Green Blog

Sunlight shining through grove of cottonwoods

The Green Blog shares news and information related to forestry/wildfire, sustainability, climate, environmental stewardship and other green topics.

Plants regrow on a landscape scorched by the Thomas Fire of 2017. Photo by Annemiek Schilder

How will climate change affect Southern California?

April 6, 2021

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

UC Thelma Hansen Fund to host climate webinar series, April 27-29 Members of the public are invited to attend a free webinar series discussing the effects of climate change on Southern California.

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Overwatering the landscape and leaks in irrigation systems are the two most common water-wasting mistakes identified by the Garden Walks program. (Photo: Pixabay)

UC Master Gardeners ‘Garden Walks’ conserves millions of gallons of water annually in Marin

April 5, 2021

By Jeannette Warnert

The Marin Municipal Water District has saved nearly 30 million gallons of water since it initiated a partnership with UC Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener program in Marin to teach residents how to conserve water.

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Clouds are overhead as dusk falls, with low sunlight reflecting off the surface of curving river.

Drought is back! And so is Water Talk

April 1, 2021

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

The Water Talk podcast returns Friday, April 2, for its second season. This year's podcast will include a focus on the water issue on many minds at the end of a relatively dry rainy season: drought.

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UCCE orchard and vineyard systems advisor Kari Arnold demonstrates proper tree planting. (Photo: Anne Schellman)

No need to amend soil when planting new trees or perennials

March 29, 2021

By Jeannette Warnert

Gardeners who follow conventional wisdom and nursery recommendations to mix organic amendments into the soil when planting new trees or perennials in their landscapes are making a mistake, according to UC Cooperative Extension environmental horticulture experts.

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Dead and dying coffeeberry (Frangula californica) shrubs are clearly visible in a failing restoration in a coastal scrub site in San Mateo County, dominated by shrubs with occasional small groups of trees. Phytophthora crassamura and P. megasperma were both isolated directly from symptomatic tissue and from the rhizosphere (i.e. soil and fine roots) of diseased plants. Photo by Laura Sims.

Phytophthora invasions linked to ecological restorations

March 22, 2021

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

Biological invasions are one of the three main causes for biodiversity loss globally, together with urbanization and climate change. Not unlike animals and plants, microbes can become invasive in non-native ecosystems.

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