Danielle Zoe Rivera
@danielle-rivera.bsky.social
🇵🇷 Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture + Environmental Planning at UC-Berkeley | Just + Equitable Environments | Disaster (and Disastrous) Research | Occasionally gardening + a dog
Life is chaotic right now, but watching this little Swallowtail caterpillar on my fennel plant grow and transform has been so thrilling this past week!
September 25, 2025 at 3:51 AM
Life is chaotic right now, but watching this little Swallowtail caterpillar on my fennel plant grow and transform has been so thrilling this past week!
Garden updates for mid-summer! Already prepping for the fall and winter, the time has flown by this year!
July 24, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Garden updates for mid-summer! Already prepping for the fall and winter, the time has flown by this year!
If you are at the Natural Hazards Workshop this week, come to my lab's session on Wednesday at 8:30am! We are discussing the Quick Response Award program, and how it provided critical support for our research in the Pajaro Valley, and essentially for disaster research over its time!
July 14, 2025 at 3:23 AM
If you are at the Natural Hazards Workshop this week, come to my lab's session on Wednesday at 8:30am! We are discussing the Quick Response Award program, and how it provided critical support for our research in the Pajaro Valley, and essentially for disaster research over its time!
My latest article arrived in the mail! It's a reflection on new studio pedagogy approaches reflecting innovative theories and practices of engagement. Following the issue's theme, it emphasizes non-extractivist practices for "community-engaged" pedagogy. Open access here: doi.org/10.1080/1046...
June 18, 2025 at 11:30 PM
My latest article arrived in the mail! It's a reflection on new studio pedagogy approaches reflecting innovative theories and practices of engagement. Following the issue's theme, it emphasizes non-extractivist practices for "community-engaged" pedagogy. Open access here: doi.org/10.1080/1046...
The report is intended for government agencies involved in the 2023 floods recovery process and for local organizations; however, we hope the lab's procedural and historical methods might inspire other communities to undertake similar studies! 4/4
June 10, 2025 at 6:09 PM
The report is intended for government agencies involved in the 2023 floods recovery process and for local organizations; however, we hope the lab's procedural and historical methods might inspire other communities to undertake similar studies! 4/4
We draw several conclusions. First is the region has suffered from a major flood on average once every five years between 1870 and 2023. Second, in studying past flood recoveries we note the same mistakes, mainly not recognizing the needs of unincorporated areas. @climatedaddykqed.bsky.social 3/4
June 10, 2025 at 6:09 PM
We draw several conclusions. First is the region has suffered from a major flood on average once every five years between 1870 and 2023. Second, in studying past flood recoveries we note the same mistakes, mainly not recognizing the needs of unincorporated areas. @climatedaddykqed.bsky.social 3/4
We visited eight archives in California to assemble a Flood Risk Timeline comprised of four eras of flood risk creation. From this, we found a systemic lack of recognition of the region's unincorporated areas in past recoveries despite their more vulnerable peoples and higher risks of flooding. 2/4
June 10, 2025 at 6:09 PM
We visited eight archives in California to assemble a Flood Risk Timeline comprised of four eras of flood risk creation. From this, we found a systemic lack of recognition of the region's unincorporated areas in past recoveries despite their more vulnerable peoples and higher risks of flooding. 2/4
Went to Capitol Hill with an AMAZING contingent of nonprofit leaders at the NLIHC to advocate for not just keeping FEMA and HUD CDBG-DR but strengthening them. We met with four California reps and stopped by the offices of six more we wished we had time to meet with. The discussions were positive!
May 16, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Went to Capitol Hill with an AMAZING contingent of nonprofit leaders at the NLIHC to advocate for not just keeping FEMA and HUD CDBG-DR but strengthening them. We met with four California reps and stopped by the offices of six more we wished we had time to meet with. The discussions were positive!
Gardening to calm today! Such a gorgeous Easter weekend!
April 19, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Gardening to calm today! Such a gorgeous Easter weekend!
Being in my garden is such an immense gift!
April 14, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Being in my garden is such an immense gift!
Last week was the third most stressful week in my career, so I took the weekend to make recaito, which always helps me feel connected to the loved ones I've lost. It was extra special this time, because I used the (monster) cilantro from my garden!
April 14, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Last week was the third most stressful week in my career, so I took the weekend to make recaito, which always helps me feel connected to the loved ones I've lost. It was extra special this time, because I used the (monster) cilantro from my garden!
From the NLIHC: DHS may be developing a plan to dismantle FEMA. Please contact your representatives and encourage them to oppose this or any similar actions.
April 11, 2025 at 6:35 PM
From the NLIHC: DHS may be developing a plan to dismantle FEMA. Please contact your representatives and encourage them to oppose this or any similar actions.
Been working on a small portion of an upcoming exhibit at UC Berkeley! My doctoral student and I have been experimenting with ways to communicate complex timelines of environmental phenomenon.
The exhibit opens Monday evening!!!
The exhibit opens Monday evening!!!
April 6, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Been working on a small portion of an upcoming exhibit at UC Berkeley! My doctoral student and I have been experimenting with ways to communicate complex timelines of environmental phenomenon.
The exhibit opens Monday evening!!!
The exhibit opens Monday evening!!!
California folx: I saw this odd insect behavior in the garden and am unsure if this parasitic behavior should concern Alameda County or California environmental authorities. Is this concerning and, if so, who should I report it to?
March 21, 2025 at 9:20 PM
California folx: I saw this odd insect behavior in the garden and am unsure if this parasitic behavior should concern Alameda County or California environmental authorities. Is this concerning and, if so, who should I report it to?
We also examined the local agricultural fields which are increasingly threatened by flooding in California's winters. Surprisingly, given the lack of rain last week, we saw widespread flooding in fields.
March 2, 2025 at 11:30 PM
We also examined the local agricultural fields which are increasingly threatened by flooding in California's winters. Surprisingly, given the lack of rain last week, we saw widespread flooding in fields.
Spent Saturday with my studio students! We met with our community partners to tour their wetland restoration sites, visited sites along the Monterey Bay coast, and documented the Pájaro River. It was such a lovely day, always grateful to the Watsonville/Pájaro community for being so welcoming!
March 2, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Spent Saturday with my studio students! We met with our community partners to tour their wetland restoration sites, visited sites along the Monterey Bay coast, and documented the Pájaro River. It was such a lovely day, always grateful to the Watsonville/Pájaro community for being so welcoming!
I’ve been a little absent on this app, I’m going up for tenure this summer and working hard in preparation! So here are some garden flowers I planted, forgot about, but are doing great!
February 22, 2025 at 6:15 AM
I’ve been a little absent on this app, I’m going up for tenure this summer and working hard in preparation! So here are some garden flowers I planted, forgot about, but are doing great!
Taking a break from the chaos to appreciate my garden in the California winter rains! 💕
February 6, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Taking a break from the chaos to appreciate my garden in the California winter rains! 💕
After a stressful week, some garden time was long overdue! Planted seeds for five different chilis/peppers this year, got the peas and fava beans started, and harvested cold weather herbs and greens!
January 18, 2025 at 11:24 PM
After a stressful week, some garden time was long overdue! Planted seeds for five different chilis/peppers this year, got the peas and fava beans started, and harvested cold weather herbs and greens!
One of the challenges as an East Coaster gardening in California is there is no “break” in the gardening calendar! I’m still getting used to it!
January 5, 2025 at 5:27 AM
One of the challenges as an East Coaster gardening in California is there is no “break” in the gardening calendar! I’m still getting used to it!
Beginning the (gardening) year! One of my favorite times for its hopefulness: watching plants return, seeing seeds germinate and grow on, and making plans for the year to come!
January 5, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Beginning the (gardening) year! One of my favorite times for its hopefulness: watching plants return, seeing seeds germinate and grow on, and making plans for the year to come!
Wishing you all a Happy New Year from the Just Environments Lab!!!
The lab produced so much great work in 2024 and laid the groundwork for even more exciting works in 2025!
The lab produced so much great work in 2024 and laid the groundwork for even more exciting works in 2025!
December 31, 2024 at 3:09 AM
Wishing you all a Happy New Year from the Just Environments Lab!!!
The lab produced so much great work in 2024 and laid the groundwork for even more exciting works in 2025!
The lab produced so much great work in 2024 and laid the groundwork for even more exciting works in 2025!
It’s here!!! Can’t wait to read it!
December 6, 2024 at 8:21 PM
It’s here!!! Can’t wait to read it!
Took a break from working towards a writing deadline to play with blueskyroast.com/roast I love these results, not sure why it's obsessed with my fig jam though!
December 5, 2024 at 1:06 AM
Took a break from working towards a writing deadline to play with blueskyroast.com/roast I love these results, not sure why it's obsessed with my fig jam though!
We started growing as much as we can for the holidays, including gifts like jars of saffron, fig jam, and lemon curd! Or pressed garden flower art! Our pumpkin for pie. Shallots, garlic, green beans, rosemary, and oregano. It’s my favorite time of year! 💕 Grow your holidays! 💕
November 28, 2024 at 11:34 PM
We started growing as much as we can for the holidays, including gifts like jars of saffron, fig jam, and lemon curd! Or pressed garden flower art! Our pumpkin for pie. Shallots, garlic, green beans, rosemary, and oregano. It’s my favorite time of year! 💕 Grow your holidays! 💕