California NewsBytes 1063

Sun shining down on a river near a green embankment.

Top Stories from California’s Public Lands

Carrizo Plain Anniversary Celebration April 10

A special celebration at Carrizo Plain National Monument on April 10 will bring together partners for exhibits and tours at the Guy L. Goodwin Education Center. It is an opportunity to highlight 25 years of this remarkable landscape and celebrate America’s 250th birthday. We invite readers to learn more in the full press release.

During wet springs, the normally dry Carrizo Plain comes alive with a profusion of indescribable wildflower displays. The National Monument conserves the largest array of T&E wildlife in CA and is a great example of a BLM-State and NGO (Nature Conservancy) partnership. (Photo by Bob Wick)
Carrizo Plain National Monument. Photo by Bob Wick.

 

Fee Free Days Return in 2026

Fee Free Days are back for 2026, offering opportunities to visit BLM California public lands without entrance fees on select dates throughout the year. Mark your calendar and enjoy the diverse landscapes we manage, from deserts, coastlines, mountains, and more. Find your next adventure.

riders and horses pass a blm sign on a hose trail in the fall colors.
Southside Trail at Hobo Camp. Photo by Jesse Pluim, DOI.

From the Field

Volunteers Support Lost Coast Trail Access

The BLM and volunteers from Cal Poly Humboldt and the CCC Watershed Stewards Program spent time on the Lost Coast Trail removing invasive plants by hand in the King Range Wilderness. Their work helps improve access and supports the care of this well-known stretch of California’s public lands. Check out some more photos of their work on Facebook.

a volunteer in a blue shirt helps to remove low laying weeds near the ocean.
Cal Poly Humboldt volunteer works on the Lost Coast. Photo by Kacie Hallahan, BLM.

 

Fish Passage Restored at Paynes Creek

A key fish passage improvement on public lands at Paynes Creek is helping open the creek to migrating steelhead, salmon, and lamprey. The project also improves water flow efficiency and highlights how BLM and its partners are supporting healthier watersheds. See the Paynes Creek fish passage video on Facebook.

sun rays shine onto a creek and fish seen just below the surface.
Paynes Creek, Photo by Alden R. Neel.

 

Seymour's Question of the Week

BLM’s mascot, Seymour the Antelope, challenges you to learn more about the life and ecology of your public lands. Check out this week’s question and see if you know the answer.

a tan lizard stares into the desert on a hot day.
Blunt-nosed leopard lizard. Photo by Russ Namitz, BLM.

Which statement about the blunt-nosed leopard lizard is actually true?

A. It escapes the heat by hiding in burrows, and it mainly eats insects like grasshoppers.
B. It spends most of its time climbing trees to hunt birds.
C. It lives on a diet of seeds, berries, and cactus pads.
D. It travels long distances each year to cooler places.

Scroll down for the answer!

Ways to Get Involved

Volunteer Camp Hosts Needed for 2026 Season

The BLM is seeking volunteer camp hosts for the 2026 recreation season at North Eagle Lake Campground near Susanville and Pit River Campground near Fall River Mills. Camp hosts live on site, welcome visitors, share local knowledge, and help keep these popular Northern California campgrounds running smoothly. Learn more.

trapezoid sign in the shrubs of a forest. sign says North Eagle Lake Campground.
North Eagle Lake Campground. Photo by Jesse Pluim, DOI.

OMSP Refresher Training Opens for EMS Professionals

BLM California is hosting an Operational Medical Support Program refresher training April 21–23, 2026, in El Dorado Hills, welcoming both returning providers and new EMS professionals. The training prepares EMRs and EMTs to deliver essential medical support to operational teams working in remote field environments across California. Learn more. 

group of people in yellow nomex act out an ems training in a green field.
Operational Medical Support Program refresher training April 21–23, 2026, in El Dorado Hills.

Current USAJOBS Postings for BLM CA:

Inside Interior

Explore the latest videos from the U.S. Department of the Interior, featuring stories from across public lands, American energy, conservation efforts, and the people who support them. 

Inside Interior text over an image of a lake shore.
Inside Interior, Photo by DOI.

Answer to Seymour's Question of the Week

Answer: A)
As temperatures rise, adult blunt-nosed leopard lizards seek refuge in burrows. Their diet mainly consists of insects, especially grasshoppers. 


Did you know? Blunt-nosed leopard lizards grow to about 4.5 inches long, not including the tail. They are found only in California’s San Joaquin Valley and nearby areas, where they live in dry, open land with scattered shrubs. See more on Facebook.