The Vantage Point

Glenda Humiston 
Vice President
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources 

This month’s newsletter features a number of articles and resources on preparing for drought and wildfire. As California braces for the ramifications of another exceptionally dry year, the entire state will be asked to make significant concessions around the use of water. Farms and cities have received grim warnings about water supplies. A number of UC ANR Research and Extension Centers have already had their water allocations cut entirely and many of our urban communities have formally declared drought emergencies and have asked residents to reduce consumption. The National Integrated Drought Information System shows most all California counties facing conditions of severe to extreme drought and given these very dry conditions, this year’s threat of wildfire will also be extreme.  
 
As we move into the summer season, we will rely heavily on our nearly 26,000 volunteers to help disseminate information about creating defensible space and home hardening against wildfires, planting drought-tolerant landscaping, caring for plants and animals under extreme weather conditions and how to organize preventive projects, such as controlled burns. With April being National Volunteer Month, I’d like to take this opportunity to officially recognize the importance of our dedicated volunteers and to acknowledge their significant contributions across the state. The University’s extension efforts are exponentially magnified through their efforts! The impact they make by generously donating their time is greatly valued, not only by UC ANR, but by community members in every California county!
 
In addition to the information links below, UC ANR has also created a new Drought Press Kit with links to many other resources that you may find interesting. I invite you to explore and encourage you to contact your local UC County Extension office with any questions.