UC Rangelands

05/27/2026

Our crew has been out collecting data for a new project this spring—and we love getting out to “touch grass.” 🌾🌾

Just remember... sometimes it touches back. Watch your step out there 🐍


Image description: Photo 1 - A coiled rattlesnake rests partially hidden in tall green grass, with its head raised; Photo 2 - UC Rangeland researcher, wearing snake chaps, stands on a hillside holding up a long snakeskin shed, with oak trees and a clear blue sky in the background.

05/22/2026

It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic loss of Lincoln Sabini. Lincoln had recently started working with UC Rangelands as an undergraduate research assistant. An Agricultural Sustainability and Food Systems major, he was eager to engage in grazing systems research and had just enrolled in his very first sheep management lab at UC Davis.

Lincoln was a thoughtful, enthusiastic student and a genuinely kind person—the kind of student we are always grateful to welcome into this field. He was a bright, rising star lost far too soon.

Our thoughts are with Lincoln’s family, friends, classmates, and everyone whose lives he touched.

Read the tribute from Department of Plant Sciences, UC Davis at the link below.

Lincoln Sabini was a second-year student in the UC Davis Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, and also took courses in the Department of Plant Sciences. Those who knew him recount some memories.

05/12/2026

California livestock producers — your feedback can help guide future support for working lands and livestock operations across the state.

UC Berkeley and UC Cooperative Extension are seeking input on the future of wolf-livestock compensation programs in California, and they want to hear directly from producers and other interested parties who live in California.

Survey responses will be:
✔️ Anonymous
✔️ Securely stored through UC
✔️ Shared only as combined group results
✔️ About 20 minutes to complete

📅 Survey closes June 11

Take the survey on CDFW’s wolf-livestock compensation program here: https://berkeley.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8qemY1a3p1rv5BQ

04/27/2026

From the California-Nevada Drought Update, National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) - A Warm, Dry March Led to Snow Melt and Drought Expansion. Heat and Fire Potential Are Concerns for Summer.

Key Points:
💧 Abnormally Dry (D0) and drought conditions have returned to California and expanded and intensified in Nevada, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. California’s drought-free period earlier in the water year was short lived. Currently, 65% of California is Abnormally Dry (D0) and nearly 77% of Nevada is in drought (D1-D4).

☀️ A dry and warm March, with record-breaking heat, led to rapid and early snowmelt across California and Nevada.

❄️ In early April, 98-100% of SNOTEL stations were in a snow drought (defined as snow water equivalent below the 20th percentile). April 1 statewide snow water equivalent was the lowest on record (going back to 1981) for Nevada, and the second lowest on record for California.

⛈️ Recent storms and future forecasted storms through the end of April into early May have and may continue to buffer further drought degradation in some areas.

🔥 As the region enters its climatological dry season, seasonal forecasts favor warmer-than-normal conditions for May–July. Above-normal significant wildland fire potential is forecast in northern California and eastern Nevada in June–July.

Read more from the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) at the link below...

NIDIS and its partners will issue future drought status updates as conditions evolve.

04/18/2026

04/14/2026

UC Rangelands is at the 4th Global Soil Biodiversity Conference this week! 🌎🐛

PhD student Ava-Rose Beech is presenting her research on how fire and grazing can shape soil ecosystems in California rangelands 🌱🐂🔥



Image description: Ava-Rose stands smiling in front of her poster at the Global Soil Biodiversity Conference poster session.

04/03/2026

Out in the field for some rangeland monitoring 101 today—clipping plots, identifying plants, and getting our hands dirty in the name of science 🌱🌼

04/01/2026

Beautiful day out on the range! These cows are getting ready to be part of a new Art & Ag ranch visit—bringing together artists, producers, and the community to highlight the importance of conserving these vital landscapes. 🎨🐂🌱🌼

03/21/2026

🌱 Rangeland Soil Health Field Day Recap 🌱

We had an incredible day in the field diving into the science and stewardship of California’s annual rangelands—starting from the ground up. Thank you to everyone who joined us!

Highlights from the day included:
🌱 Managing California annual rangelands from the soil up

🐂 Compost, carbon, climate, & cows—exploring the connections between management and climate outcomes

📊 Soil health practices across a productivity gradient—what works, where, and why

🦠 Linking soil microbial diversity, plant communities, & forage productivity

🌿 Rooted in resilience—understanding soil-plant interactions under drought conditions

🌎 Soils, grass, and grazing: decisions that matter

From microbes to management, the conversations reinforced a key takeaway: healthy soils are foundational to resilient rangelands, productive forage systems, and climate-ready landscapes.

A big thank you to our speakers, partners, and participants for sharing knowledge, asking GREAT questions, and helping move this work forward.

02/17/2026

Dig into the science beneath your boots! 🌱🥾 Join us for a Soil Health Field Day with UC Cooperative Extension and explore practical, research-based strategies to build resilient rangelands—from microbes to grazing management.

Don’t miss this hands-on learning opportunity!
➡️ Register at bit.ly/rangesoils

UC Cooperative Extension Central Sierra
UC Agriculture & Natural Resources
Department of Plant Sciences, UC Davis
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, UC Davis