Pam Kan-Rice
@ucanrpam.bsky.social
Matchmaker for journalists seeking expert comment from scientists @ucanr.edu. Food bank volunteer. Here for climate, wildfire, drought, pests, coyotes, chickens, nutrition & other cool stuff https://ucanr.edu
Another last-minute live event announcement: I'll be joining Katie Couric tomorrow (Wed, Aug 5, at 3pm PT/6pm ET) to discuss the broader context surrounding wildfires in North America & Europe. Livestream open to all, but does require free account to view:
Katie Couric | Substack
I’m a journalist always looking for a deeper understanding of the issues.
substack.com
This session was, as always, recorded and is now available for viewing via the same link below! I will have at least three other wildfire and El Niño-focused live events over the next week in different venues (see my other posts for details).
Daniel Swain@weatherwest.bsky.social · 3d agoAt 1pm PT on Mon, Aug 3, I'll have a live update on the historic wildfire disaster that unfolded over the weekend in Spokane, Washington, including causes and context, then discuss the very active wildfire conditions currently present elsewhere in West.
TONIGHT 6pm El Niño town hall: Join our climate scientist Daniel Swain @weatherwest.bsky.social, Mark Tamayo @ktvufox2.bsky.social, @caloes.bsky.social and host State Sen. Mike McGuire
Daniel Swain@weatherwest.bsky.social · 4d agoOn Tue, Aug 4 at 6pm PT, I'll be participating in a live virtual Town Hall event, hosted by CA State Senator Mike McGuire, on our rapidly-developing #ElNiño event and implications for California from 2026 into 2027. No RSVP required. See you there!
What a phenomenal example of using your platform to raise awareness of the risks of climate change and the need for action. 10 gold stars to Gary and his human! www.instagram.com/p/DblYgQUlGI...
Illnesses linked to the cyclospora parasite is having a ripple effect across the farming industry as consumers avoid fresh produce. On CapRadio,Trevor Suslow, emeritus produce safety specialist @ucanr.edu, discusses the difficulty of tracing the source www.capradio.org/news/insight...
How Cyclospora is Impacting Ag | Benefits of Beavers | Studio Sessions: Squid Saves The Planet
We learn more about the economic impacts of parasite outbreak on California ag producers. Plus, the role beavers play in drought and wildfire mitigation in the environment. Finally, eclectic emo band ...
capradio.org
I've got 3 live virtual public events on YouTube scheduled over next 8 days (see recent posts for links): 1) Aug 3, 1p PT: WA wildfire disaster & bigger picture 2) Aug 4, 6p: "Super El Niño Town Hall" (CA Sen. Mike McGuire) 3) Aug 10, 1p: El Niño update: The latest forecast
#Agave could help California farmers adapt to a drier future. 🌵 UC ANR's Samuel Sandoval Solis says the crop uses so little water that researchers are developing guidance for growing agave with little supplemental irrigation. https://www.morningagclips.com/researchers-study-potential-of-agave-crop/
Researchers Study Potential of Agave Crop
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- On a hot morning in June, dozens of agave plants took root in the soil of Madera County. The plant has long...
morningagclips.com
At 1pm PT on Mon, Aug 3, I'll have a live update on the historic wildfire disaster that unfolded over the weekend in Spokane, Washington, including causes and context, then discuss the very active wildfire conditions currently present elsewhere in West.
Active wildfire conditions worsen across U.S. West, including historic wildfire disaster in Spokane - YouTube
The latest in a recurring series of live, virtual, & interactive #weather and #climate-focused "office hours" hosted by Dr. Daniel Swain. 08/03/2026 topics: ...
youtube.com
On Tue, Aug 4 at 6pm PT, I'll be participating in a live virtual Town Hall event, hosted by CA State Senator Mike McGuire, on our rapidly-developing #ElNiño event and implications for California from 2026 into 2027. No RSVP required. See you there!
Super El Nino Town Hall
Join Senator McGuire, along with climate scientists, meteorologists, and disaster preparedness experts, for a virtual Super El Niño Town Hall to learn how California is preparing for very strong or “super” El Niño weather patterns and events this fall.
youtube.com
A small-scale farmer got an unexpected invoice for $15,335. “The issue is that agencies are using a one-size-fits-all method to impose regulations, but small farms are using less water compared to larger farms,” Ngodoo Atume @ucanr.edu told @ianjames.bsky.social
Los Angeles Times@latimes.com · 5d agoCalifornia’s regulations limiting groundwater pumping are proving difficult and costly for many small-scale farmers. What to know https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2026-07-31/california-groundwater-law-puts-small-farms-at-risk?utm_medium=social&utm_source=bluesky_
I spoke with a farmer in Merced County who is leaving half her land dry, fearing new pumping fees could cost thousands of dollars. "It’s preventing me from growing what I used to grow," Rosie Lee said. "We’re afraid that we do not make enough to pay for the water." www.latimes.com/environment/...
California’s push to limit groundwater pumping could leave small farmers in the dust
According to a new report, California groundwater regulations threaten to put many small farms out of business.
latimes.com
A small-scale farmer got an unexpected invoice for $15,335. “The issue is that agencies are using a one-size-fits-all method to impose regulations, but small farms are using less water compared to larger farms,” Ngodoo Atume @ucanr.edu told @ianjames.bsky.social
Los Angeles Times@latimes.com · 5d agoCalifornia’s regulations limiting groundwater pumping are proving difficult and costly for many small-scale farmers. What to know https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2026-07-31/california-groundwater-law-puts-small-farms-at-risk?utm_medium=social&utm_source=bluesky_
Yes, embers regularly travel that far. During the CZU fire, I found a glowing 3-inch ember by my house and the fire was at least 5 miles away. But the image showing the fire having hopped the coves dramatically illustrates that firebreaks don't do much to stop hot fires w/ wind.
“I did a double take,” @weatherwest.bsky.social told @kurtisalexander.bsky.social, after looking at maps that showed the Woodside Fire hopping across two ocean coves, each about 1/4-mile wide Swain described the unusual conditions for the fire’s unlikely advance www.sfchronicle.com/california-w...
‘I did a double take’: In rare twist, Woodside Fire embers carried over ocean water, reignited
The Woodside Fire burning in Sonoma County spread in a way that astonished a seasoned fire watcher — twice.
sfchronicle.com
For 10 years, #UCANR's IGIS Program has helped researchers & professionals harness drone technology through #DroneCamp. This year's program explores new federal drone regulations, thermal imaging, & more. Media invited, Aug. 3-7. https://ucanr.edu/blog/anr-news-releases/article/dronecamp-2026
Notable NorCal fire: 50+ acre #WoodsideFire is burning in heavy timber between Hwy 1 & Pacific Ocean & has forced some evacuations in western Sonoma County. It is wind driven (25 gust 35mph) in moderately dry heavy fuels despite mild temps/moderate humidity. Smoke widely visible.
High pressure to the east is building towards the coast and will “be centered mainly in Southern California and Arizona,” said @weatherwest.bsky.social A second heat wave may “affect Northern California more severely” @climatedaddykqed.bsky.social www.kqed.org/news/1209301...
Cool Coast, Hot Inland. Bay Area Heat This Weekend Will Depend on Where You Live | KQED
Triple-digit heat could bake inland Bay Area cities this weekend, while the coast stays cool under the marine layer.
kqed.org
Prescribed fire “burns off the susceptible material that wants to burn in a wildfire scenario when it’s hotter and drier and the winds are blowing faster,” said Jeffrey Stackhouse @ucanr.edu. “It’s a big moment in time for this work,” @lenyaqd.bsky.social told @laist.com laist.com/news/climate...
The key to protecting California’s giant sequoias from wildfire — controlled fires
A team of UC Davis researchers found that giant sequoia trees that had undergone prescribed burns were around four times more likely to survive wildfires.
laist.com
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...
To grow ginger, "You have to create the humidity, create the environment and the climate has to be perfect for it," says @ucanr.edu Small Farm Advisor Michael Yang. abc30.com/post/fresno-...
Fresno County farmer creating conditions to grow ginger
The greenhouse conditions inside the hoop house at June Moua's Fresno County farm are extremely warm and humid so that she can grow ginger.
abc30.com
Catch UC ANR's climate scientist Daniel Swain @weatherwest.bsky.social Wed, July 29, during his #OfficeHours. ⬇️
Daniel Swain@weatherwest.bsky.social · last wk.Live at Noon Pacific Time on Wed, Jul 29: I'll discuss the upcoming prolonged, and potentially intense, SW US heatwave (inc. links to Pacific hurricane), & also recent surge in severe wildfire activity across Northern Hemisphere amid ongoing record heat.
New #podcast episode today! Hear from Tom Getts, a University of California Cooperative Extension advisor, about his work with weeds both in agriculture and natural areas in Northern California, specifically #invasive annual grasses, on The Big World of IPM. open.spotify.com/episode/5du0...
Live at Noon Pacific Time on Wed, Jul 29: I'll discuss the upcoming prolonged, and potentially intense, SW US heatwave (inc. links to Pacific hurricane), & also recent surge in severe wildfire activity across Northern Hemisphere amid ongoing record heat.
Upcoming intense SW US heatwave & ongoing Northern Hemisphere wildfire activity amid record heat - YouTube
The latest in a recurring series of live, virtual, & interactive #weather and #climate-focused "office hours" hosted by Dr. Daniel Swain. 07/29/2026 topic: I...
youtube.com
"The infrastructure decisions made in the next 18 months will shape agricultural innovation for decades," writes Gabe Youtsey, CIO @ucanr.edu. "Success of any transformative tech depends on a bridge between invention and the infrastructure to support it." agfundernews.com/guest-articl...
Guest article: Every transformative agriculture technology becomes an infrastructure story
The big barrier to resilient, economically sound agriculture isn't scientific discovery but a lack of mission-driven public infrastructure.
agfundernews.com
El Niño is predicted to become a major, perhaps historic one, this fall on top of a new marine heatwave already impacting the Pacific coast. Daniel Swain, @weatherwest.bsky.social @ucanr.edu discusses what it may bring. Listen to Rising Tide the Ocean Podcast bluefront.org/podcast/dani...
Daniel Swain does more than Predict the Weather - Blue Frontier
In the latest episode of Rising Tide the Ocean Podcast David and Vicki talk with Boulder- based weather and climate scientist Dr. Daniel Swain about the emerging El Nino that’s predicted to become a m...
bluefront.org
In recent weeks, there has been a remarkable surge in large, intense, fast-moving, and unfortunately in many cases destructive/deadly wildfires in multiple Northern Hemisphere regions spanning a wide range of climates & ecologies, but they all share one key commonality. [Thread]
To improve forest health in Plumas County, learn how to identify dead and dying native conifers, common forest insects and diseases. Kane Russell @ucanr.edu will explain what to look for and what you can do about it. Free event 4:30 pm, Thursday, July 30 plumassun.org/2026/07/24/m...
Mohawk Firewise hosts presentation by forest advisor | The Plumas Sun
Mohawk Valley Firewise Communities announces it will host a presentation by Kane Russell, forest and natural resources advisor with University of
plumassun.org
The Plumas Sun@theplumassun.bsky.social · 2w agoMohawk Firewise hosts presentation by forest advisor
"If you're buying avocado oil products, it's very likely that you're not getting what you're paying for," Selina Wang @ucanr.edu told @npr.org Morning Edition "Out of the 54 avocado oil products, 89% were inconsistent with authentic avocado oil." www.npr.org/2026/07/20/n...
