| In This Newsletter: | | Happy Twenty-fifth Anniversary to our National Conservation Lands System! Featuring and protecting breathtakingly beautiful land, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) highlights sites with critically important cultural, biological, and scientific values in this system, including our very own Amargosa Wild and Scenic River. Read about this treasure here: https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/california/amargosa-wsr - Janet Foley |
| | | Tarantulas of the Amargosa Basin, By Cameron Mayer | The fall season is upon us, and that means several things in the desert: cool mornings, ever-present wind, and our favorite arachnids roaming around the landscape. Yes - tarantulas! About the size of the palm of your hand, these eight-legged critters are both creepy and fascinating, and it's the perfect time of year to see them! My first encounter with a tarantula in the Amargosa Basin came in the fall of 2023 on a trip to Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge for a meeting. Afterwards, as I drove down the highway towards Pahrump, I spotted what almost looked like a black spot in the road, looking again to realize that it was in fact a large spider rumbling its way towards the same destination. I pulled over immediately and, with all the best intentions, attempted to rescue the tarantula from the dangerous roadway before another car could come. Not realizing my offer to help, the tarantula prepared to defend itself from me, rearing up and bearing its fangs in my direction, while assuming I was a large predator with intentions to harm. From a safer distance, this reaction delighted me. Fortunately, the tarantula was coaxed to safety and made their way in another direction. I like to think that we both had a unique first-time experience that day! Why do tarantulas move around every October, and why don’t we usually see them the rest of the year? The short answer is mating. Male tarantulas seek female companionship to fulfill their life mission of creating the next generation, and the fall season (October and early November generally) makes for the perfect time to do so after a burning summer, and a not yet arrived frigid winter. Most of the time, they remain underground in burrows, and come out at night in search of food. You are likely to see them on roadways and trails across the Amargosa and into Death Valley. If you see one, keep a safe and respectful distance and allow them to go on their way without harassment. Despite their creepy appearance, they are most definitely more afraid of you than you are of them. Fun fact to highlight the spooky season: Tarantula hawks, a type of wasp, which also exist in the Amargosa, hunt down male tarantulas as they search for their mate. The female tarantula hawk then stings the poor tarantula, paralyzing him, and the hawk then takes the tarantula back to her lair to lay her eggs inside the tarantula (while it’s ALIVE!). The young wasp larvae eat their host from the inside out. Gnarly! |
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| | Getting to Know FAB: Our newest board member, Matthew Kingsley | Matt is a forestry expert with training from Sierra Junior College (1976) in Forestry Management, and specialized training in Wildland Fire Suppression, Fuels Management, Aviation and Fire Leadership. He worked until 2007 as a Wildland Fire Fighter for the US Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM), including in the Tahoe National Forest (NF), Sierra National Forest, Inyo National Forest, and out of the Bishop BLM Field Office. He has been employed by both the US Department of Agriculture and US Department of the Interior. He retired as Interagency Fire Chief with the BLM and USFS after 35 years as a career Wildland Firefighter. As Interagency Chief, he was responsible for managing a $10M budget, providing leadership for 130 employees, oversight and direction for the Interagency vegetation management program, environmental planning, personnel and administrative management, and all aspects of the fire suppression, aviation, and fire prevention program for the Inyo NF and the Bishop BLM Field Office. Since that time, he served as Office Manager for Rio Tinto Minerals (US Borax) out of Lone Pine, CA. He was elected in November 2008 to the Lone Pine Unified School District Board of Directors, and he served as Board President for two years (2011-12). In 2012, he was elected as Inyo County’s 5th District Supervisor. He also served on committees including: AG Commission, Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District Board, Local Transportation Commission, Interagency Visitor Center Board of Directors, and Inyo County Representative to Los Angeles / Inyo Co. Standing Committee, among others. Matt served as Inyo County’s representative on Rural County Representees of California (RCRC) for 10 years and was elected Chair of the 40 member state-wide organization in 2019, serving as an executive board member for 6 years. He was also selected to the board of Golden State Natural Resources (GSNR) in 2019, and served as President for 4 years of this public/private corporation with the mission of bringing together committed public and private entities with expertise and resources to restore forests in California to a state of wildfire resiliency. Further affiliations - Lone Pine Lions: member since 1998, served two terms as President (2007,2011), Lone Pine Chamber of Commerce: member since 2000, Vice President 2011. Matt notes that Inyo County’s 5th District is a vast and diverse area made up of small communities and exceptional landscapes, including Death Valley National Park, Owens Dry Lake, and Mount Whitney. A huge percentage (98%) of the land in Inyo County is owned by federal, state, or city governmental agencies, including the USFS, BLM, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, CA State Lands Commission, and the National Park Service, making communication and interaction with leaders of these agencies critical to the protection and enhancement of Inyo County’s interests. Welcome Matt to the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Amargosa Basin. The Monument feels closer than ever with this kind of passion and talent! |
| | Diversity of our Federal Lands: Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, By Janet Foley | Over the last few newsletters, we’ve featured a couple of different “categories” of federal land and here we are at last, discussing a national monument. Originally created in 2015 by a proclamation from President Obama, and expanded by Presidential Proclamation by President Biden in 2024, this monument includes BLM and Forest Service lands in the mountains in northern California’s Lake and Napa counties. Activities that take place here include hiking, rafting, horseback riding, and use of four-wheel-drive vehicles, motorcycles, or all-terrain vehicles on authorized routes. Typical of some national monuments, although new mining is not allowed, existing mining claims at the time of proclamation ARE allowed to continue. Hunting is also allowed, subject to state and local regulations. All of these activities show that a national monument is NOT a national park but rather a well-managed area where people engage in diverse outdoor activities with an emphasis towards sustainable use and protection. In this way, the land will remain for generations to come. Some of the most notable natural features of the monument are related to the serpentine substrate, a kind of rock and soil that lack calcium, which is an essential nutrient, but have high levels of toxic heavy metals like magnesium, nickel, and chromium. Typically, this is a locally arid ecosystem, as the substrate doesn’t hold water well. Some of the plants are stunted or sparse, but there also are unique specialists, such as adobe lily, drymary dwarf flax, and Indian Valley brodiaea. Across the Monument there are chaparral, oak woodlands, conifer forests, true fir, Jeffrey pine, and Incense cedar-dominated ecosystems. There are threatened and endangered species, including Northern spotted owls, Marten, Fisher, Chinook salmon, and Steelhead. Of course, there are also many other animals and plants. The Bartlett Springs Fault Zone is a geologic wonder of the Berryessa Snow Mountain area. Here you find soda and hot springs, as well as deformed marine fossil-bearing sediments. There are also remaining mercury deposits from past historical gold mining. There is a long cultural history of Yuki, Nomlaki, Patwin, Pomo, Huchnom, Wappo, Lake Miwok, and Wintun people, such that this is considered one of the most linguistically diverse areas in California. There are native people’s seasonal hunting and gathering camps, mineral gathering sites, chert quarries, task sites where tools can be re-sharpened, food sites with grinding stones, pitted boulder petroglyphs, and major village sites with subterranean, earth-covered, round buildings. Euro-American historical sites reflect Spanish and Mexican expeditions, fur trappers for the Hudson Bay Company, and settlement of what became California during the 1840s gold rush. According to Wikipedia, the original creation of the monument was supported by a “coalition of counties and cities in the region (many of which passed resolutions of support), the California State Legislature, the Elem Indian Colony of Pomo Indians, state and local political leaders, local newspaper editorial boards, conservationist and environmental organizations, recreation groups, local business owners and landowners”. You can read all about this important work here: https://www.tuleyome.org/projects/berryessa-snow-mountain-national-monument. |
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| | | Food For the Body and Soul, By Janet Foley | A recipe for Vegan Cold Brew Frappe contributed by Judy Branfman Ingredients: Cold brew coffee Almond milk Dates Screwbean mesquite powder Plus if you want: Cinnamon, vanilla, and/or whatever you like Here’s Janet’s amendments: - Adjust your measurements to your taste. Coffee for the bitterness, any plant milk for richness and a bit of sweetness, and dates for the sweetness.
- Oat milk! LOVE
- You can use date syrup too but since you’re putting all of this in the blender…. Try out different types of China Ranch dates, but just remember to remove the pits first.
- Mesquite powder is not that easy to obtain. There are online specialty retailers you can try. More commonly, you’ll find a South American mesquite which is an adequate substitute. This will give you a punch of protein and sweet/earthy flavor. Check out our next newsletter for an update on screwbean mesquites in the Amargosa. Spoiler alert, Houston, there might be a problem.
- Cinnamon, vanilla, cardamom, turmeric, and a teeny weeny bit of cayenne.
- OK so maybe Janet doesn’t sit well with the subtle flavors.
- Blend it all up, let it be frothy, get your favorite bottle, and bring it along on a hike, maybe the gorgeous trail behind Death Valley Academy in Shoshone (the white trail on the map in front of the Crowbar).
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| A Little Desert Humor | | Shared by our own Board member Dr. Darrel Cowan: "Why did the tortoise cross the road? To get to the Shell Station!" (Think this joke is dumb? Send us your own and we’ll feature it in an upcoming newsletter!!) |
| Events & Notices |  | Tecopa Flea Market - Saturday, November 8th from 8 am - 3pm at the Tecopa community center in Tecopa, CA. FAB will be participating with a giant Amargosa Vole photo-op, custom merchandise, giveaway goodies, and more! Nature Journaling with Teresa Skye - Sunday, November 9th at 9 am! At the Flower building in Shoshone, CA. Registration can be found HERE and on our website. Come learn a new artistic skill and experience the limitless inspiration that the natural beauty of the Amargosa Basin provides! All skill levels welcome. The event will involve professional instruction and a field walk. Registered participants will receive more information prior to date of the workshop. Vole Fest 3 (2026) - Saturday March 21st, 2026. Save the Date! Stay in contact with FAB and follow us on social media, send this newsletter to your friends and co-workers), and check our website (https://friendsoftheamargosabasin.org/) for information, events, updates, and more! |
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| | | | Friends of the Amargosa Basin
PO Box 145 | Shoshone, California 92384
775.513.5065 | info@friendsoftheamargosabasin.org |
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