- Author: Mike Hsu
UCCE forest advisor helps landowners, community groups determine best project options
As Californians prepare for another year of drought and an anticipated intense fire season, landowners and organizations across California have been working to reduce forest fuels – flammable woody material – that can endanger their properties and communities.
For many of them, however, their urgent efforts hit a sizable speed bump: a massive rulebook that describes, amid a thicket of other information, the permits required before people can treat or remove fuels – as well as a litany of attached requirements, restrictions and stipulations.
“The California Forest Practice Rules are 410 pages, in font size 6,” said Yana Valachovic, UC Cooperative Extension forest advisor for Humboldt and Del Norte counties and registered professional forester. “Trying to figure out what permit vehicles make sense in the rulebook is not easy even for the experienced professional forester.”
To assist private landowners and community groups in deciphering the rules and determining their most cost-effective options, Valachovic took the lead in writing a new guide, “Planning and Permitting Forest Fuel-Reduction Projects on Private Lands in California,” available as a free resource in the UC Agriculture and Natural Resources catalog.
“We tried to create a system where all the permits are laid out side-by-side, and put in a decision tree framework to help make it easier,” said Valachovic, highlighting the publication's tables that break down the project goals and parameters a permit applicant should think about when weighing their choices.
Considerations include whether the project is pre- or post-wildfire, the location and dimensions of trees targeted for removal, the conditions of the site before and after the project, potential time limits, commercial options, and, crucially, budget constraints – given that the permitting process could comprise up to one-third of total project costs.
A primer for planning and preparation
Chris Curtis, the unit forester for CAL FIRE's Humboldt-Del Norte Unit, said that he and his colleagues are grateful for this new tool and plan to use it as an “over the counter” handout for community members. He added that the charts summarizing timber-harvesting regulations and possible funding sources are especially helpful.
The publication helps prepare the landowner or community entity (such as Resource Conservation Districts, Fire Safe Councils or other concerned groups) for the types of questions that might come up in preliminary planning conversations with a registered professional forester or RPF.
Just as a homeowner would talk with a contractor before tackling a construction project, landowners and community groups must consult with an RPF, Valachovic said. RPFs have the specialized knowledge of forest practice rules and regulations related to water, air quality and endangered species protections, and the license to file the permitting documents.
“That's what I do in my job: Landowners come to me and we start talking about goals and objectives,” she said. “We start thinking about potential timelines – which goals are short-term, which are long-term – and how we can put an operational plan together to help those landowners achieve their goals.”
Long-term projects, short-term actions
Among the many practical tips outlined in this guide, Valachovic emphasized one in particular: for landowners dipping their toes into fuel reduction for the first time, keep the project “simple and realistic.”
In the short-term, however, Valachovic stressed that the extremely dry conditions across the state make it imperative for Californians to harden their homes, manage the fuels (i.e., landscape plants, stored wood, tall grass, etc.) immediately adjacent to their homes, and devise and review family emergency plans; see UC ANR's Wildfire Preparation page for detailed information and resources.
“There are a lot of immediate actions that people can be doing this year to help mitigate their wildfire risks and prepare for the unexpected,” she said.
In addition to Valachovic, co-authors of “Planning and Permitting Forest Fuel-Reduction Projects on Private Lands in California” are Jared Gerstein of BBW Associates and Brita Goldstein, UCCE staff research associate in Humboldt and Del Norte counties; both are registered professional foresters.
/h3>/h3>/h3>- Author: Mike Hsu
Free downloadable curriculum recognizes diverse family circumstances
Not all young people are on an expressway to a four-year college, and a new publication from University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources acknowledges their many circumstances and possibilities. The “Pathways to Your Future” curriculum invites high school-aged youth – and their families – to map their unique situations and passions before embarking on their own road.
Whereas similar guides might convey advice on a one-way street, this free download outlines a “hands-on” experience – in school settings or out-of-school programs – to help young people steer toward their best post-high-school education, training and career options.
“We wanted to make a youth-centered publication,” said co-author Claudia Diaz Carrasco, UC Cooperative Extension 4-H youth development advisor in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. “A lot of the content out there is based on delivering content to kids – just like information on college and careers; with ‘Pathways to Your Future', it's actually a skill-building curriculum so that youth are doing research and having critical discussions and making comparisons.”
In a pilot program that engaged 228 high schoolers across California (primarily 9th graders recruited from local 4-H programs), many participants said they appreciated that the curriculum presented a variety of pathways, including vocational education, non-degree certificate programs, community college, on-the-job training or entering the workforce – as well as four-year institutions of higher education.
“They have been liking that it doesn't start with ‘pick a college and get there,'” Diaz Carrasco said. “But really it's a self-reflection approach, where they start going back to what they're passionate about and what they think they're good at – and how much money they want to make in the future – and really just having that opportunity to know themselves before jumping into college or a career.”
To help them attain that clear-eyed perspective, the modules in the curriculum also debunk myths about the college experience and incorporate budgeting activities.
“This program gives youth the opportunity to constantly reflect on their learning as they get more data,” said another publication co-author, Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty, UC ANR's statewide 4-H director. “In the beginning, youth may have a very rigid or glamorized view of their future; the ‘Pathways' program grounds things and brings reality into the picture.”
Parents of the pilot-program participants – who predominantly identify as Latino – were also thankful for opportunities to engage in “real talk” with other parents about the wide array of options. Acknowledging the diversity of families across California, “Pathways to Your Future” also includes several sections in Spanish to make essential information more accessible.
“The parents need as much – or more – education on the processes, opportunities and expectations to support post-high school life,” Schmitt-McQuitty explained.
In addition to integrating families into discussions about their future, the curriculum also provides spaces for the high schoolers to participate in panel discussions with their slightly older peers, who recently went through their own decision-making journeys.
“The youth really appreciate seeing someone like themselves talking about what they went through, how they overcame obstacles,” said Diaz Carrasco. “They feel really inspired that there is a pathway for themselves.”
For assistance and support in bringing the “Pathways” curriculum to your community, contact your county's Cooperative Extension office, reach out to the local 4-H program, or email Claudia Diaz Carrasco at cpdiaz@ucanr.edu.
The other authors of the publication are Shannon Horrillo (College of Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resources, University of Nevada, Reno Extension), Darlene McIntyre and Nathaniel Caeton (UC ANR), and Martin Smith (University of California, Davis).
/h2>- Posted by: Gale Perez
Our friend Lynn Sosnoskie (at Cornell University) shared the following announcement with us:
A free (downloadable) resource
Manage Weeds on Your Farm – A Guide to Ecological Strategies
Manage-Weeds-on-Your-Farm.pdf (sare.org)
Manage Weeds On Your Farm - SARE
“I am most pleased to share the good news that our long-awaited SARE-sponsored book “Manage Weeds on Your Farm – A Guide to Ecological Strategies” by the late Chuck Mohler, John Teasdale, and me has now been published online and is freely available for download from the SARE website link below. This is a great resource that took Chuck and I (and many student assistants) numerous years to complete. The coming onboard of John Teasdale as a co-author during the last two years was enormously helpful especially given Chuck's failing eyesight and his untimely passing.”--Toni DiTommaso, Professor and Chair, School of Integrative Plant Science Soil and Crop Sciences Section, Cornell University
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ABOUT SARE
PART I CONCEPTS OF ECOLOGICAL WEED MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
- Purpose and Philosophy
- How to Use This Book
CHAPTER 2 HOW TO THINK ABOUT WEEDS
- What is a Weed?
- The Origins of Weeds
- Weed Populations are Dynamic
- Weed Density Affects Weed Death and Reproduction
- Vegetative Propagation of Perennial Weeds
- Seed Weight
- Seed Germination: Why Tillage Prompts Germination
- Season of Weed Emergence
- Seed Longevity
- Depth of Seedling Emergence from the Soil
- Growth and Competition for Light
- Photosynthetic Pathway
- Sensitivity to Frost
- Drought Tolerance
- Mycorrhizae
- Nutrient Use
- Allelopathy
- Response to Soil Physical Conditions
- Response to Shade
- The Timing of Reproduction
- Pollination
- The Magnitude of Reproduction
- Dispersal
- Natural Enemies
- Palatability
- Summary
- References
CHAPTER 3 CULTURAL WEED MANAGEMENT
- Many Little Hammers
- Crop Rotation and Weed Management
- Crop Competitiveness
- Cover Crops
- Organic Mulch
- Continuous No-Till Vegetable Production Using Organic Mulches
- Synthetic Mulch
- Weed Management During Transition to Organic Production
- Solarization
- Natural Product Herbicides
- Livestock for Weed Management
- Preventive Weed Management
- Preventing the Arrival of New Weed Species
- Summary
- References
CHAPTER 4 MECHANICAL AND OTHER PHYSICAL WEED MANAGEMENT METHODS
- Essential Concepts of Mechanical Weed Management
- Types of Tillage and Their Effects on Weeds
- Using Tillage Against Perennial Weeds
- Tillage Effects on Weed Seedling Density
- Ridge Tillage
- Tilled Fallow
- Stale Seedbed
- Principles of Mechanical Weeding
- Cultivators and Cultivating Tools
- Other Physical Weed Control Devices
- Cultivator Guidance Systems
- Matching the Implement to the Task
- Hoeing Weeds
- Cultivation and Tillage in the Dark
- Soil Tilth and Cultivation
- Energy Use in Physical and Chemical Weed Management
- Summary
- References
CHAPTER 5 PROFILES OF FARMS WITH INNOVATIVE WEED MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
- The Martens, Penn Yan, N.Y.
- Paul Mugge, Sutherland, Iowa
- Eric and Anne Nordell, Trout Run, Penn.
- Scott Park, Meridian, Calif.
- Carl Pepper, O'Donnell, Texas
- References
PART II MAJOR AGRICULTURAL WEEDS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA
- How the Species Chapters Were Developed How to Find Ecological Information and Develop a Management Plan for Species not Covered in this Book
- References
WEED CHARACTERISTICS SUMMARY TABLES
GRASS WEEDS AND THEIR RELATIVES
- Annual bluegrass
- Barnyardgrass
- Bermudagrass
- Downy brome
- Fall panicum
- Foxtails
- Goosegrass
- Italian ryegrass
- Johnsongrass
- Large crabgrass
- Purple nutsedge
- Quackgrass
- Sandburs
- Shattercane
- Wild garlic
- Wild oat
- Wild-proso millet
- Witchgrass
- Yellow nutsedge
BROADLEAF WEEDS AND THEIR RELATIVES
- Annual sowthistles
- Bindweeds
- Canada thistle
- Catchweed bedstraw and false cleavers
- Chamomiles
- Common chickweed
- Common cocklebur
- Common groundsel
- Common lambsquarters
- Common milkweed
- Common purslane
- Common ragweed
- Common sunflower
- Dandelion
- Deadnettles
- Docks
- False cleavers (see “catchweed bedstraw and false cleavers”)
- Field pennycress
- Flixweed
- Galinsogas
- Giant ragweed
- Hemp sesbania
- Horsenettle
- Horseweed
- Jimsonweed
- Kochia
- Morningglories
- Nightshades
- Palmer amaranth
- Perennial sowthistle
- Pigweeds
- Plantains
- Prickly lettuce
- Prickly sida
- Russian-thistle
- Shepherd's-purse
- Sicklepod
- Smartweeds
- Velvetleaf
- Waterhemp
- Wild buckwheat
- Wild mustard
- Wild radish
- Yellow woodsorrel
GLOSSARY
INDEX
/span>
- Author: Dong Hwan Choe
Our research on Argentine ant IPM was published in August 2021 issue of Journal of Economic Entomology (JEE).
Choe, D.-H., J.-W. Tay, K. Campbell, H. Park, L. Greenberg, and M. K. Rust. 2021. Development and demonstration of low-impact IPM strategy to control Argentine ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in urban residential settings. J. Econ. Entomol. 114: 1752–1757.
In addition, the photo showing a pair of Argentine ant workers feeding on a biodegradable hydrogel bait (made form alginate compound) was selected as the cover page for August 2021 issue of JEE. The biodegradable hydrogel bait with boric acid as the active ingredient was incorporated as the maintenance treatment option for the study.
To find more about the research, please visit here to access the full research article.
/span>
- Author: Gale Perez
If you don't already have a copy of Weeds of California and Other Western States, here's your chance to get it at lowest price I've seen: $45.00 (this price is good through May 6, 2021.)
Weeds of California and Other Western States
Preview in Google Books- 13 shortcut identification tables for groups that share similar, unusual, or relatively uncommon characteristics.
- 2 grass identification keys - a key to all characteristics including inflorescences and reproductive parts and a key to vegetative characteristics only.
- 67 tables comparing important characteristics of difficult-to-distinguish weedy species.
- Color photos of over 700 weeds including seeds, seedlings, flowers, and mature plants.
- Appendix of non-native plants rarely or occasionally naturalized in California.
- Glossary of botanical terms.
- Bibliography of some of the most pertinent publications.
- Index to common names, scientific names, and synonyms.
Each entry describes the plant category, family name, common name, and synonyms along with a summary of the important aspects of the plant's life cycle, size, growth form, impact, method of introduction, and toxicity. You'll also find a description of the seedling, mature plant, roots and underground structures, flowers, fruits and seeds, spikelets and florets, spore-bearing structures, and post senescence characteristics for each entry.
Also includes a description of the habitat where each is typically found and distribution in California, other states, and worldwide, along with maximum elevation at which the species is found.
Rounding out each entry is a description of the methods of reproduction, seed dispersal, germination requirements and conditions, seed survival and longevity, early establishment characteristics and requirements, cultural practices and management options that have proven effective or ineffective in controlling infestations, and a notation of the species' inclusion on federal or state noxious weed lists.
To order, visit UC ANR Publications.