By growing tiny, nutrient-rich insects in flooded winter fields, rice farmers are helping juvenile salmon grow 3x bigger—boosting their chances of reaching the Pacific. Learn more 👇.

Did you know CA rice fields support over 230 wildlife species and contribute $1B to the economy?

Drought is shrinking wetlands, but California rice growers are stepping up. By managing their fields to support migratory birds, they’re giving threatened species a fighting chance. This is what smart conservation looks like. 🌾🐦 thecooldown.com/outdoors/bird-…

Sacramento Valley rice fields could hold the key to helping struggling salmon runs! Research shows that nutrient-rich water from rice farms provides essential food for young salmon, helping them grow stronger on their journey downstream. CapRadio News capradio.org/articles/2025/…

How much rice is needed to support wildlife in California? Scientists from the UC Davis and Point Blue Conservation Science are answering these questions in an exciting new report, "A Conservation Footprint for California Rice." ucdavis.edu/food/news/cali…

The report found that approximately 470K -500K acres of rice would provide the desired conservation footprint of rice for the most species of concern. The report also emphasizes the importance of winter flooding of rice fields to to provide critical habitat for many species.

The needs for various species that rely on rice include: ✅ 30K for native fish ✅ 43K for sandhill cranes ✅ 80K for giant garter snakes ✅ 373.5K of winter-flooded rice for shorebirds ✅ 473K of planted rice for black terns & breeding shorebirds ✅ 500K for wintering ducks

Rice fields do more than grow food—they power ecosystems. Post-harvest flooding boosts microbial activity, feeding insects that support salmon populations. California Trout’s Jacob Katz compares it to “putting batteries back into the river.” Archived: Ducks Unlimited Western Region Northern California Water

Breeding Black Terns depend on 472,794 acres of planted rice to meet key conservation targets. Without that riceland, their numbers could drop below 1,000—a precarious blow for the species. #RiceFootprint #CaLeg

🐍 The threatened Giant Gartersnake relies on California rice fields for survival! 🌾 80K acres of rice are needed to support conservation efforts. By prioritizing water management—like early-season flooding in canals—rice fields provide the habitat these snakes need to thrive.

"These bugs are liquid gold for fish" -- California Trout's Jacob Katz spoke KCRA about the ongoing Fish Food program supporting fish populations with zooplankton in flooded rice fields in the Sacramento Valley. Ducks Unlimited Northern California Water Association kcra.com/article/small-…

Another great story about the #BirdReturn program and how partnerships with growers, conservationists, and scientists are creating surrogate wetlands for shorebirds and other wildlife along the #PacificFlyway. The Nature Conservancy in California Audubon California sacbee.com/news/local/art…

Recess reading: new UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences overview of the Conservation Footprint—how ~½-million acres of rice support birds, fish & snakes. 🌾📘 #CARice #CALeg calrice.org/rice-footprint

It’s not all waterfowl in California rice fields. 🌾🐢 The Western Pond Turtle — the state’s only remaining freshwater turtle — is finding refuge here too.

Another round of well-earned recognition of the success of the BirdReturns program. 🌾🐦 Partnerships with rice growers, NGOs, and CA are helping migratory birds thrive. #CARice

Cut. Unload. Haul. Dry. That is rice harvest across the Valley. These fields will flood for winter birds soon. #PacificFlyway #CARice

Rice harvest is underway across the Sacramento Valley. From golden fields to grain bins, here’s how California rice makes its journey from field to table. (🧵)

I am proud to be part of the effort to make the Giant Gartersnake the official snake and raise awareness about its important role in our state’s environment and agriculture! Thank you to Save The Snakes and CA Rice Commission for your partnership. #CALeg

Big win for the Giant Gartersnake - now officially California's State Snake! CRC is proud to have worked with Senator Roger Niello and Save The Snakes to recognize this species' importance in California. #CAStateSnake #Thamnophisgigas #GiantGartersnake🐍

California’s rice growers are proud to work alongside partners who are redefining how we support salmon recovery across the state.