Backyard Orchard News
On Flag Day, Both Flags and Monarchs Flutter
Today, June 14, is Flag Day, a time when we celebrate and commemorate our American flag. Our...
A majestic monarch butterfly, an icon, on an American flag. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
New tower signals advance of Wi-Fi communication at Kearney.
From its solid foundation underground to its antenna poised above the rooftops, the new tower at Kearney is the keystone to blanketing the research fields with Wi-Fi. Access points in the field will complete the hardware portion of the tower system. Where possible, the access point hardware taps into existing electrical infrastructure at wells and buildings. Where necessary, five solar powered access points will be installed to augment coverage.
Some of the practical applications of this system include remotely retrieving data from multiple sensors without removing them from their collection points, confirming sensor operation from main campuses and other locations with zero travel time, and monitoring and optimizing Kearney well function.
Looking forward to this expansion of field Wi-Fi, Director Jeff Dahlberg anticipates, “Real-time big data collection on a field scale level.”
With all 330 acres of Kearney gaining Wi-Fi coverage soon, a whole new era of field research data collection may be coming.
Summer—it’s a time for swimming, BBQs, camping, and eating invasive species.
Last week during California Invasive Species Action Week (June 2 – June 10), we highlighted several pests, but there are many more invasive species out there. Now that you know about them, share your knowledge of invasive species with others. And no matter what your summer plans, here are some things YOU can do about invasive species from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and California Department of Food and Agriculture.
YOU: I'M TRAVELLING TO AMAZING PLACES
- Learn what plants and animals you can bring into California.
- Don't pack a pest! Declare all food and agricultural items from other states or countries.
- Find out which species are threats to California.
- Learn about California's invasive plants.
- Avoid spreading forest pests: buy your firewood where you burn it.
YOU: I'LL BE WORKING IN MY GARDEN
- Remove invasive plants from your property.
- Select native or non-invasive plants for your garden.
- Use only certified weed-free forage, hay, seed, mulch, soil, and gravel.
- Learn alternatives to releasing unwanted fish, aquatic plants, and other pets.
- Monitor plants and trees for symptoms of infestations and disease.
- Learn about California's invasive plants.
- Have you spotted an invasive species? Tell us where by reporting your sighting.
YOU: I'LL BE NEAR THE WATER OR ON A BOAT
- Join the statewide citizen science effort to monitor for quagga mussels.
- Join the iNaturalist project, California Nerodia Watch, and help us find Nerodia watersnakes.
- Make sure to Clean, Drain, and Dry (PDF) your boat after each outing.
- Learn alternatives to releasing unwanted fish, aquatic plants, and other pets.
- Visit your favorite local, state, or national park, ecological reserve, recreational area, or nature center and ask about their volunteer programs.
- Learn about California's invasive plants.
- Have you spotted an invasive species? Tell us where by reporting your sighting.
YOU: I'LL BE OUT AND ABOUT CAMPING, HIKING, OR RIDING HORSES
- Use only certified weed-free forage, hay, seed, mulch, soil, and gravel.
- Avoid spreading forest pests: buy your firewood where you burn it.
- Prevent the spread of plant pathogens that damage and kill California's native plants and trees.
- Learn about California's invasive plants.
- Visit your favorite local, state, or national park, ecological reserve, recreational area, or nature center and ask about their volunteer programs.
- Have you spotted an invasive species? Tell us where by reporting your sighting.
YOU: I'LL DEFINITELY CONTINUE TO LEARN ABOUT INVASIVES
- Get to know your local invaders.
- Learn about California's invasive plants.
- Find out which species are threats to California.
- Learn alternatives to releasing unwanted fish, aquatic plants, and other pets.
- Eat them. Yum. Check out these websites to find out who is edible and how to prepare them.
- Invasive-eats.com (California-specific)
- Invasivore.org (under construction but hopefully back soon)
- EatTheWeeds.com
- EatTheInvaders.org
If you missed it this year, help in the fight next year by learning and participating during California Invasive Species Action Week.
It Came Down to One Question to Determine the Championship Team
It all came down to a question about a Dutch scientist, a microscopist from the 17th...
Ralph Washington Jr. captained the UC Berkeley-UC Davis Linnaean Games Team that won the regional championship at the 2018 PBESA meeting. He also captained the UC Davis Linnaean Games Teams that won the national championships in 2015 and 2016. (UC Davis Photo)
In this image from the 2016 national Linnaean Games championship round, UC Davis members (from left) Emily Bick, Brendon Boudinot confer with captain Ralph Washington Jr. (Photo by Chuck Fazio)
Pollinator Gardens Make Us Happy: Get Ready for National Pollinator Week!
Are you ready for National Pollinator Week, June 18-June 24? A spectacular pollinator garden...
This is an overview of part of Kate Frey's pollinator garden at Sonoma Cornerstone. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A pipevine swallowtail, Battus philenor, nectars on on Nepeta tuberosa. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A pollen-packing yellow-faced bumble bee, Bombus vosnesenskii, heads for Stachys bullata. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
This honey bee can't get enough of Scabiosa "Fama Blue." (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Milkweed is not only the host plant of monarch butterflies, but honey bees like it, too. This is the showy milkweed, Asclepias speciosa. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)