A lot happened while I was out west. There was a senator’s 250 nm move left and the President’s promise that 3% of the GDP would go to research in science and technology. And you can bet I was elated when the Obama administration overturned Bush’s eleventh-hour rule intended to weaken protections of the Endangered Species Act:
Passed in January 2009, the Bush-era rule lifted the requirement that federal agencies consult wildlife experts with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration before taking actions that could harm listed species. The Bush move allowed federal agencies to decide for themselves if their own projects, such as roads, dams and mines, would hurt species.
On a personal note, it’s also been a productive and busy week. I visited Bodega Marine Laboratory and enjoyed volunteering on some fascinating research in Boonville, California where cattle roamed around our field site. I also coincidentally met Mary Roach who is as delightful in person as she comes across on the pages of Bonk.
Today I’m back east in NYC with Chris to plan several upcoming events. While we’re wandering the city much of the afternoon, here’s a glimpse of the landscape out west I recorded using The Flip:
April 30th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Love the “250 nm” quip!
May 1st, 2009 at 10:24 am
Vineyards?!?!! Is that your representation of West country? How about a few of our volcanoes, a rocky shore or two, a vast desert, a forest of redwoods, or maybe just some mountain terrain? I realize that you weren’t preparing a travelogue, but I regard vineyards as pretty dull vistas. Next time you’re in the Bay Area, drive to the top of Mt. Hamilton (Lick Observatory), Mt. Diablo, or Mt Tamalpais.
Flatlanders… harrumph!
May 1st, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Most def not
It was however, the only part of the trip when I brought out The Flip. I prefer the scenes along Rt 1 and those great big mountains and conifers too…
May 3rd, 2009 at 12:06 am
Out west? That’s funny, I’ve just returned from down south knee deep in cow poo. At least the weather was good and I was able to finish installing instruments and get out of the paddocks before I smelled too much like the cows. No vineyards along my route though or I might have taken an entire week to return to the city.