Tim Johnson

More than 90% of California's Central Valley wetlands were drained over the last century. Black-necked Stilts like these now breed almost entirely in flooded rice fields. Sustaining that population requires 472,794 acres, flooded through the full breeding season.

Actually they are geese but we live them too!

Look at the cool stuff happening in CA rice fields this winter for salmon!

Shorebirds once relied on vast Central Valley wetlands. Today, California rice helps fill that gap. Research shows 472,794 acres of rice are needed to support breeding shorebirds, with 373,540 acres of flooded fields supporting them during migration.

New science from Point Blue shows shorebird declines across the #PacificFlyway from 2012–22. With nearly 95% of the Central Valley’s natural wetlands gone, 500K acres of rice in CA are essential, serving as surrogate wetlands and habitat for migrating birds and other species.

California lost millions of acres of historic wetlands. Today, rice fields help fill that gap, providing the water and habitat endangered and threatened fish populations need to survive. This new video shows why rice is essential to the future of wildlife and farming. youtu.be/M5yTrlMTxHc @ucdavis @UCDavisWater

A healthy #PacificFlyway depends on working rice ground. Research shows roughly 470,000–500,000 acres of rice are needed in California to sustain key bird and wildlife populations that rely on these fields each year.

Tens of thousands of wings. One working landscape. California rice fields act as surrogate wetlands for birds across the #PacificFlyway. Maintaining 470K–500K acres of rice is essential to meet conservation goals for ducks and shorebirds.

Central Valley priorities, front and center in DC this week! Met with the California Rice Commission, United Health Centers, and port leaders to strengthen supply chains, support farmers and expand access to quality health care. Our region drives California’s economy — I’m making sure Washington listens.

It was so great meeting with @RiceNews to talk about protecting and growing California’s rice industry. I grew up on a farm, and I’ll keep bringing that perspective to my work supporting rice growers and Sacramento Valley communities.

From @UCDavisWater : 15 years of research show winter-flooded rice fields can help young salmon grow and thrive before heading to the ocean. Working lands + science = real progress for fish and floodplain habitat. Read more ⬇️ ucdavis.edu/climate/news/t…

Last week, millions of fish fry were added to winter-flooded rice fields in California. Why it matters: decomposed rice straw enriches the water, jump-starting food sources that young fish rely on. This is how working lands do more.

Research shows salmon feeding on floodplain habitats can grow 2–5x faster than those confined to river channels. That’s the idea behind this week’s large-scale salmon release into winter-flooded rice fields. 🐟

"We're not going to have a strong rice industry unless we have a cohesive water industry and the water industry is completely dependent on the fish."So let's go to where the problem is and solve it." -- Longtime Rice Farmer John Brennan cbsnews.com/sacramento/new…

We are devastated to learn that Rep. Doug LaMalfa has passed. Doug was one of the early Commission board members. He went on to serve farmers in the CA Assembly and Senate and Congress. He will be remembered for his kindness and willingness to engage others to find common ground

My hands down favorite quick bite!

The geese just keep showing up on our flooded harvested rice fields. Providing habitat for wildlife in 108

A sky full of snow geese over California rice. Proof that working lands and wildlife can thrive together.

Rice fields don’t go quiet after harvest. Nearly half a million acres of California ricelands become seasonal wetlands, feeding and sheltering wildlife - like these Cinnamon Teal - along the #PacificFlyway. #CArice

What’s good for birds is good often good for fish. Partnerships like the Floodplain Forward Coalition are reconnecting rice fields to rivers - helping young salmon grow strong before heading to the Pacific. 🐟 comstocksmag.com/longreads/coll… #FishFriendlyFarms #CaliforniaRice