Ongoing research

monarch
UC Marin Master Gardeners: Event

Monarchs in Marin

Jan 12, 2026

Program: A Practical Guide to Help Them Survive-Monarch butterflies, as much as we love them, are in danger of extinction here in California. Learn about their life cycle/needs and practical steps that we can take in Marin County to help with their survival. Speaker: After 40+ years of office jobs in the…
UC Marin Master Gardeners
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Camera is upward facing, trees are standing.
Forestry Research and Outreach: Page

Forest Science and Ecology

 California's unique geology, topography (mountains and valleys) and climate create one of the most biologically diverse regions in the world.  There are about 52 conifer species in California, 14 of which are endemic and only occur naturally within the State. Oaks woodlands cover 10 percent of the…
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Sunny garden
Napa Master Gardener Column: Article

How to Succeed at Garden Design

December 29, 2025
By Michael Lecours
By Aileen Carroll, UC Master Gardener of Napa County. Planning ahead comes more naturally to some of us than others. I personally am perfectly happy to fly by the seat of my pants, while many of the people around me stiffen the moment plans change without warning.  Fortunately, when it comes to…
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Planting a bare-root fruit tree. UC ANR

Planting Bare-Root Fruit Trees

December 29, 2025
There are several advantages to planting bare-root trees: they are usually less expensive, easier for gardeners to transport, and they will grow their roots entirely into native soil (rather than having to transition from potting mix into dissimilar native soil). Also, the ideal time to plant bare-root…
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Shasta County: Article

Volume 4, Issue1 - January 2012 Northern California Ranch Update

December 29, 2025
By Mari Szynal
In this Issue:   Pasture Aeration Trial   Research Update on Using a Rotary Wiper   2010/11 Northern California Winter Pasture Experience   Effects of Heavy Grazing on Tarweek and Vinegarweed   Controlling Wire Grass in Irrigated Pastures   A Method…
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UC Master Gardeners of Placer County: Article

The Dance for Defensible Space

December 29, 2025
By Kevin Marini, UC Community Education Specialist: Natural Resources From The Curious Gardener, Spring 2023 In this day and age, it can be challenging to find common ground on a myriad of social and environmental issues that confront us in our modern societies. It has become a societal norm to hold a…
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Shasta County: Article

2026 January Tips 'N Topics

December 29, 2025
By Mari Szynal
In this Issue:   Operation Organized Chaos...with food   Steer Tagging Date   Pollination Garden Date   County Ambassador Team in Action   Countywide Favorite Foods Day - registration is open   Stills Day Camp Volunteers   Happy Valley…
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Cabbage white butterfly, Pieris rapae. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Squad: Article

On the Hunt for the First Cabbage White Butterfly...Suds for a Bug!

December 29, 2025
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 Suds for a bug. A butterfly for a beer...If you find and collect the first cabbage white butterfly in the three-county area of Sacramento, Yolo and Solano, and you are judged the winner of the annual "Beer for a Butterfly" Contest, you will receive a pitcher of beer or its equivalent.And bragging…
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Tillandsia air plant blooms
UC Marin Master Gardeners: Article

Fabulous air plants!

December 29, 2025
 Have you noticed some curly, spikey, gray-green alien-like plants resting in a shell, hanging from a ceiling, perched on windowsills, clustered on coffee tables…no soil or water in sight?Meet tillandsias, also known as air plants, a wondrous family of plants that literally thrive on air! They are low…
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UC Master Gardeners of Placer County: Article

Berryland (California Native Berries)

December 29, 2025
By Kathryn MacRoberts, UC Master Gardeners of Placer County From The Curious Gardener, Winter 2013“One berry, two berry, pick me a blueberry. Hatberry, shoeberry, in my canoeberry.  Under the bridge, and over the dam, looking for berries, berries for jam.” Would you like a Berryland? Who doesn’t…
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