In the third event in the Lake County Library’s “Know Lake County” lecture series, Redwood Chapter Chair Victoria Brandon has been invited to talk about the remarkable biodiversity of the Berryessa Snow Mountain region. Stretching more than 100 miles from the Snow Mountain Wilderness in the north to south of Lake Berryessa, BSM contains many distinct soil types and terrain, that in turn support amazingly diverse vegetation ranging from rare serpentine meadow wildflowers to towering red firs. Wildlife species include tule elk, bald and golden eagles, and the rare Pacific fisher. Because of the large size and altitudinal variation of the region, and the outstanding connectivity that remains there, it has the potential to provide a refuge for many sensitive species threatened by a changing climate.
As has been mentioned (many times!) Federal legislation to designate the region as a national monument has stalled in Congress, and President Obama has been asked to use his powers under the Antiquities Act to reach the same destination by another, less tortuous route.
The presentation will take place at the Lakeport Library, 1425 N. High Street at 2:00 p.m. on April 18, and it's FREE with no reservation needed. More info
By the way last week brought another milestone in the long campaign for the permanent protection of the BSM region, when the State Senate passed Assembly Joint Resolution 4, sponsored by Assemblyman Bill Dodd and Senator Lois Wolk, urging the President to designate 360,000 acres of federal public lands in the region as a national monument. This official position by the state of California indicates both the importance of the region and the overwhelming local support for protecting it. Thanks to Assemblyman Dodd and Senator Wolk for their sponsorship, and also to Senator Mike McGuire and Assemblyment Jim Wood and Marc Levine for their strong support.
April 14, 2015