“One of the most profound ways in which UC touches people's lives is through the work of Cooperative Extension.” – Janet Napolitano, President, University of California
On May 8, 1914, the president signed an act of Congress to channel scientific advances from university research to everyday people working and living in the United States. On May 8, 2014, California residents will collaborate on a dataset that further connects public higher education with community.
“UC Cooperative Extension is all about science and service,” said Barbara Allen-Diaz, UC vice president for the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, which administers Cooperative Extension in California. “To celebrate the anniversary of Cooperative Extension, we are asking Californians to help us collect scientific data so that all of us will better understand our natural, agricultural and urban communities.”
Everyone in California is invited to take part. To participate, go to http://beascientist.ucanr.edu and record your observations on three questions:
- How many pollinators do you see?
- How do you conserve water?
- Where is food grown in your community?
Many UC Cooperative Extension county offices are holding special events on May 8 where the public may join in the celebration of science and service. Computers will be available to allow participants to record their observations to the science questions.
Contra Costa County
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Contra Costa County Master Gardeners will be at the program's demonstration garden to answer gardening questions and assist visitors in their "Be a Scientist" reporting. The garden is at the corner of No. Wiget Lane and Shadelands Drive in Walnut Creek (N. Wiget Lane is just off of Ygnacio Blvd.) More information: Emma Connery, Master Gardener program coordinator, (925) 646-6130, edconnery@ucanr.edu
Fresno County
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Open house at the Garden of the Sun, 1750 N. Winery Ave., Fresno. The event includes an opening ceremony and proclamation from the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, presentations by representatives of all UCCE programs in Fresno County, prizes and refreshments. More information: Shannon Mueller, UCCE county director, (559) 241-7527, scmueller@ucanr.edu
Humboldt County
12 noon to 1:30 p.m. – Mini educational workshops on water conservation, pollination and local food at Redwood Roots, a small farm at Wood Duck Lane and Fellowship Way, in the Jacoby Creek Valley in Bayside.
6 to 7:30 p.m. – ‘Day of Science and Service' participants share the results of the day's data collection at the Redwood Acres Fairgrounds, 3750 Harris St., Eureka. More information: Yana Valachovic, UCCE county director, (707) 445-7351, yvala@ucanr.edu
Imperial County
4 to 7 p.m. - A reception at the UC Desert Research and Extension Center, 1050 East Holton Rd., Holtville, including a presentation about the UCCE centennial, its local impact and recognition of its partners in Imperial County. Farmers, 4-H members and UCCE nutrition educators who have made significant accomplishments will be recognized. More information: Khaled Bali, (760) 352-9474, Ext. 28, kmbali@ucanr.edu
Los Angeles County
3 to 6 p.m. – Science and Service Fair at the Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum, 18127 S Alameda St., Compton. The event includes workshops on nutrition, food preservation and gardening, special activities for kids and healthy after-school snacks. A.G. Kawamura, former California Department of Food and Agriculture secretary, will be a guest speaker. More information: Drusilla Rosales, UCCE advisor, (626) 586-1948, dmrosales@ucanr.edu
Mariposa County
2 to 6 p.m. – Day of Science and Service open house with information about 4-H, Master Gardeners and weed control on rangeland at the UC Cooperative Extension office, 5009 Fairgrounds Rd., Mariposa. Participants are also invited to visit a native plant garden on the fairgrounds. More information: Fadzayi Mashiri, UCCE county director, (209) 966-2417, fmashiri@ucanr.edu
Merced County
3 to 5 p.m. – Booth at the Merced Mall, 851 W. Olive Ave., Merced, where passersby can bring questions to Master Gardeners, a nutrition educator, 4-H leaders or the farm advisor, and participate in the Day of Science and Service. More information: Maxwell Norton, (209) 385-7403, mnorton@ucanr.edu
Monterey County
10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Open house at the UC Cooperative Extension office, 1432 Abbott St., Salinas. Tours of the facility, laboratories and greenhouses. Participants may use a computer kiosk to take part in the citizen science surveys. More information: Maria de la Fuente, (831) 759-7358, medalafuente@ucanr.edu
Nevada County
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. – A free family event includes ‘lunch for dinner' provided by Sierra Harvest, plus prizes, demonstrations and food-related activities at Bell Hill Academy, 342 S. School St., Grass Valley. More information: Molly Klumb, UCCE program representative, (530) 889-7350, mhklumb@ucanr.edu
Riverside County
10:30 a.m. to 12 noon – UC Cooperative Master Gardeners give a presentation about pollinators at their Grow Lab facility and visitors may tour the Butterfly & Hummingbird Garden and Beneficial Insect Garden. The Grow Labe is at 3555 Crowell Ave. Access the Grow Lab via the alley off Helena.
6 to 8 p.m. – UC Cooperative Extension and Western Municipal Water District will host a workshop on conserving water, money and time in your backyard garden. Janet Hartin, UCCE advisor for environmental horticulture, will share tips for managing the landscape under dry conditions. Dona Jenkins, Master Gardener Program coordinator, will give an overview of the Master Gardener Program and Helpline Information. Presidents will be at the Western Municipal Water District's Southern California Landscape Demonstration Garden at 400 E. Allessandro Blvd., Riverside. More information: Eta Takele, UCCE county director, (951) 683-6491 Ext. 221, ettakele@ucanr.edu
San Benito County
4 to 6 p.m. - Open house at the San Benito County UC Cooperative Extension office, 3228 Southside Rd., Hollister. Includes participation in science and service activities, dinner and information from 4-H, Master Gardeners and nutrition educators. More information: Lynn Schmidt McQuitty, (831) 637-5346, Ext. 12, lschmittmcquitty@ucanr.edu
San Diego County
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – The general public is invited to the County Operations Center commons area, 9335 Hazard Way, San Diego, for booths with displays and handouts about UC Cooperative Extension, plus a wildfire prevention presentation that includes a live demonstration structure burn. More information: James Bethke, (760) 752-4715, jabethke@ucanr.edu
San Francisco/San Mateo counties
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. - UC Cooperative Extension staff will be in the lobby of the California Academy of Sciences museum, 55 Music Concourse Dr., San Francisco, with iPads to help visitors answer the three Day of Science and Service questions. More information: Virginia Bolshakova, (650) 726-9059, Ext. 102, vbolshakova@ucanr.edu
Santa Cruz County
3:30 to 6:30 p.m. – Open house at the UC Cooperative Extension office, 1432 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville, where the public can meet UCCE academics and staff, see demonstrations and learn about UCCE research. More information: Mark Bolda, (831) 763-8025, mpbolda@ucanr.edu
Tehama County
3 to 6 p.m. - Open house at the UC Cooperative Extension office, 1754 Walnut St., Red Bluff. More information: Richard Buchner, (530) 527-3101, rpbuchner@ucanr.edu
Ventura County
2 to 5 p.m. – Community open house at the Hansen Research and Extension Center, 14292 W. Telegraph Rd., Santa Paula. More information: Rose Hayden-Smith, strategic initiative leader, (805) 645-1466, rmhaydensmith@ucanr.edu
Yolo County
4:30 to 6:30 p.m. – Open house at the UC Cooperative Extension office, 70 Cottonwood St., Woodland. Participants to take part in activities, learn about UCCE programs and history, and enjoy refreshments. More information: Rachael Long, UCCE county director, (530) 666-8734, rflong@ucanr.edu