- (Focus Area) Natural Resources
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
Oh, there ain't no bugs on me
There ain't no bugs on me
There may be bugs on some of you mugs
But there ain't no bugs on me
You can hear it on YouTube.
UC Davis distinguished professor James R. Carey of the Department of Entomology and Nematology, drew national news media coverage in 1991 when he declared that the medflies are "established" here, that the "recurring outbreaks" are not caused by tourists continually bringing infested fruit to California in their airline baggage.
Today Carey says that California's fruit fly invasion is in "crisis mode."
The professor will present a Department of Entomology and Nematology seminar on "California's Fruit Fly Invasion Crisis" at 4:10 p.m., Monday, June 3 in Room 122 of Briggs Hall. It also will be on Zoom. The Zoom link:
https://ucdavis.zoom.us/j/9 5882849672.
"After seven decades of near-continuous outbreaks in scores of California cities, tephritid fruit fly invasions (e.g., Mediterranean, oriental, peach, and Mexican fruit flies) are reaching critical mass, with many of the annual eradication programs morphing into below-the-radar, never-ending fruit fly control programs," Carey says in his abstract. "Permanent establishment of any one of these tropical species has the potential to shut down the multi-billion dollar domestic and foreign markets for hundreds of California fruit and vegetable crops."
"I will present an overview of the long-developing crisis, discuss lessons learned from analysis of fruit fly detection databases, and argue that, in order to have any chance at stemming this ever-rising tide, CDFA and the USDA urgently needs to switch from their historic, ad hoc eradication strategy to a new one that is evidence-based and far more scientific."
Carey served on the CDFA's Medfly Scientific Advisory Panel from 1987-1994, testified to the California Legislature "Committee of the Whole" in 1990 on the Medfly Crisis in California, and authored the paper "Establishment of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly in California" (1991, Science 258, 457).
Carey is a fellow of four professional societies: the Entomological Society of America, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the California Academy of Sciences, and the Gerontological Society of America. He is former director (2003-13) of a 11-university consortium funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIH/P01) on the evolutionary ecology of lifespan.
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
The katydid nymph did.
It did appear in May.
The UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program (UC IPM) tells us that katydid nymphs appear in our gardens in April or May.
This little nymph was right on time, barely, as it surfaced in our Vacaville garden on May 28.
The nymph, a leafeater, is usually so camouflaged in the vegetation that we don't see it--unless it's hanging out on a California golden poppy blossom or a neon pink rock purslane. The adult katydid can be an economic pest when it feeds on such crops as mandarins.
Frankly, it can look quite comical as it "walks the walk," its long threadlike antennae probing the way as it descends a stem in the early evening.
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
"It's really serious," says UC Davis distinguished professor James R. Carey, a noted authority on the invasion of tropical fruit flies.
Professor Carey will discuss his findings at a UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology seminar at 4:10 p.m., Monday, June 3 in Room 122 of Briggs Hall. His seminar, titled "California's Fruit Fly Invasion Crisis," also will be on Zoom. The Zoom link:
https://ucdavis.zoom.us/j/9 5882849672.
"After seven decades of near-continuous outbreaks in scores of California cities, tephritid fruit fly invasions (e.g., Mediterranean, oriental, peach, and Mexican fruit flies) are reaching critical mass, with many of the annual eradication programs morphing into below-the-radar, never-ending fruit fly control programs," Carey says in his abstract. "Permanent establishment of any one of these tropical species has the potential to shut down the multi-billion dollar domestic and foreign markets for hundreds of California fruit and vegetable crops."
"I will present an overview of the long-developing crisis, discuss lessons learned from analysis of fruit fly detection databases, and argue that, in order to have any chance at stemming this ever-rising tide, CDFA (California Department of Entomology and Nematology) and the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) urgently need to switch from their historic, ad-hoc eradication strategy to a new one that is evidence-based and far more scientific."
Carey served on the CDFA's Medfly Scientific Advisory Panel from 1987-1994, testified to the California Legislature "Committee of the Whole" in 1990 on the Medfly Crisis in California, and authored the paper "Establishment of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly in California" (1991, Science 258, 457).
Carey is a senior scholar in the Center for the Economics and Demography of Aging at UC Berkeley and former vice chair of the UC Davis Department of Entomology. He focuses his research on insect biodemography, mortality dynamics, and insect invasion biology. He joined the Department of Entomology in 1980.
Fellow of Four Professional Societies. Carey is a fellow of four professional societies: the Entomological Society of America, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the California Academy of Sciences, and the Gerontological Society of America. He is former director (2003-13) of a 11-university consortium funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIH/P01) on the evolutionary ecology of lifespan.
He co-authored the book Biodemography: An Introduction to Concepts and Methods (Carey, J. R. and D. Roach. 2020; Princeton University Press) and authored three previous books, Demography for Biologists (Oxford University Press 1993), Longevity (Princeton University Press, 2003), and Longevity Records: Life Spans of Mammals, Birds, Amphibians and Reptiles (Odense, 2000). He has written more than 250 journal articles and book chapters. For any technical issues with Zoom, contact seminar coordinator Brian Johnson, associate professor, at brnjohnson@ucdavis.edu.
Resources:
- The 30?Year Debate on a Multi?Billion?Dollar Threat: Tephritid Fruit Fly Establishment in California, June 8, 2017, American Entomologist
- Behind the Scenes in the California Fruit Fly Invasion, Aug. 6, 2013, UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology
- From a Trickle to a Flood: The Large-Scale Cryptic Invasion of California by Tropical Fruit Flies, October 2013, Proceedings of the Royal Society B
- Establishment of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly in California, 1991, Science
- Author: Jill Santos
Future Design Gives New Graduates Hope
Spring usually brings an abundance of colorful blossoms and excitement for high school and college graduates everywhere. In the past, graduates celebrated their hard-earned achievements, ready to carve their own paths in the world, while parents reluctantly released them into an uncertain future. A study released by The Annie E. Casey Foundation in 2023 reported that Gen Z'ers (ages ranging from 12 to 27) have the highest self-reported mental health concerns compared to previous generations[i]. The source of this distress? Future anxiety.
Today, communities worldwide grapple with daily struggles, feeling left behind in a rapidly changing world. To address this in his home country of Japan, Dr. Tatsuyoshi Saijo, a professor of economics at the Research Institute for Future Design at Kochi University of Technology, aims to inspire the present generation to care more about the future[ii]. This passion ignited after meeting indigenous communities in America, who have long embraced the principle of “seven generations.” Tatsuyoshi published a study in 2015 showing that when considering only present needs, people favored policies that lean toward instant gratification. However, when focusing on the future, study participants put more emphasis on progressive policies, such as advancing healthcare investments or raising utility rates to accommodate for an aging infrastructure. This approach is now being replicated worldwide.
In 2015, then President Barack Obama, speaking at the first session of Conference of the Parties (COP21), said, “we (referring to Millennial and Gen Z) are the first generation to feel the impact of climate change and are the last generation to do something about it.”[iii]
A Green Career Revolution
From private corporations to community-based organizations, leaders are fundamentally reassessing and redesigning the way we live, work, consume, and interact with the environment. What is different now is that more people are acknowledging the realities of climate change and its impacts on ecosystems, societies, and economies. This gives the next generation an advantage to envision and implement alternative pathways that prioritize sustainability, resilience, and equity. Innovative adaptations to traditional technologies are advancing faster than ever and many of them offer
- Heat Pumps – ground-source heat pumps (GSHPs) are gaining traction in the energy sector. UCANR (UC Agriculture and Natural Resources) researchers from as early as 1985 have examined better systems to heat or cool buildings by exchanging the air though underground pumps filled with a water-based solution though devices called Heat-Pumps[iv]. While there are some environmental drawbacks, as there are with many of the human-centric energy solutions, they are more efficient than traditional heating and cooling methods, they do not rely on fossil fuels, they can reduce utility bills, and save space. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) industry could be a great career opportunity for some. The industry currently employs about 1.5 million people in the U.S. and is expected to grow 6 percent by 2026. The 2023 median starting pay, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is about $57,000 per year[v]. If you like working with your hands and want to spend more time outdoors, the HVAC industry is a solid green career.
- Recent reports have raised many risks associated with gas stoves used for cooking indoors. The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that one hour of cooking on a gas stove results in up to 3,000 parts per billion (ppb) of carbon monoxide[vi]. Another study from Stanford University found that methane leaks from gas stoves, (on or off) can emit the equivalent of half a million commuting cars [vii]. As technology improves and costs stabilize, more households will see the value in switching to heat induction stoves. Rebates available through the Federal Inflation Reduction Act (link to more information) can make the price tag more palatable. California offers residential energy rebates in addition to subsidized training for contractors. Some handy individuals may be able to install an induction stove, but many people will prefer to use a qualified company to install it. Licensed electricians can start out early around $60,000 a year and this sector also expects to grow 6 percent by 2032[viii].
- The American Climate Corps (in California, Climate Action Corps) is a great place to start if someone wants to work in a green career but is uncertain which path to take. Corps, like the California Conservation Corps, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and VISTA, etc. give young adults real-world experience who want to make a positive difference in the world and at the end of the service period are eligible to receive a stipend that can help them pay for college. This program helps fight the impacts of climate change at a community level while giving young adults the skills to gain leverage in the clean energy and climate resilience workforce. Sustainable UC (University of California) Davis hosts a Green Workplace Program, assisting UC employees to lower their operational environmental footprints, further indicating that our workplaces are transforming.
Opportunities abound to safeguard public lands and waterways, environmental monitoring, address urban heat and housing concerns, improve forest management practices, expand the adoption of solar energy systems, and contribute to the restoration of coastal and watershed resources. For instance, the demand for environmental engineers is on the rise, with salaries reaching up to $100,000 annually[x]. Solar jobs grew 3.5% in the last few years as installation has nearly doubled. A skilled solar installer can earn as much as $54,000 annually[xi].
As careers and economies undergo significant transformation, it is essential to recognize this evolution as both necessary and inevitable, driven by the pressing urgency of the present moment. Viewing this shift as an opportunity rather than a limitation is the crucial first step forward. Reinventing a future that includes all voices reassures young adults that they will not be left behind.
[i] https://www.aecf.org/blog/generation-z-and-mental-health
[ii]https://www.pbs.org/video/beyond-the-now-ft4j2u/ and https://www.vox.com/23870374/tatsuyoshi-saijo-economist-research-institute-for-future-design-future-perfect-50-2023
[iii] https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/11/30/remarks-president-obama-first-session-cop21#:~:text=But%20only%20if%20we%20rise,can%20do%20something%20about%20it.%E2%80%9D
[iv] chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://calag.ucanr.edu/download_pdf.cfm?article=ca.v039n05p5 and https://energy.ucdavis.edu/fighting-climate-change-with-heat-pumps/
[v] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers.htm
[vi] https://newscenter.lbl.gov/2013/07/23/kitchens-can-produce-hazardous-levels-of-indoor-pollutants/
[vii] https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2024/05/people-with-gas-and-propane-stoves-breathe-more-unhealthy-nitrogen-dioxide#:~:text=Stanford%20researchers%20estimate%20that%20methane,to%20respiratory%20disease%2Dtriggering%20pollutants.
[viii] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm#:~:text=3%25-,Employment%20of%20electricians%20is%20projected%20to%20grow%206%20percent%20from,on%20average%2C%20over%20the%20decade.
[ix] https://www.aging.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/senate_aging_farmers_report.pdf
[x] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/environmental-engineers.htm
[xi] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/solar-photovoltaic-installers.htm
[SK1]Is this true? Source?
[SK2]Please cite the LBNL instead of the popular article if possible
[SK3]Let's cite this like you have the others
[SK4]Also, how many stoves? All of them?
- Author: Saoimanu Sope
In late April, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources hosted its first regional meeting for UC Cooperative Extension advisors and specialists based in Southern California. The meeting, hosted by Daniel Obrist, vice provost, and Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty, director for county Cooperative Extension, brought together 50 participants over two days for networking and collaboration.
Based on feedback collected from ANR's Statewide Conference in April 2023, academics indicated a desire to meet more frequently opposed to waiting for the conference that occurs every five years. As a result, ANR is hosting regional meetings throughout California to provide an in-person opportunity for academics to discuss their research projects, interact with senior leadership, gain clarity related to merit and promotion, strengthen communication skills and network.
On the first day, academics had the option to attend an Impact and Outcome Writing Workshop presented by Martin Smith, Emeritus Professor of Cooperative Extension at UC Davis. The session also included an interactive segment, facilitated by Katherine Webb-Martinez, director of program planning and evaluation, and Christina Becker, program policy analyst for PPE, that broke down impact reporting into theory and application.
To end the day on a social note, attendees were invited to dinner where they could continue informal discussions and networking. During that time, academics got to interact with senior leaders, including Obrist and Schmitt-McQuitty, county and Research and Extension Center (REC) directors such as Rita Clemens for Riverside, San Bernardino and Orange counties, and Jairo Diaz of Desert REC, as well as statewide support staff like News and Information Outreach in Spanish (NOS).
“A key opportunity of these meetings is to build peer networks with colleagues and collaboration opportunities in the regions. So many of our academics are new to ANR, and the regional meetings allow us to welcome and onboard new colleagues and get to know each other,” Obrist said.
The meetings are also beneficial for those transitioning into a new academic role within ANR. Natalie Levy who currently works as a specialist for water resources at South Coast REC, participated in the meeting with her new position, soil health and organic materials management advisor, which begins June 3, in mind.
“It was helpful to have senior leadership present. I spoke to Lynn the most and she gave me good feedback about developing a new program and my research interests,” Levy said. “I also liked the session discussing merit and promotion because it gave me a framework to use as I step into a new role.”
The morning of the second day, academics participated in a poster session to share their research with colleagues. Attendees also engaged in discussions to understand and address regional needs, build new partnerships and engage senior leadership for support.
“I learned a lot about my colleagues from the poster session. I felt more connected to their work because I could visualize how we can collaborate,” said Ashley Hooper, urban community resiliency advisor for Los Angeles County. “It can be isolating for advisors who don't have counterparts in other counties or in ANR. Seeing how others are managing their programs during the poster session gave me reassurance that I'm on the right track in my position.”
In the afternoon, academics heard from Vice President Glenda Humiston, who addressed ANR's budget and career pathways for academics. Niamh Quinn, human-wildlife interactions advisor for Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties, presented on the merit and promotion process to remind academics that “swallowing the eBook” (Guidelines for UC ANR Academics Preparing the Thematic Program Review Dossier) is the best way to learn how merit and promotions work within ANR.
Finally, Saoimanu Sope, digital communications specialist, showed academics how to leverage social media as an extension tool. Ricardo Vela, program manager for News and Information Outreach in Spanish, and Miguel Sanchez, broadcast communications specialist for NOS, described how to produce videos using a smartphone.
“It was useful to see colleagues from other counties, especially those who work in different disciplines,” said Quinn, who, like Hooper, is programmatically isolated given her program niche. As someone who uses social media for her program, Quinn described the social media presentation as informative. “I felt better educated and equipped to make improvements afterwards,” she said.
The regional meeting schedule is as follows:
Region 3: May 30-31, at UCCE San Joaquin County Building in Stockton
- Counties: San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Mariposa, Mono, Inyo, Madera, Fresno, Tulare, Kings and Kern
- RECs: Kearney, Westside and Lindcove
Region 5: June 10-11, at UC Santa Cruz
- Counties: Sonoma, Napa, Marin, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Alameda, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey
Region 2: Sept. 12-13, Central/Northern Sierras, specific location TBD
- Counties: Tehama, Glenn, Butte, Colusa, Sutter, Yuba, Nevada, Placer, El Dorado, Yolo, Solano, Sacramento, Amador, Calaveras and Tuolumne
- REC: Sierra Foothills
Region 1: Feb. 26-27, 2025, Redding, specific location TBD
- Counties: Del Norte, Siskiyou, Modoc, Humboldt, Trinity, Shasta, Lassen, Mendocino, Lake and Plumas-Sierra
- RECs: Intermountain and Hopland