GreenerDavis

The Department of Energy estimates that clean air filters can cut your HVAC’s energy consumption by up to 15%. Be sure to check your filter every month, especially during heavy use months (summer and winter). If the filter looks dirty after a month, change it. At a minimum, try to change the filter every 3 months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool — wasting energy. A clean filter will also prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system — leading to expensive maintenance and/or early system failure.

What should you do if you find a bat on the ground?

First of all, NEVER touch a bat with bare hands. That goes for any wild animal. They could deliver a painful bite that may carry harmful diseases.

If the bat is found outside and does not look to be sick or injured, it’s best to just leave the bat alone. If it’s indoors, turn off the lights and open a few doors or windows. The bat will find it’s way out.

Bats are not pests. They are beneficial organisms that help keep pests like mosquito, fruit moth and turf moth populations controlled. It’s ok to let them roost on the side of buildings as long as they are not roosting above doorways or windows or inside the structure itself. If they are, please contact the City of Davis Urban Wildlife program for tips on how to safely exclude them. Never spray pesticides or other harsh chemicals onto bats.

If you find a bat that appears to be sick or injured, please contact a bat rescue organization to assist (ex. NorCal Bats)

Wildlife Spotlight: Sacramento Valley Red Fox

Up until 2010, it was believed that there were only two species of red fox living in California; the native Sierra Nevada red fox (Vulpes vulpes necator), and the non-native eastern red fox (Vulpes vulpes), which populated California after escaping captivity in the 1880's, likely from fur farms. In 2010, researchers looking at the DNA of red foxes living in south Davis discovered that these foxes' DNA was more closely related with the native Sierra Nevada red fox than the eastern species and now there is a new subspecies of native red fox now known as the Sacramento Valley red fox (V. v. patwin). The eastern red fox still occurs in the Sacramento Valley, but is most prevalent south of the bay-delta region.

Sacramento Valley red foxes are currently protected by state law as a Species of Special Concern. Little is currently known about their life history strategy or habitat requirements. Some recent research suggests that grasslands and dense riparian habitat are important to them. Escape cover is important for den-site security and avoiding their primary predator, the coyote. Sacramento Valley red foxes do well on the edge of urban areas where they appear to have a high tolerance to human disturbance and have access to human provided food opportunities (ex. outdoor pet feeding, backyard chickens, etc.). They are opportunistic omnivores, eating a wide range of small mammals, birds, insects, fruit and carrion. Red foxes are excellent climbers and are able to scale trees and back yard fences with ease.

Like their other red fox cousins, Sacramento Valley red foxes are mostly solitary, but family groups form annually. Males will defend a territory in which one to two females reside. Den sites are burrows dug into slopes or under woody vegetation or rock piles. The alpha female will become pregnant in late winter and five to 12 pups are born in March through May. Red fox pups require mom’s support for about six months after which they are encouraged by the adults to find new territory.

The Fleet Division is responsible for the maintenance and repairs of the City Fleet, which includes 278 vehicles and equipment. They maintain the fueling stations and City equipment, such as generators, bucket truck, crane trucks, forklift and large machinery as well as work with private vendors to complete specialized work on vehicles. This division also purchases City vehicles, completes DMV registration and maintains required vehicle records.
Learn more about the City’s Public Works Utilities & Operations Department: https://www.cityofdavis.org/city-hall/public-works-utilities-and-operations

The Facilities Division manages the maintenance of City buildings and infrastructure as well as the maintenance of the restrooms and drinking fountains of City parks. Their duties include, but are not limited to, plumbing, carpentry, appliance repair, troubleshooting HVAC problems, responding to building alarms, elevator maintenance and cleaning up vandalism and illegal dumping.
Learn more about the City’s Public Works Utilities & Operations Department: https://www.cityofdavis.org/city-hall/public-works-utilities-and-operations

It's ! The Environmental Resources Division performs long range resource planning and addresses both regional and statewide issues and regulations related to water conservation, solid waste and recycling, wastewater and stormwater quality, pollution prevention, drinking water quality, wildlife and habitat conservation and integrated pest management. The Environmental Resources Division manages the City’s Greener Davis Facebook and Instagram accounts, which promotes all the divisions programs as well as the City's other environmental and conservation program messages.

The City’s Water Programs Crew makes sure each property is connected to the City water supply. They test water meters to make sure they are working properly and conduct water meter checks for single-family homes. When a customer notices high or unusual water use, the water program crew will often work directly with the customer to check the water usage.
Learn more about the City’s Water Utility: https://www.cityofdavis.org/home/showpublisheddocument/14019/639113448282000000

The City Water Distribution Crew makes sure that safe, clean water is delivered to each property in Davis. If a water main break occurs, this crew is able to respond quickly so that water is restored to customers. This crew also replaces fire hydrants, valves and service lines when needed.
Learn more about the City’s Water Utility: https://www.cityofdavis.org/home/showpublisheddocument/14019/639113448282000000

The City’s Water Production Crew ensures that the necessary supply of water is provided to the City. They are constantly checking pressure, water levels and usage throughout the City’s water system. As approximately 80% of Davis water comes from the Sacramento River, the crew must monitor the City-wide water usage and balance the daily allotment for river water with groundwater from City wells.
Learn more about the City’s Water Utility: https://www.cityofdavis.org/home/showpublisheddocument/14019/639113448282000000

The stormwater crew operates and maintains the City’s stormwater infrastructure to ensure stormwater is collected and discharged, protecting the community from flooding. This division maintains the stormwater conveyance system, consisting of 9 pump stations, 127 miles of storm drainage lines, 16 miles of open channels, along with 8 detention basins and ponds. Every year before the rainy season, the Stormwater crew cleans out the stormwater drainage inlets along the gutters throughout the City. This ensures that the storm drains are cleared in problem areas to prevent flooding. Learn more about the City’s Stormwater Utility: https://www.cityofdavis.org/home/showpublisheddocument/18159/639106365084300000