In 2005, the tribal elders of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band came to Tribal Chairman Valentin Lopez and reminded him that California Indians have a responsibility to steward Creation. Lopez agreed with them, but he had a big problem: no … Read more
Tag: Pinnacles National Monument
Geology
More visitors expected as Pinnacles becomes a national park
Now that it’s officially on the national park circuit, Pinnacles may be seeing more visitors as diehard national park goers add the geological wonder to their bucket lists.
Stewardship
Pinnacles tests out tribe’s fire tradition
When Europeans arrived at what is now Pinnacles National Monument, the land was not exactly a “pristine” or “untouched” vision of nature, but rather a managed ecosystem that itself had become dependent on fires set by the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. Scientists are studying the traditional fire practices to help the ecosystem build greater resilience to major disturbances like climate change.
Fall Issue 2010
Pinnacles National Park, a Year-Round Oasis for Plants, Animals, and People
Volcanic drama, bat caves, diverse wildlife, roadless vistas: Pinnacles National Monument is definitely worth the trip.
Wildlife
The Pinnacles’ First Condor Nest in 100 Years
For the first time in a century, condors are nesting in Pinnacles National Monument, a park of towering cliffs in the Gavilan Mountains east of Monterey Bay. The discovery is thrilling news for park biologists, who have coordinated a condor reestablishment program here since 2003.
Wildlife
Protecting Raptors and Climbers at the Pinnacles National Monument
Every summer, Pinnacles National Monument staff lift seasonal rock climbing closures on several rock formations that close each year to protect nesting raptors. For the last 23 years, park staff have closed routes to climbers to allow the birds to nest undisturbed, and raptor health has stayed high.
Summer Issue 2008
Monterey Birding Festival
Summer in the Bay Area can last well into late September, but by then many birds that overwinter here have already arrived after migrating from the north. While walking through the Monarch Butterfly Nature Preserve at Natural Bridges State Beach … Read more
Winter Issue 2007
Lead Poisoning in California Condors
When California condor number 307 saw biologists capturing other condors at Pinnacles National Monument last summer, she apparently spooked and flew northeast to San Luis Reservoir. By the time she returned three days later, biologists were concerned: Of the ten … Read more
Fall Issue 2004
California Condor Recovery and Releases at Pinnacles
Twenty years ago, we nearly lost the California condor. When only 22 were left in the world, an intensive and controversial captive-breeding program began. The last wild bird was captured in 1987. Wildlife biologists freed the first captive-bred birds in … Read more
Wildlife
Megafauna Resources
To learn more about ancient megafauna and efforts to protect and restore the Bay Area’s megafauna: Megafauna Video Check out our feature article on the Bay Area’s prehistoric megafauna, and then watch KQED’s video on megafauna, part of their Quest … Read more
