UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden

⚠️ Help protect California’s landscapes ⚠️ An invasive insect called the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) has been found on grapevine shipments sold at select Costco locations in Northern California between April 21 and May 21, 2026.

GWSS spreads the bacterium that causes Pierce’s disease, a fatal grapevine disease that threatens California vineyards. It can also damage citrus trees, ornamental plants and other crops. If you purchased a grapevine from Costco in an affected county during this timeframe, contact your County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office immediately.

Learn more: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/pdcp/gwss-costco-plants.html

Early detection is critical to preventing the spread of this invasive pest. Please help share this information with gardeners, landscapers, growers and community members.

Image 1: Graphic asks, “Did you buy grapevines from a Northern California Costco?” and warns they may contain an invasive insect that spreads a disease fatal to plants. Photo of a glassy-winged sharpshooter on a grapevine stem. Text notes Costco is cooperating with the response.

Image 2: Instructions to isolate purchased grapevines. Keep plants in their original containers away from other plants, do not plant, move, return, compost, or discard them. If possible, seal the plant in two trash bags.

Image 3: Instructions to contact your local County Agriculture Department. Inspectors may examine the plant and nearby host plants, remove any detected pests, and place monitoring traps if needed.

Image 4: List of affected counties: Alameda, Butte, Contra Costa, Humboldt, Kings, Marin, Mendocino, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tulare, Yolo and Yuba.

APPLY NOW! Paid fellowship opportunities! Get hands-on experience with habitat restoration and climate-resilient landscape stewardship through a full-time, 11 month fellowship offered in collaboration with the California Climate Action Corps. Six positions are available (4 Landscape Adaptation Felllows and 2 Reserve Land Stewards).

Apply now for priority consideration:
https://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/recruitment/CCAC-fellowship

Image description: Five fellows smile and laugh among rows of plants in the Arboretum Teaching Nursery. Overlaid text reads: "Paid Fellowship Opportunities! Apply now for priority consideration"

How about that rain yesterday?
Humans: “Oh no, all these fallen branches.”
Black-crowned night heron: “Loving this waterfront seating!”

This heron wasted absolutely no time turning storm damage into a premium fishing perch. Front-row views. Shade coverage. Excellent food access.

What looks messy to us is often a wildlife upgrade. Fallen trees and branches create habitat, shelter, hunting spots, and opportunities for species that know how to work with whatever nature throws down. Nature’s recovery crew is already on site!

Thank you Waterway Steward Ina Rommeck for all you do AND these great photos!

Description (Image 1):
A black-crowned night heron perches calmly on a broken branch above a narrow creek surrounded by dense green foliage. Sunlight filters through the trees, highlighting the bird’s gray feathers, black crown, and pale underside against the storm-damaged landscape.

Description (Image 2):
A black-crowned night heron stands among downed tree branches beside a shallow, algae-covered creek. The bird’s gray body, black cap, and pale yellow legs blend into the tangle of storm-fallen limbs and leafy debris in a shaded woodland setting.

JOIN US Fri., May 29 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.! Make zines, win prizes and explore LGBTQIA+ and environmental advocacy resources at the upcoming Chair Share event co-hosted by the Arboretum Ambassadors and the UC Davis LGBTQIA Resource Center. Drop by for a few minutes or all two hours. Find us by Lake Spafford and participate while enjoying time outside!

https://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/events/chair-share-arboretum-lgbtqia

Image description: A square, colorful Instagram-style flyer with a handmade zine collage aesthetic promotes a “Zine Making!” Chair Share event hosted by the Arboretum Ambassadors in collaboration with the LGBTQIA+ Resource Center. The design features torn paper textures, hand-drawn doodles, flowers, leaves, and bright pastel colors. Photos show people outdoors in the Arboretum creating art and smiling together. Large text highlights activities including LGBTQIA+ and environmental advocacy resource tabling, zine making, giveaways, and prizes such as water bottles, hand fans, snacks, and UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden merchandise. Event details at the bottom read: “Fri., May 29,” “11 a.m.–1 p.m.,” and “Location: Lake Spafford.” Decorative elements include a hand-drawn Adirondack chair, rainbow fan, stars, flowers, and a notebook reading “Our Nature, Our Voices, Our Future.” The overall feel is welcoming, creative, outdoorsy, and community-centered.

THIS FRIDAY May 22, join us for poster-making session to celebrate our commitment and contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At this Chair Share event, held in partnership with Davis Global Affairs , you can learn about how the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden supports goals like Climate Action (Goal 13) and Life on Land (Goal 15) while enjoying restorative time outside. Drop by between 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Learn more: https://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/events/chair-share-arboretum-x-global-affairs-un-sdgs

Image description: Photo of two students sitting on a grassy lawn in the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden near Lake Spafford. Overlaid over the photo are text with information about the poster-making event and decorative illustrations.

The forecast called for “breezy.” The turtles heard “spa day.”

Out on the UC Davis Arboretum Waterway, western pond turtles have assumed their traditional positions:
☀️ face to sun
🌬️ shell to wind
👀 absolutely no concern for impending social media fame

Scientists may describe this behavior as “thermoregulation.”
The turtles describe it as “living your best life on a floating log with your friends.”

Please admire responsibly.
Do not disturb the basking committee.

Thank you for this photo GATEways Gardening Specialist Jordan Knippenberg!

Alt text:
Four western pond turtles bask on a partially submerged tree branch in the UC Davis Arboretum Waterway on a bright, windy day. One turtle stretches its neck toward the sun while another rests near the waterline, surrounded by rippling green water and dense shoreline vegetation.