LAKE COUNTY
2025 Lake County Invasive Weeds Tours to be Held May 8 and 9
It’s that time of year, so mark your calendars! The Lake County Weed Management Area is delighted to announce its annual “Invasive Weeds Tour for 2025.” This year we are offering two tours on consecutive days; one showcasing aquatic and wetland plants that grow in and around Clear Lake (and efforts to remove invasive species from around the Clear Lake shoreline), and the second highlighting weeds of grasslands and oak woodlands and restoration of native wildflowers at the McLaughlin Reserve. As always, this event is FREE and open to the public. We hope you will attend one or both tours!
Thursday May 8, 9 a.m. to noon. Aquatic Weed Tour at Clear Lake State Park.
Join staff from Lake County’s Land Trust and Resource Conservation District as we dive into the world of aquatic plants and wetland weeds of Clear Lake and the broader county! Aquatic and wetland plant specimens and examples will be presented to facilitate hands-on learning and education. With partnership from Tribal EcoRestoration Alliance (TERA) and Big Valley Rancheria, we will learn about recent invasive plant management efforts around the lake, including at the State Park. Outreach materials and display tables will provide opportunity to dig deeper. Parking is free (by the Marina Pavilion, across from the Visitor Center); just inform the front entrance kiosk staff that you are attending the 2025 Weed Tour.
Friday May 9, 9 a.m. to noon. Weeds and Wildflowers at the McLaughlin Natural Reserve
Join staff from the University of California’s McLaughlin Natural Reserve to learn how invasive plants, especially annual grasses, have reduced native wildflower displays in Lake County. On this tour, we will view areas of the reserve where wildflowers have been restored by removing invasive species. Prescribed fire, cattle grazing, herbicides, mowing, and hand pulling are all tools to control weeds and restore wildflowers. We are expecting robust wildflower displays in May this year, so bring your camera! Guests are invited to meet at the McLaughlin Reserve Headquarters (26775 Morgan Valley Rd) to carpool for our field tour, which will involve walking about a quarter mile on gentle terrain.
For both tours, please bring hats, sunscreen, lunch or a snack, drinking water, and your questions about plants and the lake. Please wear sturdy shoes that are free of seeds and mud and bring gloves if you want some hands-on weed removal experience.
Annual Invasive Weed Tours are sponsored by the Lake County Department of Agriculture and the Lake County Resource Conservation District. No reservations are required. Please contact the Office of the County Agricultural Commissioner at (707) 263-0217 if you have any questions.
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SACRAMENTO
FPPC launches panel series on AI, ethics, and political transparency
As California’s leading political watchdog, the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) is launching a three-part panel series this month to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, ethics, and political transparency.
Hosted by the FPPC’s Public Outreach and Technology Committee, the series will feature thought leaders in emerging technologies and public policy. Each panel will examine how ethics agencies can effectively leverage and regulate AI to strengthen enforcement, increase transparency, and uphold public trust in government. The panel is scheduled for Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 1 p.m.
Speakers: Dr. James F. O’Brien, Professor of Computer Science, University of California, Berkeley, Kevin Guo, CEO, Hive AI, Andrew Kaback, Lead Product Manager (CAI), Adobe, Amir Dresler, Chief Technology Officer, Proofig, Rafi Mendelsohn, Chief Marketing Officer, Cyabra
The panel will be accessible via Zoom. Registration is available online at https://mailchi.mp/a6aa20bdf456/fppc-ai-panel-i
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LAKE COUNTY
Lake County is celebrating National Poetry month throughout April 2025 with free Little Poem Scrolls #PocketPoem
If you haven’t picked up your little poem scroll, it’s not too late! Lake County’s celebration of National Poetry Month continues all month long. 4000 little poem scrolls rolled out for free on April 10, 2025 when Poem In Your Pocket Day is celebrated around the world. Scrolls are available throughout April at libraries, senior centers, galleries and businesses around the lake. Pick up a poem for your pocket while supplies last!
Poem in Your Pocket Day is a celebration created by The Academy of American Poets for poetry lovers around the world to share a poem that is special to them during National Poetry Month. You can celebrate all month long by reading your little poem scroll to friends and loved ones, or snap a pic or video yourself reading it and post it on social media with #pocketpoem. And please join the Lake County Poet Laureate Facebook Page to share your poem with Lake County’s literary community. We love to see what inspires you!
Poem In Your Pocket Day’s little poem scrolls are a project of Lake County Poet Laureate, Brenda Marie Yeager, in partnership with Lake County Library.
This year, The Friends of the Lake County Library and The Lake County Literacy Coalition generously sponsored the entire project so that Lake County residents can enjoy a poem for free.
Go to the Poem In Your Pocket Day Facebook Event Page under “see more” for a list of locations where you can pick up a little poem for your pocket. While supplies last.
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