Carbon Fund Info Session: October 22
The UCSC Carbon Fund is a granting body that funds student, staff, and community sustainability projects. If you have a project geared towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions on campus or in the community, consider applying for a Carbon Fund grant! There will be an info session to learn more on October 22 from 6-7:30pm. The meeting location has not been finalized, so please check the Carbon Fund website here or email carbonfund [at] ucsc [dot] edu for updates.
Cool Campus Challenge: October 6 - December 10
The first ever Cool Campus Challenge aims to engage UC campuses with our carbon neutrality initiative through a bit of friendly competition. Join the challenge, pledge to reduce your carbon footprint, and help us prove that UCSC is the coolest campus! Sign up here.
H&M Conscious Foundation Global Change Award: Deadline October 31
Students and faculty are invited to submit ideas that share the future of how fashion is designed and produced, shipped, bought, used and recycled with a focus on protecting the planet. The Global Change Award, by H&M Conscious Foundation, seeks to create fashion for a growing population while reducing its impact on the environment. The aim of the challenge is to close the loop in the fashion industry. Five winners will share a grant of $1 million euros ($1.1 million), get access to a tailor-made innovation accelerator, and fashion industry access. Deadline to submit is October 31.
President Napolitano’s Carbon Neutrality Initiative agreed to fund the extension to all UC campuses of a student ideas contest started at Berkeley. Student teams from any UC campus can now compete for cash prizes and mentoring and other support for ideas related to carbon neutrality at the campus, national, or international scale.
Got a big idea? Save the world and win prizes. For more information about rules, categories, resources, funding and contact information, visit the Big Ideas website at http://bigideas.berkeley.edu/energy/
Monday, September 28, 2015
Open Streets Santa Cruz on West Cliff Drive
Sunday, October 11, 2015, 9am-2pm
Come bicycle, walk and play in the 2-mile Pop-up Street Park with no cars!
West Cliff will be closed to traffic from Lighthouse Field to Natural Bridges State Park (just before Swanton Boulevard, which will remain open).
Bring your picnic and play equipment to this do-it-yourself FREE event. Also, enjoy activities, music and information booths, including:
Folklorico dance, Watsonville Taiko, Sadza Marimba, San Lorenzo River Alliance, Sierra Club, Teen Center, bicycle obstacle course, swing and Centeotl Mexican
The theme this year is Explore the Coast and highlights coastal access and protection.
Welcome Back Monarch's Day at Natural Bridges State Park will be taking place the same day 11am-4pm. Be sure to take advantage of the two-for-one free and family-friendly events!
Open Streets is organized by Open Streets Santa Cruz County and sponsored by the City of Santa Cruz, California Coastal Commission, Ecology Action, Good Times and Clif KIDS.
Learn more: www.scopenstreets.org
Connect: Facebook.com/OpenStreetsSantaCruzCounty
See you in the street on Sunday, October 11th!
Bicycle Traffic School
Did you receive a ticket while on
a bicycle? This information is
for you!
Bicycle Traffic School (BTS) is for cyclists that have been given a ticket for a traffic citation while riding a bike. BTS gives cyclists a one-time option of attending a two-hour bicycle safety class for a fee of $35 instead of paying the violation fine. A court order to attend BTS must be granted by the Traffic Court Judge.
In order to participate in BTS you must:
For more information call (831) 454-7551 or log on to www.sctrafficsafety.org.
Bicycle Traffic School (BTS) is for cyclists that have been given a ticket for a traffic citation while riding a bike. BTS gives cyclists a one-time option of attending a two-hour bicycle safety class for a fee of $35 instead of paying the violation fine. A court order to attend BTS must be granted by the Traffic Court Judge.
In order to participate in BTS you must:
- Appear in traffic court on your scheduled court date and ask the judge for a court order to attend Bicycle Traffic School.
- Obtain a BTS registration form from the court clerk.
- Follow the instructions on the form for paying the $35 fee.
- Register for a class within 30 days of your court referral date.
For more information call (831) 454-7551 or log on to www.sctrafficsafety.org.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - Santa Cruz County Bike Smart Rodeos - Fall 2015
Although it still feels very much like summer, you may be surprised to learn that it is in fact, FALL. And, of course, that means that school is back in session and Bike Smart bicycle safety education team is ready for weekly rodeos. They've been hard at work for the last few weeks in preparation for the rodeos, but the schools and students are so grateful to get the chance to experience the Bike Smart program!
Here are the events scheduled for Santa Cruz County:
Sunday, October 11th - Santa Cruz Open Streets Public
Rodeo Event 9:00AM - 2:00PM
Wednesday, October 14th - Bay View Elementary
Rodeo #1 8:20AM - 10:20AM
Rodeo #2 11:20AM - 12:40PM
Thursday, October 15th - Bay View Elementary
Rodeo #1 10:40AM - 12:20PM
Monday, October 19th - Mar Vista Elementary
Rodeo #1 8:05AM - 10:05AM
Rodeo #2 10:20AM - 12:20PM
Tuesday, October 20th - Mar Vista Elementary
Rodeo #1 8:05AM - 10:05AM
Please RSVP with Kira Ticus at kticus [at] ecoact [dot] org with the rodeos you're available to assist with. Once you've signed up for the rodeo time slots, she'll send a follow up email with relevant information about the school site and event details as the event date gets closer.
Here are the events scheduled for Santa Cruz County:
Sunday, October 11th - Santa Cruz Open Streets Public
Rodeo Event 9:00AM - 2:00PM
Wednesday, October 14th - Bay View Elementary
Rodeo #1 8:20AM - 10:20AM
Rodeo #2 11:20AM - 12:40PM
Thursday, October 15th - Bay View Elementary
Rodeo #1 10:40AM - 12:20PM
Monday, October 19th - Mar Vista Elementary
Rodeo #1 8:05AM - 10:05AM
Rodeo #2 10:20AM - 12:20PM
Tuesday, October 20th - Mar Vista Elementary
Rodeo #1 8:05AM - 10:05AM
Please RSVP with Kira Ticus at kticus [at] ecoact [dot] org with the rodeos you're available to assist with. Once you've signed up for the rodeo time slots, she'll send a follow up email with relevant information about the school site and event details as the event date gets closer.
Procurement Services Receives Gift for Sustainability Efforts
Procurement's Strategic Sourcing Team is proud to report that they have received a $5,000 gift from The Dreaming Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham to expand on their vendor sustainability program. Their benefactor selected Strategic Sourcing's initiative from among more than a dozen proposals from students, staff, and research groups.
Last year, Strategic Sourcing initiated a program to improve sustainability efforts on the part of their suppliers. Strategic Sourcing's goal, keeping with the Procurement's Strategic Sourcing Team's commitment to the Campus Sustainability Plan (CSP), is to engage suppliers to develop strategies that promote sustainable procurement practices within the supply chain and measure those suppliers to agreed standards. To that end, Procurement's Strategic Sourcing Team applied to the Provost's Sustainability Internship (PSI) program, and recruited a dynamic and capable UCSC student named Marissa Meisterling to develop the process.
Throughout FY15, Marissa contacted 17 select suppliers and developed a method for benchmarking suppliers’ sustainability efforts. This information acts as a baseline and a framework for encouraging vendors to take additional steps to improve their "sustainability profile." To expand on these efforts, they have retained another engaging and brilliant PSI student intern, William Watson. Our goals for this year are to establish an online method to better engage suppliers, work with Procurement Buyers to incorporate sustainability into their daily interactions with vendors, and significantly increase the number of participating suppliers.
That's where their benefactor comes in. To accomplish these goals, they will need to move to an online database that the suppliers can access and update themselves, providing them with additional information, and exhibiting their progress as an incentive to participate in the program. Further, the Procurement's Strategic Sourcing Team will need training and marketing materials for both their own staff and their vendors. These items cost money, and they now have a $5,000 budget to work with.
They are extremely grateful to the benefactor for supporting this effort. There has never been funding for this kind of effort before. By encouraging their suppliers to make more sustainable choices, they can enhance UC Santa Cruz's excellent reputation as a green campus, and promote real-world actions that support a healthy environment.
Last year, Strategic Sourcing initiated a program to improve sustainability efforts on the part of their suppliers. Strategic Sourcing's goal, keeping with the Procurement's Strategic Sourcing Team's commitment to the Campus Sustainability Plan (CSP), is to engage suppliers to develop strategies that promote sustainable procurement practices within the supply chain and measure those suppliers to agreed standards. To that end, Procurement's Strategic Sourcing Team applied to the Provost's Sustainability Internship (PSI) program, and recruited a dynamic and capable UCSC student named Marissa Meisterling to develop the process.
Throughout FY15, Marissa contacted 17 select suppliers and developed a method for benchmarking suppliers’ sustainability efforts. This information acts as a baseline and a framework for encouraging vendors to take additional steps to improve their "sustainability profile." To expand on these efforts, they have retained another engaging and brilliant PSI student intern, William Watson. Our goals for this year are to establish an online method to better engage suppliers, work with Procurement Buyers to incorporate sustainability into their daily interactions with vendors, and significantly increase the number of participating suppliers.
That's where their benefactor comes in. To accomplish these goals, they will need to move to an online database that the suppliers can access and update themselves, providing them with additional information, and exhibiting their progress as an incentive to participate in the program. Further, the Procurement's Strategic Sourcing Team will need training and marketing materials for both their own staff and their vendors. These items cost money, and they now have a $5,000 budget to work with.
They are extremely grateful to the benefactor for supporting this effort. There has never been funding for this kind of effort before. By encouraging their suppliers to make more sustainable choices, they can enhance UC Santa Cruz's excellent reputation as a green campus, and promote real-world actions that support a healthy environment.
UCSC Farm featured in the New York Times
Mark Bittman, the New York Times lead food columnist, visited the farm at the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems at the University of California, Santa Cruz and interviewed Daniel Press, the center’s executive director and Tim Galarneau, a coordinator with Food Systems Working Group. The interview highlighted the apprenticeship program that has been active since 1967. Check out the article accompanied with a video, here.
On-Campus Housing Survey informs UCSC’s Climate and Energy Strategy Study
In the spring quarter of 2015, undergraduate residents living in on-campus housing were requested to complete a survey to provide input on heating, cooling, and lighting in their residential housing units. Over the summer, Sustainability Office interns assigned to support the Climate and Energy Strategy (CES) study worked with one of the project’s consultants, Ecoshift, to compile a summary of the survey results. One hundred and eighteen students completed the survey, which represents only a small fraction (1.5 percent) of the total population of undergraduate residents living in on-campus housing. It is important to note that this summary is framed within the context of this small sample. The CES interns are working to increase participation in the survey by launching another round of surveys this fall.
The majority of heating and cooling issues are skewed towards Porter College and Stevenson College, with these residential housing units representing 57 percent of the survey responses. Generally and as expected, respondents agreed that their residences were too hot during the spring, fall, and summer quarters and too cold during the winter quarters. The following graph represents the general thermal comfort of the residences on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being extremely cold and 10 being extremely hot.
The graph displays the majority of survey respondent’s experience thermal comfort. Similarly, the survey found 88 percent of campus has adequate hot water in sinks around campus and showers.
Surprisingly, many students are either unaware that they can adjust the temperatures in their rooms with the thermostats provided in the residences or simply do not use them. CES interns hope to be able conduct outreach to new residents about how they can adjust their room temperatures. As for lighting, a majority of the students agreed that they found unoccupied spaces with lights left on more times than not. Many residents indicated that occupancy sensors did not work or they weren’t sure what occupancy sensors do. By adding occupancy sensors and educational outreach on how they work, wasted energy from leaving lights on in unoccupied spaces can be minimized.
The survey has given the CES interns and consulting team good insight into energy issues that residents face on-campus. This knowledge can enable planning of concrete steps to improve thermal and lighting issues in on-campus residential housing while ensuring that comfort is maximized with the least amount of energy consumed.
As mentioned above, there is another round of the survey happening this fall. Complete this survey for a chance to win the grand prize $100 gift certificate, or one of four $50 certificates to the Bay Tree Bookstore. Please spread the word to your on-campus friends about this opportunity. More survey participation means more invaluable information our campus has for solving energy issues, making students more comfortable, and reaching carbon neutrality! Look out for upcoming emails and flyers about the survey.
The majority of heating and cooling issues are skewed towards Porter College and Stevenson College, with these residential housing units representing 57 percent of the survey responses. Generally and as expected, respondents agreed that their residences were too hot during the spring, fall, and summer quarters and too cold during the winter quarters. The following graph represents the general thermal comfort of the residences on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being extremely cold and 10 being extremely hot.
Surprisingly, many students are either unaware that they can adjust the temperatures in their rooms with the thermostats provided in the residences or simply do not use them. CES interns hope to be able conduct outreach to new residents about how they can adjust their room temperatures. As for lighting, a majority of the students agreed that they found unoccupied spaces with lights left on more times than not. Many residents indicated that occupancy sensors did not work or they weren’t sure what occupancy sensors do. By adding occupancy sensors and educational outreach on how they work, wasted energy from leaving lights on in unoccupied spaces can be minimized.
The survey has given the CES interns and consulting team good insight into energy issues that residents face on-campus. This knowledge can enable planning of concrete steps to improve thermal and lighting issues in on-campus residential housing while ensuring that comfort is maximized with the least amount of energy consumed.
As mentioned above, there is another round of the survey happening this fall. Complete this survey for a chance to win the grand prize $100 gift certificate, or one of four $50 certificates to the Bay Tree Bookstore. Please spread the word to your on-campus friends about this opportunity. More survey participation means more invaluable information our campus has for solving energy issues, making students more comfortable, and reaching carbon neutrality! Look out for upcoming emails and flyers about the survey.
Thursday, September 24, 2015
October 2015: Internships, Employment, & Volunteering
Employment
Student Environmental Center (SEC) is Looking For Two New Student OrganizersBoth organizers will work with SEC's Blueprint Coordinator to compile the 2016-2017 Blueprint for a Sustainable Campus. The Blueprint is a document re-written by students each year. It outlines students' visions and actions for on-campus sustainability. Work includes researching topics in sustainability (see Blueprint topics), attending working group meetings, writing and editing. Both positions start Fall quarter and end in June, requiring about 8-10 hours a week. Applicants must have previous experience in a student organization. To apply, email: seclead-group [at] ucsc [dot] edu and indicate SEC Student Organizer Job in subject line.
Paid Student Staff Positions at the Program in Community & Agroecology
The Program in Community and Agroecology is hiring five student leadership positions for 9/28/15 – 6/30/15. The five positions available are:
- PICA A-Quad Garden Coordinator apply to ER#3372
- PICA B-Quad Garden Coordinator apply to ER#3372
- PICA Compost Coordinator apply to ER#6573
- PICA - Program Assistant apply to ER#7893
- PICA - Events Coordinator apply to ER#7893
Click here to apply at the UCSC Career Center website.
Paid Student Staff Positions at Common Ground Center
Students! Want an empowering paid job on campus working towards social justice and sustainability? Interested in gaining new skills in event coordination and project management while giving back to your community?Common Ground Center at Kresge College is hiring for 3 paid student staff positions:
The initial application review date is Sept 25th, though the jobs will remain posted until filled. Employment Date - Sept-28-2015 to 6-20-2015. $9/hr for approx. 5 hrs/wk.
Santa Cruz County Transportation Planning Technician
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission is soliciting applications for a Transportation Planning Technician. A completed job application, resume and cover letter must be received by Monday, October 12 to be guaranteed review by mail or by emailing yparra [at] sccrtc [dot] org by the deadline.
Sustainability Coordinator at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
The Sustainability Coordinator will provide administrative and program support and will have strategic program leadership roles in support of a wide range of sustainability initiatives having broad impact, with a goal of institutionalizing sustainability values in student, faculty, and staff experience and campus culture. This position will heavily interface with and provide information to both internal and external constituents. For more information about position requirements, and to apply, click here.
Green Corps
The mission of Green Corps is to train organizers, provide field support for today’s critical environmental campaigns and graduate activists who possess the skills, temperament and commitment to fight and win tomorrow’s environmental battles. If you're passionate and ready to contribute to the environmental movement, click here.
Central Coast Energy Service in Search of Community Outreach Specialist
The Central Coast Energy Services is looking for a full-time Community Outreach Specialist in Watsonville. The Community Outreach Specialist is responsible for sourcing outreach locations, developing relationships with partner agency staff, and establishing activities schedules. The types of information distribution and application intake sites we serve may include: community-based organization offices, county offices, food bank distribution sites and community events. To obtain this position, the applicant should have an AS degree in Business Administration or a related field. For more information about position requirements, and to apply, click here.
Internships
Environmental Studies Internships Open to All MajorsThe Environmental Studies Internship Office has many different internship opportunities available for fall. These 2 and 5-unit internships are open to all majors. Review some of the internships and learn how to apply on the Environmental Studies website here. Contact Chris Krohn for more information and additional internship listings at ckrohn [at] ucsc [dot] edu.
Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability Internship with National Outdoor Leadership School
There is an internship opening with NOLS in their Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability department for the Spring 2016 semester. The internship is unique in that it will split time between an environmental stewardship position focusing on protecting the outdoor/wilderness areas they operate in and a sustainability position focusing on reducing the environmental impact of their organization. Applications are due by October 23. For more information and instructions on how to apply, click here.
InnerView Intern
InnerView Interns spend a few hours a week (2-4) connecting with student leaders, event organizers and campus staff. They partner and help spread the word about events and programs and help participants get recognition for their activities - all to amp up the good on our campus. Click here to learn more and to apply.
Volunteering
Want to teach elementary school kids about bike safety? Bike Smart program is looking for volunteers to help with the bicycle safety education rodeos at schools across Santa Cruz County. Learn more here.
Want to get your hands dirty and nurture the plants in our campus gardens? Visit the calendar to find out when garden work days are happening here.
Get Involved with UC Global Food Initiative
The UC Global Food Initiative aims to address global issues in the food system. All 10 UCs are working collectively towards this effort to support sustainable agriculture, healthy eating, and food security. UCSC is playing a critical role in this effort with the support of the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems. Join a subcommittee and get involved by contacting ucscfswg [at] ucsc [dot] edu.
Call for Students! Conduct Free Local Business Energy Audits
Interested in greening offices and energy conservation? The Green Impact Campaign is a national student-powered movement working to raise awareness of energy consumption. Become part of the movement today and join Green Impact Campaign, here.
Sprout Up Environmental Education Opportunity Sprout Up
Santa Cruz is seeking college student-instructors instructors to deliver free environmental education to 1st and 2nd graders in the Santa Cruz community, cultivating the next generation of passionate caretakers of the earth. Commitment is maximum 3 hours/week for 8 weeks, by UCSC academic quarter. For more information, please contact directorsc[at]sproutup[dot]org, and visit their website at www.SproutUp.org.
The Bike Church Community Repair Shop Seeking Volunteers
Have a knack for cycling, biking and learning to maintain bikes? Interested in learning to divert bike parts from the waste stream? Then this is the opportunity for you! Click here for more information.
Community Engagement with San Lorenzo River Alliance
Help the San Lorenzo River Alliance have more positive attention on and more positive engagement with the San Lorenzo River by signing up to be a community engagement volunteer. To learn more or volunteer, email Laurie Egan at legan [at] coastal-watershed [dot] org. Also, check out their website here.
Teach K-12 Watershed Conservation Lessons
Coastal Watershed Council presents lessons to K-12 grade students at public schools throughout the county. Volunteer to present lessons on the link between watersheds and our water supply, recycling and composting, water pollution prevention, how to pack a trash free lunch, wise energy use, and many other topics related to climate change and wise resource use. To learn more and sign up, email Stew Jenkins at sjenkins [at] coastal-watershed [dot] org or call him at (831) 464-9200. Learn more here.
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