About 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 casino. 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

Mike Wolterbeek

Franco Biondi at remote sensing site in snake range.
Franco Biondi, center, confers with collaborators at a remote sensing site in the Snake Range mountains in central eastern w88 casino, 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’s Canary Islands.

Biondi said, “The Canary Islands are locatedat the intersection of several major atmospheric and oceanic systems. This area is so special that the islands, which account for about 1.5% of the total territory of Spain, arehome to about 50% of all plant species that occur naturally only in Spain.”

Biondi is a tree biologist with the College’sDepartment of Natural Resources & Environmental Science and Experiment Station. He will becollaborating in several scientific efforts with researchers at the Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where he will reside until May.

“It’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’sa little like w88 casino’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 w88 casino’smission to have a “transformational global impact,”Biondi’s activities could allow for future w88 casino 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

Extension urges Nevadans to test homes for radon

Extension offers free radon test kits through February

Claudene Wharton

A radon sampler test kit sitting next to a first class mail envelope.
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’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 gasand 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 anaturally 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 estimates21,000 Americans die each year from radon-caused lung cancer, killing more people than secondhand smoke, drunk driving and house fires.

In w88 casino, 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 about 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 casino Herz Gold Medalist

John Trent

Elsie Childress stands in a field in w88 regalia.
During the w88 casino's 2022 Winter Commencement ceremony, Elsie Childress, the College’s Winter Senior Scholar and Outstanding Rangeland Science Senior, received the w88 casino’s Herz Gold Medal.

This Winter Commencement,the College conferred degrees upon 81 undergraduate and 40 graduate w88 casino. Among them was Elsie Childress, a double major in rangeland ecology and management and environmental science.At the ceremony, Childress received the w88 casino’s Herz Gold Medal. The medal is bestowed upon the graduating senior who has the highest w88 casino grade point average with the most w88 casino letter-graded credits.

Childress, an ambassador for the College, was alsothe Winter Senior Scholarand 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 about which majors to pursue. As part of her coursework, Childresstraveled to central w88 casino, collected rangeland data and created a restoration planunder the guidance of Professor Tamzen Stringham.

Childress is nowbeginning her career, serving w88 casino’s farmers and rancherswith 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 casino 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 casino’s greatest and most lasting achievements.” -President Brian Sandoval

Gardening workshops offered in preparation for spring

Extension hosts online and in-person gardening classes in Washoe and Clark counties

Brook Maloy

Ripe peaches hanging from a peach tree.
Extension’s Feb. 7 Gardening in w88 casino class will focus on selecting and growing fruit trees such as peach trees, in northern w88 casino. Photo by Michael Janik.

Though it’s still winter, Extension is preparing new and seasoned gardeners with a variety ofonline and in-person gardening and growing workshops in northern and southern w88 casino. 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’s cold, butthere’s no better time to learn and get started.”

Workshops for Clark County gardeners

In person

Held at thew88 casino Center & Demonstration Orchardin 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 casino

Online

  • Jan. 31, w88 casino 8 p.m., Trees and Shrubs: Planning, Planting and Care
  • Feb. 8, w88 casino 8 p.m., Organic Pest Management
  • Feb. 11, 9 a.m. to noon, Vegetable Gardening
  • Feb. 15, w88 casino 8 p.m., Caring for and Pruning Your Pomegranate


Workshops for Washoe County gardeners

Held at Bartley Ranch Regional Park in Reno.

  • Feb. 7, w88 casino 8 p.m., Fruit Tree Selection
  • Feb. 14, w88 casino 8 p.m., Let’s Talk Tomatoes
  • Feb. 21, w88 casino 8 p.m., Gardening for Pollinators
  • Feb. 28, w88 casino 8 p.m., What Lives in the Nighttime Garden?
  • March 7, w88 casino 8 p.m., Pruning and Training Fruit Trees
  • March 14, w88 casino 8 p.m., Success With Succulents
  • March 21, w88 casino 8 p.m., Planting for Food Preservation
  • March 28, w88 casino 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 casino Elston remembered for her impact

Brian Sandoval

Paola Mirramontes Gonzalez.Extension 4-H Youth Development Program alumni w88 casino Elston 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 casino Elston represented the very best of who we should always aspire to be.

JoAnn was an award-winning w88 casino educator (earning w88 casino 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 w88 casino, 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 w88 casino and loved our community joyfully and fully. Lauralyn and I both were lucky to know her. With JoAnn’s passing, we wish to pass our good thoughts and our sincere condolences to the Elston family.

Three people sitting on a log eating food.JoAnn (center) at Extension’s w88 casino State 4-H Camp as a youth.

“4-H has molded my life in many ways,” w88 casino said. “It certainly helped me in my profession, which is teaching, and I’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.”

Two adults and a small child standing in front of a watertower.The Camp’s newly renovated water tower was dedicated to w88 casino (right) in 2022.

Gifts are being graciously accepted for the w88 casino Elston Memorial 4-H Camp fund. To learn more, contactSarah Chvilicek.

Innovating for w88 casino

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 w88 casino to learn about 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 casino's citizens, communities and economy.
student researcher with plants in greenhouse
Teaching w88 casino students We offer 17 undergraduate and graduate degrees to prepare w88 casino for high-paying, in-demand careers in agriculture, rangeland & veterinary sciences; biochemistry & molecular biology; natural resources & environmental science; and nutrition.
w88 taking notes in the field
Engaging w88 casino communities Extension is engaged in w88 casino 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.
parents with children