The One True Kat
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theonetruekat.bsky.social
The One True Kat
@theonetruekat.bsky.social
Biologist. Californian. Madly in love with nature. Always outside. Garden nerd. Cyclist. Big fan of informed democracy. Sheltering and supporting as many people as possible. She/her/y’all All photos mine unless credited.
Pinned
Since I have to reintroduce myself after the move:

I’m Kat. California biologist, currently in Davis. Herpetologist. 15 years in private consulting (utility and infrastructure), mostly as a field nerd, doing surveys for local flora/fauna and passing on whatever niche wisdom I can.

🦎🐸🐟🐻🦉🐝🐍🐢🌿
Reposted by The One True Kat
Dozens of Dutch school kids gliding past on bikes, headed to a field trip with their teacher. This is what safe cycling infrastructure enables.
November 27, 2025 at 5:22 PM
The beauty of having sourdough starter in your kitchen is you can get up and bake at all hours of the night. 🥖
November 28, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Hugs to everyone who survived Thanksgiving in proximity to terrible people without going nuclear. 🦃
November 28, 2025 at 5:56 AM
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Some more Salamander migration action from this weekend! Please watch out for amphibians while driving during rainstorms, especially in back roads. #herps

Small-mouthed Salamander (Ambystoma texanum) on the left.
Mole Salamander (Ambystoma talpoideum) on the right.
November 26, 2025 at 3:42 PM
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Thursday morning motivation: salamanders.

Salamanders are secretive, harmless creatures. Their permanent smiles and delicate little toes will win your heart.

Nova Scotia has 5 species of salamander: yellow spotted, blue spotted, red-backed, four toed, and red spotted newts.
November 27, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Self medicating ahead of hostess duties tomorrow.
November 27, 2025 at 12:56 AM
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Loved joining Jennifer Welch on the 'I've Had It' pod!
We talked my top three campaign priorities, what connects us in IL-09, and why I’m running to make a difference: www.youtube.com/shorts/ai2tk...
@ivehaditpodcast.bsky.social
Top 3 Campaign Issues with Jennifer Welch on the I've Had It Podcast | Kat Abughazaleh For Illinois
YouTube video by Kat Abughazaleh
www.youtube.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:45 PM
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When you make your plan, be aware that:
-Medicare does not cover long term care.
-If you want to avoid a guardian, you must designate a trusted power of attorney/health care agent while you are still mentally able.
November 26, 2025 at 5:44 PM
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This seems like a play to cut NPS profitability to make it easier to open these lands up to extraction. 35% of NPS visitors are from overseas
US triples national park fee for non-residents, amid ‘new’ fee for Americans
Interior department, which has defunded conservation organizations, claims fee hike is for conservation
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:27 PM
This is my yearly PSA that, no matter how old you are, you should have a basic health directive and will. The forms are free online in California. The number of senior citizens in my neighborhood with no directives and no plan who are already a little off the rails is staggering. A short rant 1/
November 26, 2025 at 3:46 PM
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I had the honor of joining one of my favorite actors, Stellan Skarsgard, to explore what role art plays in a democracy, the state of global politics, and how we can avoid the "doom loop."

https://www.culturedmag.com/article/2025/11/25/film-stellan-skarsgard-robert-reich-sentimental-value-artists/
Stellan Skarsgård and Robert Reich Tell Us How to Escape the Political Doom Loop
The Swedish actor has a grim perspective on the world. We called Robert Reich—the academic and former politico—to give h
www.culturedmag.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:41 PM
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You cannot have a functioning economy when so few people at the top hold so much of the nation’s wealth. It’s not sustainable.
November 25, 2025 at 11:45 PM
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Despite myths and legends, the Mojave rattlesnake isn’t aggressive–it’s misunderstood. They avoid danger and defend when necessary. This beautiful desert snake plays a key ecological role and deserves curiosity, not fear.

Explore their habitat with us:
👉 savethesnakes.org/travel
November 25, 2025 at 4:06 PM
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As the year comes to an end, I'm reposting some of the comics I made this year, including this ridiculous thing.
November 25, 2025 at 3:19 PM
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I should wait until I get my photos* onto my computer but I’m too excited so here’s some I pulled onto my phone quickly

Black Skimmers are one of my favorite #birds in the entire world, I’ll never tire of them.

(*I took a mere 1800 wildlife photos today haha)
November 24, 2025 at 11:37 PM
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Beautiful piece about a group of young people who ignored the cynics, critics and gatekeepers and just cracked on restoring nature, bringing as many people as they could along for the ride.

"Action, access and agency".

You want a rural revival? This is it.

www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘It fully changed my life!’ How young rewilders transformed a farm – and began a movement
At Maple Farm, nature is returning in droves: nightingales, grass snakes, slowworms, bats and insects. All due to the vision of a group determined to accelerate its recovery
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Share a smile.

California Tiger Salamander. #herps
November 25, 2025 at 5:27 AM
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i’m not crying you’re crying

xkcd: Fifteen Years

Fifteen Years
xkcd.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:58 AM
November 25, 2025 at 5:09 AM
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Another destructive solar project approved in n CA -- “There's nothing environmentally friendly about cutting down 4,000 oak trees, the most ecologically valuable native tree in all of North America. Over 2,000 other species depend on them." 🌎 www.capradio.org/articles/202...
SMUD’s controversial Coyote Creek solar project moves forward
The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the project at a packed Tuesday meeting, where over 150 people showed up to voice concerns or support.
www.capradio.org
November 25, 2025 at 1:17 AM
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Just an absolutely gutting essay by Tatiana Schlossberg, a writer, mother of two young children, and cousin of RFK Jr who is dying of leukemia.

www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
November 22, 2025 at 4:09 PM
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Marjorie Taylor Greene's resigning in time to get a pension is a lesson to everyone.

Most Americans don't get *any* pension anymore, but Congress gave itself a pension after only five years of work.

Our "representatives" aren't working for us, they are [barely] working for themselves.
November 24, 2025 at 2:16 PM
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They grow bacteria on those hairy arms and then lick the bacteria off for a delightful snack, isn't that gross and cool?
yeti crab

#art #sciart 🎨🦑🦀
November 24, 2025 at 7:12 PM
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The EPA will approve two new pesticides containing “forever chemicals” and relax a reporting rule for companies who make products with forever chemicals.

The moves come after a $60 million lobbying blitz from the forever chemical industry.

Where is the MAHA outcry?
November 24, 2025 at 5:19 PM