University of Nevada, Reno Extension

07/01/2024

It's Mythbuster Monday with the Integrated Pest Management Team!

[X] Myth: Pesticides only kill pests. [→] Reality: Pesticides also harm beneficial insects, like pollinators.

• Pesticides can't tell good insects from bad ones; they may affect both.
• Some pesticides are absorbed into all parts of the plant, including pollen and nectar, harming butterflies and pollinators.
• Using pesticides that kill helpful insects can increase pests by removing their predators.

Before using pesticides, try other pest management strategies like insect traps, hand removal, or washing off pests with a high-pressure hose.

Learn more low-risk pest control tips here: https://bit.ly/3L0w5ov

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06/27/2024

We’re hiring!

Do you have experience in social media and website development? Are you knowledgeable about horticulture and pest management? Join our team in Reno!

Note: The position is listed as temporary but new grant funding may extend it up to three years!

To learn more and apply, visit https://bit.ly/45I9w17

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06/26/2024

Thank you for beeing awesome! ❤️🐝

Sending out a big thank you to all our partners (, , , , ), volunteers and participants who made our first annual Reno Pollinator Garden Tour a success!

Despite the heat, around 100 people visited gardens to learn about creating pollinator habitats and reducing pesticide use.

We’re already looking forward to Pollinator Week next year!

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06/25/2024

06/25/2024

Part of being wildfire ready is knowing your evacuation route. Street signs often disappear due to smoke creating low visibility. Learn more ways to prepare at https://buff.ly/4e7XmCC

06/25/2024

Happy Fire Ecology Friday! 🔥🌿 Ever wonder how wildfires impact water systems? Here’s the scoop:

Wildfires can cause increased sediment runoff due to hydrophobic soil (check our post about soil and fire!). This can temporarily decrease water quality. However, an interesting fact is that wildfires can also increase the amount of water in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs! This happens because there's less vegetation, which means less transpiration (plants taking up water).

What else do you want to learn about for Fire Ecology Fridays? Let us know in the comments! 💧🌲

06/25/2024

DO remove vegetative debris that can accumulate at the base of the fence on a regular basis.

DON'T use fences as a trellis for plants because plants can create and trap ignitable vegetative debris.

DO replace the combustible portion of the fence near the home with a noncombustible section. The noncombustible section should be a minimum of 5-feet long.

For more ways to make your home fire safe visit https://buff.ly/3V3EpIo

06/25/2024

The term "Defensible space" refers to the area between a house and an oncoming wildfire where the vegetation has been managed to reduce the wildfire threat and allow firefighters to safely defend the house. Learn how to create effective defensible space in our new "Defensible Space Guide" linked below.

https://buff.ly/4c1iWXw

06/25/2024

Defensible space is when the landscape and vegetation are managed on your property to reduce the wildfire threat. To receive a FREE defensible space inspection, contact your local fire agency. You can find your local fire agency and more info on our website!
https://buff.ly/3Vozhia

06/25/2024

The go-bag should be prepared now, before an emergency, be easily accessible and filled with at least a three-day supply of items needed to help you quickly and safely evacuate your home. You may only have enough time to retrieve this bag. For a list of what to pack go to https://buff.ly/3yZvsc3

06/25/2024

Hosted by Living With Fire, this session offers an opportunity to learn about wildfire grants available to communities, ask questions, and receive expert advice on your grant proposals. Our guest speaker is Donald Lovejoy, Community Wildfire Defense Grant Coordinator at the Nevada Division of Forestry.
Register here: https://buff.ly/45x8BjZ

06/25/2024

Just a reminder that we are still accepting submissions for the Nevada Youth Wildfire Preparedness Challenge! As of now, we still have NOT received any submissions, so this is your chance to not only make a difference in your community but win some cash too! Instructions for how to enter and actions you can take at this link: https://buff.ly/3R9oR4T

06/25/2024

Happy Father's Day from your Nevada alumni family! 🌞💙🐺

06/24/2024

Happy Pollinator Week!

Native plants provide habitat for pollinators. Learn more about how to plant a native pollinator garden with this video.

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Using Nevada’s native plants to attract pollinators and other beneficial insects.This video goes step by step through the process of deciding where and how t...

06/21/2024

Can you image a world without chocolate cake? Oh, the horror!

That’s a world we might have to imagine if there were no chocolate midges (small flies), which are the only pollinators of cacao flowers. Pollinators are essential for chocolate and about one in three bites of food we eat.

Learn more about how you can help protect and promote pollinators in our home gardens and landscapes at https://bit.ly/3xptVLH.

📸: Pexels from Pixabay, Vinayaraj

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06/19/2024

It’s Pollinator Week!

You can help protect and promote pollinators with these 3 tips:

1) Plant many flowering plants that provide pollen and nectar.
2) Limit your use of pesticides.
3) If you do use a pesticide, follow the instructions carefully and apply in the early morning when pollinators are less active.

To learn more visit https://bit.ly/3xptVLH.

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06/19/2024

Did you know? Each spring, there's an opportunity for you to be a human fence for sheep, during the annual moving of the Borda Ranch herd in Dayton, Nevada.

Extension's Lindsay Chichester attended this year and captured this photo.

She said, "The sheep come down from the mountains in Dayton, cross a busy road and head out for more grazing. People can come and help be a 'fence' to help move the sheep where they are supposed to go."

📸: Agricultural with Dr. Lindsay

06/18/2024

Extension Educator Staci Emm and her team recently planted seeds for their industrial h**p trials. They used a regenerative agriculture approach, planting the h**p seeds in a field where cover crops were already growing, without tilling first.

"Trying something new in Nevada agriculture is our gig," Staci said. "It was a beautiful day, and we had such a great team on the ground.

It was amazing to see the Ceresola boys driving their equipment and Joe Frey and Catelyn Bridges organizing us. A GPS system, a large no-till drill, industrial h**p seed, more cover crop seed, a John Deere tractor and a lot of friendly sass — It was an awesome morning.

Now, we just need it to grow. Stay tuned and we will keep you updated."

Video description: A green and yellow John Deere tractor pulling a John Deere seeder across a field as a black dog runs behind and crew members look on. Above the wind and tractor noise, you can hear someone say, "Alright, last one!"

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06/14/2024

ICYMI: Our 4-H Pollinator Ambassador Program team was recognized this spring with our Outstanding Team Award.

Team lead Lindsay Chichester said, "I am lucky to work with a talented, fun and amazing group of people."

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06/12/2024

"The bees were a huge hit in the elementary school I visited," Extension Educator Lindsay Chichester said.

"The kids got a quick lesson, looked at the observational hive, tried on bee suits, and had some honey sticks to take home.

They all have a sting story, but I hope these outreach events leave them with other cool bee stories to share too."

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06/11/2024

It’s been a long road, but we did it. Our Mobile Harvest Unit is the first USDA-certified harvest trailer in Nevada!

This is just one way we're "increasing independent meat and poultry processing capacity, expanding market opportunities for farmers, and supporting a growing workforce in rural areas."

Learn more at https://bit.ly/4aRzLDp.

📸: Austin Yohey

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06/11/2024

"Gotta love outreach with kids," Extension Educator Lindsay Chichester said. "There's never a dull moment."

Kid: "I think I see the queen! Does she have a name?"

Lindsay: "No. What would you name her?"

Kid: "Pancakes."

Lindsay: "Pancakes it is!"

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06/07/2024

Last Friday's Nevada Field Day & Ag Expo was a great success! Our 4-H Youth Development Program had a great time making sun catchers and slime with local families!

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06/05/2024

We're hiring! Positions include:

-Community-based instructors for our SNAP-Ed Programs in Las Vegas and Tonopah.
-A community-based instructor for our 4-H Youth Development Program in Reno.
-A copy editor for our Nevada Economic Assessment Project in Las Vegas.
-A coordinator for our Small Business Education Program in Las Vegas.

To learn more and apply, visit unr.edu/jobs.

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06/05/2024

Join us in celebrating June as Pride Month! 🌈 The University of Nevada, Reno supports and embraces all members of the LGBTQIA2S+ (le***an, gay, bisexual, trans, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, two-spirit and more) community, and strives to create an inclusive environment for all. This month, and every month, embrace diversity, promote equality, and show love to one another. For more LGBTQIA2S+ stories at the University, visit Nevada Today at https://bit.ly/3X3N948

06/01/2024

06/01/2024

Our Nevada Field Day & Ag Expo is underway, and Alphie’s here! It’s not too late for you to come join in the fun too. We’ll be here at 1000 Valley Road in Reno until 6 p.m.

Come on over for free, family friendly activities focused on the latest advancements in agriculture, horticulture, natural resources, nutrition and the envirobment.

Our researchers are here flying drones, answering questions and sharing their work. Hope to see you here!

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05/31/2024

ICYMI: Lindsay Chichester is our 4-H Youth Development Program's new state leader. She brings to the position not only experience in Nevada 4-H as a youth, but also expertise in Extension community work. We're so excited to have her in her new role!

To learn more about Lindsay and her plans for our 4-H Program, visit https://bit.ly/44tuUqy.

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University of Nevada, Reno Extension has appointed Lindsay Chichester as the new state leader for the 4-H Youth Development Program starting June 1.

09/22/2023

Looking for some alternatives to traditional lawns?

Lawn alternatives save water, are low-maintenance and can provide habitat for pollinators. Here are some lawn alternatives to try for northern Nevada:

1. Clover lawns
2. Yarrow lawns
3. Creeping thyme
4. No-mow meadows
5. Native and water-wise plants

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07/25/2022

Extension Living With Fire Program Director Christina Restaino said, “We feel unstable in our relationship with our place now. That's a really unsettling thing.”

Living With Fire | |

Northern Nevada is famous for its beautiful outdoors, including Lake Tahoe and an abundance of camping sites and trails to explore. But the outdoor recreation that is a cultural staple for the region may be cut short by another summer tradition: wildfire season.