In 1972 mountain lions (Puma concolor) became fully protected by the California state legislature because of the presumed low population in the state.  All sport hunting was ceased and mountain lions could only since be taken under a DFG depredation permit.  Since that time the mountain lion population responded and the population has grown.  At the UC Hopland Research & Extension Center there was an obvious resurgence of the numbers beginning in 1984.   Now the large furry critters are a common occurrence, although not easily seen, especially at the upper elevations of the Center.   This lion was captured on film by a trail camera that was set on a lion-killed deer carcass.  It appears as though the lion is enjoying the distant view of the town of Hopland!

Barb Goatgrass (Aegilops triuncialis L.) is a Mediterranean annual grass species that was first identified in California in the early 1900's.   Considered a troublesome weed, this species quickly forms a devastating monoculture that reduces forage quality and quantity.  It is expanding throughout Northern California and the Central and South Coast areas and in those infested areas the species diversity quickly diminishes.  First noticed at UC-HREC in the early 1960's, and soon after thought to be eradicated from the Center, the noxious weed reappeared in the early 1980's and rapidly swept across the Center.  For further information on this troublesome weed refer to http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/pdf/8315.pdf

Since 1951 (and prior to), when the University purchased the HREC property from Roy Pratt, there have been sheep grazing much of the property.   To ease movement of researchers and staff on the Center devices commonly called "cattleguards" have been used to replace gates where roads cross pasture fencelines.  This allows free movement of vehicles without the need to get out of the vehicle to open/close a gate.  At HREC, since we only have sheep as livestock on the premises, we might call these "sheepguards".   Prior designs with flat, rail tops, have in recent years been "figured out" by sure-footed sheep and simply were not working to restrict the sheep movement between pastures.   This new design, with rounded pipes at the crossing-surface of the "sheepguard", seems to be working well to prevent sheep from crossing.

California brushlands, or otherwise called chaparral habitat, are zones of mystery to many folks.  However, many interesting and colorful plant species can be found there.  Purple Nightshade (Solanum xanti), found in cismontane brush or woods up to 4000' elevation, is one of those plants that brightens the chaparral landscape and is commonly known as "chaparral nightshade".  It is a perennial herb or subshrub that bears an umbel-shaped inflorescence with many purple-blue flowers complemented by bright yellow anthers that gather at the center.

As with most other plants in the nightshade family (Solanaceae) all parts of the plants are poisonous including the pea-sized purple berries.   Edible members of this family group include eggplant and potato.