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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 Nevada. 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

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Hallowed ground: Spring Commencement returns to the Quad

College celebrates the awarding of more than 150 degrees

Spring Commencement Ceremonies made a triumphant return to the Quad May 12-14, where our University conferred more than 150 degrees from our College and more than 3,000 degrees overall. 

At the event, President Brian Sandoval said, "Today we restore this wonderful University tradition of being on the Quad to celebrate all of you. The Quad is part of that silver thread that connects all of our graduates. It’s been three years since a graduate walked this hallowed ground. And to get here, you never wavered."

Sandoval told the graduates that the power and potential for transformation that lies in having worthy dreams still is strong for all people.

University honors its best in two awards ceremonies

Students, employees and friends celebrated at College's Spring Awards and University's Honor the Best ceremonies

Extension and partners offer sessions on preparing for wildfire and evacuations

Extension continues Nevada Wildfire Awareness Campaign

Claudene Wharton

The Tamarack Fire rages, threatening homes last summer. It burned over 68,000 acres in Nevada’s Douglas and Lyon Counties, and California’s Alpine County. Photo by Estelle Whalen.

Already this year, more than 25,000 wildfires in the U.S. have burned over 1.3 million acres, equating to 2,000-plus square miles. This month, 20 homes in Southern California’s coastal town of Laguna Niguel burned to the ground, and prompted hasty evacuations by residents of 900 homes. To help Nevadans prepare for wildfire and evacuations, Extension’s Living With Fire Program and numerous partners are offering two “Preparing for Wildfire and Evacuation” sessions, both in person and online, as part of the Nevada Wildfire Awareness Campaign.

The events are June 7 and June 16, with the first geared for residents of Douglas County’s Topaz Ranch Estates, and the second for Elko County’s Spring Creek community. Both areas face significant wildfire risk and challenges. While some event information is specific for those communities, other event information, such as packing a go-bag and evacuating animals, can be applicable for other communities.

Extension and its Living With Fire Program partners will hold more Nevada Wildfire Awareness Campaign events through October. Recent campaign events educated Las Vegans on reducing ozone and wildfire smoke impacts, preparing for wildfire and evacuation, and the wildfire threat at Mount Charleston.

In addition, Extension and partners have worked to provide residents with a and .

University leads study looking at over 500 locations in the U.S.

Beatrice Gordon

Snow and glacial melt from the Wind River Mountains in Wyoming feeds the Wind River via Dinwoody Creek. Photo by Beatrice Gordon.

In the Western U.S., the majority of surface water is from mountain snow that melts and flows down to urban and rural communities. More than two-thirds of reservoir inflows are from snow, and roughly 40 million people, and much of the most agriculturally productive land, rely on two snowmelt-fed reservoirs. There is a lot of uncertainty in forecasting those water supplies, which makes meeting the needs of a growing population challenging for water managers. A with support from our Experiment Station unit will help.

 “Our goal,” study lead author and Graduate Researcher Beatrice Gordon said, “was to provide other scientists and water managers with a simple, but powerful framework that can be used to improve predictions about the timing and amount of streamflow as climate change accelerates.”

The framework is centered around three factors:

1. How much of the total winter snowfall is available at the end of the winter
2. How fast snow melts
3. When snow melts

The research team, which included Associate Professor Adrian Harpold, also found that the relative importance of these factors for mountain water supplies varies geographically. The team is focusing its next efforts on understanding how these streamflow changes impact agriculturally dominated basins, including the Walker River Basin, which supplies water for agriculture in Nevada.

4-H Offering summer camps at Lake Tahoe to keep youth engaged and learning

Extension continues tradition of offering overnight camps

Claudene Wharton

Youth at the Nevada State 4-H Camp enjoy activities on the shores of Lake Tahoe at summer camp last year. Photo by Robert Moore.

In addition to the many ongoing local 4-H club and youth activities that are happening across the state, the Nevada 4-H Youth Development Program also is offering residential camps for youth this summer, following a Nevada tradition that goes back 80 years. The overnight camps will all be held at the Nevada State 4-H Camp in Stateline, Nevada. The 32-acre camp sits on the south shore of Lake Tahoe and is owned and operated by the University.

The Nevada 4-H camping programs, offered by Extension, have a rich history of providing educational programming to thousands of youth annually through hands-on, experiential learning. 4-H camping is cooperative group living that focuses on the individual's social, spiritual, mental and physical development for youth. Youth build lifelong memories and friendships at the camp, as well as learn life, leadership and citizenship skills.

The four camps being offered at the Nevada 4-H State Camp this year are:

• Health 4 Happiness 4-H Camp, July 6 – 9, for youth ages 11 – 13
• Northern/Western Nevada 4-H Camp, July 10 – 16, for youth ages 9-12
• Central Nevada 4-H Camp, July 17 – 21, for youth ages 9-13
• Mineral County / Native American Reservations 4-H Camp, Aug. 2 – 6, for youth ages 9-13

Along with taking applications for youth campers, Extension's 4-H Program is also taking applications for adult volunteers to serve as chaperones for the camps.