Ongoing research

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Figure 1. Mustard and other annual plants dry out at the beginning of the summer, creating fuel that could quickly burn during a fire. Photo by Luca Carmignani, UCCE.

Weeds and Wildfires

October 15, 2023
By Belinda Messenger-Sikes, Karey Windbiel-Rojas
Wildfires are part of California's ecosystems, and they do not have to lead to the destruction of structures and livelihoods. Each of us can contribute to improving wildfire resilience, from individual homeowners and businesses to entire communities.
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fire-1736028 1280 Pixbay
Napa Master Gardener Column: Article

Dangers and Precautions of living in a Wildland Urban Interface

October 14, 2023
When I moved to a house on Napa's Dry Creek Road in 2009, I found myself living in the middle of a meadow surrounded by forest. The house looked bare sitting there in a grassy field. I wanted to add some color and make it look more inviting.
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A male monarch nectaring on a Mexican sunflower, Tithonia rotundifola, in a Vacaville, Calif. garden. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Squad: Article

WSU Entomologist David James on Irish Podcast: Exploring The Lives of Butterflies

October 13, 2023
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
You'll want to hear Ireland scientist anna N Lamhna's RT podcast featuring Washington State University entomologist David James, co-author of a newly published book, The Lives of Butterflies: A Natural History of Our Planet's Butterfly Life (Princeton University) with colleague David Lohman of the C...
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Monterey County: Article

4-H Community meeting October 17th, 6:30

October 13, 2023
he 4-H Community meeting will be held on October 17th at 6:30 at the Salinas Ag Conference center. This will be similar to a council meeting just without voting. We start at 6:30pm.
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Blue Moon pic
Under the Solano Sun: Article

Blue Moon

October 13, 2023
In Solano County on August 30, 2023, an unusual celestial event occurred, a super blue moon. Did it look blue to you? Probably not unless you wore some blue tented glasses. But did it affect how your garden grows? In 2023, supermoons, or super moons, occur 4 times, including July 3, August 1.
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Two migrating monarchs land on a butterfly bush in Vacaville, Calif. to sip some nectar. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Squad: Article

What's Better Than Seeing a Monarch Butterfly?

October 12, 2023
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Question: What's better than seeing a monarch butterfly? Answer: Seeing two monarch butterflies sharing the same blossom on a butterfly bush! Scenario: Monarchs (Danaus plexippus) from the Pacific Northwest are fluttering through Vacaville, Calif.
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