Outdoors

On Monday evening Mars was once again behind the moon. In the southern US Mars was occulted by the moon while here in Carson City, Mars could be seen to skin by just above.

Over the past few weeks, storm after storm has rolled through the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Great Basin, dropping much-needed rain and heavy snow from Reno to Elko. But despite all the welcome precipitation, the state still faces drought conditions after back-to-back dry years.

During the growing season we think about our plants’ water needs. Since plants can be up to 95 percent water, water is critical to their growth, reproduction and survival.

Hello Fellow anglers. Be careful what you wish for: in my last report I wished for enough snow pack to fill our lakes and streams for the new year - well, we got it!

775 Offroad and Recovery, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting responsible offroading and providing recovery services to those in need, has made a significant impact on the offroad community in northern and central Nevada.

Winter reminds us that it has no intention of releasing its icy grip around Carson City.

Happy New Year from the Carson City Park Rangers! Every month, the Park Rangers offer various Ranger-Led programs that include educational opportunities, historical fun and exciting adventures.

Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team members may continue prescribed fire operations this week at Lake Tahoe as conditions and weather allow. The Nevada Division of Forestry is scheduled to burn hand piles near Incline Village and the USDA Forest Service may continue operations near Baldwin Beach.

CARSON CITY — The Nevada Division of State Parks is excited to announce a new way for Nevadans to check out their State Parks – by borrowing a park pass from their local public library.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Thursday, Jan. 19 expanded efforts to reduce wildfire risk across the western U.S., directly affecting national forests here in Nevada.

It may be hard to believe, but February is just around the corner. Although there are usually storms around Presidents’ weekend, some days in February are often relatively mild. I remember temperatures in the low 70s some years. And, while those warmer days are welcome, newbies to the area often think winter is over and get anxious to start gardening again. Long-time Northern Nevada gardeners know better.

Clarification: A Carson Now reader submitted two photos Saturday via Facebook instant message and left the following message: "A very healthy mountain lion relaxing at the end of Woodridge Circle in Timberline Thursday, January 19 2023."

Of the two photos, the main photo was taken by Connie Thompson. We reached out to Connie who explained that on Wednesday, Jan. 18, she called contacted NDOW because the mountain lion (as seen in the first photo) was acting sick and was not healthy.

RENO — Nevada has a history of periodically locking into centuries-long droughts, new research led by the University of Nevada, Reno shows. People throughout the American Southwest should be prepared to adapt to less water.

The Prison Hill Fire of 2021 swept across 171 acres of land following a dry lightning storm which started multiple fires in a the span of only a few minutes. The burn scar can still be seen — including how close it came to the houses in the area.

However, that burn scar will disappear with time if the plans initiated by Carson City Parks, Recreation and Open Space are successful.

If conditions are favorable, the Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team will resume prescribed fire operations this week at Lake Tahoe. Beginning Wednesday, the Nevada Division of Forestry is scheduled to burn hand piles near Spooner Lake and the USDA Forest Service is scheduled to burn a large machine pile this Friday near Baldwin Beach.

Gardening in Nevada: The Bartley Ranch Series returns in February to help both new gardeners and those who already have a green thumb hone their gardening skills.

What a wild beginning to 2023! We have already received almost our entire annual precipitation and it’s only January. Heavy wet snow followed torrential rains. Yes, we need the moisture to fill reservoirs, lakes and recharge ground water. No, we didn’t need it all in a couple of weeks.

The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is pleased to announce the 2023 Winter Trek Conservation Education Program at Heavenly Mountain Resort.

It is that time of year when The Greenhouse Project staff begins planting petunia seeds that will be nurtured to maturity before being transplanted into huge baskets and hung throughout Carson City's downtown historic district and corridor in June. Grown at Green Central, our primary location at Carson High School, flowers not used in the baskets, are part of the offerings at our Mother's Day Plant Sale.

This year, Nevada and Eastern California have experienced a variety of winter storms creating, at times, hazardous conditions for visitors and so, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is reminding visitors to be extra careful while recreating this winter.

Nevada Department of Wildlife game wardens are seeking the public’s assistance to help solve a case of a mule deer that may have been unlawfully killed near the Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge after dark on Oct. 1, 2022.

Early Thursday morning view of Carson City from the western foothills.

A magnificent sunrise lit the sky up over Carson City this morning.

Just another beautiful picture of the Sierra Nevada Range, from east Carson City.

While many skiers, snowboarders and winter recreation enthusiasts are excited about the recent dumping of snow across the Sierra, one draw back is the increased potential for avalanche.

There is considerable avalanche danger above and near the treeline, and moderate avalanche danger below the treeline.

A bird eating in snow saying thanks for the treats!

Stormy Monday filled the sky with color at sunset.

The colorful sunset Monday evening above a wintery Carson City.

High in a cottonwood tree on the west side of Carson City, this bear appears to be checking for signs of spring.