UC ANR Strategic Initiatives
The Strategic Initiatives are the focus areas under which UC ANR research and outreach is organized. They are focused on strategies to unify, communicate and advocate for the work we do.
The Endemic and Invasive Pests and Diseases Strategic Initiative protects our food, natural resources and communities, each threatened by a wide variety of pests and diseases including arthropods, vertebrates, weeds, and pathogens. The initiative creates, improves and enriches our abilities to prevent, control and mitigate pests and diseases.
Initiative Leader: Tom Turini, Vegetable Crops Advisor
The Healthy Families and Communities Strategic Initiative is dedicated to the key areas of food literacy and healthy lifestyles, scientific literacy for youth and adults, positive youth development, and community development and public policy.
Initiative Leader: Stephen Worker, 4-H Youth Development Advisor
The Sustainable Food Systems Strategic Initiative supports California by focusing our work on our total food (and intensive ag) systems; bringing good science and outreach to bear on key areas related to sustainable production, safe processing, and enhanced access.
Initiative Leader: Jennifer Sowerwine, Associate Specialist, Environmental Science, Policy and Management
The Sustainable Natural Ecosystems Strategic Initiative works to preserve forests, rangelands, and wetlands. Research and extension efforts aim to identify and prioritize issues and solutions in the key areas of healthy rangelands, forests and working landscapes; fighting fire; protecting healthy landscapes and urban forests; and enhancing our water supply.
Initiative Leader: Josh Davy, Livestock, Range and Natural Resources Advisor
The Water Quality, Quantity and Security Strategic Initiative works to protect water, the lifeblood of our economy and the underpinning of our diverse ecosystems. Water supply and quality are critical issues facing the state's agricultural, urban, and environmental settings now and in the foreseeable future. The initiative works in the key areas of safe and secure drinking water, safe and secure surface water, safe and sustainable groundwater, and holistic water management.
Initiative Leader: Helen Dahlke, Professor in Integrated Hydrologic Sciences
On this page
Strategic Themes
Connecting is Key
Find Practical Answers: Knowledge and Skills
Funding Opportunities
Strategic Themes
Addressing Major Challenges
Our Strategic initiatives (SIs) bring the power of science to deliver practical solutions in California.
Issues Being Pursued
Initiative Themes and Grand Challenges (pdf)
Visions of the Future (pdf)
See our Public Value Statements for more.
Community Resilience
Concept Note: Building Resilience Across California's Communities
DEI in Urban Areas
Concept Note: Building California’s Urban Community
Concept Note: Urban pest management safety network
Extension of the Future - Meeting Urban needs
Concept Note: Working Cross State and Cross Institute
Fire
Concept Note: Fire Advisors Network
Fire Resources and Information
Food Systems
Concept Note: Food Systems
Food Systems Elements (diagram)
Health
Concept Note: Health Equity
Concept Note: Climate and Health
Concept Note: Food and Drinking Water Security
Concept Note: Health Resilience Network (revised)
Prop 63 - Mental Health Services Act (Prop 63 specific concept note)
Community health CDC Vaccination Toolkit
Virtual Reach
Integrated Web Platform (Summary Overview) (The IWP is a strategic plan goal. Input is being broadly collected)
Video: How to Make How-to videos
Webinars: Create Engaging Webinars
Water
Concept Note: Water Resilience
Connecting is Key
Workgroups and Program Teams (web)
Drawing on members from:
- UC Campuses,
- County Cooperative Extension Offices
- Statewide Programs and Institutes,
- Research and Extension Center
And working with hundreds of collaborators from the private and public sectors.
Find Practical Answers: Knowledge and Skills
"Solutions for you"
Learn from colleagues
Knowledge Bank
Sharing technical solutions
Best (Extension) Practice Hub
Sharing best practices
Learning and Development
Build your skills
Funding Opportunities
Contracts & Grants (UC ANR)
Investment Program (2020) (UC ANR)
Small grants for urgent time-sensitive needs
Renewable Resources Extension Act (RREA) Program RFP
SI Activities supported
The SIs have some funds for cross-cutting activities. Here are the criteria to help guide what is supported.
Examples to date include workshops, think-tanks and clinics to build our Fire, Video, and Food System presence and strategies.
Partial Webinar Support
Partial Webinar Support from the SIs
What do SI Leaders do? Here's the TOR
SI-related Blogs
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San Diego County goes green for National 4-H Week with proclamation, lighting ceremony
National 4-H Week is Oct. 7-12, 2024. To celebrate, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors will be recognizing the significant...
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Butte County first graders enjoy ‘ricetastic’ day at local farm
UC Cooperative Extension advisors, educators join growers in showcasing rice production When Tracy Schohr volunteered in her son's pre-K class a...
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White House Summit explores impact of extreme heat, ways to adapt
UC ANR Small Farms Network supports small-scale and underserved farmers impacted by extreme heat Ruth Dahlquist-Willard, interim director for the...
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UC ANR publishes first-ever manual on olive production for oil
Growers, UC Cooperative Extension researchers offer guidance on producing high-quality olives Facing a deluge of lower-price products from Europe,...