SACRAMENTO — The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public nominations for positions that are or will soon become vacant on its California Desert District Advisory Council, Central California Resource Advisory Council and the Northern California District.

The councils consist of citizens with diverse interests in public land management, including conservationists, ranchers, outdoor recreationists, state and local government officials, and energy industry representatives. The councils provide advice to the BLM on public land issues.

“Resource advisory councils assist the BLM with recommendations on a dynamic portfolio of programs from conservation to renewable energy,” said BLM California State Director Karen Mouritsen. “I appreciate our council members for their dedication and willingness to take time out of their busy schedules to provide their advice on the BLM’s management decisions.”

The BLM, which manages more land than any other federal agency, has advisory councils located across the West.

The diverse membership of each council is aimed at achieving a balanced outlook that the BLM needs for its mission, which is to manage the public lands for multiple uses.

The councils are critical in assisting the BLM in continuing to be a good neighbor in communities served by the bureau, providing advice and recommendations on issues including land use planning, fire management, off-highway vehicle use, recreation, oil and gas exploration, noxious weed management, grazing issues, and wild horse and burro herd management issues.

The descriptions for RAC positions are as follows:

• Category one: Public land ranchers and representatives of organizations associated with energy and mineral development, the timber industry, transportation or rights of way, off-highway vehicle use and commercial recreation.

• Category two: Representatives of nationally or regionally recognized environmental organizations, archaeological and historical organizations, dispersed recreation activities, and wild horse and burro organizations.

• Category three: Representatives of state, county, or local elected office; representatives and employees of a state agency responsible for the management of natural resources; representatives of Indian Tribes within or adjacent to the area for which the RAC is organized; representatives and employees of academic institutions who are involved in natural sciences; and the public-at-large.

Nominations must be submitted by June 15. To access the nomination application, go to https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/1120-019_0.pdf.

For more information about serving on the California Desert District Advisory Council, please contact Michelle van der Linden at 760-833-7172 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For more information about serving on the Central California RAC, please contact Philip Oviatt, 661-391-6117 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For more information about serving on the Northern California District RAC, please contact Jeff Fontana at 530-252-5332 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

More information about the RACs is available at https://www.blm.gov/get-involved/resource-advisory-council/near-you/california.

Individuals may nominate themselves or others to serve on an advisory council. Nominees must be residents of California and will be judged based on their training, education, and knowledge of the council’s geographical area.

Nominees should also demonstrate a commitment to consensus building and collaborative decision-making.

All nominations must be accompanied by letters of reference from any represented interests or organizations; a completed background information nomination form; and any other information that speaks to the nominee's qualifications.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. — The Western Region Town Hall will meet on Wednesday, May 18.

The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Habematolel community center, 9460 Main St. in Upper Lake.

Community members also can attend via Zoom. The link is here.

The meeting ID is 982 1265 6300, pass code is 988681. Dial by location: +1 669 900 6833. One tap mobile: +16699006833,,98845551078#,,,,*561090.

The agenda will include further discussion on the failing Upper Lake levee system, fire preparedness, Upper Lake streetlights, candidates’ night, animal control and Special Districts.

County department heads will be present to answer community members' questions.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 8-8 of Lake County has partnered with the Clear Lake State Park to provide a limited number of child and youth life jackets at the Park’s swimming beach.

This loaner program will be on a daily basis and the life jackets returned each day.

The park’s ranger lifeguard will fit the child and advise the parent of the importance of it fitting properly.

With this new program, the Flotilla and the rangers’ concern is to help keep youngsters safe while in and around the water and urge everyone to wear their life jackets.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA — A debate for the candidates in the primary race for California Congressional District 4 will be held on Wednesday, May 18.

The debate is being held in Young Hall on the UC Davis campus beginning at 7 p.m.

It will be livestreamed here.

The entire bipartisan slate of challengers running have signed on board to participate, with the exception of incumbent Rep. Mike Thompson, organizers reported.

There will be 60 minutes of prepared questions followed by 30 minutes of audience questions and answers.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The 20th annual Home Wine & Beer Makers’ Festival, a major fundraiser for the Lake County Symphony Association, takes place from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, at Library Park in Lakeport.

Home brewers and garage wine makers throughout Northern California are invited to participate and supply samples of their product to the public. They also have a chance to win a coveted “Peoples’ Choice” award for their home-made beverages, voted on by event attendees.

There is no booth fee for the amateur wine and beer makers, who have until June 4 to complete and return the application to organizers.

Vendors selling arts and crafts, agricultural products and other products also have until June 4 to complete necessary paperwork and get it back in time to participate. Vendor booth fees are $35. Vendors may bring their own shade canopies or rent one for $25.

Interested home wine and beer makers and vendors can go online to https://www.homewinemakersfestival.com for more details and to download an application.

Questions? Send to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Winefest Chairperson Deborah Welch at 818-481-2068.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Redbud Audubon Society is pleased to host Lauren Schmaltz, the USA Administrator for the World Parrot Trust, for its Thursday, May 19, final program of the season.

The program starts at 7 p.m.

To register, go to www.redbudaudubon.org and click on the registration link on the home page, or, click on the link in The Western Grebe newsletter if you are receiving it by email. All are invited to the program, you don’t have to be a member of Redbud Audubon.

Parrots are the most endangered family of birds in the world. The World Parrot Trust, or WPT, has worked to help conserve more than 80 species of parrot in 43 countries.

Since 1989, the trust has brought together global experts on wildlife conservation and parrot welfare to implement effective programs to protect both wild and companion parrots.

The activities of the WPT include conducting field research on little known species; supporting the rehabilitation, release, and reintroduction of threatened and endangered species; working to end the trade in wild caught parrots; encouraging the protection and restoration of critical habitat areas; promoting community education and engagement through sustainable livelihoods; and advocating for better welfare and care of captive parrots.

This approach also empowers local communities to take ownership of the solutions, so that the progress achieved on behalf of parrots is lasting.

The collaboration between WPT staff, local NGOs, and communities is a hallmark of their success.

The trust seeks a future where the world’s wild parrots have the ongoing protection from human and environmental threats necessary to persist and thrive in the wild, and captive parrots receive the care they deserve from compassionate caregivers in order to flourish.

Lauren Schmaltz administrates the WPT’s programs in the United States. She first became involved with the World Parrot Trust while serving as the director of Echo, a small nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the yellow-shouldered Amazon parrot and its fragile dry forest habitat on the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire.

She returned to the US from Bonaire in 2017, having stepped down from that role to dedicate herself to working full-time with the World Parrot Trust.

Schmaltz completed a dual bachelor’s degree in biology and Spanish and a master’s degree in environmental studies.

In the midst of her studies, Schmaltz also spent several years living overseas in the Galapagos Islands (Ecuador), Costa Rica and Bonaire.

Her keen interest in environmental management, community outreach and education, and sustainable development harmonizes well with WPT’s growing initiatives in parrot conservation, habitat restoration, and community engagement.