- Author: Mimi Enright menright@ucanr.edu
The UCCE Sonoma Master Gardeners launched a partnership with the Sonoma County Water Agency in November 2013 called “”. Under the Garden Sense program, a team of two Master Gardeners with specialized training in water efficiency schedule visits with interested Sonoma County homeowners to advise on how to transform their landscape from one that gulps water to one that sips.
Garden Sense consultants have been trained in lawn conversion, water management, irrigation systems, low-water-use plants and sustainable gardening practices.
There are a wide range of planned activities by the clients with whom we have consulted ranging from a complete re-landscape of yards with new irrigation, water-wise plants and mulching to simple irrigation improvements.
Every small step helps!
There has been a very positive response to the program, and homeowners seem genuinely grateful for assistance with recommendations in their specific home landscape. The UCCE Sonoma Master Gardeners will be conducting a survey later this year to assess actual impact of changes homeowners have made in landscape water use practices as a results of the Garden Sense program. Contact the Master Gardeners at 707-565-2608 or visit Garden Sense
- Author: Karen Giovannini
Farming produce is allowed in most zones throughout the County without any permits, however depending on what you want to do with the produce, you may need a permit or two. And you always want to practice California Small Farm Food Safety Guidelines.
- Visit Produce Farm Marketing to answer such questions as:
- What can I sell from a farm stand on my property?
- How can I sell produce at the Farmers Market?
- How do I become Organic Certified?
- And more!
- Author: Karen Giovannini
Nine members of the UCCE Sonoma office, and one reluctant 4-Her (the authors daughter pictured here), attended the Board of Supervisors meeting to accept the recognition.
The Bird Rescue Center made a presentation and brought along a couple of friends including the Great Horned Owl pictured here. It was raised by humans so it cannot hunt, but it is a really good ambassador for the Bird Rescue Center!
(L-R)Top: Supervisor Gorin, Deborah Curle, Rhonda Smith, Rachel Ludovise, Linda Peterson, Mimi Enright, Paul Olin, Judy Ludovise, Karen Giovannini, Supervisor Rabbit
Front: Lisa Bell, Stephanie Larson, Supervisor McGuire, Supervisor Zane
- Author: Amelia Johnson alj012@ucsd.edu
Amelia (pictured) presented data from the coho program during her talk “Are low summer flows limiting survival of salmonids at the stream and watershed scales in the Russian River watershed?” Amelia discussed data from the 2013 summer snorkel and fall flow surveys the coho program conducted across the watershed. Data showed limited habitat availability during the peak dry season for coho salmon, due to dry and intermittently flowing stream reaches.
For more information, visit Sea Grant Extension Program
We need your help to make our science projects successful. The more people who participate, the more data we'll have to analyze.
Everyone in California is invited to participate. It's quick and easy. Go to beascientist.ucanr.edu, choose a project, and record your observations about conserving water, growing food or counting the numbers of pollinating bees, birds and butterflies in your neighborhood. You can share your observations on an interactive map and upload photos if you like.
This is a great opportunity to learn about California's natural resources and the role of agriculture in all our communities.
For 100 years UC Cooperative Extension has been turning science into solutions to build healthy communities. From creating new varieties of fruits and vegetables, fighting off invasive pest attacks, and helping school kids learn about healthy eating, UC's work benefits every Californian.
