- Author: Faith Kearns
Street-side stormwater facilities are turning runoff once seen as a nuisance into a resource. Also known as bioretention areas, rain gardens, and bioswales, these small stormwater facilities provide a decentralized approach to alleviating peak stormwater runoff and subsequent flood damages. These are particularly critical functions in cities like San Francisco where the storm and sanitary sewer systems are combined because they help managers to prevent dreaded “combined sewer overflow” events. As a bonus, stormwater facilities have also proved useful in promoting groundwater recharge and filtering pollutants as water percolates through soils.
While street-side facilities are effective in helping to manage stormwater runoff, how the trees that are often planted in them fare is not as well-understood. In theory, trees in stormwater facilities serve many purposes, including stabilizing soils and improving water infiltration and uptake of nutrients and pollutants. They also provide the same well-known benefits as other urban trees: shade, carbon sequestration and storage, air pollution reduction, and aesthetic improvement.
The challenge is that trees have been expected to survive and even thrive in stormwater facilities, but there is little research available to guide the process. This is particularly true for climates like California's with distinct wet and dry seasons, where irrigation might be needed to keep trees alive during the summer. This is where Igor Lacan, a University of California cooperative extension advisor, comes in. He has spent much of the last several months outfitting locations in northern California with sensors that will help him to develop best practices for managing trees in street-side stormwater facilities.
Lacan says that tree survival in stormwater facilities likely depends on at least three factors: how long tree roots stay submerged during a storm event, the intensity of California's summer dry period, and the quality of the soil used. He notes that there are likely multiple trade-offs between these factors. He says, for example, that “a permeable sandy soil might drain well during rainy winter months, but would not help trees retain water during the hot, dry summer months. At the same time, a clay soil better at retaining moisture could become waterlogged during a large storm event.”
To better understand these trade-offs, Lacan first has to locate the facilities – a more challenging task he originally imagined. Many easily blend into the surrounding urban landscape, and are incredibly diverse in their design. “No two are alike,” says Lacan. He then identifies the trees, evaluates their size and condition, and installs soil moisture sensors. One of the biggest concerns about the research is how well the sensors – buried in the soils to help escape attention from passersby – will survive periodic immersion in rain water.
Lacan started the project after some casual comments from arborists who expressed reluctance about planting trees in stormwater facilities. He says the concern has now spread to local city foresters as well -- they worry about excessive tree mortality. At this point, he is excited to reassure managers that the “verdict is not yet in” and enlist them as study partners, with the hopes of optimizing tree survival.
After years spent researching stormwater facilities in rainy Portland, Oregon, he says that one interaction while doing field work epitomizes the need for more research on tree survival in California's Mediterranean climate. A man walking by a bioswale as the researcher dug around installing a sensor was asked by his toddler what was going on – the father casually explained that Lacan was fixing the irrigation system. “That one made me smile,” says Lacan. “It is of course natural to think that our California bioswales would come with an irrigation system.”
This research was supported in part through a grant to Principal Investigator Igor Lacan with the University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources from the California Institute for Water Resources in the University of California's Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
- Author: Sophie Loeb
Wild, Wild West 4-H Camp, sponsored by 4-H of San Mateo and San Francisco counties, was held July 12-17 at Jones Gulch in La Honda, CA; an annual week long program local campers look forward to each year. 4-H Youth Development and Mentoring Programs are designed to inculcate the 4 “H's”: Head, Heart, Hands, and Health by empowering youth to achieve their full potential. With opportunities to become leaders within their communities, 86 campers came to 4-H Camp to learn, explore nature, and take on active leadership roles.
Many campers attend 4-H summer camp as elementary school students, become promotable to managers as eighth graders, serve as AD's (Assistant Directors) their sophomore year of high school, and by the time they are seniors, can be selected to the Director position. Camp is run entirely by Youth Staff from start to finish; adult chaperones are there to supervise. Planning for camp is a year long process that requires collaboration among youth from all over San Mateo county. These young leaders are motivated to “carry on the tradition of camp” for younger kids and make the week long experience unforgettable.
Campers stayed mighty busy during their time at Jones Gulch. During the day, the group enjoyed free time at the onsite rock wall, archery center, pool, or chose to canoe, horseback ride, and participate in arts and crafts activities. Each evening consisted of nightly recreation- soccer, football, volleyball followed by a campwide activity. Sunday's kick off nighttime event was a cabin group skit. The following evening consisted of a “Dutch Auction” where each individual brought 10 items to the campfire, stated a topic, and then collectively decided which item best represented that certain topic. Tuesday night combined nature and cinema: a showing of Toy Story was followed up by a starry night hike. Wednesday night was a camper favorite- camp managers dressed up in funky clothing and competed in a friendly dance-off; campers, of course, decided who busted the best move and wore the most creative digs. Thursday's final farewell is known around Jones Gulch as “Kangaroo Court” where awards and nominations were doled out.
4-H youth Director, Max Jenkins, two campers, Skye and Xander Samuels, and their parent, Christy Samuels, reflected on this summer's 4-H Camp…
What was your favorite part of camp?
Max: My highlight was experiencing more responsibility as I was given a lot more. I learned more about what I can do. One of things I love about camp is how much trust the adults put in us and how much you grow as a person.
Skye: My favorite part of camp was all the extra stuff, that happens between or after the main activities: the pranks, Suzi, Kangaroos and Kangaroo court, and the market (where you get points for having the things asked for).
Xander: I love 4-H camp because I got to meet so many nice people, and there were so many fun activities. My favorite things at camp were Kangaroo Court and the dance. What makes 4-H Camp special?
Max: It is kind of just a big family.
Christy (parent): As a parent, I'd just like to say thank you for all the great support of the staff in accommodating Skye's unusual food allergies. He would not have been able to go to camp if they hadn't been willing to go the extra mile with grabbing and re-heating meals and snacks.
Skye: I loved how nice and helpful all the counselors were, and the environment of supportive and friendly people.
Would you come back to 4-H Camp next year?
Christy: My two sons are still singing camp songs and asking why they can't go back, “RIGHT NOW!” We look forward to sending them back next year, and having their sister join them as well!
Max: People don't want to stop coming.
- Author: Sophie Loeb
Each year, many schools and youth groups venture out to UC Elkus Ranch for a delicious “Lunch-at-the-Ranch” experience. Kathi Baxter, Environmental Science Educator, developed “Lunch-at-the-Ranch” 6 years ago to accommodate those children who had previously visited the ranch and were interested in returning for a different experience. The educational program is designed for children in second grade and above, primarily because participants need to be able to read recipes and use knives safely.
Children arrive at the ranch at 9:30 ready to fill their bellies. Staff take them to the barns, pens, and coops to visit the animals with the specific goal of identifying the kinds of food the ranch produces (lamb, pork, goat's milk for cheese, eggs, cow's milk). The food hike then forays into the garden for a herb, veggie, fruit, and flower harvest, where the young adventurers learn how to pick the outside leaves of a head of lettuce, find carrots that are ready to be harvested, discover which flowers are edible and which are decorative, note the difference between an herb and a vegetable, and more. Staff help the children make the connection between compost and healthy soil that produces nutrient dense fruit and vegetables.
Their baskets brimming with garden goodies, the kids hike back down to the conference center for a break while the parents wash and prepare all the collected produce. Next up is instruction in MyPlate nutrition education, knife safety and proper hand-washing, and then an “Ingredients Walk” along the tables to learn where all the ingredients they didn't harvest are sourced from (e.g., baking soda, chocolate chips, vanilla). The kids then go off to wash their hands (20 seconds at least please!) and then come back to start cultivating their culinary masterpieces. One adult and five to six kids are grouped at each table to chop, mix, and bake their way through delectable recipes like lemon and mint infused water, veggie pizza, salad with a goat cheese and herb vinaigrette, and a wholegrain fruit based cookie – usually chocolate chip zucchini or pumpkin raisin, depending on the time of year. Together, the mini chefs roll out dough, spread sauce, sprinkle cheese and chop, clip and grate veggies, tasting the raw beets or chard along the way to decide if they are yummy enough to add to their dishes. Sampling produce is highly encouraged!
While their pizzas and cookies bake, the kids clean off and set tables with tablecloths, silverware, cloth napkins and a homemade non-edible flower centerpiece. Each chef takes creative license in topping and decorating their creations; some pizza end up with smiley faces made from carrots or calendula petals. The meal is served in courses: salad, pizza, and for a grand finale, cookies and milk. As the kids finish their meal Elkus staff engage the youngsters in a little evaluation – what did you eat that you haven't tried before, what did you put on your pizza today that you would ask for the next time you have pizza, what didn't you like? Staff often overhear: "the next time I go to Round Table, I am going to ask for zucchini on my pizza!" For many young eaters, it is also often the first time they have consumed salad.
The Ranch hosts 14 to 15 of these programs per year, charging $15/child. For qualifying schools, the Ranch offers partial scholarships to ensure access to the program.
“Lunch-at-the-Ranch” aligns with the mission of the Ranch at large: “We are providing a very strong connection between food and how it has grown, engaging kids in the process of harvesting and preparing healthy choices, and throwing in a fair amount of environmental stewardship as we go. Gotta have land and water to grow this stuff!!” noted Environmental Science Educator Kathi Baxter.
“Lunch-at-the-Ranch” is equal parts science and magic. The staff has all materials prepared, printed, and laminated for the kids and parents, shopping lists and garden checklists are used, and a time line is provided and followed carefully to ensure those cookies are on the table before the bus is ready to leave. “To Go” bags are ready just in case.
But the real magic is in the details…. On one occasion, a student asked what was on the menu and promptly informed Baxter that he only ate pepperoni pizza and would not be eating any salad, ever! He even brought his own lunch.
“We went on our tour and came back to the kitchen and when I passed by his table he pulled me over to show me his pizza. It was piled with shredded carrots, bits of broccoli, spinach and tomatoes. We agreed it was a work of art. When it came out of the oven I checked in with his table and asked him how it tasted. Big smile and a thumbs up (his mouth was full!),” reflected Baxter.
Within a couple hours after the group left, Baxter received an email from the boy's mom, asking for all of the recipes they had made.
“I was concerned that he had eaten something he wasn't supposed to but she wrote back right away that prior to this trip there were only 5 (FIVE) foods he would eat. It was the first time he ate salad, pizza with vegetables, and cookies with fruit. She was going that weekend to get soil and seeds to plant a vegetable garden with him and they made their own version of our pizza and salad that night for dinner. She was thrilled!” exclaimed Baxter.
Many of the visiting students leave this program with an expanded palate of vegetables that they are willing to eat. Much of this success starts with the harvesting process which brings kids in direct contact with their food source.
From seed to plate, “Lunch-at-the-Ranch,” is educational, engaging, and no match for even the pickiest of eaters.
“When the kids get to pull the carrots out of the ground or pick the lettuce leaves themselves and then choose how they will be presented on their pizza or in their salad, they are so much more likely to eat those foods…” reflected Baxter.
- Author: Sophie Loeb
UCCE Master Gardener Coordinator, Leslie Parent, has a firmly rooted legacy in landscapes, plants, and gardens. What began as a childhood joy of watching and helping her mom landscape the yard morphed into a curiosity to know plant names and gardening ways, and eventually into a career. Parent, too, has always been interested in artwork, and so, to combine her love for nature and art, she transferred from UC Santa Cruz to UC Berkeley in 1979 in order to pursue a major in Landscape Architecture and “put it all together in some sort of aesthetic”. Working with her landscape architecture clients, Parent found that while everything looked beautiful on paper, there was a pattern of things “not quite working out” in practice.
“I needed long term knowledge of the landscape and what you need to maintain it. In 2006, I saw a flyer for the Master Gardener program. Sustainable gardening and science, I thought- that would be a good enhancement to my landscape architecture background,” commented Parent.
The Master Gardener program of San Mateo and San Francisco counties was a late bloomer; some of the surrounding counties had supported the program for 30 years when Leslie first joined. Leslie's movement in the young organization, then, was initially out of need for leaders. Parent co-managed volunteer work in the greenhouse and helped raise the program's first 5,000 tomato seedlings. She noted: “what happens when you do something like that, you get noticed and put on the list.”
Though she herself could not have predicted being in the role she is in today, those around Parent, including the Master Gardener president at the time, saw her leadership skills, background, and training as obvious qualifications for the coordinator post. Parent says her success in understanding the intricacies of what volunteers accomplish in the program stems from having been involved from the beginning, and from having held multiple positions: helper, co-chair, and president.
Parent's values her work at the Cooperative Extension because it relies on a community serviced based model and connects the UC system with the public. Her first exposure to the Cooperative Extension dates back to the 80's when Parent was working in a landscape architecture office and called the Cooperative Extension advisor for support. Now, Parent is the one fielding phone calls about pests, plant diseases, and gardening tips.
At times, the balance between being both a Master Gardener and a UCCE representative, a community and an academic role, respectively, can be challenging for Parent, though she has found support from the cooperative tool: coordinators from around the state, who provide valuable resources and feedback on materials disseminated to the public. The statewide Master Gardener office has also been invaluable in keeping the Master Gardener messaging in San Mateo and San Francisco counties consistent with UC Agriculture and Natural Resource (UCANR) division, current UC research, and policies.
“Since there so many specialized areas among our volunteers and in the office, I don't feel lacking in expertise in any area… I am more of a generalist in my work,” added Parent.
On a day-to-day basis, Parent works with a range of people- garden novices and experts, volunteers, researchers, and academics- and never fails to appreciate the challenges that sprout in her office. Many residential gardeners enjoy having a space to talk through some of their gardening conundrums, though Parent notes that most are their own teachers, informed of what to do without professional assistance. For cases involving beginning home gardeners, Parent and her colleagues generally suggest workshops in the area to alleviate dense phone helpline conversations.
Much like the sustainable landscapes and gardens she works so diligently on, Parent is constantly cultivating her role into the most sustainable position for future coordinators. It is Parent's can-do spirit that brought her to UCCE in the first place, and it is her humility, adaptability, and engagement, that keep her thriving.
“I am definitely the type of person to say what the heck and see if I can do this...and learn from it…” 
- Author: Sophie Loeb
The Urban Epicurean Festival held on Saturday, November 7th and Sunday, November 8th at Fort Mason in San Francisco, was a celebration of local makers and the bounty of the season. From the team that produces the long-running and well-loved San Francisco Bazaar craft festival, the Urban Epicurean Festival was comprised of over 200 vendors filling Fort Mason Center. A modern marketplace where craft, food, drink, and lifestyle converge, Urban Epic Fest was a chance for people of all ages to enjoy a festive and sustainable event with purveyors from their own backyards. Complete with a cocktail bar and food trucks, the event drew foodies and holiday shoppers for spirited fun. Attendees were able to purchase unique art, handmade goods, artisanal food, local wine and beer, while attending workshops on topics ranging from home brewing, gardening, flower arranging to urban beekeeping.
The Master Gardeners of San Mateo and San Francisco counties hosted an information table to answer attendee garden questions, and hand out materials. Master Gardener Jamie Chan was involved in the production of the event: “Urban Epic brought together so many of the things I personally am passionate about. The Bay Area is rich in creativity and love of the land. I want the Urban Epic Fest to be the representation of the bounty we can find here everyday. What better way to celebrate Fall and kick off the holiday season than to attend Urban Epic Fest? Learn to pickle, sip Bay Area-made wines and shop local, all in one place.”
Master Gardener Tyler Robertson noted some of the event's successes: “It was definitely a younger crowd, but we need more young people so it was good in that sense... A few young people approached us because they were just starting out with gardening and are happy to know there's a hotline they can call.”
To find out more about the San Mateo and San Francisco County Master Gardeners, please visit http://smsf-mastergardeners.ucanr.org/
