UCCE Humboldt - Del Norte Counties

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A smiling UC Master Gardener volunteer in an orange hat and green apron stands with arms raised in a garden setting, surrounded by people and plants.

Article

Top 5 Ways Gardeners Can Help Stop Invasive Species

April 25th, 2025

By Lauren L Snowden

Did you know that your backyard, balcony, or community plot is more than just a space for flowers and veggies? It's also a frontline defense against invasive species! As gardeners, we’re uniquely positioned to protect local ecosystems, and the good news is—it doesn’t take a lot to make a big difference.Here…

Apples on a tree

Article

Gardeners with Heart: Growing Fresh Food and Building Community

April 22nd, 2025

By Kristian M Salgado-Jacobo

UC Master Gardeners are sharing their love for growing fresh fruits and vegetables, helping Californians discover and access local, healthy food across the state. From vibrant demonstration gardens in the low desert of Imperial County to the Bay Area region, volunteers are not only growing food…

Lupin flowers

Article

Gardener with Hearts: Growing a Resilient Future

April 15th, 2025

By Kristian M Salgado-Jacobo

UC Master Gardeners are making a difference by combining their expertise in horticulture with a strong focus on climate readiness in their communities. Through innovative climate literacy and soil education, these dedicated volunteers work together with residents to empower them with the knowledge and…

Article

4-H Transforms Lives

April 14th, 2025

Ashley, one of our California 4-H State Ambassadors, is now a semi-finalist for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation undergaduate scholarship! She attributes this opportunity to her involvement in 4-H. Her TikTok video shares more about her 4-H experience and opportunity, and she wants to especially thank the…

Water in a stream flows over river rocks with forest in background

Article

UCLA, UC ANR establish water supply-wildfire research and policy coordination network

April 10th, 2025

UCLA’s Climate & Wildfire Research Initiative (CWRI) is launching a new Urban Water Supply + Fire working group to function as a research and policy coordination network. This effort formalizes a forum where UCLA can come together and coordinate efforts with the University of California Agriculture and…

Bee flying towards tree blossoms

Article

Gardeners with Heart: Champions of Sustainable Landscaping

April 7th, 2025

By Katherine Uhde

Across California, UC Master Gardener volunteers are making local landscapes greener and healthier. These volunteers don't just plant flowers – they're building a better future for all of us! Let's meet some of these gardening champions and learn how they're changing their communities with sustainable…

Ngodoo Atume with farmer

Article

Statewide team to assist small farms with SGMA

April 2nd, 2025

By Ngodoo Atume, Kristen Farrar

California relies on groundwater - water stored in underground aquifers and pumped through wells - for up to 41% of water supply in normal years and up to 60% during times of drought. In 2014, the California legislature signed into law the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) with the primary goal…

wildflowers

Article

Gardeners with Heart: Hands in the Dirt, Hearts in the Community

April 1st, 2025

By Melissa G Womack

In neighborhoods big and small, from a high-rise senior housing in San Francisco to demonstration gardens in the high desert. Yes, the gardens are beautiful. But the real growth? That’s happening between the people. UC Master Gardeners have built bridges between people and places, forged new…

A prescribed burn at the UC ANR Hopland Research and Extension Center (2024)

Article

UC researchers study smoke risk to vineyards from prescribed grassland fires

March 27th, 2025

By Christopher C Chen

In the winegrape vineyards of northern California, fire and its associated smoke pose a unique threat in the form of smoke-taint damage to the fruit. A preliminary study looks at whether prescribed burning as a fire prevention method poses a risk to winegrape crops.

Detector dog stands on a small box, gazing at handler to alert a find

Article

Dogs Sniff Out Pest Problems

March 27th, 2025

By Lindsey Hack

Dogs use their keen sense of smell to help humans every day. Their powerful noses alert us to danger, aid in search and rescue operations, and even have the potential to diagnose diseases. But did you know that some dogs have been trained to sniff out harmful invasive pests? Enter the detector dogs! …

Houses burned next to the beach

Article

UC ANR fire expert highlights materials, components and actions that saved homes from LA fires

March 4th, 2025

By Yana S Valachovic

Yana Valachovic, a member of UC ANR's Fire Network with a specialty in community resilience and the built environment, visited the sites of the L.A. fires to look for examples where surviving homes withstood the ferocity of the fire and for signs of defensible space and home hardening in action.

Yellow Star Thistle

Article

Invasive Plants: What They Are and Why They Matter

February 24th, 2025

By Lauren L Snowden

National Invasive Species Week (NISW) happens every year to raise awareness about the growing problem of invasive plants and animals in the United States.

A colorful garden

Article

Edible Landscaping

February 15th, 2025

Landscapes serve many purposes, including wildlife habitat, pollinator support, and aesthetics. Incorporating a variety of edible plants adds even more value.

Light pink roses bush

Article

Confessions of a Timid Pruner

February 13th, 2025

I have a horror of hurting the plants I try to grow, so pruning is one of my bugbears. When this time of year creeps up on the calendar, I start looking for urgent activities that will make it difficult, if not impossible, to get around to pruning.

Adult pointing at laptop screen in front of youth

Article

Beyond Ready for STEM because of 4-H

February 5th, 2025

By Eve S Dowdell

Cody Dowdell, a California 4-H alumni, is in the STEM track at Modesto Junior College. He is expanding his understanding of engineering in particular as an electrical engineering major. Cody credits 4-H as the foundation for where he is today.

Avian team with Dr. Hall

Article

A 4-H Avian Bowl Championship Story

February 5th, 2025

By Samuel Belik

Story by Samuel Belik of the California 4-H Avian Bowl team competing at the 2024 National 4-H Avian Bowl competition in Louisville, KY.

Rob Bennaton grabs a handful of top soil from a mound.

Article

Urban wildfire impacts water, soil and wildlife

January 30th, 2025

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

As residents start to clean up after the Los Angeles County wildfires, the aftermath will continue to impact water and natural resources in and beyond the fire areas, according to water experts at University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Fruit Fly

Article

How Californians Can Unite to Combat the Invasive Fruit Fly Threat

January 29th, 2025

By Cherie Shook

Imagine a California without fresh fruits, juicy oranges, crisp apples, or homegrown avocados; a future no one would want, and one we must work together to avoid. New threats to California's agriculture and backyard gardens have emerged, the Mediterranean fruit fly and the Oriental fruit fly.

Article

Swain to discuss rain in fire zone 3pm Friday, Jan. 24

January 24th, 2025

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

Light rain is expected to dampen Southern California this weekend, easing fire conditions but also raising landslide risks in burn areas. It won't end local fire risk. The drizzle is enough to tamp down but not end fire season, says Daniel Swain, UC ANR climate scientist.

Boxes of seeds with dividers labeled for each seed typed

Article

Seed Libraries: Building Communities One Seed at a Time

January 22nd, 2025

By Barbra Braaten

Step into a seed library and you'll discover a wealth of seed collections and gardening knowledge. A seed library collects and stores seeds that allows gardeners to borrow donated seeds for free.

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The University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) is dedicated to improving the quality of life for Californians by developing and delivering research-based information in agriculture and natural resources, and by supporting healthy families and communities.

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Humboldt County Office

5630 South Broadway
Eureka, CA 95540
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Fax Number

Del Norte County Office

586 G Street
Crescent City, CA 95531
United States

Phone

cedelnorte@ucanr.edu

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Eureka Sea Grant Office

2 Commercial Street, Suite 4
Eureka, CA 95501
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Grace Belt

Cooperative Extension Area Youth, Families, and Communities Advisor

ASST COOP EXT ADVISOR

Jaclyn Bennett

Affiliated Organization

Natasha Curtice

Office Manager

Affiliated Organization

Alec D Dompka

Rural Community & Economic Development Advisor

ASST COOP EXT ADVISOR

Deborah Giraud

Emeritus: Farm and Community / Economic Development Advisor

NON-SENATE ACAD EMERITUS(WOS)

Henri Holbrook

Staff Research Associate II

SRA 2 NEX

Kaylin Nylander

Community Education Specialist II

CMTY EDUC SPEC 2

Lenya N Quinn-Davidson

Fire Network Director

COOP EXT ADVISOR

Jessica C Rebholtz

Community Nutrition Educator II

CMTY EDUC SPEC 2

Wallis L Robinson

009617 (STAFF RES ASSOC II-NONEXEMPT)

SRA 2 NEX

Thomas Schrader

Affiliated Organization

Jeffery W Stackhouse

Livestock and Natural Resource Advisor

ASSOC COOP EXT ADVISOR

Jennifer Steenblock

Secretary

Affiliated Organization

Eddie Tanner

Specialty Crops & Horticulture Advisor

ASST COOP EXT ADVISOR

Brendan D Twieg

Staff Research Associate II

SRA 2 NEX

Yana S Valachovic

Forest Advisor and County Director (Humboldt and Del Norte), Fire Network- Community Resiliency and Built Environment

COOP EXT ADVISOR

Jacki Zediker

4-H Regional Program Coordinator (Region 1 & Region 2)

CMTY EDUC SUPV 2

Mission Statement

The University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) is dedicated to improving the quality of life for Californians by developing and delivering research-based information in agriculture and natural resources, and by supporting healthy families and communities.