Research

SJV Policy Briefs

Depicted is the sun in an orange sky framed by palm leaves.
March 17, 2026

Temperatures in the 90s are nothing new to the northern San Joaquin Valley. But having them in March, as expected this week, is unusual and potentially dangerous. An exceptionally strong ridge of...

Depicted is a scene of burned-out trees and ash in the wake of the Caldor Fire.
February 18, 2026

High-risk conditions for fires are increasingly happening across countries at the same time, making wildfires even more challenging to tackle, new research reveals. Scientists from UC Merced and the...

Photo depicts an attendee speaking into a microphone to ask a question at the Rural Energy Summit at UC Merced.
January 21, 2026

One of the biggest hurdles facing local farmers is the rising cost of doing business. However, some innovative solutions are in the works, as highlighted at the Central Valley Rural Energy Systems...