Latest news with #WesWoodsII
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
California's $92 million wildlife crossing project underway in Agoura Hills
The first layers of soil were recently placed in Agoura Hills on what will be the world's largest wildlife crossing. The soil, to cover nearly an acre of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, will make it easier for wildlife to move through its habitat, according to a news release from Gov. Gavin Newsom's office. "As soil gets placed over the bridge, we're one step closer to reconnecting wildlife with habitat that's been divided for generations," Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. "We're not only making habitats whole again, we're making our roads safer." The bridge will span 10 lanes of Highway 101 in the city. Approximately 6,000 cubic yards of soil placement is needed for the project and is expected to take several weeks to complete, according to the governor's release. Here's what to know about California's wildlife crossings. Wildlife crossings are essential to building a network of interconnected conserved lands and waters that protect and restore biodiversity while also supporting transportation infrastructure, according to the release. The soil is part of restoring an ecological corridor to support local wildlife, according to the release. Mountain lions, deer, bats, bobcats, desert cottontails, monarch butterflies and more are expected to use the bridge. Planting of approximately 5,000 native plants will start in May, weather permitting. The bridge will feature coastal sage scrub plant species native to the Santa Monica Mountains. The plant species will contribute to an overall environmental restoration strategy that includes 12 acres of open space and 50,000 native plants, according to the release. "By building the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, Caltrans is supporting transportation infrastructure that will not only reconnect and restore habitats but also reduce vehicle collisions with wildlife and enhance highway safety,' said Tony Tavares, Caltrans director, in a statement. The length of the bridge over Highway 101 is about 210 feet, according to a Caltrans news release. The width is about 174 feet. The northbound Highway 101 on-ramp at Liberty Canyon Road is expected to be shut down through late April, the California Department of Transportation announced Caltrans expects work on the first phase, which includes the bridge over the freeway, to finish next year. Construction began in mid-2022, according to Caltrans. A second phase of construction, which includes extending the crossing over Agoura Road, is scheduled to wrap up in 2026, officials said. The project's total programmed costs are approximately $92 million, according to Caltrans. Major funding for the crossing is provided by the Annenberg Foundation, other private donations, and the California Wildlife Conservation Board. Find more information at or sign up for a weekly update by emailing D7inquiries@ or calling 213-897-1200. Reporter Cheri Carlson contributed to this report. Wes Woods II covers West County for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at 805-437-0262 or @JournoWes. This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Soil placed on Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in California
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Rare total lunar eclipse to dazzle stargazers March 13: times, where to watch in California
The only total lunar eclipse visible in the U.S. this year is set for the night of March 13. Lunar eclipses occur when Earth is positioned precisely between the Moon and Sun at the full moon phase, according to NASA. During this time, Earth's shadow falls upon the surface of the Moon and dims it. Sometimes, the eclipse turns the lunar surface red for a few hours. In a total lunar eclipse, the entire Moon falls within the darkest part of Earth's shadow, called the umbra, according to NASA. When the Moon is within the umbra, it appears red-orange and lunar eclipses are sometimes called 'Blood Moons' because of this phenomenon. Lunar eclipse 2025: March celestial event differs from solar eclipse; here's how to see it Here is NASA's timeline for the total lunar eclipse: 8:57 p.m. PST March 13: The Moon enters the Earth's penumbra, the outer part of the shadow. The Moon begins to dim, but the effect is subtle. 10:09 p.m.: The Moon begins to enter Earth's umbra and partial eclipse begins. As the Moon moves into the umbra, it looks like a bite is being taken out of the lunar disk. The part of the Moon inside the umbra appears very dark. 11:26 p.m.: The entire Moon is now in the Earth's umbra and the Moon is tinted a coppery red. 12:31 a.m. March 14: As the Moon exits Earth's umbra, the red color fades and it looks as if a bite is being taken out of the opposite side of the lunar disk from before. 3 a.m.: The eclipse is over. During a total lunar eclipse, the moon appears red because of how sunlight strikes the moon's surface after passing through the atmosphere, according to NASA. Colors with shorter wavelengths, such as blues and violets, scatter more easily than colors with longer wavelengths, which include red and orange, writes NASA. The more dust or clouds in Earth's atmosphere during a lunar eclipse, the redder the moon appears. To find the best places to stargaze in California, locate the darkest sky possible away from city lights to make the most of the shooting star show. The National Parks Conservation Association has designated Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Parks in Southern California as Certified Dark-Sky Parks. Dark Sky International also recommends Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, and Julian as places to see the meteor light shows. In Central California, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and Yosemite National Park are good places to see celestial light shows. Shasta, Siskiyou, and other North State counties offer excellent places to view the night sky. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is also a prime night sky-watching location on the North State coast. After 2025, the next total lunar eclipse in North America will be on March 3, 2026. Wes Woods II covers West County for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at 805-437-0262 or @JournoWes. This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Lunar eclipse on March 13: how to see celestial wonder in California
