The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced plans this week to relocate its headquarters from Washington D.C., to Grand Junction, Colorado. If completed, the move would bring more than two dozen jobs to the city and more than 200 more throughout the West.

More than 50 BLM positions would be relocated to Lakewood, Colorado, where Mayor Adam Paul praised the decision. “Lakewood has a rich history of working with the U.S. Department of Interior and Bureau of Land Management and we are pleased that they will be entrusting us with more of their talented employees.”

Utah was designated to gain 44 jobs from D.C. “Moving key decision makers closer to the lands where their decisions will have the greatest impact is a win for everyone,” said Gov. Gary Herbert.

Additionally, nearly 40 jobs have been identified for relocation to two offices in Arizona, Nevada is expected to receive about 50 positions, and New Mexico is in line for about 40 jobs.

“Shifting critical leadership positions and supporting staff to western states — where an overwhelming majority of federal lands are located — is not only a better management system, it is beneficial to the interest of the American public in these communities, cities, counties, and states,” said Interior Secretary David Bernhardt.

Alaska Wildfires Update: 66 large fires are currently burning in Alaska, more than any other state. Firefighters from Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and other states have joined local efforts to control the blazes. To view a real-time map of active wildfires, visit here. Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, right, receiving an incident briefing from Shovel Creek Operations Chief Fred Thompson. Photo Credit: Northern Rockies Team 6/ Alaska Division of Forestry DNR/ BLM Alaska Fire Service

Sage Grouse Protection Plan: A new sage grouse management plan presented to Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon recommends efforts to increase the bird’s habitat, rather than focusing on minimizing population decline. Learn more about the recent work of the 24-member Sage Grouse Implementation Team.

Can You Dig It? Oregon high school students are gaining hands-on paleontology experience by digging up ancient bones just steps from their classroom in the mid-Willamette Valley. Thousands of years ago the landscape was mostly wetland, providing the ideal environment to preserve the skeletons of fish, beavers, frogs, and even a bison.

Bitterbrush Boost: To restore wildfire-scarred areas and provide a food source for pronghorn and mule deer, Idaho Fish and Game is methodically collecting bitterbrush seeds. The brown, tic-tac sized seeds will go to a nursery, germinate, and sprout next year. After growing to viability, the agency, school kids and volunteers will replant them in their native habitat.

Lights! Camera! Beyoncé!: Pop superstar Beyoncé brought even more attention to Arizona’s world-famous Havasu Falls after selecting the location for a one-day video shoot to promote the new Lion King movie. "Her choice to visit the Havasupai Indian Reservation as a setting for her new video and to share it worldwide is a testament to the stunning beauty of our remote homeland,” said Muriel Uqualla, chairwoman of the Havasupai Tribal Council, which manages the site and granted access for the shoot.

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