered.

Read the full story: Wanderlust

Photo from ROMP

Catch a jumbo squid in CA

The Los Angeles Times reports on the jumbo squid swarm off Newport Beach that has created a fishing frenzy.

The invasion of the jumbo squid in Orange County -- not to be confused with the exceedingly rare and much larger giant squid -- has prompted fishing-boat operators to add nighttime voyages.

The operators have reported that since Thursday evening, anglers have landed more than 1,000 of the squid.

Scientists say El Nino conditions and global warming are most likely bringing the cephalopds into the area.

Read the full story: Jumbo squid ink-jet their way to Newport Beach

Photo by Liz Garcia / Newport Landing Sportfishing

Kayaking down restored California river

Fresno Bee reporter Mark Grossi reports on his kayak trip down the newly restored waters of Central California's San Joaquin River.

The Friant Dam, that had caused the river to be mostly dry for "the last several decades," has been releasing more water since October 1 due to a federal restoration project, thus making a boat trip possible.

The river's green section from Friant Dam to Gravelly Ford is familiar to many boaters. Officials continuously release water from the dam for riverside property owners, and the river never died here.

But 38 miles downstream at Gravelly Ford, the flow dwindles to nothing in most years. Now, with extra water flowing, that stretch is waking from a half-century of slumber. West of Kerman, the San Joaquin is a gorgeous desert river meandering around cobble islands -- piles of large stones -- as screeching swallows fly in every direction.

Read the full story: Trip tests waters of revived San Joaquin

Photo by Mark Crosse / The Fresno Bee

Food recycling mandatory now in SF

NPR reports on the new law in San Francisco that makes recycling food scraps mandatory.

It's the first program of its kind in the nation [that requires all businesses and residences to recycle organic waste], and so far, it's a mandate San Franciscans seem to relish. In fact, many residents and landlords began implementing the law before it took effect, using their city-provided food recycling bins to separate waste.

"It doesn't smell so bad," says Linda Corso, the the Cathedral Hill Plaza apartments manager. "Our trash room doesn't stink like it used to."

That's because none of the wet garbage, the food waste, goes down there anymore, Ms. Corso says. Instead, food scraps go into sealed compost bins that get picked up by the city. Corso says the program has significantly trimmed the building's garbage costs.

"We used to have two bins picked up every day," she says. "Now we're down to one bin every day. So we've cut that in half."

Read the full story: Food recycling law a hit in San Francisco

Photo from Recology

Bears prefer minivans

Los Angeles Times travel blog reports on the study showing that bears at Yosemite National Park prefer to break into minivans more than other types of vehicles.

[The] Journal of Mammalogy study [was] drawn from seven years of park data on bear-related break-ins.

Analyzing reports on 908 Yosemite Valley vehicle break-ins, authors Stewart W. Breck, Nathan Lance and Victoria Seher classified automobiles in nine categories. They found that 26% of the victimized vehicles were minivans.

The authors offer four possible reasons, beginning with one that won’t surprise many parents of small children. Perhaps, the authors say, the black bears like minivans because “minivans are more likely to emit food odors, based on the fact that minivans are designed for families with children, who are more likely to spill food and drink in a vehicle."

Read the full story: Yosemite bears' car of choice

Photo by Gary Kazanjian / Associated Press

Take kids to new green theme park

Reuters blogs reports on the new California theme park with an environmental focus.

Environmentaland, created by nonprofit environmental group Global Inheritance, opened this month in Hollywood.

Visitors can ride a see-saw on an energy playground to power up their cell phone, putt on a desert mini golf course and fly airplanes from recycled paper. This past weekend, visitors could arm wrestle a polar bear in a climate change quiz challenge for a chance to win prizes.

Read the full story: Mickey Mouse meets Mr. Polar Bear at green theme park

LA farmers market to celebrate 75th year

The Los Angeles Farmers Market celebrates its 75th year this month.

The iconic market at Third and Fairfax in L.A. will mark its birthday with a weeklong celebration in the middle of the month.

Events include a July 14 "Taste of Farmers Market," 5-9 p.m. (tickets are $20 or with drinks, $25); a July 15 karaoke contest on the West Patio stage; and a "Big Birthday Bash" party for the public July 16 beginning at 8 a.m., including free cupcakes and a huge cake shaped like the market's clock tower. Live music will be offered July 16-19, and programs for kids will be available July 18-19. Details: www.farmersmarketla.com.

Read the full story: Farmers Market in Los Angeles celebrates 75th year

Don't log those burned trees

The Sacramento Bee reports on environmentalists' concerns over removal of burned logs in South Tahoe.

Environmental groups are crying foul over a U.S. Forest Service project to remove burned trees along roads and trails in the 3,100-acre fire area.

The Forest Service says the trees were a threat because they could topple on unwary hikers. Backers of the logging say the former burn zone will be better for all the work.

Critics fear the project bodes ill for a bigger plan to thin 68,000 acres of overgrown forest surrounding Lake Tahoe in order to avoid future severe fires.

Read the full story: Environmentalists fear for Tahoe amid logging in burned Angora area

Take out in CA, but not in styrofoam

Environmental News Network reports that Palo Alto, California will ban polystyrene take out food containers next year.

Palo Alto will join 22 other coastal California cities to enact the styrofoam ban. San Francisco started the plastic container ban trend in 2007.

The ban extends to containers, clam shells, bowls, plates, cartons and cups. However, it does not affect straws, utensils or hot up lids. In January, Palo Alto stopped accepting polystyrene packing peanuts and polystyrene blocks used in consumer goods packaging. But while the ban will reduce Palo Alto’s waste, that’s not the initial intention of the prohibition. The current economic recession carried a lot of weight for lawmakers proposing the ban.

Read the full story: Styrofoam ban grows in California

Seattle has already banned these containers (picture above) as written about in The Seattle Times "All you can eat" blog by Nancy Leson.

LA River revitalization?

Plenty Magazine reports on the planned revitalization of the Los Angeles River and writer Frederick Reimers takes an illegal kayak trip down the length to check it out.

[In 2007] the city council adopted the $2 billion, 20-year Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan, an incredibly ambitious blueprint of 238 potential projects, from creating parks and bike paths to reducing flooding and removing concrete banks to restoring wildlife habitats, wetlands sites, and recreational boating opportunities.

But months after the council’s decision, the Army Corps of Engineers jeopardized the plan by ruling that the waterway isn’t traditionally navigable and is, therefore, exempted from the Clean Water Act.

Reimers three-day kayak trip however was successful. Police didn't arrest his group, he encountered other people interested in river revitalization, and the ending at Long Beach came to a bird-filled finale.

Read the full story: Kayaking the Los Angeles River

Solar panels fuel Death Valley resort

National Parks Traveler reports on the one-megawatt private solar panel system installed and used by Death Valley, California resort group Xanterra.

The large (five football fields size) photovoltaic array is expected to generate two-million kilowatt hours of electricity annually.

"Chris Lane, Xanterra's Vice-President of Environmental Affairs, says they are on track to generate 2 million kWh for the first year. During mid-day in the summer, the system has produced as much as 75% of the total electric power used by the company's Furnace Creek facilities."

Read the full story: New solar power system puts this park in forefront of alternative energy use

CA to boost economy by combating global warming

The Sacramento Bee reports on the recently released study that shows California will actually get a boost to their economy by combating global warming.

The state analysis predicts that the Golden State's mandate to cut vehicle and industry greenhouse gas emissions by one-third in the next 12 years will increase the economy, even though the measures are costly:

"The study, generated from computer models, shows that the bulk of the economic benefits will come from investments in costlier but more efficient vehicles, appliances and industrial equipment that more than pay for themselves by 2020, the deadline for meeting the targeted reductions."

Read the full story: Global warming fight will boost California economy, study says

CNN.com's biofuel road trip

Two fellows from CNN.com did an experimental road trip this summer in a truck outfitted for biodiesel consumption.

Cody McCloy and Brian Hardy drove from San Francisco to Atlanta in their newly purchased - yet old school - biodiesel vehicle (pictured right).

They mapped out biodiesel refilling stations ahead of time, but sometimes these stations wouldn't be open, so sometimes they needed to use regular diesel.

All in all they drove 4,189 miles, used 81.39 gallons of biodiesel, and 74.67 gallons of regular diesel.

Read the full story: My biofuel road trip: Hot as hell, eco-friendly

Pacific Grove, the tourist and car-free alternative to Monterey

The San Francisco Chronicle has a story for those travelers who want to experience the beautiful area of the Monterey Peninsula without the tourist and vehicle overload.

Pacific Grove, just northwest of Monterey, is easy to enjoy by walking and best of all doesn't have the crowds like its more touristy neighbor. There are scenic walks through the downtown and along the coast, where you can also go by bike.

"After exploring downtown (all five or six blocks of it), stroll north three blocks on 17th Street to find Monterey Bay, Lovers Point Park and the Adventures by the Sea rental office, where you can pick up bikes. Lovers Point is the southern terminus of the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail (the other end is 18 miles north in Castroville), but there's an unpaved trail that continues (most of the time) along the coast, weaving along the narrow slice of land between Ocean View Boulevard and the bay."

Read the full story: Quiet, compact Pacific Grove best suited to going car-free

Controversy over CA mountain renaming

McClatchy Newspapers reports on the efforts by California Democratic leaders to name a Sierra Nevada mountain peak after the late environmentalist David Brower.

David Brower, an environmentalist for most of his life, founded and was the director of the Sierra Club from 1952-1969.

Democratic Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer said in a statement that "naming the North Palisade Peak after David Brower is a fitting tribute to a man who loved the High Sierra and all of America's wilderness."

Republican Rep. Devin Nunes - whose district is where the proposed peak lies - is opposed to the renaming because he says: "the radical environmentalists' agenda is hurting my constituents."

Read the full story: Senators want to name peak after late Sierra Club leader

CA airport unveils solar power system

The Fresno Bee reports on the installation of the nation's largest solar power system to power an airport.

Fresno Yosemite International now houses solar grids that will power 40 percent of the airport's energy needs.

The city will also buy energy generated by the solar grid at set rates for the next 20 years.

Read the full story: Fresno airport puts sun to work