Happy Superb Owl Sunday! 🦉 are vital to keeping ecosystems in balance by preventing overpopulation of prey. During my sunset walk last night, an owl flew right over me. I think I heard it ask, “whooo do you want to win the 🏈 game?”* Enjoy the game, & be safe: get a ride if you’re buzzed.

Please take a moment to make your voice heard to protect the Boundary Waters. The vote is being held sometime this week (February 9 - 13). #AltCitizen

Outraged at the racist post the Pedophile Orange Treasonous UnAmerican Shithead made this morning. Using the POTUS acronym because next weekend is Presidents’ Day. Since we don’t have a real president & it’s Black History Month, how about we reclaim it with antiracist activism?

Across Interior, staff are burnt out from constant change of roles & resources, & concerned about directives that run counter to our Bureau’s missions. Well folks, one thing keeping us up at night has been resolved: Office of Surface Mining has a new mascot! Thanks, Burgum! *chokes gasping for air*

#AltCitizen call to action. There is now a second public comment period about oil and gas leasing off the coast of Central and Southern California. Deadline: February 26. For more info and how to provide comments as an individual, business or org, check out:

Struggling to function at work while a morally depraved regime somehow continues to be in power? I needed to pause for a quick guided meditation this morning, & this came to mind. Take 2.5 minutes to yourself & join me in breathing in strength & breathing out BS. Hang in there. Warning: NSFW.

A UAE investor secretly gave Trump $187 million and his top Middle East envoy $31 million. And then Trump gave that investor access to sensitive defense technology that broke decades of national security precedent. Brazen, open corruption. And we shouldn't pretend it's normal.

Well, it’s Monday. Again. It’s also Groundhog Day. The bad news (for those who’ve had enough of winter): Punxatawny Phil says 6 more weeks of winter. The good news: there is also no end in sight to the peaceful blizzard of activism, despite ICE’s violent abuse of power. Take note, ICE:

Many Feds who left over the past year are struggling to find jobs that align with their commitment to public service but orgs like Civic Match are helping. If you’re hiring, just know that former Feds often don’t have experience with conventional resumes, so please look beyond formatting!

Here’s something positive for your Thursday morning as we close out the 12th week of January. 332 cold-stunned sea turtles were rescued this week, thanks to tireless work of multiple organizations and agencies. Feel free to share some positive news that isn’t behind a pay wall. #TimelineCleanse

Colorado River Compact update: California Natural Resources Agency is hosting a webinar tomorrow (Wednesday) 12-1pm Pacific to share info about the challenges of 40m people relying on this water source amidst climate change, & prospects for a shared solution by the Feb 14 deadline. Register here:

Twin Cities folks- you can report ICE sightings to COPAL’s helpline at 612-255-3112 & the Monarca Rapid Response Line at 612-441-2881 If you’re looking to donate support, here is one verified option helping families who are struggling & afraid to leave home to get things they need, like groceries.

Opinion: the media shouldn’t interchangeably refer to ICE as ‘federal’ agents / law enforcement. True federal employees take an oath to defend the constitution, and we follow it. While on the federal payroll (infuriatingly), ICE aggressively violates that oath. Curious to know what others think.

This post was so poorly timed I considered deleting it altogether. I decided to delete the original & post with a disclaimer: at the rate of violence, I fear we don’t have the luxury of waiting for an appropriate time to demand accountability. My heart is with victims, their loved ones & witnesses

I haven’t read up on this topic, so this is just FYI so you know to read up on it. Relatedly, if you’re concerned about privacy, consider using VPN on your devices such as Proton (paid) or Windscribe (free). For more protection, use VPN in combo with a secure browser like DuckDuckGo.

A prestigious peer-reviewed academic journal called Nature released this data analysis & status summary about science in the US over the past year. The format uses a lot of graphics which helps if you’re a visual learner but accessibility could be an issue for others. There isn’t a pay wall.

Colorado River Compact update (thread) The basin states have until February 14 to agree on water sharing amid a severe drought affecting 40 million people. Major disagreements persist between Upper Basin and Lower Basin states on how to manage water cuts.

"I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta & not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” - Dr MLK Jr

On Monday, we honor MLK Jr - recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for brave activism & his role in advancing equality initiatives, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 & Voting Rights Act of 1965. Let his legacy be a reminder that peace, equality & kindness take participation from all of us. ☮️💙✊

While good news on the balance, the priorities are AI, & space related science, including an outpost on the moon. That’s clearly about domination, not science research & innovation. Meanwhile, funding allocated for science that protects the earth & its inhabitants is begrudging & seen as “waste”.

It is not in the interest of the people to reverse a regulation implemented to protect public health simply to expand oil production. If energy independence is so important, why did they try to block construction of permitted wind energy projects?

Some good news from yesterday in case you missed it— A federal judge ruled that it was illegal for Cheeto to cancel $7.6 billion of clean energy project grants in 16 states that went to Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. This should be a given, obviously, but we’ll take the win with gratitude.

Pause for a moment & take a few breaths, then read on. The trauma, shock, fear, confusion, emotional outbursts, anxiety, deep sadness, & the struggles keeping up with basics of daily life - it’s all justified. You’re not alone. You’re doing the best you can. Be kind to yourself. You matter. 💙🫂

Let’s be clear this is bad news for ALL girls. Not only the trans girls who won’t be able to play competitive sports, but girls assigned female at birth who are more masculine presenting. It basically means anyone can challenge a girl to “prove” she’s a girl. Think about what that would entail.

Update on the Colorado River compact: Reclamation has now released a draft Environmental Impact Statement & it doesn’t list a preferred option. A public comment period will last January 16 to March 2. (I haven’t read it yet but if there are specific questions I can try to track down answers.)

ICE has inadvertently given cities all over the US opportunity to show they’re filled with kind, principled, generous, diverse people who believe in speaking up for what’s right even / especially when it’s scary & hard. Often while sharing hugs, food, music, or humor. Makes me proud to be American 💙

This week already feels exhausting. Let’s try a #timelinecleanse Feel free to share a nature photo. I spent a lot of time in the woods yesterday. I paused on a wooden bridge to watch & listen to the water gently glide over & around rocks. May your day contain this level of ease & peace. 💙

Nailed it. 🎯 War with NATO over Greenland is not what anyone wants. Also, bonus points to Senator Murphy for being informed & unapologetically nerdy enough to mention map projections. He is correct: most mainstream maps portray Greenland’s land area disproportionately larger than it is in reality.

You have the right to: - peaceful assembly as a form of resistance & protest. - record law enforcement in public spaces at a safe distance without interfering. - expect law enforcement to follow the law & not abuse power. RIP Renee Nicole Good. May justice prevail for you, & us all. ✊💙

FY26 Continuing Resolution🧵 From FedFam: The current FY 2026 Continuing Resolution runs through Friday, January 30, 2026, and Congress is trying to move multiple funding packages before the deadline. Yesterday, the House Rules Committee took up the first of three expected FY 2026 minibuses…

Pete Hegseth’s abhorrent treatment of Senator & true American patriot Mark Kelly brings to mind the infamous line from the Army-McCarthy hearings: “Have you no sense of decency?” - attorney Joseph Walsh to Joe McCarthy Also, let’s protect these historical records so we never forget.

Thinking out loud thread 🧵 This is a hard day in our nation’s history, not only for what occurred 5 years ago but for the crumbling of our democracy in its wake. If you’ve followed this account for a while, you know I post a mix of science, news, calls to action, humor, hope, and tunes…

Some good news: California’s recent rains are refilling reservoirs at a rapid rate!* 🚰 💦 *yes, the alliteration is on purpose. You’re welcome, fellow word nerds 🤓

Update on the Colorado River Compact. The February 14 deadline extension is fast approaching & Basin stakeholders need to come to consensus fast or Reclamation / DOI will intervene. The issue is dire. Without significant rain the Glen Canyon dam level could be too low to function by end of ‘26.

FIFA taking back their “Peace Prize”

X cost(s) too much but we have the money to run Venezuela X = - public lands - universal healthcare - student loan forgiveness - paid FMLA / disability - scientific research - accessible / universal design - renewable energy - school lunches - humanitarian aid - gender-affirming care - etc

Being called ‘bird brain’ ought be seen as a compliment, given the complex processing power for their size. Scientists are now doing surgery (!) to understand navigation in the *even tinier* brains of monarch butterflies. Try not to feel bad the next time you use your GPS to get across town 🙃 🚗

Whether you are emotionally hungover from 2025, literally hungover from NYE festivities, or both — Here’s some good environmental news as you hydrate, caffeinate, & meditate your way into day one of 2026.

Hey universe, how about something hopeful to kick off the new year, to set the tone? A simple “no” would have worked.

NYE vibe

Kindness and gratitude go a long way. I’d add — there’s a ripple effect. It’s not only the direct givers and receivers of kindness who benefit through enjoyment and desire to pass it on. It’s also enjoyable and inspiring to those who witness kindness.

Love this! I have fond memories of volunteering for Meals on Wheels with my mom as a kid, then at soup kitchens, a residential retirement center, Head Start, & an animal shelter over the years. It reinforced my empathetic nature & increased my gratitude & set me up for a career in civil service.

Merry Christmas 🎄 If you grew up celebrating Christmas & this time of year is tough for you, hang in there. We’re almost through it 💙 Wishing peace, joy, & love to all as I quietly ground myself in nature 🏜️ Photos: desert sky just before and after daybreak, on winter solstice 🌌 🌄

CBS and the regime don’t want you to see this canceled 60 Minutes report on the Venezuelans deported to CECOT concentration camp*. This could be any of us, at any time, for any reason. These are human beings. *Conditions violate global standards, so is not simply ‘a maximum security prison.’

Water thread 💦 🧵 The Colorado River is managed through ten-year agreements. This upcoming draft environmental assessment (with public comment period) is crucial for shaping the next pact, focusing on sustainable water resource sharing among 7 Western states amid evolving environmental challenges.

This story is part of a series on “Lost Science” or more accurately #ScienceUnderSiege because as you well know, @nytimes.com, wording influences interpretation. Science isn’t misplaced. Science is being purposely erased, & federal research projects, programs, & staff are being terminated.

While families beg for the ACA subsidies to be extended, Republicans in DC are more worried about delisting gray wolves from endangered species list. "The bill also blocks any effort to challenge the delisting in court."

Let’s give this article a more apt name. How about ‘Federal Science and Scientists Under Siege’? Mostly sharing from NYT because I appreciate the inclusion of an audio option. Also taking this opportunity to make a plug for donating to conservation nonprofits this year if you have spare change.

You’re having trouble paying for groceries, rent / mortgage, medical costs, gifts, dependent care, etc. Meanwhile, this megalomaniacal monster just wants to rant BS incoherently, and to put his name on everything like a dog that pisses on every shrub.