Caroline Champlin
@cchamplin.bsky.social
Science Writer 🌱 UC Agriculture and Natural Resources @ucanr.bsky.social cchamplin@ucanr.edu Previously at LAist, Marketplace, KQED, KALX
Join UC Environmental Stewards for their 2026 Statewide Conference (Oct. 9-11) at UC Santa Barbara! Presentations, workshops, & field trips will highlight CA natural history, with focus on climate change & resilience. I'll be one of the plenary speakers! na.eventscloud.com/w...
Eaton Fire survivors: What’s been your experience with Edison’s compensation program? Tell us through our new survey! We'll read every response, and nothing will be shared publicly without your permission: laist.com/news/climate...
Eaton Fire survivors: What’s been your experience with Edison’s compensation program?
The deadline to apply is this fall and LAist wants to hear how the program has or has not benefited survivors.
laist.com
As water restrictions hit farmers in the Central Valley, solar is making sense "We had to find a use for this ground," one farmer said. "We see the writing on the wall." @blancabegert.bsky.social @myungchun.bsky.social @latimes.com www.latimes.com/environment/...
As water restrictions hit farmers, solar is making sense
Solar is exploding in the Central Valley as drought-stressed farmers look to alternatives.
latimes.com
A dry river sparks a fight over water where LA, Pasadena and South Pasadena meet: laist.com/news/climate...
A dry river sparks a fight over water where LA, Pasadena and South Pasadena meet
A proposal to clean water from the Arroyo Seco has sparked resistance from neighboring L.A. residents. Golf course irrigation is at the center of the dispute.
laist.com
After 41 years of dedicated service, congratulations to Larry Bettiga on his retirement from UC Cooperative Extension. His research and commitment to CA's wine grape industry have helped growers make science-based decisions for generations. https://ucanr.edu/blog/food-blog/article/bettiga-retires
Art shapes Los Angeles in more ways than one. Watch this new #PBS episode featuring Georgios Vidalakis, UC Cooperative Extension specialist, as it explores a high-security fruit tree. 🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOny...
A Tale of Two Fruits | Lost LA | S9 E2
YouTube video by PBS SoCal
youtube.com
“When it comes to contaminated soil, remediation is a really tough task. If you want something immediate, you have to remove the soil and replace it. Everything else takes time to work.” — Chris Shogren, UC Cooperative Extension @laist.com laist.com/news/climate...
Pasadena Unified’s plan to cut down nearly 200 trees angers residents
One teenager has spent hours perched in a threatened oak in protest. The district’s goal is to finish the work before students return from summer break.
laist.com
My latest, for the good folks @theatlantic.com. A profile of the climate scientist @weatherwest.bsky.social, a genuine multi-tool when it comes to public communication www.theatlantic.com/science/2026...
America’s Go-To Climate Scientist
Daniel Swain has become a ubiquitous explainer of America’s extreme weather.
theatlantic.com
Carcinogen from LA fire cleanup may have spread up to 9 miles downwind, study shows: laist.com/news/climate...
Carcinogen from LA fire cleanup may have spread up to 9 miles downwind, study shows
Experts urge caution, not panic, in response to the research, which raises questions about public health during and after a major urban wildfire.
laist.com
Through an internship program, Tulare County high school students gained experience caring for livestock. Led by #UCANR & @ucdavisvetmed.bsky.social, the program is helping inspire the next generation of vets. https://ucanr.edu/blog/anr-news-releases/article/vetmed-interns
NEW: Wildlife advocates feared razor wire along the U.S.-Mexico border would harm endangered bighorn sheep. This morning, a biologist found a dead ram tangled in the wire in Imperial County's Jacumba Wilderness. www.latimes.com/environment/...
Endangered sheep dies after getting entangled in razor wire at the border, biologist says
A biologist discovered a decomposing bighorn sheep tangled in concertina wire recently strung in Imperial County, part of an effort to deter illegal immigration. Advocates had warned of danger to migr...
latimes.com
After the devastating L.A. fires, #UCANR experts, including Chris Shogren and @edithdeguzman.bsky.social, are studying how urban trees recover after wildfire. https://ucanr.edu/blog/pests-urban-landscape/article/purchased-grapevine-costco-n-ca-recently-read
Tune in to this new Unfold podcast episode exploring how researchers are redefining fire science. Hear from UC ANR's Chris Shogren as he investigates what last year’s LA County fires left behind @cchamplin.bsky.social https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/podcasts-and-shows/unfold/fires-changed-fire-science
California could be brewing its next “champion crop” At #UCANR’s Tea Day at Kearney Research and Extension Center, researchers, growers and community members explored tea’s potential as a high-value, climate-resilient crop for CA #agriculture. ucanr.edu/blog/food-bl... #UCCE
Brewed awakening: UC explores tea’s potential as ‘champion crop’ for California | Food Blog
Scientists at Kearney Research and Extension Center are studying tea as a potential high cash-value, climate-resilient crop for the Central Valley and other regions.
ucanr.edu
From "cattle vision goggles" to goat-handling machines that let the animals "be with a friend," our latest episode explores new tools to help people see how livestock perceive their world, helping them and the people who raise them. Listen now! @katkerlin.bsky.social www.ucdavis.edu/news/podcast...
Where Science Meets the Herd
We put on a pair of “cattle vision” goggles to see how livestock perceive their world. Learn why understanding that is better for the animal and the rancher.
ucdavis.edu
After a 63-year career, trailblazing #UCANR nutrition advisor Mary Blackburn continues to shape public health. From the Civil Rights era to today, her impact spans generations, uplifting underserved communities across California. #UCANR #PublicHealth ucanr.edu/blog/food-bl...
After 63 year-career, UC ANR nutrition advisor still writing her legacy of public health | Food Blog
Mary Blackburn retired as a UC Cooperative Extension nutrition, family and consumer sciences advisor for Alameda County in 2025. The trailblazing Black dietitian began her career in the tumultuous Civ...
ucanr.edu
Wolf attacks on cattle in NE California over 7 months last year reached $2.6m, @ucanr.edu research found. That includes the loss of livestock and wolf deterrents, reports @lilaseidman.bsky.social
Lila Seidman@lilaseidman.bsky.social · 4mo agoRemember the wolf that stunned everyone by visiting LA County? She’s still making history — now in an Eastern Sierra county for the first time in a century! www.latimes.com/environment/...
"For a grasshopper population to grow, you need a wet winter or spring so there's a lot of vegetation growing," Eric Middleton @ucipm.bsky.social @ucanr.edu told @laist.com. "Then you need warm conditions, which allow the young grasshoppers to emerge." laist.com/news/los-ang...
You are not alone in seeing more grasshoppers in LA. Just leave them be
Folks in LA and SoCal are reporting seeing an explosion of grasshoppers in their yards. Here's why — and why you could do nothing about them.
laist.com
Researchers @ucanr.edu are seeking volunteers to participate in focus groups in Riverside, Oakland and Fresno to learn consumers’ attitudes toward a bioengineered pesticide for citrus crops ucanr.edu/blog/food-bl...
How do you feel about bioengineered pest control to protect citrus trees? | Food Blog
To understand consumers’ attitudes toward a bioengineered crop pesticide for controlling Asian citrus psyllid, researchers are asking for volunteers to participate in focus groups in Riverside, Oaklan...
ucanr.edu
Looking for goldspotted oak borer, which is killing oak trees. “We’re training the community because they’re the frontline eyes on the ground,” Julie Clark @ucanr.edu told @michelewa.bsky.social. “We need more boots on the ground, eyes on the trees.” www.toacorn.com/articles/tho...
Thousand Oaks’ namesake at risk
High in the oak-studded hills above Simi Valley, scientists have confirmed infestations of the goldspotted oak borer—a tiny beetle no larger than a small grain of rice—that has already killed hundreds...
toacorn.com
Join the @ucanrfirenetwork.bsky.social, UC Cooperative Extension, and @ucanrwater.bsky.social to explore current research on #wildfire impacts and soil contamination in both rural and urban communities. Register ➡️ bit.ly/3LJEhx6 #UCCE #LAFires
Free webinars to highlight wildfire recovery resources, latest research | Green Blog
Topics for the February webinar series include water contamination, soil contamination and remediation, backyard chicken/livestock safety, and rebuilding and structure loss.
bit.ly
An invasive beetle responsible for killing hundreds of thousands of oak trees in Southern California has now expanded into Ventura County. To prevent further spread, some experts are calling for regulations limiting the movement of firewood. @lilaseidman.bsky.social www.latimes.com/environment/...
'It is scary': Oak-killing beetle reaches Ventura County, significantly expanding range
The goldspotted oak-borer, an invasive beetle responsible for killing 200,000 trees in Southern California, is now present in Ventura County. It's the northernmost reach of the insect.
latimes.com
‘It is scary’: Oak-killing beetle reaches Ventura County, significantly expanding range. “We keep seeing these oak groves getting infested and declining, and a lot of oak mortality,” - Beatriz Nobua-Behrmann with #UCANR. www.latimes.com/environment/...
'It is scary': Oak-killing beetle reaches Ventura County, significantly expanding range
The goldspotted oak-borer, an invasive beetle responsible for killing 200,000 trees in Southern California, is now present in Ventura County. It's the northernmost reach of the insect.
latimes.com
Thank you, Lila, for staying on top of the latest goldspotted oak borer news! SoCal residents, keep an eye on your oaks for signs of a possible invasive beetle infestation: 🔎tiny D-shaped holes 🔎thinning canopy 🔎red or black stains on the trunk Report a sighting & more info at www.gsob.org
Lila Seidman@lilaseidman.bsky.social · 7mo agoSince landing in Southern California in 2008, an invasive beetles has slaughtered hundreds of thousands of oak trees. Now the goldspotted oak borer has landed in Ventura County, sparking fears that the destruction will continue. www.latimes.com/environment/...
'It is scary': Oak-killing beetle reaches Ventura County, significantly expanding range
'It is scary': Oak-killing beetle reaches Ventura County, significantly expanding range
The goldspotted oak-borer, an invasive beetle responsible for killing 200,000 trees in Southern California, is now present in Ventura County. It's the northernmost reach of the insect.
latimes.com
“And as we go north, we have tons of oak woodlands that are very important ecosystems over there. It [goldspotted oak borer] can even get into the Sierras if we don’t stop it,” Beatriz Nobua-Behrmann @ucanr.edu tells @lilaseidman.bsky.social
Los Angeles Times@latimes.com · 7mo ago'It is scary': Oak-killing beetle reaches Ventura County, significantly expanding range
“As we dig into it, we’re seeing massive gaps,” says UC Cooperative Extension Specialist @edithdeguzman.bsky.social. As scientists study what turned January’s ignitions into infernos, one thing is clear: wildfire resilience has many dimensions. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
The Los Angeles wildfires were ‘the perfect storm’. Is the city ready for the next one?
After the devastating fires, neighborhoods pledged to build back stronger and better than before. A year later, they’re still untangling issues
theguardian.com
