February 2014 Sustainability Profile: Darlene Khalafi

Each month, our newsletter features a person or group on campus that is working toward a more sustainable world. This month features Darlene Khalafi, the newest member of the Sustainability Office Staff and a UCSC alumna who was involved in sustainability work as an undergraduate.

Name & Job Title: Darlene Khalafi - Sustainability Office Manager/Events Coordinator

Academic Background: Graduated from UCSC with a major in Environmental Studies combined with Biology, class of 2011

Previous Student Organizations: Stevenson Reslife (Residential Advisor); Path to a Greener Stevenson & Stevenson Garden; Student Environmental Center intern for Gardener's Alliance Gatherings (GAG); Climate Organization, Outreach, & Leadership (COOL); Site Stewardship Intern; and Seymour Center Volunteer

Photo by Adam Ghahate

We asked Darlene what she thinks about sustainability and how it relates to her work at UCSC.

What does "sustainability" mean to you? Sustainability is an interesting word because it means so much and it's so big that it's actually kind of difficult to grasp. It's an evolving definition; but the way I utilize the word today is to live my life in a way that takes action with respect toward natural systems, the environment, and all living beings. As someone who promotes sustainability, I am an advocate for life, fairness, and the well-being of things.

Favorite Green Tip: Always look for new ways to be resourceful. Being "green" is all about adaptability and getting creative! I love to repurpose things, so looking on my desk right now, I've reused a bread bag to hold my lunch, put my pencils in an old spaghetti jar, and have a notebook made from single-printed sheets and a cereal box cover.

What are you up to when you aren't at the Sustainability Office? Volunteering at the UCSC-USGS Sea Otter Research Cooperative, gardening at the Live Oak Grange, promoting alternative transportation with Ecology Action, or selling bread at farmer's markets for Beckmann's Old World Bakery

How does sustainability relate to your role at UCSC? What is one cool thing you've done to make UCSC a more sustainable place?
Sustainability was a big part of my undergraduate education. I incorporated it into all aspects of my life. As an RA, I helped start an accredited sustainable living co-curricular residential life program in Stevenson. While leading Path to a Greener Stevenson, I was one of the initial groundbreakers of the Stevenson Community Garden. I also held an internship every quarter with places like the Student Environmental Center, Site Stewardship, and the Seymour Discovery Center. I graduated an Environmental Studies/Biology major in 2011.

As a newly added member to the Sustainability Office staff, my job is to empower students and UCSC affiliates to lead their own projects promoting sustainable practices on our campus to make UCSC a brighter, greener place. I also want to help make sustainability "cultural" by doing my part to create a positive mindset founded in environmental awareness and the interconnectedness of all things.

This year, UCSC's Chancellor Blumenthal has implemented the Chancellor’s Sustainability Challenge to push the campus to reduce our waste, helping us in the long run to reach our Zero Waste by 2020 Goal. How do you practice sustainability and reduce waste in your own life? 
I try to throw away as little as possible. We compost and recycle at my house, so now we're at this point where we are trying to reduce what's ending up in our garbage bin. It's sad when I have to throw something away because there really is no other option for it. To solve this, I have to be more conscious of the types of packaging products come in and make sure that the products themselves are made to last and are repairable rather than made to be replaced.

Have you had a favorite sustainability moment at UCSC?
This year, my favorite 'sustainability moment' happened at the Inter-Organizational Retreat. Realizing how many people on campus are working everyday toward the same goals and aspirations, is definitely empowering. There are literally hundreds of us. I connected to a strong sense of community while watching everyone interact so closely with all these people they've never even met before. It's truly inspiring.

Contact: Find me at the Sustainability Office in Kerr 118, call me at 831-459-2182, or email dkhalafi [at] ucsc [dot] edu.

November 2013: Classes, Training, and Community

Instagram
The Sustainability Office is now on Instagram! Follow us at @UCSCsustainability for all things sustainability brought to you in pocket sized photo form!

Seymour Center Behind-the-Scenes Tours
Learn more about exciting marine research behind the scenes and experience the spectacular surroundings of the Seymour Center at one of the tours offered each week, including Marine Mammal Research Tours, Younger Lagoon Reserve Tours, and Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf Tours. For details, please visit http://seymourcenter.ucsc.edu/visit/behind-the-scenes-tours/.

October Bike to Work Day
Did you ride your bike last month for Bike to Work Day hosted by Ecology Action? Throughout the county, people got to work and school by bicycle on October 10 and received free breakfast at a number of locations, including three sites at UC Santa Cruz. In total, 201 people on bikes stopped by the UCSC sites at the Base of Campus, Quarry Plaza, and the top of the Bike Path. This is the largest turnout for Bike to Work Day at UCSC! Earlier this year in the spring, 137 people participated, and last fall, 188 people biked to campus for this day that celebrates bike commuting. A UCSC student who coordinated the top of the Bike Path site took photos throughout the morning--check out the album and tag yourself and friends! Happy bicycling!

California Student Sustainability Coalition (CSSC) Fall Convergence: November 9-10
The CSSC is a statewide network of student organizations from all over California that are working on sustainability initiatives on their respective campuses. Twice a year students from all over the state converge on one campus for a weekend long event full of inspiring keynote speakers, interdisciplinary panels, and dynamic workshops. It’s a chance to network with student leaders from all over California and make friends with hundreds of like-minded people. The theme of the convergence is Building Sustainable Communities. It costs only $25 if you pay online as a student, or $30 at the door. This price includes four delicious meals, housing for the weekend, as well as access to all convergence content. Here is the link to register. There are also sarpooling opportunities if you need a ride, and interim housing available for our distant attendees. Also, please join the UCSC Goes to Humboldt Convergence Facebook group if you want to stay updated on attendees from UC Santa Cruz! Feel free to contact David Shugar at dshugar@ucsc.edu if you have any questions.

Join the Kresge Natural Foods Co-op
The Kresge Community Natural Foods Co-op is a non-profit student-run food store located on the south side of Kresge College. It has been a Kresge College tradition for over twenty years, supporting small farmers, the UCSC Farm Project, and the Kresge Organic Garden. While anyone can buy food at the Food Co-op, members receive a discount. Come in for groceries, lunch, snacks, hot coffee, tea, or just to spend time with your friends. Hours: Weekdays 9 AM - 6 PM

TAPS seeks to connect with Electric Vehicle (EV) drivers
Interested in learning more about electric vehicle charging developments planned for UCSC? Want to know of potential electrical shutdowns at Core West? Transportation and Parking Services is wanting to be in better touch with our electric vehicle user community at UCSC – please send an email to tabuika@ucsc.edu to be added to the list of current electric vehicle users. Learn more about UCSC's current EV accomodations on the TAPS website.

Sierra Institute
Interested in spending a quarter studying among mountains and rivers? With Sierra Institute's Natural History of the Patagonian Cordillera program, you will conduct hands-on botanical and ecological studies at remote field camps while backpacking and horse-packing in the remote regions of Patagonia. Students will explore and learn about a wide diversity of landscapes, from sea-level rainforests to continental divide mountains. Applications are due November 8. Find out more on their website.

Common Ground Center Speaker Series
The Common Ground Center, located in Kresge College and promoting social and environmental change, is offering a few seminars throughout October. Learn more about the seminars and the Common Ground Center by clicking here or subscribe to their mailing list here.

Take Back the Tap
Take Back the Tap to ensure our right to water! Join them in combating the corporate water grab by removing the sale of single use water bottles at UCSC. Learn how you can get involved by joining them at their weekly meetings in Kresge 166, Thursdays from 6-7 PM. Check out takebackthetapuc.org or like them on Facebook.