I am always skeptical about people opposing new housing next to existing housing, but when it's happening along the edge of Yosemite National Park you have to scratch your head at least a little bit: www.sfchronicle.com/california/a... via @kurtisalexander.bsky.social

Who COULDN’T use some good news? ‘ Scientists with the Yurok Tribe say that two of dozens of condors released to the wild in Humboldt County since 2022, to reestablish the endangered birds, have paired up, built a nest in a redwood tree and appear to be tending to an egg.” #californiacondor

New: Yosemite is doing away with reservations for the summer season. So are Glacier and Arches national parks www.sfchronicle.com/outdoors/art...

A little snow above Boulder Creek, in the Santa Cruz Mountains

We are often given a false dilemma: Western lands must either become ranches or suburban sprawl. Ranchers benefit from this myth. But there is a 3rd way: conservation. Protecting nature for everyone. www.sfchronicle.com/california/a... from @kurtisalexander.bsky.social @sfchronicle.com

Another move by FEMA that could affect disaster response... The agency is reducing the amount paid to local fire departments for helping fight wildfires in the West www.sfchronicle.com/california-w...

New problem for Newsom's Delta Tunnel... Court says California doesn't have the authority to issue bonds to pay for the $20 billion water project, throwing the financing into question: www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...

The proposed Amargosa Basin National Monument sounds rad. It's beautiful desert, if you've never been there. www.sfchronicle.com/california/a... via @kurtisalexander.bsky.social

New... Yosemite National Park has a new top official: Ray McPadden, the acting chief, named superintendent. At one of the most popular parks, McPadden will be tested by overcrowding, staff cuts and declining conditions at restaurants and hotels www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, fresh off a redistricting win, is planning to travel to COP30 in Brazil next week to showcase America’s resolve for addressing the climate crisis.

A year after Klamath River dam removals, salmon are swimming farther than expected, even into irrigation canals near Klamath Falls. Scientists say it’s both a challenge and a sign of recovery. 📰 @kurtisalexander.bsky.social for @sfchronicle.com: www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

Salmon have finally reached the Klamath River headwaters in Oregon. Amazing. www.sfchronicle.com/california/a... via @kurtisalexander.bsky.social

Fresh snow on the Eastern Sierras near Mono Lake #Photography 📷 📸 #Leica #fotografía #foto #Landscape #Sierras

#FridayReads New @sfchronicle.com: 1 in 5 new California homes are built in wildfire zones. That’s causing real issues for communities. 🔌💡

California is running out of safe spots to put homes. A look at 2024 state housing data shows that in many counties, every new home is being built in a wildfire hazard area www.sfchronicle.com/projects/202...

Even if you’re not into snakes, these little guys are charming The S.F. zoo is raising a captive population of San Francisco garter snakes. Scientists plan to begin releasing the endangered snakes in the wild, including these newborns, to boost their numbers www.sfchronicle.com/climate/arti...

New: The Trump administration appears to be working to roll back plans for dam removal on California's Eel River. "Stay tuned," says U.S. Ag Secretary @secrollins.govpeeps.com www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

New: Cotoni-Coast Dairies national monument near Santa Cruz will open Aug. 15. (President Obama designated the monument in 2017, but it’s been closed since for preparations) www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

“Restoration is not a flip-of-the-switch and everything-is-fine endeavor. It took hundreds of years for the basin to get to the way it is now, and it’s going to take time to modify it to suit fish.” Via @sfchronicle.com & @kurtisalexander.bsky.social

Having recently dined at Base Camp Eatery can't say I'm shocked - from @kurtisalexander.bsky.social www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

It’s always nice to hear good conservation news.

New: Tioga Pass at Yosemite National Park (Hwy 120) will open on Monday www.sfchronicle.com/outdoors/art...

The tree die-off that has withered California forests for a decade appears to be easing. New Forest Service data shows tree mortality at a 10-year low www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

Pretty cool... California wildlife officials just unveiled a map showing real-time locations of wolves www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

New: After months of uncertainty, Yosemite National Park announces that its day-use reservation requirement is back for summer Reservations go on sale May 6 www.sfchronicle.com/outdoors/art...

A major California city lost its river. Residents are fighting to revive it By @kurtisalexander.bsky.social www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

Pretty cool discovery... Jeffrey pines were found growing higher than any other known California tree (12,500 feet plus) Birds and climate change are thought to be responsible for the tree's migration, sometimes thousands of feet uphill, per @ucdavis.bsky.social www.sfchronicle.com/climate/arti...

Lots of water at Yosemite right now #MercedRiver Snowpack in the park measured 85% of average at the April peak.

Local, state and tribal leaders have reached a deal to remove two dams on the Eel River, which would make it California's longest free-flowing river: www.sfchronicle.com/california/a... via @kurtisalexander.bsky.social

New: Trump administration halts funding for the captive breeding program for delta smelt. The move follows the president's criticism of the fish, linking the endangered smelt to the lack of water for fighting the fires in Los Angeles www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

Trump says he freed water for California. Locals say it wasn’t needed—Among those baffled by the series of events this week in the San Joaquin Valley was Sen. @alexpadilla4ca.bsky.social D-Calif. “Unscheduled water… www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art... SF Chronicle @kurtisalexander.bsky.social

Yosemite National Park Superintendent Cicely Muldoon has announced that she is stepping down at the end of next month, leaving a hole in the management at one of the nation’s top parks.

ICYMI: Big news at Point Reyes National Seashore... Environmentalists are buying out ranchers in a deal that will forever remove cattle from the park www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

New: President Biden just established the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument in Northern California. It's a pretty amazing place. Here's a little more about it... www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

Just in: California's snowpack measures 108% of average in the state's first snow survey of the season. Most of the cold December storms hit up north. (Some cities in SoCal have seen almost no precipitation the past six months) www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

The beloved, scenic headwaters of the Merced River flow through Yosemite National Park… Then what? The river doesn’t end in the park. Ranchers & ag interests, illegal water draws, poor oversight, and bad water policy are draining this river dry and harming the watershed & imperiled wildlife in it.

It was shocking that a five-mile stretch of the Merced River ran dry two years ago. Now, California water regulators have figured out why. But there's no easy fix Gift link to story: www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

Test driving the new account. Hello.