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Posts Tagged: anr
UC ANR's commitment to helping youth thrive
Dear Colleagues,
As you've undoubtedly seen in news reports for the past several months, our society continues to become more polarized. One aspect of that has been a back-pedaling by many corporations from expanded goals related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). One of those companies is a long-time partner that is a major supporter of youth development programs nationwide, including 4-H. Tractor Supply Company, Inc., recently issued a statement expressing a new focus on “activities and giving” connected to their mission and away from other initiatives.
In response to this statement, and amidst concerns expressed by some members within the communities we serve, UC ANR and our 4-H Youth Development Program affirm our mission to serve all youth in every county in the state of California as well as our commitment to DEI goals. We also recognize that every business has the right to conduct its business affairs in a manner consistent with their needs and goals so long as they are within the law and common decency. Although Tractor Supply's action is disappointing to many in our community, UC ANR joins with the National 4-H Council Board of Trustees in maintaining our relationship with the company at this time.
The challenge we face is that this is a very polarizing issue and there is no position we can take that will satisfy everyone. Questions have been raised as to why are we taking this position and how is it different from the decision we made to sever relationships with the National Rifle Association (NRA) in 2018? While both issues fall into how best to adhere to our belief in the First Amendment guarantee of free speech, the key difference between the two falls into a careful balance of how to also live up to our values, particularly our UC ANR Principles of Community.
In 2018, our decision was to “…part ways with the NRA now because they have become a polarizing, divisive force across the U.S. and their recent treatment of young adults does not align with 4-H values on civic engagement.” Contrary to the violent rhetoric that NRA leadership was using, the recent message from Tractor Supply emphasized their ongoing commitment to their corporate values and was offered in a courteous manner.
I believe we should view this as a teachable moment for ourselves, for the 4-H program, and all others who may be affected. A great article in The Conversation recently highlighted that Americans love free speech, survey finds − until they realize everyone else has it, too:
“As the founders knew, a respect for diverse viewpoints and the ability to express those views – good, bad and harmful alike – in the public sphere are essential to a healthy democracy.”
As one of the nation's largest youth development programs, California 4-H continues to stand behind the integrity of our research-based resources that produce hands-on learning in science, agriculture, health and well-being, leadership development and civic engagement. 4-H does not endorse or oppose any legislation or political stance. The challenge and the opportunity we face is how to best instill critical thinking among our youth as part of helping them grow to their fullest potential and to develop as leaders.
The best way we move forward to a more positive future for all is to engage with those we may have a difference of opinion with; we need to build community, not cut off those with different positions. Toward the shared goal of seeing our young people thrive, I hope we can continue to find the common ground upon which we can nurture and support all California youth. For more information, visit the California 4-H website using https://4h.ucanr.edu/contactus/County/.
Sincerely,
Glenda Humiston
Vice President
Lawn-pocalypse! Surviving Drought
Ah, summer! The season of sunburns, pool parties, and… lawn droughts. If your once lush, green carpet now looks like a crunchy brown doormat, you're not alone. Let's dive into why your yard is staging a dramatic death scene and what you can do to...
Bermuda grass and weeds overtaking drought stressed turf grass.
Join UC ANR Moves at 1:15 p.m. on May 1
Join the UC ANR Moves event on Wednesday, May 1, from 1:15 to 2 p.m. UC ANR Moves promotes health and well-being by encouraging all employees to take a walk or engage in another physical activity for 30 to 40 minutes This annual event is intended to promote a thriving culture of health and well-being throughout UC ANR's work environment.
At 1:15 p.m., Scott Brayton, Staff Assembly chair, will kick off the event with a stretch session. Join him by Zoom:
Zoom https://ucanr.zoom.us/j/98754220328?pwd=b0tML3czSDdKd3U4ZUQzVzBXMGRBdz09
Meeting ID: 987 5422 0328
Passcode: 793713
Make this event fun!
Wear your silliest t-shirt or organize with your colleagues to dress up according to a theme or make posters and spread some love in the community. Either way, wear sun protection and take lots of photos and some videos!
Employees at the UC ANR Building in Davis will meet on the back patio by the breakroom.
- 1:15 -1:25 p.m. – Kick off: Scott Brayton, Staff Assembly Council chair, will kick us off with a rally and stretch.
- 1:25 to 2 p.m. – Walk at your location. Bring a bottle of water or hydrate well before the walk.
Please upload your mp4 videos and photos of your UC ANR Moves activities to the Box folder “UC ANR Moves” by May 8. Ethan Ireland will compile them into a single video, which we will show at the ANR town hall.
Hope to walk with you!
Jodi Azulai, on behalf of the Staff Assembly Wellness Committee
Scott Brayton, Emma Tribble, Suzanne Burton, Tatiana Avoce, Andrea Rayray, Lucie Cahierre, and Nora Lopez
2,000 Climate-Ready Trees Provided to Residents of Low Shade Neighborhoods
To date, over 2,000 climate-ready shade trees and tips on their planting and long-term care have been provided by UC Master Gardeners and over 20 partners to residents of low shade neighborhoods in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties through the “Trees for Tomorrow Start Today” project. Tree species given away are identified from research projects including the joint University of California/United States Forest Service (USFS) study at UC Riverside as well as from other research, local observations, and input from the green industry and academic colleagues.
Why is this project so important? 95% of Californians now reside in cities and suburban environments. Resulting urban heat islands created by built environments coupled with impacts of climate change can be mitigated through nature-based solutions. Planting climate-ready shade trees now will help ensure cooler urban areas in the next several decades as trees mature and maximize their urban ecosystem benefits. Fortunately, the shade from a single well-placed tree can decrease surface temperatures of black asphalt and artificial turf by more than 70 degrees F in hot inland and desert cities. Studies show that surrounding air temperatures can also be reduced through the transpiration process.
A major goal of the"Trees for Tomorrow Start Today" project is to enhance tree canopy cover in low shade neighborhoods also plagued with much higher than average levels of air pollution and pulmonary and cardiovascular disease incidence. Events over the past month have occurred in Fontana, San Bernardino, and the Salton Sea.
Thank you to all our partners and, especially, our tree recipients, for greening and cooling your yard and neighborhood!
2023: These Are a Few of My Favorite Things
There's no fame, fortune or glory in writing a daily (volunteer) Bug Squad blog. It's about the insects. It's always been about the insects, from honey bees to bumble bees, to butterflies, to dragonflies, to praying mantises and more. Why? Just...
A golden dung fly, Scathophaga stercoraria, peers at the photographer. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Two native bees, Melissodes agilis, buzz over a Mexican sunflower, Tithonia rotundifola. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Two Gulf Fritillaries, Agraulis vanillae, keeping busy. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A lady beetle, aka lady bug, devouring aphids. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Three in one: a crab spider, katydid and a native bee. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A flameskimmer dragonfly, Libellula saturata, looking or prey. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A yellow-faced bumble bee, Bombus vosnesenskii, gathering nectar. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A honey bee, Apis mellifera, in flight over a Mexican sunflower, Tithonia rotundifola. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A bumble bee, Bombus californicus, leaving a Mexican sunflower, Tithonia rotundiola. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus, nectaring on Mexican sunflower, Tithonia rotundifola. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Native bees, Melissodes agilis, clash over territory. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Stilt bugs, family Berytidae, order Hemiptera, infest an evening primrose. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Pretty in pink? A praying mantis, Stagmomantis limbata, sits in a zinnia. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A territorial male native bee, Melissodes agilis, sails over Tithonia rotundifola. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus, takes flight. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A Western yellowjacket, Vespula pensylvanica, stares at the photographer. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A praying mantis, Stagmomantis limbata, eyes the photographer. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A praying mantis, Stagmomantis limbata, eating a honey bee, Apis mellifera. Everything alive must eat to stay alive. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
