Check Out What Happened Last Week at the BLM: March 31 - April 4, 2015

On April 1, the National Park Service announced the launch of Find Your Park, a public awareness and education campaign celebrating the milestone centennial anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016 and setting the stage for the next 100 years. Find Your Park encourages people to find their own personal connections within the network of national parks and public lands. In celebration, the BLM featured Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho - jointly managed by BLM and the National Park Service - on the My Public Lands Tumblr.  Visit http://www.findyourpark.com/ to learn more and share park stories. #findyourpark

On April 2, the BLM Oregon/Washington spotted the first harbor seal pup at the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area.  The photos of the seal's early arrival was a favorite on My Public Lands Tumblr and My Public Lands Instagram,

Also last week, the BLM released more than 1,300 ewes and their lambs on the Fort Ord National Monument in California. The BLM manages the sheep annual grazing program to reduce fire danger, encourage the growth of native plants, and control non-native species. Check out the photos on My Public Lands Tumblr.

The BLM continued its new #WomeninSTEM Wednesday series on My Public Lands Tumblr with a post about Rebecca Newton, Wildlife Biologist for the BLM South Dakota Field Office.  View all #WomeninSTEM Wednesday posts at http://mypubliclands.tumblr.com/tagged/WomeninSTEM.

And the BLM celebrated all things spring - wildflowers, Easter baskets, and spring views on public lands - on its My Public Lands Tumblr and My Public Lands Instagram.

CHECK OUT WHAT HAPPENED #LASTWEEKATTHEBLM: MARCH 23 - 27, 2015

Social Media Highlights

We've been featuring the My Public Lands Magazine. Plan your next trip and enjoy the full online version of the My Public Lands Magazine, Spring 2015. For more photos of each location, visit our My Public Lands Flickr. 

We continued our #WomenInSTEM Wednesday campaign. Each Wednesday, BLM’s social media will post about women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, also known as STEM. Last week, we featured a story about Niki Cutler, Hydrologist for BLM-Nevada’s Sierra Front Field Office who took local 8th grader Mattie on a field trip as a “youth exposure to Natural Resource/ Hydrology opportunity”. See the post here: http://tmblr.co/Z9wNeu1gk9YNF

We celebrated the San Juan Islands National Monument’s 2nd Birthday with beautiful employee photos and historic photos for Throwback Thursday. 

Internal News

We are highlighting BLM careers across the agency with wonderful employee stories. We featured BLM-Nevada and their recent career fair outreach, BLM-California Park Rangers and the Department of Interior highlighted a BLM-Montana Botanist.

CHECK OUT WHAT HAPPENED #LASTWEEKATTHEBLM: MARCH 16 - 20, 2015

News and Events

Interior Department released final rule to support safe, responsible hydraulic fracturing activities on public and tribal lands. “Current federal well-drilling regulations are more than 30 years old and they simply have not kept pace with the technical complexities of today’s hydraulic fracturing operations,” Secretary Jewell said. “This updated and strengthened rule provides a framework of safeguards and disclosure protocols that will allow for the continued responsible development of our federal oil and gas resources. As we continue to offer millions of acres of public lands for conventional and renewable energy production, it is absolutely critical the public have confidence that transparent and effective safety and environmental protections are in place.” Read the press release.

Social Media Highlights

The March #conservationlands15 social media takeover, with beautiful landscapes full of wonder and scientific discovery was a weekend hit. We ended with our monthly top 15 - a short list of cool dinosaur discoveries on the BLM’s National Conservation Lands. View all #conservationlands15 posts.

In honor of Women’s History Month, an annual celebration of the contributions of women throughout history, we kicked off our #WomenInSTEM Wednesday campaign. Each Wednesday, BLM’s social media will post about women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, also known as STEM. Last week, the we featured a story about “Women in Archaeology” from BLM-Idaho.

We welcomed Spring with California desert wildflowers from A to Z by BLMer Lara Kobelt! 

Internal News

BLM Cadastral Land Surveyor Matt Campos shared his behind-the scenes story of a rare opportunity that brought him and other surveyors back to the days of the Cadastral Survey, where all projects were completed by camping and with pack trains.  View the full story HERE.

Check out what happened #lastweekattheblm: Jan. 12-16, 2015

News and Events

Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell last week issued a statement on the Obama Administration’s goal to cut methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by 40 – 45 percent from 2012 levels by 2025, a key effort in the President’s Climate Action Plan: "Reducing methane emissions is an important part of the picture as we work collaboratively with federal, state, local and industry partners to harness America's domestic energy potential while also tackling climate change. This strategy will help improve public health and safety, and ensure a fair return to taxpayers for developing federal oil and gas resources." Read the press release.

Social Media Highlights

On Jan. 15, the BLM kicked off its year-long #conservationlands15 social media campaign.  In 2000, Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt linked special landscapes designated by the President or Congress into one conservation system named the National Landscape Conservation System, or National Conservation Lands. As a part of the 15th anniversary celebration this year, our National Conservation Lands team will take over the BLM’s national social media accounts on the 15th of each month.  Follow along each 15th as the team posts beautiful landscapes, employee and intern stories, cool science info, and much more.  View the Jan. 15 #conservationlands15 posts.

The BLM shared additional Winter Bucket List locations on social media last week. Each day of winter, the BLM’s social media accounts will feature a location ready-made for everyone’s bucket list - for spectacular winter scenery, unique features and events, and even a few warmer locations for a winter getaway. Follow the bucket list series on My Public Lands Tumblr and My Public Lands Instagram.  You also can download the photos from our Winter Bucket List album on My Public Lands Flickr. 

Internal News

 In honor of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Observance, the Department of the Interior and the BLM on Jan. 14 held a special presentation of "The March" – the story behind the historic 1963 March on Washington, as narrated by Denzel Washington.  View the full internal story, republished on Interior’s website. 

Check Out What Happened Last Week at the BLM: Jan. 5-9, 2015

News and Events

Capping a year of progress for public land priorities, BLM Director Neil Kornze last week highlighted major accomplishments of the BLM in 2014, including major steps forward for energy, conservation, and public engagement.  Read the press release.

On Jan. 6, the BLM released data summarizing oil and gas permitting, leasing, drilling, and production activity for fiscal year 2014. The BLM continues to focus on meeting inspection and enforcement responsibilities on the expanding portfolio of oil and gas activities on public land. Read the press release.

Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell last week issued a Secretarial Order calling for a comprehensive science-based strategy to address the more frequent and intense wildfires that are damaging vital sagebrush landscapes and productive rangelands, particularly in the Great Basin region of Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, and California. Read the press release.

Social Media Highlights

Last week, the BLM shared an “In Case You Missed It” post about its BLM 2014 Highlights about the agency’s work on public lands last year.  Read the My Public Lands Tumblr post.

The BLM shared additional Winter Bucket List locations on social media last week. Each day of winter, the BLM’s social media accounts will feature a location ready-made for everyone’s bucket list - for spectacular winter scenery, unique features and events, and even a few warmer locations for a winter getaway. Follow the bucket list series on My Public Lands Tumblr and My Public Lands Instagram.  You also can download the photos from our Winter Bucket List album on My Public Lands Flickr. 

Check Out What Happened Last Week at the BLM: Dec. 22-26, 2014

The Department of the Interior last week shared a video of holiday greetings from agency employees – on location from the lands and waters they manage of behalf of the American people.  Watch the video now.

Last week, the BLM began posting BLM 2014 Highlights on social media.  The end-of-year posts will continue through Jan. 4 – rounding out ten highlights of 2014.  Follow along on My Public Lands Tumblr.

The BLM shared its first few Winter Bucket List locations on social media last week. Each day of winter, the BLM’s social media accounts will feature a location ready-made for everyone’s bucket list - for spectacular winter scenery, unique features and events, and even a few warmer locations for a winter getaway. Follow the bucket list series on My Public Lands Tumblr and My Public Lands Instagram.  You can download the photos from our Winter Bucket List album on My Public Lands Flickr. 

On social media last week, the BLM continued its BLMers Giving Back series about employees who go the extra mile to serve their communities and help those in need.  Check out their stories on http://mypubliclands.tumblr.com/tagged/givingback

Check Out What Happened Last Week at the BLM: Dec. 15-19, 2014 

News and Events

On Dec. 19, the Department of the Interior announced the release of a draft proposed federal regulation by the Office of Natural Resource Revenue governing the valuation of federal oil and gas, and federal and American Indian coal resources, as well as expanded guidance on the production of coal on public lands issued by the BLM. Both initiatives seek to provide greater clarity and certainty for the energy industry and are part of the Department’s larger effort to help ensure the American public receives every dollar due for domestic energy resources. Following public comment, the BLM will proceed with final consideration of the projects. Read the press release. 

Social Media Highlights

On the first official day of winter, the BLM kicked off its BLM Winter Bucket List series. Each day of winter, the BLM’s social media accounts will feature a location ready-made for everyone’s bucket list - for spectacular winter scenery, unique features and events, and even a few warmer locations for a winter getaway. Follow the bucket list series on My Public Lands Tumblr.

On social media last week, the BLM continued its “BLMers #givingback” series about employees who go the extra mile to serve their communities and help those in need.  Follow their stories throughout the holiday season on My Public Lands Tumblr with hashtag #givingback: http://mypubliclands.tumblr.com/tagged/givingback.

Every August, BLM Utah and its sister agencies partner with the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah to host outdoor fun and learning for native youth at Camp Kwiyamuntsi. Watch the newly-released video about the camp on YouTube.

Check Out What Happened Last Week at the BLM: October 27-31, 2014

News and Events

The BLM has recognized four companies for advancing the use of sustainable development in their work on public lands. Michael Nedd, the BLM Assistant Director for Energy, Minerals and Realty Management, announced the winners of the Reclamation and Sustainable Mineral Development Awards on Oct. 27. “The award recipients are outstanding examples of leadership and environmental responsibility in the hardrock mining industry,” Assistant Director Nedd said. “These mineral resources are critical to America's infrastructure and vital to the economic well-being of many communities.” Read the press release.

The BLM on Oct. 29 released the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Greater Mooses Tooth Unit oil and gas development project (GMT1), opening the way for the first production of oil and gas on federal land in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska and providing a new source for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System. “Reaching this stage of permitting is a major milestone for the project and for the future of balanced, responsible Federal oil production in the NPR-A,” said BLM Director Neil Kornze. Read the press release.

Social Media Highlights

Last week, the BLM highlighted Areas of Environmental Concern administered by BLM states across the country. Congress mandated the designation of ACEC through the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. These areas are places where special management attention is needed to protect and prevent irreparable damage to important historic, cultural and scenic values; fish, wildlife resources or other natural systems or processes; or to protect human life and safety from natural hazards.  Read posts on My Public Lands Tumblr, to include a page dedicated to the five things you should know about ACEC. Visit My Public Lands Flickr for a collection of ACEC photos.

The BLM celebrated National Bat Week with multiple posts about bat research and parternships for research on BLM-administered lands. Read the posts on My Public Lands Tumblr.

To emphasize historical resources, the BLM last week posted information about BLM-administered Ghost Towns and Spooky Places for Halloween and the fall season. Check out these unique places on on My Public Lands Tumblr and My Public Lands Instagram.  Browse the entire photo collection on My Public Lands Flickr.

Internal News Features

To help simultaneously manage public safety and protect bat populations, for the last five years the BLM's Abandoned Mine Lands Program has partnered with Bat Conservation International.  Read the story, republished on the Department of the Interior’s website.