A record-breaking El Niño winter and the potential loss or weakening of federal disaster management services are among the factors that could determine whether Californians face catastrophic floods this winter and beyond.

For six days, Kat Kerlin joined a class of 11 creative writers and scientists from the University of California, Davis, and two outstanding guides as they sea kayaked across the San Juan Islands, off the coast of Washington. By the end of the week, they paddled 50 miles, visited seven islands and discovered we had a lot to learn from each other, and from this place.

UC Davis is a powerhouse for breakthroughs and impact. Our interdisciplinary research plays a vital role in building the region’s economy. Our L&S researchers describe the impact of their work, and the consequences if federal support for this cutting-edge research were reduced or eliminated.