2022 Annual Report

With a stronger appreciation of water, the 4-Hers were challenged to build their own water filters using a strainer, funnel and piece of fabric. Each 4-H youth employed imagination as well as science and engineering skills. In addition, communication was key to working together with team members.  

At the end of the day, our local 4-H group left the facility with a new understanding of how science, technology and innovation could be harnessed to combat environmental challenges that arise due to climate change. Further, they left with some inspiration to advocate for responsible water use in their homes and communities. It is quite possible that this visit at the West Basin will inspire one to become a  water scientist or environmental engineer.  

If you are interested in joining 4-H or learning more about its offerings, please visit the  program page. 

With NFWF’s two-year grant, the volunteers were able to gather native milkweed seed (Narrowleaf Milkweed, Asclepias fasciularis) from across the Santa Monica Mountains, propagate 100,000 milkweed plants at a nursery, plant 50 milkweed waystations across 150 acres, and establish a network of milkweed waystations in 300 gardens across Los Angeles County. Each waystation, at a UC Master Gardener project site, contains a minimum of five plants and requires 10 square feet of sunny garden space.

Our UC Master Gardeners have played and will continue to play a significant role in saving the monarchs from extinction in the wild by establishing many milkweed clusters in the county to serve as butterfly waystations, as they migrate through Southern California. Our Master Gardeners’ work is an example of grassroots conservation effort that will leave a healthier, more biodiverse world for future generations.

During the program, UCCE conducted pre- and post-surveys to evaluate the changes in 49 randomly selected students’ knowledge, attitudes and behavior. The results were:

-80% of students reported improved dietary choices

-52% of students reported improved physical activity

-37% of students reported improved food safety practices

Our collaboration with the Mountain View School District was wonderfully successful. By focusing on both nutrition education AND physical activities, we helped nurture a resilient and empowered student body, as they returned to the classroom. Further, this effort underscored our commitment to supporting local students by equipping them with the tools necessary to thrive academically, physically and emotionally.

In 2021-22, Taravati and his colleagues from UC Riverside were the first to officially report the occurrence of Formosan subterranean termites (FST) in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. These termites are known to have extremely large colonies (made up of millions of termites) that consume wood at an alarming rate, making them a dangerous threat to structures, trees and other wooden items. FST was thought to be limited in La Mesa, in San Diego County, for many years. But in a surprising discovery, he and his colleagues found a mature and massive infestation of this termite in a Highland Park property. They worked with the homeowner and a local pest control company to control the infestation.

With the discovery of FST in Highland Park, along with other recent discoveries in other pockets of Southern California, Taravati believes that Los Angeles County is going to see more activity of this termite in the near future with major economic consequences.

In 2022, Nobua-Behrmann:

• Conducted a workshop on oak woodland restoration and beetle management for private landowners, agency representatives and community groups. She presented research-based information on GSOB management, tree treatment, downed wood chipping and management, and oak woodland restoration methods.

• Conducted training on oak woodland health and GSOB in Green Valley for local residents who live in areas infested with GSOB.

• Conducted an information meeting for the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council on the urban forest, adjacent woodlands and GSOB infestations.

• Established collaborative relationship with agencies, community members, local nonprofits and other stakeholders interested in managing the GSOB infestation in Green Valley and other areas of the San Francisquito Valley.

• Spoke at local advisory committees in Green Valley and neighboring communities.

• Conduct GSOB community awareness activities.

In addition, Nobua-Behrmann created and mentored a UC Master Gardener group—the “Emerging Tree Pests Outreach Group.” The group educates the public on GSOB at community events with engaging activities and informational handouts. These dedicated volunteers have been critical for early GSOB detection and management, as more people and communities are empowered to actively look for signs of infestation in their oak trees, such as exit holes and wilting foliage. In addition, they are reporting GSOB to relevant authorities. Certainly, Nobua-Behrmann and her team played an important role in saving local oak trees and fostering proactive environmental stewardship.

Through workshops, seminars, community events and publications, Hartin shared valuable information on resilient species to more than 700 park superintendents, school district personnel, landscape contractors, wholesale and retail nursery professionals, and public agencies and municipalities. These trees reduce surface temperature of impervious surfaces by more than 70 degrees Fahrenheit and surrounding air temperatures by 6 to 12 degrees Fahrenheit in inland areas during the blazing summer months. In addition, they enhance pollinator populations, reduce water and soil erosion and beautify neighborhoods.

Hartin plays a central role in addressing future challenges in Los Angeles County by the simple act of transferring her research knowledge. Her efforts will contribute to the sustainability and well-being of communities that are informed and resilient in the challenging years ahead.

“Every time we planted our front yard, we’d have enough to give away,” said one gardener-turned-urban-farmer in Birmingham, Alabama. Before long, he and his partner decided, “Why don’t we grow more, a LOT more because there is a need here? There’s no close-by grocery store or anything like that.” So, provisioning their food-insecure neighborhood became the goal of the Birmingham Urban Farm.  

Surls’ book project comes at a time when urban agriculture is poised to expand around the United States, with new USDA grant funding streams and a recently organized USDA office of Urban and Emerging Agriculture. California has also rolled out special grant programs for urban agriculture recently.  

“With more small urban farms developing around California and the US, I thought it was important to tell the stories of these farms and shine a light on the farmers’ journeys, both their successes and challenges. Other beginners can learn so much from their stories,” said Surls.  

This book project builds on Surls’ prior work with urban farmers in California, which included leading a  needs assessment  of urban agriculture; developing a  resource website ; and organizing a statewide  workshop series . Surls hopes to finish her current book, tentatively called “Little City Farms: Cultivating Urban Agriculture One Seed at a Time” by 2024. You can also check out her book she co-authored in 2016, “ From Cows to Concrete: The Rise and Fall of Farming in Los Angeles ”, which was published by Angel City Press.