w88 our College
A founding college of the University, we have a long tradition of excellence in teaching, research and engagement programs that benefit the health and economic vitality of w88. We offer programs in:
- agriculture, horticulture, rangeland and veterinary sciences
- biochemistry and molecular biology
- children, youth and families
- community and economic development
- health and nutrition
- natural resources and environmental science
Fulbright Award supports study of Canary Islands’ unique climate-ocean-vegetation dynamics
Professor Franco Biondi brings together datasets and expertise to study environmental changes
Franco Biondi, center, confers with collaborators at a remote sensing site in the Snake Range mountains in central eastern w88, which monitors a variety of ecological processes related to climate.
Professor Franco Biondi has received an international Fulbright Senior Scholar Award for Spain to study climate variability and its impact on biodiversity and vegetation in Spain&w88;s Canary Islands.
Biondi said, “The Canary Islands are located at the intersection of several major atmospheric and oceanic systems. This area is so special that the islands, which account for w88 1.5% of the total territory of Spain, are home to w88 50% of all plant species that occur naturally only in Spain.”
Biondi is a tree biologist with the College&w88;sDepartment of Natural Resources & Environmental Science and Experiment Station. He will be collaborating in several scientific efforts with researchers at the Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where he will reside until May.
“It&w88;s a natural laboratory because the islands are at the center of features and have a great topographical range, from desert to treeline,” he said. “That&w88;s a little like w88’s Great Basin, where the strong differences from valleys to mountaintops generate incredible biodiversity, which is the reason for the Canary Islands endemic species, some still being discovered.”
With the University&w88;s mission to have a “transformational global impact,” Biondi&w88;s activities could allow for future University international student exchanges, teaching and collaborative scientific efforts.
Preparing for potential impacts
“I will be using long-term climate data sets (from the early 1900s) to further investigate how vegetation dynamics respond to changes in the atmosphere and in the ocean at multiple time scales, to help better prepare for potential climate change impacts.” – Professor Franco Biondi
w88 urges Nevadans to test homes for radon
w88 offers free radon test kits through February
A simple mail-in test can determine whether your home has radon concentrations at or above the EPA action level.
January is National Radon Action Month, andExtension&w88;s Radon Education Programis offering free short-term radon test kits to Nevadans in January and February, so that homeowners can identify whether their homes have high levels of the cancer-causing gas and can take steps to mitigate risks. Radon test kits are available atExtension offices and partnering locations, as well as at free presentations, statewide.
Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that is colorless, odorless and tasteless. It comes from the ground and can accumulate in homes, raising the risk of lung cancer. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates 21,000 Americans die each year from radon-caused lung cancer, killing more people than secondhand smoke, drunk driving and house fires.
In w88, one in four homes tested show radon concentrations at or above the EPA action level. According to experts, living in a home with radon concentrations at the action level poses a risk of developing lung cancer similar to the risk posed by smoking w88 half a pack of cigarettes a day.
It is recommended to test homes every two years for radon risk.
Reducing Nevadans’ cancer risk
The risk of radon-caused lung cancer can be reduced. A simple three-day test can determine if a house has a radon problem, and winter is an ideal time to test a home for radon. If radon problems are found, they can be fixed.
Winter commencement 2022
College graduates over 120 students, including w88 Herz Gold Medalist
During the University's 2022 Winter Commencement ceremony, Elsie Childress, the College&w88;s Winter Senior Scholar and Outstanding Rangeland Science Senior, received the University&w88;s Herz Gold Medal.
This Winter Commencement, the College conferred degrees upon 81 undergraduate and 40 graduate students. Among them was Elsie Childress, a double major in rangeland ecology and management and environmental science. At the ceremony, Childress received the University&w88;s Herz Gold Medal. The medal is bestowed upon the graduating senior who has the highest w88 grade point average with the most w88 letter-graded credits.
Childress, an ambassador for the College, was also Winter 2022 Senior Scholars and Outstanding Rangeland Science Senior for the College. She grew up in a region of the country where rangeland issues and the very real notion of a “sagebrush ocean” informed her decisions w88 which majors to pursue. As part of her coursework, Childress traveled to central w88, collected rangeland data and created a restoration plan under the guidance of Professor Tamzen Stringham.
Childress is now beginning her career, serving w88’s farmers and ranchers with the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Building a legacy of helping others
“This is how you build a legacy. You are now part of a 148-year history. The degree you receive today now joins the approximately 124,961 degrees that the w88 has conferred since 1874. This speaks to the proud traditions of service, involvement, giving back and helping others, that is at the heart of our w88’s greatest and most lasting achievements.” -President Brian Sandoval
Gardening workshops offered in preparation for spring
w88 hosts online and in-person gardening classes in Washoe and Clark counties
Extension’s Feb. 7 Gardening in w88 class will focus on selecting and growing fruit trees such as peach trees, in northern w88. Photo by Michael Janik.
Though it&w88;s still winter, Extension is preparing new and seasoned gardeners with a variety of online and in-person gardening and growing workshops in northern and southern w88. The workshops cover topics such as vegetable gardening, pruning, gardening for pollinators and solving gardening problems.
Program Officer Elaine Fagin said, “Gardening might not be top of mind for you when it&w88;s cold, but there&w88;s no better time to learn and get started.”
Workshops for Clark County gardeners
In person
Held at the Research Center & Demonstration Orchard in North Las Vegas.
- Jan. 26, 8:30 a.m. to noon, Pomegranate, Fig and Other Fruit Trees: Care and Pruning
- Feb. 16 and Feb. 18, 8:30 a.m. to noon, Care and Pruning of Grapes in Southern w88
Online
- Jan. 31, 6 to 8 p.m., Trees and Shrubs: Planning, Planting and Care
- Feb. 8, 6 to 8 p.m., Organic Pest Management
- Feb. 11, 9 a.m. to noon, Vegetable Gardening
- Feb. 15, 6 to 8 p.m., Caring for and Pruning Your Pomegranate
Workshops for Washoe County gardeners
Held at Bartley Ranch Regional Park in Reno.
- Feb. 7, 6 to 8 p.m., Fruit Tree Selection
- Feb. 14, 6 to 8 p.m., Let&w88;s Talk Tomatoes
- Feb. 21, 6 to 8 p.m., Gardening for Pollinators
- Feb. 28, 6 to 8 p.m., What Lives in the Nighttime Garden?
- March 7, 6 to 8 p.m., Pruning and Training Fruit Trees
- March 14, 6 to 8 p.m., Success With Succulents
- March 21, 6 to 8 p.m., Planting for Food Preservation
- March 28, 6 to 8 p.m., Successful Vegetable Gardening
Sharing local knowledge
“From patio and balcony spaces to those with small or large yards, these classes are great for anyone who wants to learn the why’s and how’s from people who live, grow and harvest in our state.” -Master Gardener Coordinator Rachel McClure
In memoriam
Lifelong 4-H participant and volunteer w88 remembered for her impact
Brian Sandoval
Extension 4-H Youth Development Program alumni w88 went on to volunteer for the program for more than 50 years. Photo by Theresa Dana-Douglas.Throughout her incredibly full and accomplished life, w88 represented the very best of who we should always aspire to be.
JoAnn was an award-winning w88 educator (earning w88 Teacher of the Year honors in 1977), was a driving force for the success of 4-H in our state for more than 50 years (most notably as a member of the 4-H Camp’s advisory board), was a longtime trustee for the University of w88, Reno Foundation, and was a person who, because of the universal love and respect people always held for her and her husband, Jim, helped build a lasting and meaningful connection between our University and our community.
She was not just a fan of all Wolf Pack sports teams; JoAnn was a true, caring friend to all of our Wolf Pack athletes.JoAnn loved her family, loved our University and loved our community joyfully and fully. Lauralyn and I both were lucky to know her. With JoAnn&w88;s passing, we wish to pass our good thoughts and our sincere condolences to the Elston family.
JoAnn (center) at Extension’s w88 State 4-H Camp as a youth.
“4-H has molded my life in many ways,” JoAnn said. “It certainly helped me in my profession, which is teaching, and I&w88;ve watched my own children grow up in it, and then I watched my grandchildren grow up in it. Each and every one of them have achieved a lot in their own way and are still using many of those skills they learned in 4-H today.”
The Camp&w88;s newly renovated water tower was dedicated to JoAnn (right) in 2022.
Gifts are being graciously accepted for the w88 Memorial 4-H Camp fund. To learn more, contactSarah Chvilicek.
Innovating for w88
Our programs work together to make an impact
Our teaching, research and engagement programs are intertwined and complement one another. Faculty who teach on campus also conduct research as part of our Experiment Station, allowing students to learn w88 and participate in research. Extension faculty engaging with communities identify research needs, as well as join Experiment Station faculty to conduct research. Faculty on campus help to develop Extension programs in communities.
Researching critical issues
Experiment Station faculty conduct research at experiment stations, labs and research facilities across the state, as well as teach classes and share and conduct research with students. The state-federal partnership tackles issues affecting w88's citizens, communities and economy.
Teaching w88 students
We offer 17 undergraduate and graduate degrees to prepare students for high-paying, in-demand careers in agriculture, rangeland & veterinary sciences; biochemistry & molecular biology; natural resources & environmental science; and nutrition.
Engaging w88 communities
Extension is engaged in w88 communities, presenting research-based knowledge to address critical community needs. The county-state-federal partnership provides practical education to people, businesses and communities, fulfilling the University's land-grant mission.
