Rangelands

When five-year-old Rebecca Jean RJ Millena entered her kindergarten class in Concord, Calif., she immediately settled on a career choice: entomology. An About Me poster hanging in her childhood home in Concord confirms it: When I grow up, I want to be an entomologist. She did and she is.

Have you hugged your taxonomist yet today? No? Probably can't due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but at least we can honor them every March 19 on Taxonomists' Appreciation Day. Basically, taxonomy is the science of describing, naming, defining and classifying organisms, both alive and extinct.

Seen any bumble bees lately? No? Me, neither. It's almost the first day of spring, and bumble bees are as scarce as the proverbial hen's teeth. (Hens have no teeth, y'know.) We've been watching our nectarine tree bloom. It's drawing honey bees, but no bumble bees.

Meet Henry, "an unexpected guest." Make that "an early, unexpected guest who was given a warm welcome and an even warmer send-off." Henry is a Marin County winter monarch butterfly.

Short- and Long-term Stock Water Strategies On a day that started with a long-overdue rainstorm here in Auburn, I received word that USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack had declared a drought disaster in 50 of California's 58 counties including Placer, Nevada, Sutter, and Yuba.

If you want to learn about biochemistry, COVID-19, UC Davis and Cardiff University, all rolled into oneand reap an educational and entertaining experience at the same time--then you'll want to mark your calendar for 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 10, Pacific Time.

Gardeners are always looking for ways to add more plants, especially in a small garden. One way to do this (and in hot California add some much-needed shaded seating) is with a pergola.

Community ecologist Romina Rader of the University of New England's School of Environmental and Rural Science, will speak on "The Journey to Effective Pollination" at the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology's virtual seminar on Wednesday, March 10.

This month's Spotlight Master Gardener, Valerie Kimmel-Oliva had a personal goal to complete three UCCE programs in one year which she did (fall to spring 2017-2018).

Our population of urban trees is shrinking! You can help turn this around by protecting your own trees and by planting new ones recommended for your climate and the conditions around your home.