Eric Holst
LightNews LightNews
ericholst.bsky.social
Eric Holst
@ericholst.bsky.social
28 followers 48 following 3 posts
Wildfire resilience, forestry, critical minerals, and conservation. AVP Forestry at Environmental Defense Fund.

www.fixtheforest.org
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Eric Holst
propublica.org
NEW: NOAA scientists are cleaning office bathrooms and reconsidering critical experiments after the Commerce Department failed to renew contracts for hazardous waste disposal, janitorial services, IT and building maintenance.

By @lisalsong.bsky.social
NOAA Scientists Are Cleaning Bathrooms and Reconsidering Lab Experiments After Contracts for Basic Services Expire
A Seattle lab has lost janitorial services, hazardous waste support, IT and building maintenance as it waits for the Commerce Department secretary to personally approve all contracts over $100,000.
propub.li
April 11, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Reposted by Eric Holst
pyrogeog.bsky.social
Climate change continued to have unpredictable impacts on wildfire in 2024. Unexpected shifts, like the Americas producing 40% of C emissions (normally it's <25%), and anomalous events, like the fatal Feb '24 Chile fire or the Pantanal wetlands burning, occur more often.
April 11, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Reposted by Eric Holst
emilydolhansky.bsky.social
turns out they let anyone write op-eds these days ;-)
A photo of an op-ed in a newspaper that reads: “Dear Editor, My husband and I are federal employees, and we moved to Yuba City three years ago. I work in Sacramento and he works in Nevada City — we moved because Yuba City splits the difference, but we stayed because of the friends and community we’ve made. Since taking office for the second time, Donald Trump has sought to inflict “trauma” on federal employees, for no reason other than he views us as useless bureaucrats. I want you to know I’m not a useless bureaucrat. I’m a forester, and my husband is as well. We work to make California’s forests healthier and reduce the risk from wildfires. This administration is undermining our work. For example, Trump has claimed we need to harvest more timber from public lands, yet, his actions have made that far more difficult. He fired my coworkers who prepare timber sales and has since scrambled to rehire them. He limited my government-issued credit card to $1. As a result, I can’t purchase essential supplies like timber marking paint, nor can I advertise timber sales in local newspapers. He has effectively made it impossible for me to do my job. We’ve received overwhelming support from our friends here in Yuba City, and I want the rest of the Yuba and Sutter communities to know: We are not your enemy. I love working outdoors, and I’m committed to serving our community. I hope everyone can see that what this administration is doing to federal employees is deeply wrong. Emily Dolhansky Yuba City”
April 3, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Reposted by Eric Holst
weatherwest.bsky.social
In case you missed my presentation to the California Wildfire Task Force last week, a recording is now available! (There is a bit of an audio issue in the first few mins but it resolves thereafter.) Thanks again to the organizers for making this available! www.youtube.com/watc...
Wildfires and Climate Change in California: Dr. Daniel Swain
On March 26, 2025, Dr. Daniel Swain, a renowned climate scientist from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), presented his research on climate and wildfire, with a special emphasis on lessons learned from the recent Los Angeles fires. This impactful presentation took place in San Rafael
www.youtube.com
March 31, 2025 at 4:43 PM
ericholst.bsky.social
Californian's need to be "eyes wide open" about the implications of the electric transition. Vast quantities of minerals will be mined. Most will come from other states and countries. Some from CA including rare earth minerals from Mountain Pass Mine californiacurated.com/2025/01/29/t...
The Mountain Pass Mine in California May Be the U.S. Rare Earths Game Changer
With the global race for critical minerals intensifying, MP Materials’ success demonstrates the potential—and challenges—of revitalizing domestic mining infrastructure in an era of heightened resou…
californiacurated.com
March 31, 2025 at 5:07 PM
ericholst.bsky.social
USFS has been eerily quite on its plans for Reduction in Force. Some talk about how fire response will be protected which is good but wildfire resilience requires equal focus landscape resilience and community protection. All 3 pillars of cohesive strategy. www.eenews.net/articles/for...
Forest Service braces for up to 7,000 layoffs
“We are sheep headed to slaughter,” one employee said as the Trump administration eyes further staff reductions.
www.eenews.net
March 31, 2025 at 4:51 PM