- Author: Tammy Majcherek
Southern California landscapes in six known counties are faced with an epidemic situation.
- Author: Tammy Majcherek
While Northern California can boast about the rain received this last season, Southern California is not so lucky. Folks, we are still in a drought as you can see by the US Drought Monitor map below. Please continue to conserve water in and around your home. As we enter the summer months, be sure to check with your local water supplier as to the current landscape watering restrictions for your area.
- Author: Tammy Majcherek
Be sure to save the date for the upcoming ABCs of Plant Pathology workshop (both Spanish and English sessions available) on June 30 in Ventura, CA.
UC Cooperative Extension advisors Jim Downer and María de la Fuente will present plant pathology information useful to both wholesale and retail nursery growers, managers, and personnel. Workshop will also include a hands-on session that allows the viewing of live specimens of various plant diseases under magnification.
For more information go to http://ucnfa.ucanr.edu/UCNFA_Programs_Presentations/2016_Programs_Presentations/ABCs_Plant_Pathology_Ventura/
- Author: Tammy Majcherek
Well, it doesn't look like we are going to get the rain that was predicted. So, 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.
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