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Posts Tagged: research

Good fire is back at the Hopland Research and Extension Center

Adina Merenlender, Professor of Cooperative Extension, and John Bailey, Hopland REC director, observe the prescribed burn.

Fire has been part of indigenous stewardship in California since time immemorial. These fire practices were deeply connected to cultural traditions, food ways, and enhanced the resilience of landscapes. Using fire for research and land management at the UC ANR Hopland Research and Extension Center (HREC) dates back to the early 1950s and fire was used as an effective tool for maintaining the health of the landscape for many years. However, the regulations and paperwork permitting controlled burns became increasingly restrictive after the catastrophic wildfires of 2017. 

Thanks to three years of perseverance by John Bailey, HREC director, and with help from trained UC ANR advisors and staff, we were able to execute a research burn once again, instead of relying on the more restrictive CalFire Vegetation Management Plan process. By carefully reintroducing fire, a tool essential for rangeland and oak woodland stewardship, we want to be able to use good fire for research and to recover biodiversity and make the landscape more climate resilient.

The team does an action review.

On Nov. 8, 2024, HREC successfully conducted a prescribed burn as part of ongoing research to advance the restoration of a unique perennial wetland. This prescribed burn is part of a larger initiative to enhance native biodiversity and control invasive species. Fire was used as a natural disturbance to open up the dense Tule stands surrounding the pond to create a habitat mosaic with a diversity of plant species and habitat structure for native frogs and other pond life. 

The burn was led by UCANR staff and academics, including Jeff Stackhouse, UC Cooperative Extension natural resource advisor, and Mike Jones, UCCE forestry advisor, whose leadership ensured its successful execution. We also had significant community participation from members of theHopland Band ofPomo Indians, including their Environmental Protection Agency director, as well as Grizzly Corps members, researchers and volunteers.

Mike Jones and Jennifer Riddell, California Naturalist instructor, get the burn started.

This event provided an opportunity for the diverse group to learn about controlled burns, engage in fire safety education, and explore how such practices contribute to ecological resilience. By involving community members in the process, the event not only restored habitat but also fostered a deeper understanding of fire's role in ecosystem health and stewardship.

HREC plans to work with UC ANR leadership and the UC ANR Fire Network to establish clear policies for conducting regular burns for research, stewardship and extension. Additionally, HREC will continue partnering with CalFire, leveraging their capacity for larger-scale projects, ensuring a variety of pathways are available for safely conducting prescribed fire and to strengthen the UC-CalFire relationship for better land stewardship outcomes statewide.

 

Posted on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 10:54 AM
Focus Area Tags: Natural Resources

Outstanding PBS Deep Look Video: 'Why Do Sunflowers Face the Sunrise?'

Sunflowers bring out the best in us. They bring us joy, happiness, hope and unity. But wait until you watch the newly released PBS Deep...

The newly released PBS Deep Look video
The newly released PBS Deep Look video "Why Do Sunflowers Face the Sunrise?" is a crowd favorite. (Screen shot)

The newly released PBS Deep Look video "Why Do Sunflowers Face the Sunrise?" is a crowd favorite. (Screen shot)

A bee commonly found on sunflowers is Epimelissodes obliqua expurgata, formerly known as Svastra obliqua expurgata. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A bee commonly found on sunflowers is Epimelissodes obliqua expurgata, formerly known as Svastra obliqua expurgata. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A bee commonly found on sunflowers is Epimelissodes obliqua expurgata, formerly known as Svastra obliqua expurgata. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Posted on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at 4:42 PM
Focus Area Tags: Agriculture, Environment, Innovation, Natural Resources

Bumble Bees: Feeling Impact of Climate Change

We remember the reaction of Robbin Thorp (1933-2019), UC Davis distinguished emeritus professor of entomology and an international...

UC Davis research shows that rising temperatures are particularly alarming to some bumble bee species, including the Western bumble bee, Bombus occidentalis. This one was located on Aug. 15, 2012 in the Mt. Shasta area. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
UC Davis research shows that rising temperatures are particularly alarming to some bumble bee species, including the Western bumble bee, Bombus occidentalis. This one was located on Aug. 15, 2012 in the Mt. Shasta area. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

UC Davis research shows that rising temperatures are particularly alarming to some bumble bee species, including the Western bumble bee, Bombus occidentalis. This one was located on Aug. 15, 2012 in the Mt. Shasta area. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

UC Davis researchers found that one of
UC Davis researchers found that one of "the winners" in their climate change study is the yellow-faced bumble bee, Bombus vosnesenskii, shown here heading for a California golden poppy. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

UC Davis researchers found that one of "the winners" in their climate change study is the yellow-faced bumble bee, Bombus vosnesenskii, shown here heading for a California golden poppy. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A male bumble bee, Bombus bifarius, nectaring on  coastal goldfield, Lasthenia minor, at Bodega Bay. A UC Davis study shows that the rising temperatures are particularly alarming to a number of species, including this one. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A male bumble bee, Bombus bifarius, nectaring on coastal goldfield, Lasthenia minor, at Bodega Bay. A UC Davis study shows that the rising temperatures are particularly alarming to a number of species, including this one. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A male bumble bee, Bombus bifarius, nectaring on coastal goldfield, Lasthenia minor, at Bodega Bay. A UC Davis study shows that the rising temperatures are particularly alarming to a number of species, including this one. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Posted on Monday, August 19, 2024 at 5:35 PM
Focus Area Tags: Environment, Innovation, Natural Resources

The Bees, The Team, The Honor

When UC Davis distinguished professor Walter Leal, recipient of a UC Davis Academic Senate's 2024 Faculty Distinguished Research Award,...

UC Davis distinguished professor Walter Leal delivering his Academic Senate Faculty Distinguished Research Award lecture. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
UC Davis distinguished professor Walter Leal delivering his Academic Senate Faculty Distinguished Research Award lecture. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

UC Davis distinguished professor Walter Leal delivering his Academic Senate Faculty Distinguished Research Award lecture. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Inside a honey bee colony: worker bees and the queen. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Inside a honey bee colony: worker bees and the queen. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Inside a honey bee colony: worker bees and the queen. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Posted on Monday, June 3, 2024 at 7:40 PM
Focus Area Tags: Agriculture, Environment, Innovation, Natural Resources, Yard & Garden

Clement Chow: Fruit Flies, Rare Diseases and the Accomplishments

Don't miss the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology seminar by Clement Chow on Monday, May 6. It will open your eyes about...

The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, is commonly used for biological research in genetics. (Photo courtesy of Wikpedia)
The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, is commonly used for biological research in genetics. (Photo courtesy of Wikpedia)

The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, is commonly used for biological research in genetics. (Photo courtesy of Wikpedia)

Posted on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 6:55 PM
Focus Area Tags: Health, Innovation

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