#UCDavis - Students Lead #HabitatRestoration at #RussellRanch

Fri, March 20, 2026

"At Russell Ranch, just west of campus along Russell Boulevard, a transformation is underway. What was once grazed #pasture and alfalfa field is becoming a thriving #NativeHabitat led by UC Davis students and funded by #TheGreenInitiativeFund, or #TGIF.

"The Russell Ranch Slough Restoration Project, designed and implemented by the Arboretum and Public Garden’s Learning by Leading™ Ecological Land Management, or #ELM, team, is now at its midpoint. Site preparation is complete, invasive species have been cleared, and nearly 200 native trees and shrubs have been planted along the seasonal slough.

" 'Projects like this show students that restoration isn’t theoretical. It’s something they can design and implement themselves,' said Miles DaPrato, environmental steward for the Arboretum and Public Garden and staff mentor for the ELM team.

"Turning Working Land into #WildlifeHabitat

"The 2.5-acre site sits within the #PutahCreek Riparian Reserve, surrounded by agriculture and rural residences. Rather than separating nature from working landscapes, the project shows how the two can work together — creating habitat while improving the ecological function of the land.

"This past fall, students removed old livestock fencing that blocked #wildlife movement, prepared the soil, and seeded the site with locally adapted #NativeGrasses and #wildflowers timed to the first seasonal rains.

"Over the winter, the team planted nearly 200 native trees and shrubs, including #ValleyOak, #Cottonwood, #Willow, #Elderberry and #Toyon. Temporary drip irrigation has been installed to help the young plants establish during their first critical summers. 'You can study restoration in class, but being out here actually doing the work is completely different,' said Keira Folkers, Environmental Engineering, 2026, and Kayden Delvo, Environmental Science and Management, 2026. 'You start to understand the land, the timing of the seasons and the decisions that go into every step.' "

Learn more:
https://publicgarden.ucdavis.edu/news/students-lead-habitat-restoration-russell-ranch

#SolarPunkSunday #California #HabitatRestoration #Wildlife #CoExistence

#Africa - #Coexistence That's Built to Last

"For two decades, African People & Wildlife has partnered with communities across #Tanzania to protect wildlife, restore landscapes, and support sustainable livelihoods. See how this work has grown and where it’s going next.

Landscape Restoration and Connectivity

We lead collective efforts to restore and connect a flourishing mosaic of lands that benefits people, parks, and wildlife while building local #ClimateChange #resilience.

#HabitatLoss and #fragmentation pose one of the greatest threats to the future of Africa’s people and #wildlife. Without urgent action and collaborative partnerships, our most critical landscapes and their natural resources could be lost forever.

Support Local Corridors

We engage communities in the conservation of critical corridors for wildlife and livestock that link protected areas with communal and private lands.

Revitalize #DegradedPastures

The #overgrazing of local pastures can lead to #SoilErosion and inadequate food for wildlife and livestock. Together with local communities, we monitor and manage the long-term health of vital habitats that benefit people and wildlife.

Layer Programming to Maximize Impact

We overlap our rangeland management programming with the observed range of lions, leopards, and cheetahs to ensure the health and connectivity of vital big cat habitat. We also enhance the health of these pastures with an increased beehive presence through our Women's #Beekeeping Initiative.

Leverage Partnerships to Enhance Connectivity

We work with multiple partners – including government authorities – across large landscapes like the #Ngorongoro Conservation Area to identify shared goals and implement joint programming with local community members."

Learn more:
https://www.africanpeoplewildlife.org/key-issues/our-priorities/landscape-restoration-and-connectivity

#SolarPunkSunday #WildlifeCorridors #ClimateChangeAdaptation #Stewardship #EnvironmentalStewardship #SoilRestoration

Urban coyotes are denning next door: here’s what to know

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.optimistdaily.com/2026/03/urban-coyotes-are-denning-next-door-heres-what-to-know/

📝 Plot: In early 20th-century France, a young woman develops a deep bond with wolves despite fear and prejudice from her community. As she fights to protect them, she confronts tradition, danger, and her own destiny. A poetic tale of courage, nature, and coexistence, blending adventure with a heartfelt coming-of-age journey.

#LaJeuneFilleEtLesLoups #Adventure #Drama #FrenchCinema #Nature #Wildlife #ComingOfAge #Courage #Coexistence

A quotation from Orwell

George Orwell (1903-1950) English journalist, essayist, writer [pseud. of Eric Arthur Blair]
Essay (1945-05), “Notes on Nationalism,” Polemic Magazine (1945-10)

More about this quote: wist.info/orwell-george/17193/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #georgeorwell #orwell #aggression #coexistence #competition #defense #nationalism #nationalist #patriot #patriotism #power #powerseeking #prestige #protection