Edwards Air Force Base Environmental Management

10/22/2026

10/22/2026

10/22/2026

Get ready, Bat Week is almost here! 🦇✨ That means it’s nearly time for our annual Bat Beauty Contest, where YOU get to vote for the cutest bat of 2026. Hoary Potter, our charming 2024 Bat Beauty Contest winner, is ready to hand off the crown to this year’s champion—who will it be? The contest kicks off October 24, so stay tuned and prepare to cast your vote for your favorite bat!

Bat Week is an international celebration dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of bat conservation. Bats play a vital role in keeping our ecosystems healthy, from eating insects to pollinating plants. Let’s show some love for these amazing creatures and help spread the word!

Don’t miss your chance to participate, mark your calendars and join the fun! Learn more about Bat Week and how you can get involved ➡️ batweek.org

Bat Conservation International
Bat Week
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

10/22/2026

Ever wondered what it’s like to help uncover the stories left behind on California’s desert landscapes? 🏜️

The BLM Barstow Field Office is looking for volunteers to support archaeological field surveys, documentation, and hands-on stewardship of cultural sites on public lands. You’ll work alongside professional archaeologists, discover local history, and get a firsthand look at how archaeology works in the federal government.

No experience needed. Training is provided, and anyone 18+ with an interest in archaeology, history, or cultural resources is welcome to join.

Fieldwork happens outdoors on uneven terrain and in varying weather, so come ready for an adventure.

Ready to get involved? Email [email protected] to learn more or sign up.

10/13/2026

Wildlife, stories, and creativity are making their way to Hart Park! 🐿️📚 The KCL Bookmobile is bringing a special Kern County One Book Project family storytime filled with stories about nature and outdoor discovery, followed by a fun squirrel hat craft to take home.
📅 Saturday, October 17
⏰ 11:15 AM
📍 Hart Park Nature Center
8000 River Rd., Bakersfield, CA 93308

10/13/2026

This Indigenous Peoples Day, honor Indigenous voices, cultures, and stories through the words of Indigenous authors. 📚 Explore these recommended reads and discover the many stories waiting to be heard.

10/13/2026

Check out the latest article on the new fishing pier installed at Branch Memorial Park this summer to improve fishing access at our only fishing pond on base.

Hidden in the Mojave Desert, two unexpected water sanctuaries at Edwards Air Force Base offer prime recreational opportunities for families, researchers and nature lovers.

10/13/2026

Did you know that some butterflies migrate like birds? New technologies are providing unique insight into exactly where they are going and how so that we may be able to better protect species like Monarchs.

10/13/2026

: The State Water Board took conservation actions that helped California’s residential and commercial properties save 25% more water during the 2012-16 extreme drought than had ever been saved before. Now 18% of that water conservation remains even without a drought.

10/13/2026

This is why it is so important to stay on trails when hiking in the desert! The soil is a fragile living thing here and breaking the crust can lead to lots of dust and erosion among other issues that keep the habitat in good health.

Biological soil crust is found throughout the world, but especially in arid places like deserts. This living micro-ecosystem contains moss, lichens, algae, fungi, bacteria, and cyanobacteria! These organisms work together in a few different ways.

First, the crust stabilizes the top layer of soil, keeping it from blowing away like sand dunes. These organisms clump together with the sand, reducing erosion from wind and water.

Second, these organisms absorb water. Normally, water rushes down between the sand grains just like beach sand. This slows water permeation, allowing larger plants to absorb more through their roots. The bumpy texture also allows water to pool for new seeds.

Third, cyanobacteria take nitrogen from the atmosphere and add it to the soil. Surrounding plants can use nitrogen as "food" to grow.

Fourth, fungi eat dead plants and animals, turning them into more food for living plants and animals. In arid regions, food is already scarce.

Don't take the soil for granted. Biological Soil Crust is fragile. It can take centuries to grow back. Watch where you step! Stay on trails! And don't bust the crust!


Photo Credit: NPS/Washuta