- Author: Tammy Majcherek
Well, it doesn't look like we are going to get the rain that was predicted. How do we continue to conserve even more precious water? Fear not! I have just the event for you - be sure to check out the OC Garden Friendly event being held at Home Depot in Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 2, 2016. Visit with industry experts, browse the beautiful plants that are climate appropriate for the Orange County area, talk with UC Master Gardeners about gardening issues, and get rebate updates all while the kids are having fun at the kids clinic working on one of the delightful craft projects. You will surely learn a new tip or two.
For more information, go to http://www.overwateringisout.org/ and see the attached flyer.
OC Garden Friendly event
- Editor: Tammy Majcherek
- Author: Tunyalee Martin
Experts Converge in March to Discuss Human-Wildlife Conflict Resolution
—Tunyalee Martin, UC Statewide IPM Program
The Vertebrate Pest Conference is held every two years, mostly in California. This year, the meeting will be Monday through Thursday, March 7 to 10 in Newport Beach. Meetings are held in cooperation with the Pesticide Applicators Professional Association (PAPA). The leading authorities with vertebrate management expertise from around the world congregate to present the latest research and extension information. Are you an animal control official, wildlife manager, agricultural producer, pest control adviser, consultant, educator, researcher, or natural resource manager? Then this meeting is for you. California Department of Pesticide Regulation and California Department of Public Health continuing education units are available for participants.
Special symposia include bird management, wild pig management, and urban coyotes. In Cooperative Extension Advisor Niamh Quinn's backyard of extremely urban Southern California, these coyote-human conflicts occur. With over 3 million people in Orange County, 8 state parks and beaches, countless city parks and 19 county parks and wilderness areas, conflicts with urban coyotes are bound to happen. Managing coyotes includes managing people's behavior too.
Quinn says, “We can't manage what we can't measure. This conference provides a unique opportunity to discuss ongoing conflicts, especially those related to urban coyote management. Research is needed to understand urban coyote behavior and if these behaviors are changing as a result of the way we are currently living. Outreach is needed to instruct urbanites on appropriate behavior where coyote conflicts are occurring, and managing coyotes is everyone's concern. We need better and improved strategies for measuring and managing these conflicts.” At the Vertebrate Pest Conference, hear from the experts on the latest information about coyote attacks on humans, coyote conflicts, and several talks on coyote management, including hazing.
Vertebrates are also problematic in commercial agriculture. A 2011 survey of wildlife damage by Cooperative Extension Specialist Roger Baldwin, stated agricultural losses from wildlife damage in California is likely in excess of $1billion annually. Based on the survey results, economic losses were greatest for voles and pocket gophers in alfalfa; and wild pigs, birds, and ground squirrels in nut crops. One talk at the Vertebrate Pest Conference will be a North American overview of bird damage in fruit crops. Other talks cover field rodent repellents, food safety, and trapping.
UC IPM has information on vertebrate pest management for urban and communities, as well as commercial agriculture.
Vertebrate Pest Conference blog REC
- Author: Tammy Majcherek
Homeowners associations are now making outdoor landscaping and irrigation decisions with real water consequences. That's why the Orange County Stormwater Program (a division of the county's public works department) is inviting you to be a part of H2O for HOAs, a targeted outreach program aimed at homeowners associations to provide hands-on information on water-efficient irrigation techniques to save water and eliminate runoff.
Experts say more than 50 percent of Southern California's drinking water is used in outdoor irrigation. Combine this statistic with the damaging ocean pollution caused by urban runoff due to overwatering, and it's clear why many Orange County residents are becoming more water efficient.
Our program has made water use efficiency and storm water/urban runoff education and outreach a priority activity among homeowners associations throughout the county. H2O for HOAs will present a forum through which the county may directly reach association board members, management companies, and landscape and irrigation contractors through a series of half-day, morning workshops on March 9 at Santiago Canyon College and March 17 at The Bell Tower Community Center in Rancho Santa Margarita.
We're partnering with both the Municipal Water District of Orange County and the UC Cooperative Extension, as well as community leaders and stakeholders who know California is facing historic drought conditions. Topics will include:
• Current Drought and Water Supply Conditions
• Reducing water consumption with landscape and irrigation system retrofits
• Stormwater and Water Quality Regulations
• Landscape and Irrigation System Rebates
• Drought Tolerant “California Friendly” Landscaping
• Maintaining a Healthy Landscape
We hope you'll join us. Please reply to the program's coordinator, Justin Glover at justin@communicationslab.com or (949) 215-5539 to reserve your space at no charge.
H2O for HOA RSM Flyer
H2O for HOA Orange Flyer
- Author: Tammy Majcherek
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- Author: Tammy Majcherek
Over 800 visitors braved the scorching temperatures to experience the Urban Landscape & Garden Education Expo at the UC ANR Urban Landscape & Garden Education Expo on September 26th.
There were activities for the young and old alike ranging from a tram ride through the extension orchards, presentations on various topics such as rebates or plant selection, to tasting the delectable fruits grown at the REC, or even using a little muscle power making a refreshing drink on one of the 4-H booths smoothy bikes.
Exhibitors included representatives from Cooperative Extension programs - 4-H Youth Program, Master Gardeners, and EFNEP; irrigation sources, nurseries specializing in native or low water use plants, county agencies focusing on water quality and water conservation.
If you have a chance, be sure to join us next year on September 24, 2016 - you won't be disappointed.