Recreational Areas

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Stacks of firewood for sale below a canopy with a sign that says "firewood."
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Destructive Pests Hide in Firewood

June 9, 2025
By Lindsey Hack
While bringing firewood from home for your weekend camping trip may seem harmless, many invasive pests can hide in firewood and cause serious harm to California’s forests and urban landscapes. You can help limit the spread of these unwanted hitchhikers by collecting or buying firewood close to where you plan…
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Red, black, and white spotted lanternfly nymphs on a plant.
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Be on the Lookout

June 8, 2025
By Cherie Shook
Be on the lookout for invasive species threatening California! While state and federal agencies actively monitor for new invasive pests, the public serves a critical role in early detection and often are the ones who find new invasive species first.  During California Invasive Species Action Week …
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The letters "CISAW" animated as invasive species organisms.
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Protect California from Invasive Species

June 5, 2025
Invasive species. What does that mean? Invasive species are non-native pests that harm California’s natural areas, public health, and economy. To raise awareness about these pests, UC IPM joins other state agencies to promote the annual California Invasive Species Action Week (CISAW), which goes from June 7…
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Urban Trees and Their Role/Benefits in Stormwater Management
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Urban Trees and Their Role in Stormwater Management

May 28, 2025
By Daniel Gonzalez, Esther N Lofton, Erik C Porse
Urban tree canopies (UTCs), i.e, the layers of leaves, branches, and stems that cover the ground in cities, are essential tools in managing stormwater, particularly in dense urban areas like those across Southern California. In landscapes dominated by impermeable surfaces such as pavements and rooftops,…
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Water
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Celebrating Water Awareness Month: Why May Matters in California

May 8, 2025
By Esther N Lofton
  Every drop counts, especially in California. That’s why May is officially recognized as Water Awareness Month, a time to reflect on the value of water in our lives, our landscapes, and our future.Why Water Awareness Month?Initiated in the early 1980s by the California Department of Water…
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Grupo de participantes
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Young Naturalists celebrate Earth Day with lasting impact across California

April 21, 2025
By Ricardo A Vela
A team from UC Environmental Stewards has collaborated with partners from the California Conservation Corps, California 4-H Youth Development, and local community-based organizations to deliver 27 California Naturalist Certification courses connecting young adults ages 18 to 25 with California’s rich natural…
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Los beneficios de la gestión de aguas pluviales en el Sur de California
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La Gestión de Aguas Pluviales en el Sur de California

April 10, 2025
By Daniel Gonzalez, Esther N Lofton, Erik C Porse
 La gestión de aguas pluviales se refiere al control sistemático de la cantidad y calidad del agua de escorrentía generada por superficies impermeables, áreas urbanas y paisajes durante y después de eventos de precipitación. Incluye una variedad de prácticas y estrategias destinadas a capturar, tratar y…
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A person wearing blue gloves on their hands is unscrewing the cap to a white container
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What Should You Wear When Using Pesticides?

April 1, 2025
When using pesticides and other garden chemicals, you should always wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep yourself safe. Pesticides can enter the body via the eyes, skin, nose, or mouth. The skin is the most common way pesticides enter our bodies, usually by splashing, spillage, or spray drift…
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Sample benefits of stormwater management
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Stormwater Management in Southern California

March 31, 2025
By Daniel Gonzalez, Esther N Lofton, Erik C Porse
Stormwater management is the strategic practice of controlling and utilizing stormwater runoff from precipitation events as a valuable water supply source. Its main goals are to protect our environment and create healthier, sustainable communities. Exhibiting many different methods and tools for rainwater…
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