六合宝典 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 六合宝典. 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鈥 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 六合宝典, 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 located at 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, are home to about 50% of all plant species that occur naturally only in Spain.”
Biondi is a tree biologist with the College’s Department 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’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’s a little like 六合宝典’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’s mission to have a “transformational global impact,” Biondi’s activities could allow for future University international student exchanges, teaching and collaborative scientific efforts.
Preparing for potential impacts
鈥淚 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.鈥 鈥 Professor Franco Biondi
Extension urges 六合宝典ns to test homes for radon
Extension 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, and Extension’s Radon Education Program is offering free short-term radon test kits to 六合宝典ns 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 at Extension 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 六合宝典, 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 六合宝典ns鈥 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 University Herz Gold Medalist
During the University's 2022 Winter Commencement ceremony, Elsie Childress, the College’s Winter Senior Scholar and Outstanding Rangeland Science Senior, received the University’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’s Herz Gold Medal. The medal is bestowed upon the graduating senior who has the highest University grade point average with the most University letter-graded credits.
Childress, an ambassador for the College, was also the Winter Senior Scholar 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 about which majors to pursue. As part of her coursework, Childress traveled to central 六合宝典, collected rangeland data and created a restoration plan under the guidance of Professor Tamzen Stringham.
Childress is now beginning her career, serving 六合宝典’s farmers and ranchers with the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Building a legacy of helping others
鈥淭his 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 University 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 University鈥檚 greatest and most lasting achievements.鈥 -President Brian Sandoval
Gardening workshops offered in preparation for spring
Extension hosts online and in-person gardening classes in Washoe and Clark counties
Extension’s Feb. 7 Gardening in 六合宝典 class will focus on selecting and growing fruit trees such as peach trees, in northern 六合宝典. Photo by Michael Janik.
Though it’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 六合宝典. 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, but there’s no better time to learn and get started.”
Workshops for Clark County gardeners
In person
Held at the 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 六合宝典
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’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
鈥淔rom patio and balcony spaces to those with small or large yards, these classes are great for anyone who wants to learn the why鈥檚 and how鈥檚 from people who live, grow and harvest in our state.鈥 -Master Gardener Coordinator Rachel McClure
In memoriam
Lifelong 4-H participant and volunteer JoAnn Elston remembered for her impact
Brian Sandoval
Throughout her incredibly full and accomplished life, JoAnn Elston represented the very best of who we should always aspire to be.
JoAnn was an award-winning 六合宝典 educator (earning 六合宝典 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 六合宝典, 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’s passing, we wish to pass our good thoughts and our sincere condolences to the Elston family.
“4-H has molded my life in many ways,” JoAnn 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.”
Gifts are being graciously accepted for the JoAnn Elston Memorial 4-H Camp fund. To learn more, contact .
Innovating for 六合宝典
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 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.