News & Information Outreach

 Bee Mimics!Did you know that some moths mimic bees?When the Bohart Museum of Entomology hosts its free and family friendly open house from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 15 on "The Bees and Their Mimics"--the program will be coordinated by UC Davis doctoral candidates Lexie Martin and Abigail Lehner--you…

Blog article by Nanelle Jones-Sullivan In early  October, I went to a wonderful Master Gardener class about growing Sweet Peas. I have grown sweet peas before, but this year I am determined to be more intentional, use what I learned to have a longer, better season. This year, I will be…

California is famous for its scenic wilderness and biological diversity. Unfortunately, our state’s unique ecosystems are in danger, and invasive species are among the biggest threats to our environment. Invasive species can cause all kinds of environmental damage, such as harming wildlife, disrupting our…

 Nov. 15 promises to be a terrific "Science Saturday," involving two UC Davis events. And both are free and family friendly.The Bohart Museum of Entomology will host an open house from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 15 on "The Bees and Their Mimics," coordinated by UC Davis doctoral candidates Lexie Martin…

Blog article by Karen MetzMy husband and I got to go up to Tahoe North Shore in the middle of October.  We were looking forward to taking several hikes in the beautiful fall scenery.  It had been six years since our last visit and that last visit had been limited as I was rehabbing from an illness…

In these months of downtime for gardeners coming up, you might be anxious to revamp your garden layout. You might want to try a method that will put issues like pest control, soil quality, and accessibility all in YOUR hands! The subject of this week’s In The Garden with UC Master Gardeners is Raised…

 Gertrude Stein wrote that "A rose is a rose is a rose."In a spin-off, we offer: "A bee is a bee is a bee" and "A fly is a fly is a fly."They are not the same. But they are both pollinators. Books, magazines and newspapers sometimes err in publishing a photo of honey bee that's actually a syrphid…

Haiku by Mike Gunther   Protectors of fieldsAwaiting change of land useYields to dormancy 

 Today, on Veterans' Day, let's salute our kin who served in the military. I pay tribute to the family members who fought in all of our nation's wars since the American Revolution.I particularly pay tribute to my maternal great-grandfather, Samuel Davidson Laughlin,  (1843-1910), a Civil War…

For many of us in the North State, Autumn is our favorite time of year. The heat of summer is past, and deciduous trees put on a spectacular show of deep reds, yellows, and oranges. The intensity of this show, however, is not consistently the same each year. What makes the colors of autumn leaves vary in…

 If you and your family love science--who doesn't?--be sure to participate in the free workshop, “Life Begins in Water: A Workshop on Restoring Healthy Wetland Communities,”  on Saturday, Nov. 15 at Capay Open Space Regional Park, Yolo County.UC Davis entomologist Geoffrey Attardo is leading the…

  If you have a tree showing signs of distress and are concerned about its overall health or safety, whether it be the cornerstone of your landscape or simply an old friend, you will want to know what is happening and how to fix it. This article will explain some options on where to turn.UC Master…

As part of the University of California’s systemwide commitment to equity and inclusion, all UC locations are required to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA by April 2026.

 "Have you ever wondered what pollinators are visiting your garden or what that black-and-yellow striped bug was? In California, we have an incredible diversity of insects, which may be more difficult to tell apart than you realize. At this interactive event, you will learn how to identify bees and…

Blog by Brenda AltmanTrees are pruned for many reasons. Sometimes they are pruned to remove crowding or competing branches, which open up the canopy; other times they are pruned for safety reasons, a branch may be too low, or they might be trimmed for ornamental or aesthetic reasons. I cannot figure out why…

By Cindy Watter, UC Master Gardener of Napa County.  We recently had our first rain of the fall season, followed by a cold morning.  Sure enough, when I walked outside later that day, all my soft-stemmed herbs were dead.  Fare thee well, basil, thyme and stevia.  Even the sage looked…