- Author: Sarah-Mae Nelson
- Editor: Brook Gamble
On July 7, 2020, we launched the first UC Climate Stewards Instructor Training with 17 instructors from 11 pilot partner organizations across the state. Due to COVID-19 restrictions on meeting in person, we turned our planned 3-day, in-person training into a virtual venture. We chose to spread our 24 hours of training out over 8 days to best accommodate our trainers' schedules and offer the breaks and timing needed in the virtual environment.
Our first day of training focused on the key principles that make UC Climate Stewards unique from other climate change courses currently being offered. These core concepts include exploring cognitive, psychological, and social science of communication; the social-emotional labor of climate...
- Author: Rob York
- Author: Susie Kocher
Participants from the 2019 prescribed burn workshops put on by the UC ANR Central Sierra were invited to burn at UC Berkeley's Blodgett Forest several times in February. Because January and February were so dry, fuels dried out enough to carry fire.
On Feb. 7, a group of about 20 workshop participants, partners and students burned 15 acres in one day at Blodgett. The burn met objectives of reducing surface fuels and killing young tree seedlings, which inhibited the future development of a ladder fuel layer. Below are some details about the burn to explain how it was carried out.
Burn location: Blodgett staff...
- Author: Devii R. Rao
Thanks to generous support from the newly formed California Cattle Council, UC Cooperative Extension will begin conducting a study to estimate how much fuel livestock consume across California and whether grazing decreases wildfire speed and intensity. Livestock grazing is the most widespread (and often the only feasible) management practice to reduce fire hazard from herbaceous fuels in California rangelands. Despite that, many public land management agencies do not allow livestock grazing on their lands. A study from 1983 found that the rate of combustion of grazed grasslands was reduced by 58%, but there is a dearth of research in this area. As we confront more frequent and devastating wildfires, we need better information about the...
- Author: Houston Wilson
- Author: Rebecca Ozeran
- Author: Phoebe Gordon
- Author: Rob Straser
Rivers are an important part of our communities. However, some agricultural practices can detrimentally affect river health and water quality. The University of California Cooperative Extension conducts research and extension to educate growers about science-based practices that can reduce the impacts of agriculture on river health. These practices include such things as nutrient management, integrated pest management and conservation grazing. At the same time, local communities may not be aware of the choices that growers make to protect the environment.
River Camp Firebaugh is a summer camp for first- through eighth-graders in western Fresno County, and is managed by the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust. We...
- Author: Mark Bell
“Does it really take 500 to 1,000 years to form an inch of soil? No wonder we have to protect our soil."
“I've heard about soil organic matter, and I know it is supposed to be good for my soil – but how does it really help and what can I do about it?"
People increasingly have such questions as they realize the importance of living in a healthy environment and the role that healthy soils play. An overarching question from many though – including farmers, home gardeners, ranchers and natural resource managers – is, “Where can I go to get practical tips about building healthy soil?”
We're glad you asked! UC Agriculture and Natural...
