East Merced Resource Conservation District

10/13/2026

Milkw**d contains compounds that make monarch caterpillars toxic to predators, helping them survive.

It’s not just food—it’s protection.
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10/11/2026

STEWARDING THE LAND, SECURING THE LEGACY

What does a resilient farm look like today, and how can we help make sure it thrives for the next generation?

Join East Merced Resource Conservation District and American Farmland Trust at Riverdance Farms for a morning exploring regenerative farming, conservation, and farm succession.

Thursday, October 29, 2026
8:30 AM–12:30 PM
Riverdance Farms | Livingston, CA

Come out to:

- Tour a working farm and see conservation practices in action + Learn about sucession planning
- Learn how hedgerows and pollinator habitat can benefit farms and view a hedgerow in year 2
- Explore healthy soils and efficient irrigation
- Hear how conservation planning can support long-term farm resilience
- Receive a goodie bag with farm and pollinator supplies
- Enter the raffle for pollinator plants to take home

Come walk the farm, learn from the people implementing these practices, and see how conservation can be part of planning for a farm's future.

Register today: https://stewardingtheland.rsvpify.com/

10/06/2026

Monarch caterpillars rely exclusively on milkw**d as their food source.

Without milkw**d, monarchs cannot reproduce.

Planting it is one of the most impactful actions you can take.
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09/12/2026

08/11/2026

🎙️ We’re excited to share a podcast episode that is especially close to home!
East Merced RCD Executive Director Zach Wells and Board Member Joy Baccei are featured in Episode 2 of California State Parks’ (Re)Turning to the River podcast:

“Forgotten Landscapes: Appreciating the Value of the Wild San Joaquin Valley.”

The episode explores an important question: What does it mean to be “wild” in the San Joaquin Valley?

It’s a conversation about our landscapes, waterways, working lands, wildlife, communities, and the people whose lives and work are connected to them.
We are incredibly proud of our county, our Board, and Zach’s leadership and passion for the community and landscape we serve.

Having Zach and Joy take part in this conversation is also a wonderful reminder of why locally led conservation matters the people who live and work here bring knowledge, history, relationships, and a genuine investment in the future of this place.We hope you’ll give the episode a listen and join us in celebrating the people and landscapes that make our Valley home. 🌿💧

🎧 Listen to Episode 2 of (Re)Turning to the River from California State Parks.

A podcast from California State Parks

07/07/2026

As a member of the designation, we’d like to share a few examples of our community members volunteering to make this possible! We take pride in our collective commitment to becoming a Clean California-designated community. Together, we are a clean Merced!

07/01/2026

We're excited to share the restoration of the horseshoe pits at Rahilly Park! Thanks to a generous lumber donation from Big Creek Lumber, EMRCD was able to help revitalize this community space and give the horseshoe pits a fresh new look.

These improvements help create more opportunities for recreation and outdoor enjoyment for residents and visitors alike. We are grateful for partnerships that help us invest in the places that bring our community together.

While you're at the park, be sure to visit our Pollinator Garden! 🌼🐝 Located within Rahilly Park, the garden provides important habitat for native pollinators while showcasing how beautiful and beneficial conservation practices can be in urban spaces.

A special thank you to the City of Merced Parks & Community Services Department and Big Creek Lumber for helping support projects that enhance community spaces and promote environmental stewardship.

Swipe through to see the before and after photos! 📸

Have you visited Rahilly Park recently? We'd love to hear what you enjoy most about this community gem.

06/30/2026

Western monarch butterfly populations have declined by more than 95% since the 1980s.

Habitat loss, pesticides, and disappearing milkw**d are major causes.

The Central Valley can play a key role in reversing this trend. Reach out and ask us how you can help save Monarchs.

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06/27/2026

🌻 Pollinators Power Agriculture

Native bees, butterflies, beetles, flies, ants, and other pollinators help produce nearly $20 billion worth of crops in the U.S. every year.

Without pollinators:
❌ Lower yields
❌ Smaller fruits
❌ Poor flavor
❌ Increased crop disease

06/25/2026

Monarch butterflies play an important role in pollination and ecosystem health.

Supporting monarchs means supporting biodiversity, agriculture, and resilient landscapes across the Central Valley.

When we protect them, we protect entire ecosystems.

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