April 2012: Clubs, Gardens & Hikes

New Committee: Social Media Think Tank
Do you have an interest in becoming more savvy with utilizing social media to engage the public for your organization? Do you have any experience with administrating Facebook pages and want to share or learn more about the "science" of social media? Do you use Facebook a lot and want to help us figure out how to better engage our audiences? Founded by two members of on-campus sustainability organizations, this think tank seeks to bring together the ideas and experiences of anyone and everyone on the UCSC campus who has an interest in using social media for marketing or who has had experience with successful social media outreach. All are welcome to attend. Meeting times, locations and topics will be posted on the Facebook group. For more information, or if you would like to join the discussion, please contact Melissa Ott.

Natural History Club

Photo Credit: Clive Bagshaw

The Natural History Club is all bout exploring the natural spaces on and around our beautiful campus. They go on hikes around campus, learning about its natural history. They focus on learning plants, birds, animal tracking, mushrooms, and anything they discover. Overall the club seeks to deepen members' understanding, awareness and connection with nature. Visit the Natural History Club Facebook group for meeting times, locations and more information, or contact Darrow Feldstein.


Friends of Community Agroecology Network: Tuesdays 6-8 PM
FoCAN is a student-initiated, student-led community at UCSC that supports CAN's mission of promoting rural livelihoods and sustainable food systems through action education and participatory action research. FoCAN meets weekly at the Sustainable Living Center in the Village, building A. Through communal meals, discussions, and activities, these weekly meetings create a community that fosters dialogue and experiential learning about the global food system and sustainability. Find out more here.

Student Environmental Center: Wednesdays 6:30-8:30 PM
The purpose of the Student Environmental Center is to promote student involvement through research, education, and implementation of environmentally sustainable practices on campus in collaboration with the university. SEC's General Gatherings take place in the College 8 Red Room. Vegetarian dinner provided. For more information, visit their website or send them an email.

Path to a Greener Stevenson: Thursdays 8 PM

PTAGS meets in the Stevenson House 2 lounge every Thursday from 8-9 PM. They are currently working on expanding and cultivating the Stevenson Garden, reducing paper towel use/waste in the dorms, and working toward collaboration with the Stevenson Coffee House to increase its sustainability efforts. For information about this quarter's meeting time, visit the Facebook group or email Blake Redding.

Gardeners' Alliance Gatherings
The Gardeners' Alliance is a group within SEC's Students for Organic campaign that works to  promote the campus gardens and unite the garden-friendly community by creating a space to promote and share information between campus gardeners and the students of UCSC. Email Dominique for information about timing and locations. To see a list of on-campus gardens, visit the Gardeners' Alliance website here.

Guided Nature Walks with Campus Natural Reserves Steward: Every Other Friday
Our campus does not end at the buildings, so come explore the variety of vivacious ecosystems and what inhabits them! Guided Nature Walks will leave from College 8 Red Room every other Friday from 2-4 PM. Please check out the flyer for details. For more information, please contact Alex Jones, the Campus Natural Steward. 

Farm Fridays in the Dining Halls

Photo Credit: Food Systems Working Group

Each week, one dining hall features a dish incorporating ingredients from the UCSC Farm and other local organic farms in the region. The food is delicious, and it feels great to be eating the most local food possible! For more information, contact Candy Berlin or view the Farm Fridays schedule here.

The Program in Community and Agroecology (PICA) will be joining in with Dining Services' Farm Fridays by hosting an informational table at various dining halls on April 6 and 13. PICA is located in the Village and its focus is teaching students about sustainability and community food systems. Stop by to learn about all the PICA program has to offer you, from its themed campus housing option in the Village to its free Saturday Garden Play Days.

PICA Saturday Garden Play Days: 10 AM - 2 PM

PICA's first Garden Play Day for Spring quarter is on Saturday, April 7th, from 10 AM - 2 PM at the PICA Gardens in the Village. A delicious garden grown lunch will be served. PICA Garden Play Days will continue every Saturday in April at this time and location. These events are free, open to all UCSC students, and no registration is needed- just show up! For questions or more info, contact Bethany Hecht.

Kresge Garden Work Days: Sundays 10 AM - 2 PM 
Join fellow gardeners at the Kresge Garden workday and workshop every Sunday! Bring a dish to share for the potluck lunch! To see what the weekly workshop will be, check out the website.