- (Focus Area) Health
KC Whitsett joined the Nutrition Policy Institute at the University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources on March 25, 2024, as a project policy analyst. Originally from Virginia, KC earned a BS in Kinesiology and Health Sciences from the College of William & Mary. KC also holds a Master of Public Health from UC Berkeley, with an interdisciplinary concentration on research and evaluation methods for food access and nutrition programs. Her previous professional experiences include program and grant management and community health education. She has expertise in the evaluation of physical activity and food access programs—healthy corner store initiatives, mobile markets, SNAP incentives—and farmworkers' access to health care services. In her role at NPI, KC will support qualitative data collection and analysis for projects related to school meals, the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children—commonly known as WIC.
- Author: Mackenzie Faith Patton
The invasive pest spotlight focuses on emerging or potential invasive pests in California. In this issue we are covering West Nile virus.
West Nile Virus Facts
West Nile virus disease was first reported in California in 2003 and has become the most common and serious vector-borne disease in California. With the exceptionally wet weather in 2023, reported cases of this mosquito-borne virus doubled compared to the previous year.
West Nile virus is spread by mosquitoes in the genus Culex. Usually, the virus passes between mosquitoes and birds, but mosquitoes can also transmit the virus to humans, horses, and other domestic animals.
Because mosquitoes can get the virus from birds, monitoring bird populations and recording dead birds is one of the most important ways to track this disease.
What can you do?
The best way to prevent the spread of West Nile virus is to reduce mosquito populations through controlling the mosquito larval stages. Whenever possible, standing water should be drained, since mosquito larva can grow in as little as a few ounces of water. Clean gutters and storm drains to ensure water does not collect there. In areas that cannot be drained or mosquito-proofed, such as ponds, neglected pools, or unsealed rain barrels, there are some biocontrol options like Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) that can reduce mosquito populations. In addition to these preventative measures, protect yourself from adult mosquito bites by using mosquito repellents or wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
For more information on mosquito control and protecting yourself from mosquito-borne diseases, visit the UC IPM pages on mosquitoes. To report dead birds and view more information on West Nile in California, visit Westnile.ca.gov.
[Originally featured in the Spring 2024 edition of the Home & Garden Pest Newsletter]
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- Author: Diana Cervantes
En un mundo donde las fronteras a menudo se definen por líneas en mapas, la historia de Leticia D. Christian destaca por su determinación inquebrantable que desafía tanto las fronteras físicas como las profesionales. De médico y especialista en inmunología en Cuba a educadora de nutrición en los Estados Unidos, su viaje es un testimonio de pasión y dedicación.
Christian llegó a la División de Agricultura y Recursos Naturales de la Universidad de California (UC ANR) en 2009 como representante de programa, convirtiéndose desde entonces en una figura clave en la promoción de la salud y la nutrición dentro de la comunidad latina. Su enfoque único busca aplicar sus conocimientos en salud pública para beneficiar aquellos que más lo necesitan.
"Quería trabajar en salud pública, pero enfrenté varios obstáculos al llegar a los Estados Unidos. Estaba sobrecalificada para muchas posiciones, hasta que surgió la oportunidad de unirme a UC ANR", comenta Christian sobre su experiencia.
Fue con la creación del programa Cal Fresh en 2013 que comenzó a impartir clases de nutrición a los padres de los estudiantes del Distrito Escolar Unificado de Oakland. Además de abordar la nutrición, Christian también enfocó su trabajo en promover la importancia de la actividad física, implementando programas para fomentar estilos de vida saludables.
A pesar de los desafíos presentados por la pandemia de COVID-19, Christian sigue comprometida con su labor, reconociendo que el progreso depende de muchos factores, siendo uno de los principales lograr la participación de los padres en las clases.
Para la experta en nutrición, el verdadero valor de su trabajo radica en la prevención. Su compromiso va más allá de una sola sesión; los participantes reciben una serie de clases continuas, lo que la llena de satisfacción al ver el impacto positivo que genera.
Convertida en una figura de confianza y apoyo en su comunidad, Christian busca empoderar especialmente a las mujeres, reconociendo su influencia y destacando la importancia de inculcar un sentido de autoestima y ambición desde casa.
"Siempre hay que soñar que podemos, no quedarnos atrás, no conformarnos con migajas", insiste Christian, cuya determinación se vio reforzada por el apoyo generoso de las mujeres en su vida, incluyendo a su madre y hermanas, quienes fueron un ejemplo inspirador en su viaje hacia el éxito académico y profesional.
- Author: Saoimanu Sope
Nearly 200 residents trained in past seven years by program, a part of UC Environmental Stewards
On one of her darkest days, Tammah Watts stood in front of her kitchen sink to fill a pitcher of water. Outside of her window, the San Marcos resident noticed a flutter in the distance. She spotted a small yellow bird emerge from the tree and her eyes grew in admiration.
Bird-watching from her kitchen window became an escape for Watts while she was temporarily homebound after a surgery. It's where she found connection beyond the interior space of her home.
“I started noticing other birds that had always been there. The yard didn't change, but my mind and my perspective did,” she said.
Eager to learn more and expose others to her new hobby and its healing power, Watts joined the University of California Environmental Stewards program, a statewide program housed under UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, to become a certified California Naturalist.
The program offers two environmental education certification courses: the California Naturalist course, which introduces people to the wonders of California's unique ecology and engages the public in the study and stewardship of the state's natural communities, and a separate Climate Stewards course.
One of the many strengths of the program is that it allows people from diverse backgrounds to find common ground in nature even if how they became interested varies, said Eliot Freutel, a community education specialist for the UC Environmental Stewards program in Southern California.
“Our partners that help us administer the course are organizations that already have access to the public and provide informal science education, such as natural history museums or Audubon societies,” Freutel added.
Welcoming a new cohort of environmental stewards
In early March, the longest-standing California Naturalist course in San Diego County graduated 25 new members, Watts being one of them, under Karen Merrill and Paige DeCino's instruction. For seven years, Merrill and DeCino have served as co-instructors at the Buena Vista Audubon Nature Center in Oceanside and graduated 166 members prior to their most recent and final class.
Transitioning into retirement, DeCino and Merrill reflected on their seven years of service and are proud to see younger and more diverse faces join the California Naturalist program. Tucker Shelton, who recently graduated alongside his mom, is among the few young people who have joined the program over the years. A love for nature began when Shelton discovered tide pools when he was just a boy. At 14 years old, Shelton wants to inspire a generation of youth with a passion and care for nature.
“When you're younger and your brain is still developing, you're the most interested in new things. If you find a passion at a young age, you'll most likely grow up with it becoming a part of you,” said Tucker, whose capstone project focuses on an essay about the endangered Townsend's big-eared bat and uses stamp art to raise awareness. His art will be featured and sold at an upcoming exhibit and all proceeds will be donated to the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve in Julian.
Hannah Marquez, another recent graduate, was born and raised in San Diego. She values its cultural diversity and believes connecting the public to nature begins with language. In working with Tecolote Canyon Natural Park and Nature Center in Mission Valley to establish an updated native plant library, Marquez is providing relevant information and resources in English and Spanish.
“A lot of people aren't comfortable using technology, and relying on Google Translate isn't going to cut it,” said Marquez, adding that her parents' limited English inspired this project.
Marquez hopes to interest more people in growing native plants in their backyard and believes accessible information is the first step to doing so.
“This has been so rewarding for us,” said Merrill. “Typically, our students are already involved in the community, but for those who aren't, it's amazing to see them become a part of the community and engage in a way that they haven't before.”
DeCino agreed and said that she really hopes to find new instructors to keep the momentum of California Naturalists in San Diego County alive. “Even though we're retiring, we'll still be around here and there, but its important to us that we pass the torch,” DeCino said.
The future of California Naturalists in San Diego County
What's next for San Diego County, you ask?
“We definitely want to expand in the area. But right now, we're looking for alums who are interested in taking over the program held at Buena Vista Audubon Nature Center,” Freutel said. “I'm also hoping to secure more partnerships throughout San Diego County so that the course is offered in various places, not just North County, which can lead to accessibility concerns.”
Like other students, Marquez commuted an hour, each way, to participate in the UC Environmental Stewards program. “It's a worthwhile course, one that helps people have a positive impact in their own community,” said Freutel.
For Watts, helping people find healing and connection to the world around them – an experience her book, a guide to the powerful healing of bird-watching, discusses – is a priority. “It's not just about watching birds,” she said. “It's about noticing the tree the bird lives in, and the ground the tree is growing in.”
During a nature walk that Watts led for a group of kids, she noticed two sets of footprints in the dirt. Immediately, she could differentiate the two. “One belonged to a raccoon and the other belonged to a deer,” Watts said. “I was so excited that I could tell them apart, and I promise I didn't know this before taking the CalNat course.”
To learn how you can join the UC Environmental Stewards program and become a California Naturalist or Climate Steward, visit: https://calnat.ucanr.edu/Take_a_class/
/h3>- Author: DIANA CERVANTES
La División de Agricultura y Recursos Naturales de la Universidad de California (UC ANR) participó con programas como 4-H, el programa Maestro Jardinero y The Vine, además de la participación de investigadores de UC ANR.
Distintas agencias gubernamentales y organizaciones agrícolas aprovechan este día para acercarse a la comunidad en un festejo que cada año se vuelve más completo.
Melbourne explica que el Día de la Agricultura es una oportunidad excelente para aprender y conectar con la comunidad y las autoridades.
"Venimos a explicarle a la comunidad sobre los rodeos, qué hacemos con los caballos y cómo se puede ganar dinero con ellos", dice Saúl Díaz, residente de Melville, California, quien participa en rodeos en todo el país durante todo el año.
Los maestros de ceremonias en el evento fueron dos embajadores de 4-H. La presencia de la primera dama de California, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, reafirmó el compromiso, orgullo y optimismo en el desarrollo de la industria agrícola.
Karen Ross, secretaria del Departamento de Alimentos y Agricultura de California, también celebró las contribuciones de los agricultores a la economía estatal.
Así, en un ambiente de celebración y gratitud, el Día de la Agricultura 2024 llegó a su conclusión, anticipando con entusiasmo la celebración del próximo año.