From ducks and cranes to giant garter snakes and salmon, flooded rice fields in California’s Central Valley offer important — often vital — habitat to many wildlife species. Yet uncertainties around crop markets, water and climate can prompt some growers to fallow rice fields or change their management practices.

Will today’s rice acreage under current practices be enough to meet key species’ needs? If not, how much rice is needed? Where should it be planted? And what management practices offer the greatest benefit for species of concern?

The Scientific Illustration Club at UCD’s mission is to build a community of students interested in exploring the connections between art, science, and communication through learning about, appreciating, and practicing scientific illustration. Club activities include drawing sessions and workshops, guest and professional speakers, field trips, collaborative projects with peers and researchers on campus, and more! Any experience and interest levels welcome!

Mountain lions in greater Los Angeles are proactively shifting their activity to avoid interacting with cyclists, hikers, joggers and other recreationists, finds a study from the University of California, Davis, Cal Poly Pomona and the National Park Service.