Month: January 2025

Tree Davis and Central Park Gardens Seek Volunteers to Help Grow Public Green Spaces!

Master Gardener Peggy Smith teaches volunteers about propagating perennial plants in Central Park Gardens

Application Deadline: January 10

(From press release) Are you passionate about the environment and looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community? Tree Davis, in collaboration with Central Park Gardens, is excited to announce its Green Volunteer Training program, inviting individuals to take an active leadership role in nurturing sustainable green spaces in Davis.

Through this program, volunteers will have the unique opportunity to contribute to the beautification and sustainability of local parks, gardens, and trees. Tree Davis and Central Park Gardens welcome all who want to make a positive environmental impact, whether they are an experienced gardener or someone eager to learn.

Following a Zoom orientation session on January 23rd from 6-7 pm, the training will be held on Sundays from 9 am to 1 pm on January 26, February 2, and February 9. Hands-on training with expert instructors will include planting, pruning, and weed management for the care of young trees and a variety of native and drought tolerant garden plants. Trainees will also learn leadership skills and tips for engaging volunteers in landscape improvement and stewardship projects.

After completion of the training, volunteers will be asked to commit to volunteering at least once a month for a year with either Tree Davis or Central Park Gardens. Both organizations offer flexibility in scheduling with options for assisting as a team leader for weekend events or working more independently on weekdays.

Apply today

Don't miss out on this opportunity—apply now to secure your spot and be part of this impactful program! Have questions? Contact Hope from Tree Davis at hope@treedavis.org.

Become part of the Central Park Gardens and Tree Davis volunteer teams and help maintain and enhance the city’s greenspaces, playing a key role in creating vibrant urban landscapes across Davis.

Learn more and apply by January 10 at https://www.treedavis.org/green-volunteer/. A $20 training fee is requested to cover materials.

January 6, 2025
Make No Funding of War Crimes a New Year’s Resolution

By Scott Steward

There has been a significant outpouring of support and media coverage for the class action lawsuit filed Dec. 19th to hold Reps. Thompson and Huffman are accountable for illegally funding war crimes, including genocide.

What is the case about? At the core of the lawsuit is the argument that Thompson and Huffman ignored clear evidence of war crimes committed with U.S.-provided weapons, effectively forcing their constituents into moral complicity. Plaintiffs describe profound emotional and moral injuries resulting from their representatives' actions, emphasizing the ethical responsibility to prevent taxpayer dollars from funding human rights violations.

A recent December 30th "Law and Disorder Radio" podcast features the Taxpayers Against Genocide case. Heidi Bohhosian and Stephen Rohde host the episode "Taxpayers Against Genocide: Lawsuit Filed Against Congress Members For Approving $26.38B In Military Aid To Israel". (first 28 minutes)

https://lawanddisorder.org/2024/12/law-and-disorder-december-30-2024-2/

I know a lot of us started asking our representatives to stop funding Israel with weapons over a year ago. We are traumatized by the horror of all the killings, especially month after month of the deliberate annihilation of Palestinian, Lebanese, and now Syrian civilians. Ceasefire and aid are asked for and illegally denied by our representatives.

For your New Year's Resolution, after you have had a look at the rationale for holding Thompson accountable for illegally using our tax dollars to fund war crimes, please consider joining the class action suit as a member. Taxpayers Against Genocide (TAG) is a grassroots, non-partisan, multi-peopled volunteer effort presently including just Congressional Representatives Thompson and Huffman’s districts.

Taxpayers Against Genocide (TAG) "Sign-On," Donation, Press Coverage, Endorsements, Instagram, X, and BlueSky links at the touch of a button. https://linktr.ee/taxpayersagainstgenocide

Many other congressional districts are now asking how to start their own class actions to hold their Federal Congressional and Senate representatives accountable. Questions and interest can be sent to classactionagainstgenocide@proton.me. Please join the lawsuit or form your own.

January 4, 2025
Join the UC Davis Campus Safety Lighting Walk
Help Brighten Our Community!
When: Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, 5-8 p.m.
Where: UC Davis Memorial Union (MU) Quad Flagpole
RSVP: UC Davis Campus Safety Lighting Walk

(From press release) UC Davis Facilities Management invites all students, faculty, staff, and community members to participate in the annual Campus Safety Lighting Walk on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, from 5-8 p.m.

For 15 years, the Campus Safety Lighting Walk has been a proactive community tradition at UC Davis.

Participants assess lighting conditions around campus, identifying areas with low light, non-functional lighting, or obstructed light sources — such as those hidden by plant growth. Insights gathered during the walk will help guide repairs and improvements.

Why Attend?
- Make a Difference: Your observations will contribute to safety upgrades and future planning.
- Free Food & Swag: Enjoy complimentary pizza (while supplies last) and snag free swag if you’re among the first 100 participants.
- Volunteer Hours: Earn volunteer credit—perfect if you’re looking to meet service requirements.
- Community Spirit: Join fellow Aggies in a fun and purposeful evening outdoors.
The evening will kick off at the Memorial Union Quad Flagpole. Teams will be organized to cover various zones of campus, equipped with flashlights provided by event organizers. Please wear comfortable shoes and a warm jacket for the walk.

(more…)
January 2, 2025
UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden Seeks Weekly Volunteer Gardeners
Apply by Monday, Jan. 13

(From press release) Are you passionate about nature, eager to learn new skills, and ready to give back to your community? The UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden invites you to join its dedicated team of gardening volunteers in 2025!

Volunteering with the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden is an opportunity to connect with others who share your love for the outdoors, gain hands-on experience in sustainable gardening practices, and enjoy perks like early access to plant sales at the Arboretum Teaching Nursery, and seasonal events. It’s a rewarding way to spend your time while contributing to one of UC Davis’s most beloved spaces.

Gardening volunteers work alongside expert horticultural staff to maintain and beautify Arboretum and Public Garden landscapes and work in teams that focus on specific areas. Each week, volunteers and staff collaborate to ensure these landscapes remain vibrant and inviting for the community.

Key Details:
- Application Deadline: Jan. 13, 2025
- Commitment: One year, with weekly team shifts of two hours on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday mornings (flexible schedules accommodated).
- Training Program: A comprehensive training program will be held in winter 2025. Classes include expert instruction and hands-on projects covering topics like plant identification, pruning, tool care, and weed management.
- Training Dates: Thursdays, 9 a.m.-noon (Jan. 30, Feb. 6, Feb. 13, Feb. 20, Feb. 27, March 6).
- Training Fee: $20 materials fee, payable on the first day of training.
Apply Today

Space is limited, so don’t wait to secure your spot! Have questions? Contact UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden Headquarters at (530) 752-4880 or arboretum@ucdavis.edu.

Join the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden weekly gardening volunteer team and help them continue to create beautiful, thriving landscapes that inspire and engage the community.

Learn more and apply by January 13, 2025: https://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/volunteer
January 1, 2025