Caroline Champlin

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...

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...

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.

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

Top pic shows Caroline & another with frowns at skyscraper. Second pic they flank Alex Honnold under a tree with wide smiles

From my colleague @cchamplin.bsky.social who is vacationing in Taipei 😂

'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.

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.

‘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/...

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

'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.

'It is scary': Oak-killing beetle reaches Ventura County, significantly expanding range

“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

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

“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...

If homeowners let dead plant material accumulate in Zone Zero, "then it makes sense that there shouldn't be any plants in Zone Zero," Max Moritz @ucanr.edu told @lsommer.bsky.social
"Having a well-watered plant is less of a risk, but it's not no risk," says @gollnerfire.bsky.social

UC ANR helps Californians in all corners of the state adapt to climate change--and it's a team I'm personally proud to be part of. For #GivingTuesday, if you can, give to support this work: give.ucanr.edu

Purple sweet potatoes create buzz | Food Blog When West Coast consumers buy sweet potatoes at a store, chances are good that they will be choosing varieties that were selected by Scott Stoddard, UCCE farm advisor.

Did you know sweet potatoes should be baked not microwaved? 😳
I learned a lot writing this story about @ucanr.edu & @lsuagcenter.bsky.social sweet potato breeding & variety testing bit.ly/purplesweets

Three researchers in hiking gear examine a small tree on a rocky mountainside in the Sierra Nevada, surrounded by granite boulders and sparse pine trees.

A lone Jeffrey pine found over 12,000 feet up a Sierra peak sparked a 240-mile trek by UC Davis scientists to study how a bird’s seed and a single tree reveal the impacts of climate change, and why fieldwork still matters in understanding our changing world. Read more: ucdav.is/4oXjDaK

#Coyotes are thriving in #LosAngeles — even in the heart of the city. UC researchers found that human factors, such as pollution, wealth & population density, shape where coyotes roam — not just in parks or green spaces.

Check out @calagucanr.bsky.social
#UrbanWildlife

bit.ly/4nGei6B

I wanted to offer my thoughts, as a climate scientist, on the widely discussed memo published by Bill Gates in late October 2025. While I actually do agree with some of the specific points made therein regarding the urgent global need to accelerate efforts to reduce global poverty and improve human Thoughts from a climate scientist on the Bill Gates climate memo

I just recorded a short video--essentially an updated version of my social media threads--on the Bill Gates climate memo. Despite agreeing with some points therein, I still think its framing is fundamentally flawed and thus also its key conclusions.

Daniel Swain, standing on left among high top tables, speaks to a few colleagues in break room

Today @ucanrwater.bsky.social climate scientist @weatherwest.bsky.social was at @ucanr.edu office to discuss science communications with @cchamplin.bsky.social, @ucanrmike.bsky.social & others & what he’ll wear to TIME100 Next gala in NYC

Climate, diseases driving death of several tree species in multiple California regions | UC Agriculture and Natural Resources UC ANR research shows fungi are increasingly causing trees to decline and die. Scientists found 10 woody plant species in six regions had succumbed to infections.

California’s trees are in trouble. A new #UCANR & #UCBerkeley study finds climate change, diseases, #pests & urbanization are driving mass die-offs across the state — from pines to oaks to manzanitas. The landscape is shifting. https://ucanr.edu/blog/green-blog/article/treedeath
#Forests #California

Climate, diseases driving death of several tree species in multiple California regions | UC Agriculture and Natural Resources UC ANR research shows fungi are increasingly causing trees to decline and die. Scientists found 10 woody plant species in six regions had succumbed to infections.

Have you noticed dead trees?
From 2019-2024, @ucanr.edu & @natureatcal.bsky.social scientists hiked through woodlands collecting tree samples. In 6 regions of California, they found 10 woody plant species by 9 fungal species.
ucanr.edu/blog/green-b...

Water bills in L.A. County are rising faster than inflation, UCLA research shows UCLA researchers found that in Los Angeles County, average household water bills climbed 60% from 2015 to 2025, rising faster than inflation.

Water bills in L.A. County are rising faster than inflation, UCLA research shows

UC ANR team helps small farmers understand historic, decade-old groundwater law | UC Agriculture and Natural Resources To raise awareness of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act among small farmers, a UC ANR team is providing technical assistance, education and outreach.

Ten years after California’s landmark Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, many small farmers still haven’t heard of it.
UC ANR is stepping in to provide vital outreach + technical assistance.
🔗 bit.ly/41P8gsA
#Groundwater #SmallFarms #UCANR

2025 Exhibitions

The first ½ of the run of the exhibit I co-curated combining science-inspired art with civic participation at beautiful @descansogardens.bsky.social has been off the charts. Only 5️⃣ weeks remain. See it before it's gone! @luskininnovation.bsky.social @ucanr.edu www.descansogardens.org/visit/sturt-...

The California Earthworkers Summit comes to UC Santa Cruz, Sept 11–12.

Join farmers, students, #UCANR scientists & food system leaders for hands-on learning & community building. 🌎

Register now: bit.ly/466J1nX

Bye-bye, bougainvillea? Fire hazard could lead to cutback of several beloved LA plants The pink flowers we love so much are a fire hazard, and it may be time to part ways with them.

Vines and climbing plants on your home can pose a wildfire risk. " That's a ladder for fires," Dani Brusius, a @ucanr.edu @ucmastergardeners.bsky.social volunteer, told @laist.com when asked about bougainvillea. "Any plant can burn"
laist.com/news/climate...

Diabolical mites kill record numbers of honeybees | Good Food Former beekeeper Adam Novicki explains the causes of this year's historic honeybee die-off.

What is killing the honeybees? "I wish it was a single smoking gun, but it's not," Adam Novicki @ucanr.edu told @kcrwevan.bsky.social www.kcrw.com/culture/show...

Edna 4-H of San Luis Obispo Celebrates 100 Years of ‘Good, Wholesome, Family Fun’ Edna 4-H, the longest-running 4-H club in San Luis Obispo County, now celebrating its 100-year anniversary.

I love this story, a century in the making.

www.morningagclips.com/edna-4-h-of-...

A new art show brings L.A. climate inequities to life at Descanso Gardens "Roots of Cool" is an all-women art show focused on the role trees (and the shade they provide) play in making urban life healthier.

This past weekend, Descanso Gardens unveiled Roots of Cool, an art exhibition co-curated by UC ANR climate researcher Edith de Guzman and artist Jolly de Guzman. Featured in the @latimes, the show explores #shadeequity and a cooler, greener future for L.A.
www.latimes.com/environment/...

Are you part of the agave community in California?
We want to hear from you! This short survey will help us better understand #agave farming, processing and related economic activities in the state.
📍 For agave growers & distillers
ucdavis.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cIR2CgYb5A8fiVE