December 2015: Internships, Employment & Voluntering

Employment

Student Environmental Center (SEC) is Looking For Two New Student Organizers

Both 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.

Education Manager at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History

SCMNH is seeking a creative, team-oriented Education Manager to lead our programmatic efforts. The Education Manager has primary responsibility for all of the Museum’s educational programs, including public and school programming. They will lead the Education team as well as implement programs themselves. The ideal candidate will be experienced in developing, leading and evaluating informal science education programs, preferably in a museum setting. They will have great managerial, organizational, and interpersonal skills. Above that, they will have a love of nature and will enjoy being part of a close team whose primary goal is to engage people of all ages in the fascination of the natural world. To apply, submit a cover letter and detailed resume to Angela Ward (employment [at] santacruzmuseum [dot] org) by December 4th. Click here for more detail.

Sustainability Coordinator at Watsonville

The Sustainability Coordinator will support the Senior Sustainability Manager through research and collaboration within Driscoll’s and outside the company. The goal is to grow our cross-functional integration of sustainable practices, while establishing ownership in each area of the company’s operations. The Sustainability Coordinator will support the Senior Sustainability Manager in the development and implementation of Driscoll’s sustainability goals, customer and regulatory compliance, and all other Sustainability efforts. Research, facilitation, support and communication will be critical functions of this role. Click here for more detail.

Restoration Monitoring Data and Information Specialist

The National Wildlife Refuge Association, in partnership with Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and the USFWS Pacific Region Inventory and Monitoring Program, seeks an individual with strong restoration ecology, database development, and ecological monitoring design skills for an 18-month period to help Refuge staff meet scientific information needs associated with expanding habitat restoration and weed control programming. The selected individual will be an employee of the National Wildlife Refuge Association and will work closely with Refuge staff and volunteers to develop robust data collection procedures, design databases, and data management systems for currently implemented weed control, native plant propagation and habitat restoration activities. The primary goal of this position is to set-up a robust habitat restoration monitoring system that can be utilized and maintained by USFWS staff to holistically evaluate the success of restoration efforts, encompassing and integrating complex and large-scale weed control and native plant propagation programs. To apply, please send a cover letter, resume/CV, and list of at least 3 professional references to both Anne Truslow (atruslow [at] refugeassociation [dot] org) and Meg Duhr-Schultz (meg_duhrschultz [at] fws [dot] gov) by December 11. The selection is made by January 15, 2016. The project will take place at Midway Atoll April 12, 2016-September 2017. For more information, click here.

Cormorant Diet Technician, Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge

The non-profit Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge seeks two, half-time technicians to process Brandt’s Cormorant diet samples in a temporary position. The data collected from the seabird diet samples will be used in an ecosystem scale analysis to inform recommendations for fisheries in the California Current System. Work for this position will be conducted at the Marine Wildlife Veterinary Care and Research Center, California Department of Fish and Wildlife office in Santa Cruz, California. Primary duties will include processing and sorting cormorant pellets and removing prey hard parts for subsequent identification in a laboratory setting. Position start date is no later than December 10, 2015. To apply, please email a resume and cover letter to Erica Donnelly-Greenan (erica [at] oikonos [dot] org). Click here for more information.

Graduate Assistantships/Fellowships at Michigan State University

Graduate assistantships/fellowships are available for outstanding self-motivated students to conduct innovative and high-impact research at the Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability (CSIS) at Michigan State University (MSU). With support from the U.S. National Science Foundation and other funding sources, research topics may include sustainability science, coupled human and natural systems, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, human well-being, land change science, forest and landscape ecology, global change, systems integration and so much more. If interested in applying, click here.

Internships

Purple is the new Green - Porter Purple Pipes

Collaborate with engineers, planners, and plumbers to participate in the whole process of planning, designing, and constructing a tank to toilet rainwater catchment system implemented in porter dorms. IDEASS Interns will have fun learning the details of real world systems and gain experience that opens up great job opportunities. To get involved contact Tamara Ball at (ball [at] ucsc [dot] edu)

Smarter Water Ways: Rainwater Harvesting and other Savvy Solutions for Water Use in California

This IDEASS project will involve designing, implementing, and monitoring the impacts of LID features such as rain gardens and bioswales, permeable paving, and rainwater catchment systems that will be integrated with the school’s life lab program. Selected applicants will be eligible for paid internship positions based on their performance and overall contributions. To get involved contact Tamara Ball at (ball [at] ucsc [dot] edu).

Environmental Studies Internships Open to All Majors

The 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.

Student Environmental Center (SEC)

Their organization is a great way for students to grow as individuals, learn leadership skills, and gain invaluable work experience. Volunteers with the Student Environmental Center learn about current campus projects and policies and have the opportunity to participate or take on leadership roles in many topic areas.

Concerned about our drought? Get involved in rainwater catchment on campus!

A rainwater catchment system is being implemented in Porter dorms where purple pipes will recycle rainwater captured from the rooftop runoff to then be used to flush toilets. Students have the opportunity to work with both on-campus and off-campus engineers and UCSC alum to help design the system and work on incorporating creative approaches that promote and raise awareness for the project both on campus and to the wider community.

A possible paid internship is offered for students interested in helping design drainage systems at Bay View Elementary. To get involved or learn more email khurshma [at] ucsc [dot] edu.

Green Magazine Startup

Join a regional green living magazine startup with Eco-Shift in conducting local market research.

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

Campus Clean-Up Day

Are you interested in helping plan the second annual campus cleanup day? The Sustainability Office is looking for volunteers. If you are interested email Bella Montez (bmontez [at] ucsc [dot] edu). She looks forward to working with you. Here's some information about our first campus cleanup.

Bike Santa Cruz County looking for help with bike club at school program

They are currently hosting 2x clubs, one at Mission Hill middle school and one at Branciforte middle school, both in Santa Cruz.  Help support these super enthusiastic up and coming pedal-powered climate protectors! Bike Santa Cruz County meets every Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. during the fall and spring semesters at both of the schools mentioned.

Please contact Tawn Kennedy at greenways [at] bikesantacruzcounty [dot] org for more info. No experience necessary.

Support Rooftop Solar

Passionate about solar? Take Action with Sunrun Policy by writing a letter to the UPUC Commissioners in support of rooftop solar and net metering in California. Thier letter writing campaign is here.

Volunteer at a Campus Garden

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.

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.

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.

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.

Innovative Approaches to Sustainability at Other Campuses

Here are a few selections of the innovative approaches to sustainability taking place on other college campuses. Each of these examples was chosen because they represent ideas that UCSC could potentially implement in some form, or in some cases, already has begun to. If you see something here that you want to make a reality at UCSC, contact the Sustainability Office susted [at] ucsc [dot] edu and we will help you direct your ideas toward fruition! 

Roosevelt U Student Develops Phone App to Encourage Recycling 
As part of a sustainability studies program course, honors student Dusan Koleno created the Google Play app, Recycle Tracker, to enable users at home and office to keep track of what and how much they are recycling with comparisons, including pie and bar charts, that can be viewed by weekly, monthly or annual usage. 

U Washington Divests from Coal Companies 
The university's Board of Regents recently voted to prohibit direct investment of endowment funds in publicly traded companies whose principal business is the mining of coal for use in energy generation. 

U Vermont Adds Sustainability Requirement 
Starting with this fall’s freshman class, Class of 2019, sustainable approaches and practices will be built into the university’s curriculum across departments, and woven into co-curricular activities, so there will be several ways for students to fulfill the new requirement.

February 2015: Classes, Training, and Community

Future Campus Housing Plans: February 10 and 11
Plans are underway to expand student housing at UCSC with a focus on the west campus. Although these plans won’t be realized for several years, your experiences as a UCSC student, the reasons behind your current housing selections, and anything else you’d like to suggest that would enhance student satisfaction regarding housing are extremely important. This housing development will have possible effects to Family Student Housing, the Porter Meadow, and the Trailer Park.  It would be a great place to express the need of sustainability within new housing and planning. All are encouraged to attend. Please contact jimgrove [at] ucsc [dot] edu to participate. Click here for more information about upcoming stakeholder engagement sessions to provide your input.

March for Real Climate Leadership: February 7
On February 7th, thousands of people from all corners of the state will take to the streets of Oakland to call on Governor Jerry Brown to protect all Californians from dangerous oil activities that harm our water, our health and our communities. As he took office on January 5th for his fourth and final term, Governor Brown declared he wants California to be an international leader in the fight against climate change. But California can’t be a leader in the fight against climate change while we unabashedly push extreme extraction methods like fracking that worsen climate change and seriously endanger the health of our communities. Details about the march here. Sign up for the bus from Santa Cruz here.

Winter Food System Learning Journeys
Join OPERS on the journey through our local food system here in Santa Cruz. Food Systems Learning Journeys will take you from the classroom and the halls of campus into a not too distant world of farming, distributing, cooking, consuming, and composting food! You will have the opportunity to taste, touch, listen, and look into a world that we are all connected to. FSLJs that are offered this quarter are listed below Viticulture and Regional Terroir (Thursday, 2/12/15); Fruit Tree Pruning (Friday, 2/20/15); The Pie's the Limit (Wednesday, 2/25/15); and The Craft of Fermentation (Saturday 2/28/15). Registration and more information here.

El Intercambio: February 17, 19 and 20
Join FoCAN and youth from Central America at the Intercambio event. On February 17th from 5-8 P.M., there will be a gathering with free food about the Scales of Labor in the Food System at the College Eight Red Room. On February 19 from 2-4:30 P.M., there will be a panel about the International Youth Network for Food Sovereignty at the UCSC Kresge Town Hall. The last event will be on February 20 from 9-11 A.M at New Leaf (located at 1101 Fair Ave.) for an AgroEco Coffee Tasting.

Education for Sustainable Living Program Spring Classes

Are you interested in social justice, food systems, renewable energy or any other Blueprint for a Sustainable Campus topics? Take the ESLP class for 2 or 5 units next quarter! Designed and led by undergraduate students. Go to eslp.enviroslug.org to learn more about class offerings and how to enroll.

LEED Green Building Accreditation Training
The UCSC Sustainability Office will again be hosting LEED green building training to prepare students, staff and faculty for taking the Green Associate (GA) and/or the Accredited Professional (AP) exams. These classes are free with a provided lunch! Draft course agenda can be viewed here. If you are interested, please email Chrissy at cthomure [at] ucsc [dot] edu.

Where the Health Can You Eat Around Here: February 25
Meet our Chefs at the Healthy Monday Tasting Event. Free to everyone, you do not need to have a meal plan! Wednesday, February 25th, 2015 3:30pm-5:00pm @ Terra Fresca Restaurant above the College 9 &10 Dining Hall. Sample selections from our new Healthy Monday's dining hall menu! Find out about healthy alternatives in our cafes. The Health Center, SHOP, OPERS Cruz Fit, along with several other campus departments are going to be on site to talk about healthy lifestyle resources available right here on campus for Slugs. Campus chefs are anxious to get your feedback too on new dishes and hear ideas for future cafe and dining hall menus! Door Prizes and Freebies too!

3rd Annual Zero Waste Youth Convergence Deadline for Speakers: February 15
The UC Berkeley Zero Waste Research Center is pleased to announce it will be hosting Zero Waste Youth USA's 3rd Annual Zero Waste Youth Convergence at UC Berkeley on Sunday, March 15, 2015. The Convergence is the kick-off event for the annual Bay Area Zero Waste Week. The call for speakers/presenters is now open. If you are interested in presenting, please apply here. The deadline to apply is February 15, 2015. Questions should be directed to info [at] zerowasteyouthusa [dot] org

Launch of new PICA website
Please take a few moments to check out PICA's new features, including a calendar of upcoming events, a food justice focus and a link where you can make a donation directly to PICA. 

Winter PICA Workdays
Come out and get your hands dirty at the PICA Garden Workdays! Every Saturday, January 17 to March 7 from 10 A.M. - 2 P.M a free garden grown lunch will be served. For more information contact Ariel Wexler: awexler [at] ucsc [dot] edu

PICA Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop: February 20
Have you ever wanted to learn fruit tree pruning? PICA is offering an opportunity to do so on Friday, February 20th with Orin Martin from 1 - 4P.M. PICA will be leaving the OPERS Recreational Porch at 1pm. RSVP here -- spots are limited! If you experience any problems signing up or have any questions, please email kemjones [at] ucsc [dot] edu

Fall 2015 Natural History Course: applications due February 2

A new program launching in Fall 2015 will immerse students from across the UC system in the outdoor classrooms of the UC Natural Reserve System. The NRS Field Quarter Program will give students opportunities to closely observe California habitats, practice hands-on field research, and gain a deeper understanding of the natural world. California Ecology and Conservation will be the only course students enroll in for the term, and it yields a full complement of quarter units. As they visit up to six of the 39 reserves in the NRS, students will master standard field techniques and get to know a broad range of California habitats, climate regimes, and species. The deadline is February 2, 2015 and instruction begins in the fall. Visit the website for more information.

Agroecology, A Global Movement: Tracing Our Roots and Looking Forward

The 16th Annual Agroecology Shortcourse will explore the roots of agroecology as a global movement as well as a science and a practice from July 12-25, 2015. Santa Cruz offers the ideal context to examine historical and current issues of social and environmental equity and sustainability that agroecology movements confront all over the world. The course aims to introduce agroecology and strategically connect the diverse and powerful agroecology experiences and movements active worldwide and create a collective overarching view of the current global situation. The course will end with a vision of how to better facilitate cross-fertilization across agroecology movements and overcome obstacles to convergence. For more information, contact can.shortcourse [at] gmail [dot] com or visit the website.

Maui Wowi: Food Systems, Agriculture, and Outdoor Adventure Spring Break Trip
Though this is fall quarter, registration is open (and will fill) for the annual experiential learning and food system engagement spring break trip. Join the Food Systems Working Group & Rec Department on Maui to explore traditional food and farming sites, explore different aspects of culture, and adventure into bamboo forests, ranch lands, and marine sanctuaries to explore the ecological aspects of the island. This trip will also include a 2-unit Environmental Studies internship in winter quarter to prepare the group for different concepts and frameworks of food system engagement they will explore in March. Sign up on the OPERS Recreation website this quarter to reserve your spot!

December 2014: Contests & Funding

Measure 43: Deadline December 10
Measure 43 funding is available for UCSC undergraduate research and education programs related to sustainable food, health and wellness. The application deadline is December 10, 2014. For more information and to apply, visit the website. Measure 43 will ensure that all undergraduate students have access to education and programs that enhance their understanding of the food system and their food choices, and that increase opportunities for classes, workshops, “learning journeys,” hands-on gardening experiences, and other campus activities.

Race to Zero Student Design Competition: Deadline December 15
Open to students and faculty in the U.S. and Canada, this competition, formerly known as the Challenge Home Student Design Competition, poses teams with a specific design problem and requires either a redesign of an existing floor plan or creation of a new house design that satisfies the project requirements. Learn more and apply here.

Energy Dept $1M Funding Opportunity for University Research: Deadline December 19
This funding opportunity makes available competitive, 2-year cooperative agreements for teams at U.S.based institutions of higher education to research and develop innovative building energy efficiency technologies. Submission deadline for concept papers is December 19. To apply, visit the website.

CSSC Zero Waste Mini-Grant Program: Deadline January 16
In partnership with World Centric, the California Student Sustainability Coalition (CSSC) will be providing mini-grants to selected campus projects in spring 2015 to develop and/or scale student-generated zero waste solutions. In early and mid-December, informational webinars and 1-1 calls will be scheduled to provide applicants detailed information and assist with project strategy development. Applications are due January 16. Learn more here.

Sustainability Teaching Activities: Deadline January 20
Submissions are now being accepted for the peer-reviewed and edited book “Learner-Centered Teaching Activities for Environmental and Sustainability Studies.” Instructors are invited to submit descriptions of novel, easy to implement and engaging in-class activities. To be considered for publication, contributions must be submitted by January 20, 2015. Learn more here.

New Natural Reserve Staff Position

Great news for campus wildlands and the students who love them:

After a successful 3-year trial period that funded the first-ever full-time Campus Natural Reserve (CNR) Steward, UCSC has committed permanent funding for a full-time CNR staff position! This position will enable continued and increased support of education, research, and stewardship efforts on the 410-acre CNR. Amongst the birdsong and wildflowers, the heart of our work lies in inspiring students to develop both a diverse skill set and a personal relationship with the natural world. In the past two and a half years, over 5,600 students in over 80 course offerings have taken field trips onto the reserve and over 200 interns have earned credit for their hands-on work. We look forward to keeping this amazing outdoor classroom and living lab busy with inquisitive and passionate students for years to come.

March 2014 Green Tip: Saving Water

As you you've probably heard, California is in a state of emergency over an extended drought. How bad is it? California faces water shortfalls in the driest year in recorded state history. Governor Brown has urged conservation in the state saying, “The more water we use, the less water we have. The more water we save, the more water we have.” 

In the spirit of conservation this month we wanted to share some tips on how to save water. We've organized our tips by the "basic," "progressive," and "hard core" things you can do to make significant reduction in your water use footprint. Can these individual actions add up to enough savings? Shortening showers by 5 minutes can save 12 gallons or more, and turning off the faucet while washing your hands can save 1/2 gallon. If everyone saved a gallon of water a day at UCSC, weekly campus use could be reduced by around 24,000 gallons!

Basic 

• Turn off the faucet while washing hands and brushing teeth (rinse, turn off water, soap up, turn water back on to rinse).
• If it's yellow, let it mellow! Depending upon the flow rate of your toilet, you could save nearly 2 gallons of water each time you let it mellow.
• Reduce your shower length to 5 minutes or less. For an average showerhead with a flow rate of 2.5 gallons per minute, a 5 minute shower only uses 12.5 gallons of water. Compare that to a 15 minute shower, which uses a whopping 37.5 gallons. 

Progressive 

• If you live off campus consider getting a low-flow shower head and an aerator for your sink to reduce the amount of water that comes out of the tap. These are reversible changes, so even if you rent you can make these alterations. The Santa Cruz Water Conservation office can provide you with these for free! Learn more here.
• Turn the water off in the shower when you shampoo, lather up, and shave. Sometimes called a "Navy Shower," you can conserve additional water with this method during your five-minute-or-less shower.

Hard Core

• One thing you might not have thought about is the amount of water that goes into producing the food for your diet. According to an article in the LA Times, "It takes more than 1,000 gallons of water a day per person to produce the food (and drinks) in the average U.S. diet." The food we eat requires a lot of water to produce, especially the meat we eat. In order to save water, think about skipping the meat once a week or look into alternatives to the meat option at the dining halls. If you're not willing to give up the meat, any amount of reduction can help. Skip dessert one night a week, cut back on the coffee, anything can help!
• You can also use the same dishes twice. Unless you just ate something really messy and smelly you can most likely use the plate you used to eat lunch on, for dinner as well! No need to wash in between!

More information can be found on the National Geographic website here. How do you conserve?

UCSC Campus Natural Reserve Academic Plan

Provost's Sustainability Internship intern Molly Nagle is working with UCSC Campus Natural Reserve (CNR) staff to develop an Academic Plan that will help bridge the gap between course concepts and hands-on experiences in a variety of disciplines here at UCSC. Our goal is to develop a curriculum of field activities that will be offered to the increasing number of undergraduate students accessing the UCSC CNR's outdoor classrooms and living laboratories. By collaborating with faculty, the CNR will strengthen and build this curriculum to offer a wide variety of field experiences to a greater number of courses, within and beyond the natural sciences. The CNR is also a place where students can implement projects of their own and gain hands-on experiences doing science while gaining important skills that better prepare them for graduate school and/or future careers. Be on the look-out for a field trip coming to a class near you, and seek us out for internship opportunities! Contact UCSC CNR steward Alex Jones at asjones [at] ucsc [dot] edu for more information.

December 2013: Classes, Training, and Community

CAN Announces the XV International Agroecology Shortcourse Nicaragua
The Community Agroecology Network (CAN) and the Social Development Organization of Nicaragua (ASDENIC), along with an interdisciplinary coordinating committee, announce the XV International Agroecology Shortcourse which will be held in the Parque de las Ciencias Estelimar, located near the city of Estelí in the north of Nicaragua from July 6-18, 2014. The main topic of the course is Agroecology and Social Transformation: transdisciplinarity, health, and human development. Applications are due April 15th, 2014. See the announcement and event poster for full information.

Demeter Seed Library
At Demeter Seed Library, it is the time of year to plant peas, fava beans, artichokes, radishes, garlic and lettuce! They will be hosting office hours at Oakes 307 on Wednesdays from 2pm-3pm so you can come by to pick up seeds, and talk to them about backyard gardening and sustainable agriculture. They would love to assist any of you in starting a garden so that you can have access to fresh produce and your own seeds! So go connect with them!

Maui Wowie: Alternative Spring Break to Hawaii
Step into spring break to engage and explore the island food system of Maui from production, research, and education to alternative market sites. Bridging service learning on island agriculture-education sites with hands-on tours of coffee farms and native gardens, participants will be immersed in a land rich with historical struggles and ripe with culture and community efforts to foster sustainability. Learn more here.

Common Ground Center Courses: Winter 2014
This Winter, Common Ground Center is pleased to offer four courses through Kresge College. Permaculture and Whole Systems Design (Kresge 161) is a new course that focuses on concepts, principles, and practices of permaculture and whole systems design. Transformative Action (Kresge 62) is a course on personal and societal transformation. Starting with the self, students examine past experiences, personal growth, passions, and the desire to make a difference in the world and participate in a civic engagement project for four hours per week. Tools for World Changers (Kresge 64) is a 2-unit course for developing life skills that benefit you in college and beyond through studying the most commonly used and effective methods for personal productivity, project management, interpersonal communication, event hosting, and regenerative community design. 2 and 5 unit internships are also available. A fourth course offering is a 2-unit internship with People Power of Santa Cruz County paired with a weekly class focused on transportation and its relationship to social justice, sustainability, and community. Email commonground [at] ucsc [dot] edu for more information, or check out their newsletter. 

Waste Awareness
Where does your dining hall weigh in this quarter? Check out the results from recent Waste Awareness events conducted by Dining, Sustainability Office's Zero Waste Team, and volunteers from the Student Environmental Center.

• College 8/Oakes: 2.1oz per person
• Cowell/Stevenson: 2.0oz per person
• Crown/Merrill: 1.6oz per person

Thank you students we are getting better at wasting less food! One plate at a time! Look out for the final two Waste Awareness Events of the quarter at Colleges 9 &10 and Porter/Kresge! If you'd like to get involved with food waste efforts and become a Waste Warrior on campus email Crystal Owings, Dining's Sustainability Intern, at cowings [at] ucsc [dot] edu.

Winter People Power Bike Ride through OPERS
If you like riding bikes for fun or for commute, want to find new routes, and enjoy making friends while riding along, be on the lookout for a bike ride opportunity through the Recreation guide this winter! The winter Rec guide will be posted here December 15 and registration begins on January 9 at 9 AM.

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 the website.

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 Teresa at tabuika [at] ucsc [dot] edu to be added to the list of current electric vehicle users. Learn more about UCSC's current EV accomodations on the TAPS website.

May 2013 Sustainability Profile: Tamara Ball

Each month, our newsletter features a person or group on campus that is working toward a more sustainable world. This month's profile features Tamara Ball, a Post-Doctoral Researcher and instructor for the Impact Designs: Engineering and Sustainability through Student Service (IDEASS) program, which is currently accepting applications for next year.

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

Name: Tamara Ball
Title: Post-Doctoral Researcher & IDEASS instructor
Education: Amherst College as undergraduate, UC Santa Cruz Doctorate of Education

Favorite Green Tips: Hanging laundry to dry. Laundry to landscape. Growing as much of your own food as the snails and gophers will allow (less time to make hummus with parsley & cilantro from garden than to run to the store). Shopping at the thrift on a quest to never buy new. Native no mow fescue grass. Putting young people's ideas into action.

What does "sustainability" mean to you? In a word - perhaps it means Balance. Balance is not stillness - it is ongoing motion. A constant re-direction, re-generation, re-creation as a system strains against itself.

How does sustainability relate to your role at UCSC? My involvement with the IDEASS program over the last three years has allowed me the privilege of encouraging and supporting talented students as they work towards completing sustainable design projects that are making noticeable and tangible impacts in our community.  These projects cover a broad range of topics from game design to "yellow grease" to renewable energy microgrids.

How do you practice sustainability in your daily life? Not purchasing what I don't need. Walking to wherever whenever I can (even with toddler and baby in tow). Recharging batteries rather than depending on Duracel. Ball jars for tupperware.

Have you had a favorite sustainability moment at UCSC? Meeting the most recent cohort of IDEASS interns for the first time last fall.  Looking forward to another inspiring round of projects.

We are accepting applications now for 2013/2014 academic year. Students should apply online at sustainability.ucsc/ideass and learn what it takes to make their best idea become a reality.

Now Hiring! Sustainability Job Fair May 6

Are you interested in gaining meaningful work experience? The Sustainability Office is looking for motivated and passionate students to join our team for the 2013-14 academic year. Work in a team environment, gain valuable professional and leadership skills, and make a difference on your campus! Student interns work to change behavior in campus offices through our Green Office Certification Program, help our campus move toward its zero waste goals, oversee the campus Carbon Fund, and educate and motivate students to integrate sustainability into their lifestyles.

In addition to Sustainability Office Positions, the Colleges Housing and Educational Services unit is hiring new Student Sustainability Advisors for residential education and the Impact Designs: Engineering and Sustainability through Student Service (IDEASS) Internship program is looking for interns to work on sustainability projects across the community.

We will be hosting a sustainability job informational session on May 6 from 12-2 PM in the Cervantes & Velasquez Room in the Bay Tree Conference Building, above the Bookstore. Feel free to come by any time, ask questions, meet current students and staff who work in these offices and programs, and apply for a position!

For a full list of positions we're recruiting for, visit our jobs and internships website. Apply soon--we're aiming to have positions filled by the end of May.

May 2013: Internships, Employment, & Volunteering

Apply to Volunteer with Sprout Up
Sprout Up is a non-profit program that looks for undergraduate volunteers to help bring lessons of environmental science and sustainability to local elementary school classrooms. They are college student founded and operated non-profit that is always seeking new instructors. For more information about potential volunteering opportunities with them check out their website.

Volunteer for Bike to Work Week and Day
Love bikes? Want to make Bike to Work Week and Day a success and join in the fun? Click here to learn about the many opportunities to get involved this year.

Internships with WaterLab Wastewater Recycling Research Facility
WaterLab Research Facility studies wastewater recycling and how to use recycled water to conserve unused water reserves. Though still in progress of becoming a full-fledged research facility, internship opportunities exist and will be expanding as the facility grows. Learn about the issues this facility will address and about the methods and features of the lab in this article. UCSC students can learn more about WaterLab and internships by contacting Eli Weintraub and via the Center for Integrated Water Research website.

IDEASS Accepting Applications for Interns for 2013-2014
Turn your ideas into reality! Do you have your own sustainable project design with potential to make a real community impact, but you aren’t sure how to make it a reality? Apply to IDEASS, a team-based 3-quarter internship program that provides students with real opportunities to work on local sustainability challenges with community partners or sponsors. Please click here to apply today for Fall Enrollment or go to http://sustainability.ucsc.edu/ideass for more information!


Rock & Roll on the Knoll Seeks Collaborators 
On the Stevenson Knoll on May 11, from 2 PM - 12 AM, the Rock & Roll on the Knoll event will be blasting tunes and celebrating the UCSC community through art and music. If you are in a sustainability org, are a musician, artist, or dreamer and want to collaborate, email rockandrollontheknoll2013@gmail.com. They are looking for people interested in making the event sustainable, and are open to any ideas you have for engaging activities! Find out more on the Facebook page here.



Volunteer to Campaign for the GROW Measure 54
The purpose of the GROW measure (Gardens, Resources, Opportunities, Waste Management), a new undergraduate fee of $4.20 per student, per quarter is to ensure students have adequate training and educational opportunities to garden, compost, and reduce their impact on the environment. This measure will provide infrastructure support and student work positions on the UCSC campus, across college gardens, experiential learning sites, and waste reduction efforts as we strive for a Zero Waste campus by 2020. If you are interested in participating in the campaign to promote the GROW Measure 54 prior to the elections this spring, please contact student leaders at ucscfswg@ucsc.edu or call 831-459-3675 for more details. Campaigning has begun and voting begins on May 13 through May 20, 2013.

Sustainability Office and Colleges, Housing, and Educational Services (CHES) Hiring Now for Next Year!
Are you interested in gaining meaningful work experience? The Sustainability Office and CHES are looking for motivated and passionate students to join their teams for the 2013-14 academic year. Read more here.

National Fellowship Program: Deadline July 1
The Environmental Leadership Program's National Fellowship Program offers intensive leadership and skills training and national networking opportunities. Through immersive retreats, their curriculum helps emerging leaders hone their leadership styles, improve their strategy and organizational development, and strengthen their outreach to diverse constituencies. With the assistance of professional coaching and peer learning, each Fellow develops a Personal Leadership Plan. It consists of two multi-day retreats in September 2013 and January 2014 and access to 4 hours of professional coaching. For information on eligibility, cost, dates and locations, and how to apply, visit the website. Applications are due July 1.

Berkeley-Based Urban Adamah Residential Leadership Training Program Accepting Applications for Fellowship
Urban Adamah, based in Berkeley, CA, is a three-month intensive residential leadership training program for young adults ages 21-31, that integrates urban organic farming, social justice work and progressive Jewish living and learning. Twelve Urban Adamah Fellows are selected each season to operate an organic farm and educational center, intern with community organizations addressing issues at the intersection of poverty, food security and environmental stewardship, and learn an approach to Jewish tradition that opens the heart and builds joyful community. Applicants do not need any farming or Jewish knowledge to participate. Summer program is June 9 – Aug 30, and fall program is Sept 8 – Nov 22. Admissions to the fellowship are rolling. Applications will be reviewed as soon as they are complete. Visit the website for more information and to fill out an application at www.urbanadamah.org

Farming Institute Immersion Program Accepting Applications
Come learn to farm at The Farming Institute! The Farming Institute is a unique, fast track, 11 week farming immersion program taking place on two organic vegetable farms in Eastern Iowa. It is designed to equip emerging farmers of all ages, such as college students, recent graduates or others wanting to fulfill a dream. The program includes a mixture of hands on and classroom experience. During the program, students will complete a business plan for their future farm and learn about the land, the business of farming and the farming process. For more information or an application visit http://www.thefarminginstitute.com or email Kate Edwards at kate.wildwoodsfarm@gmail.com or by phone 319-333-2980.

Apply for SEE-U, Summer 2013
Summer Ecosystem Experiences for Undergraduates (SEE-U) is seeking applicants for it's summer session. SEE-U is a program that seeks to highlight ecologically impacted areas of the world for undergraduates of all majors. You travel to your choice of one of the four beautiful yet endangered ecosystems where you live and learn about the particular challenges that area faces. Hosted through Columbia University, you earn 5 science credits while going abroad with other students and learning about environmental concerns on an international level. For more information click here.

AHA Bolivia Sustainability/Social Responsibility Internship
This combined internship, learning workshop, and cultural experience program is designed to introduce students to socially responsible business practices, international business, and environmental respectfulness in business. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how business works in a developing nation, and how it relates to export markets such as the U.S. and Canada. Participants will engage in hands on learning and will produce a measurable intern project by the end of the program. Program includes: practical internship, learning modules and accompanying activities (6-8 hours per week), accommodation (shared housing), artisan site visits, spanish classes (6 hours per week), and airport pick-up. The cost is $2700 for 4 weeks. For questions, or to apply, send your resume and a letter of interest to Cecilia at ahabolivia@gmail.com. Visit the website at http://www.ahabolivia.com.

Find or Upload Projects to Sustainability Project Clearinghouse
Interested in getting involved in a campus sustainability project, but don't know how? Are you looking for partners for your current project? Have you completed a project that you would like others to learn from? Visit the Sustainability Project Clearinghouse, a centralized database of UCSC sustainability projects, today! You can view published projects or upload your own projects and ideas. For training on how to upload a project, please contact Shauna Casey at scasey@ucsc.edu.

April 2013: Sustainability Profile - Carley Corrado

Each month, our newsletter features a person or group on campus that is working toward a more sustainable world. This month's profile features Carley Corrado, a Postdoctoral Fellow in Physics who is working on developing electricity-generating greenhouses that can produce solar energy while simultaneously producing agricultural crops. Read a detailed interview about this project here.

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

Name: Carley Corrado
Title: Postdoctoral Fellow in Physics
Education: PhD in Chemistry (UC Santa Cruz), 2006-2011
Favorite Food: Thai food

Favorite Green Tips: Know that you will work toward a more sustainable world and hold that in your intentions. It will come to fruition, no matter what your passion is and what piece of the puzzle you hold.

What does "sustainability" mean to you? Not using this world up, but instead living holistically with it. Or should I say wholistically. Looking at the whole picture, how everything affects everything, and how we can find harmony living within it.

How does sustainability relate to your role at UCSC? My current project is in the development of electricity-generating greenhouses that can produce solar energy while simultaneously producing agricultural crops. The electricity will be the second-harvest. Our semi-transparent solar panel windows use concentration of light to enhance the power out of the solar cells, thus reducing the cost per Watt of the system, while absorbing predominantly in the green spectrum (where plants do not absorb) and emitting in the red (giving the plants the red light special which stimulates earlier flowering and more fruiting).

How do you practice sustainability in your daily life?

• Turning things off when not in use
• Reusing bags
• Buying in Bulk
• Believing that this world will become more sustainable and being ready to jump on any opportunity I have to encourage this shift

Have you had a favorite sustainability moment at UCSC? Attending the University Forum for Sustainability Education and learning the awesome work that the ESLP is undertaking to make this campus more sustainable. The event was so fun, and inspiring!

March 2013: Internships, Employment, and Volunteering

The Sustainability community is waiting for you! Here are some fantastic opportunities to serve your planet.

Apply for the Provost's Sustainability Internship Program (P.S.I.): Deadline March 15

The Provost's Sustainability Internship Program (formerly the Campus Sustainability Internship Program) is currently looking for student interns and staff mentors for the 2013-2014 school year. The Provost’s Sustainability Internship Program is a combination course and internship that pairs students with staff across campus departments to complete a year-long sustainability related project. The program introduces students to sustainability policies and practices through internship work experience, professional skills trainings, guest lectures, class discussions, and peer-to-peer advising. It is a great opportunity for staff to recruit talented students to work with them for the entire academic year, at a low-cost rate. Applications for staff and students will be due March 15th. Learn more here and apply online here. Please contact Nikki for more information.

PICA School Gardens Internship

Spring quarter; Mon, Weds, or Fri 8:30am-1:30pm
Through the Program in Community Agroecology (PICA), teach exciting and engaging lessons to elementary school students in Watsonville! In this internship you will gain first-hand experience and learn valuable skills as an environmental educator in a school garden. Each week you will learn skills in positive group management, supporting English language learners, tips for teaching in a garden setting, and develop lessons for multiple learning styles. We will visit various schools in the Pajaro Valley and teach kids science and nutrition in the garden! To sign up, email Bee Vadakan for an application: vvadakan@ucsc.edu

PICA Urban Gardening Internship

Spring quarter; Tues and Thurs 1-4pm
Interested in learning about gardening specific to urban areas? Want to explore topics related to food justice and the role of urban gardens in transforming our food system?
In this internship you will:

• Practice hands-on garden skills
• Engage with other interns through weekly readings, discussion, and case studies.
• Work in small groups to research a local urban garden project, interview participants, volunteer, and share your experience with the class.

To sign up contact Bee Vadakan: vvadakan@ucsc.edu

Apply for the Diversity for Sustainability Internship Program: Deadline March 15

The Diversity for Sustainability Internship program is seeking applicants from groups that are under-represented in professional fields. The intern will work 20 hours a week for 10 weeks over the summer on a sustainability project and will receive a stipend of $2500 as compensation. Applications are due March 15 and those from diverse backgrounds of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, income, age, disability, or sexual orientation are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information check out the flyer.

Do you drive an Electric Vehicle (EV) to campus?

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 Teresa to be added to our list of current electric vehicle users.

Farming Institute Immersion Program Accepting Applications
Come learn to farm at The Farming Institute! The Farming Institute is a unique, fast track 11-week farming immersion program taking place on two organic vegetable farms in Eastern Iowa. It is designed to equip emerging farmers of all ages, such as college students, recent graduates, or others wanting to fulfill a dream. The program includes a mixture of hands-on and classroom experience. During the program, students will complete a business plan for their future farm and learn about the land, the business of farming, and the farming process. For more information or an application visit their website, contact Kate or give her a call at 319-333-2980.

City on a Hill Press Newspaper Seeks Sustainably Minded Members
City on a Hill Press, the student-run newspaper at UCSC, is currently looking for new members for the coming quarter. They are looking to cover more of what UCSC environmental organizations do and what sustainability really means on this campus, so they want you to join their team! Find out more here.

Real Food Challenge Program: Apply March 1-22
Are you about to graduate? The Real Food Challenge Field Organizer Fellowship Program is a unique opportunity for recent college graduates to get first hand experience as part-time organizers and food movement leaders.  Through this 14-month program, Fellows engage in intensive student organizing projects on a regional and national level while also honing their leadership skills and food systems knowledge through our participatory learning curriculum and engaged Fellowship community. The early selection deadline is Friday, March 1. The final deadline for applications is Friday, March 22, 2013. Applications will be considered as they are received. To find out more check out their website.

Volunteer at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Interested in gardening, habitat restoration, tidepooling, maintaining exhibits and helping at events for the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History? Volunteer today! Find out more and fill out an application or contact Matt.

Apply for SEE-U, Summer 2013
Summer Ecosystem Experiences for Undergraduates (SEE-U) is accepting applicants for its summer session. SEE-U is a program that seeks to highlight ecologically impacted areas of the world for undergraduates of all majors. Travel to your choice of one of four beautiful yet endangered ecosystems where you can live and learn about the particular challenges that area faces. Hosted through Columbia University, earn 5 science credits while going abroad with other students and learning about environmental concerns on an international level. For more information click here.

Sprout Up Seeking Instructors
Sprout Up provides free, youth-led environmental education programs to 1st and 2nd grade classrooms in public schools throughout California to help cultivate the next generation of passionate caretakers of the earth. They are currently seeking volunteer teachers. For more information, please click here.


Find or Upload Projects to Sustainability Project Clearinghouse
Interested in getting involved in a campus sustainability project, but don't know how? Are you looking for partners for your current project? Have you completed a project that you would like others to learn from? Visit the Sustainability Project Clearinghouse, a centralized database of UCSC sustainability projects, today! You can view published projects or upload your own projects and ideas. For training on how to upload a project, please contact Shauna.

Farm Docent Training Starts March 12th
Do you love gardening? Don’t miss this opportunity to become a docent at two of Santa Cruz’s most beautiful locations: the historic Alan Chadwick farm and UCSC Farm on the UC Santa Cruz campus. A five-session docent training begins on Tuesday, March 12 and continues every Tuesday until April 9th . Docents lead tours for visitors to the 30-acre organic farm and 3-acre Chadwick Garden. After completing the training, docents are asked to lead a minimum of six tours a year and are encouraged to help with public education events, plants sales and other efforts that support the Farm. Docents also receive a free membership to the Friends of the UCSC Farm & Garden, which includes discounts on plant sales and free entry to a number of workshops. For more information contact Amy Bolton by calling 831-459-3240.

Become an Intern for Stevenson Garden 

Want to get involved with one of the wonderful on-campus gardens? The Stevenson Garden internship is a great way to become a part of that community. Stevenson Garden is now accepting applications for prospective interns for next quarter.  For details about the internships offered, please email Blake Redding.  

NWF Student and Post-Grad Fellowships

National Wildlife Federation is currently accepting applications for both their Campus Ecology Fellowships (open to current undergrad and graduate students) as well as their new Emerging Leader Fellowships (open to young professionals age 21-35). Fellows will have the unique opportunity to work with one of four of NWF’s crucial “Keep the Wild Alive” campaigns. Visit their website to learn more and access application materials. Applications are due March 31st.

Start Your Non-Profit Career with Fund for the Public Interest
Fund for the Public Interest is looking for smart, hard-working students who work well in a team and are eager to work for change after graduation. The Fund for the Public Interest helps some of the top progressive organizations in the country work on issues such as clean water, equal rights for GLBT Americans, and ending subsidies to corporate farms. They're hiring for Citizen Outreach Directors to run their grassroots campaign offices across the country next fall. If you are interested in applying, visit the website at www.fundjobs.org, email Jack Sinclair, or call him at 336-455-2862. He will be having an information session on March 5th in the Cervantes and Velasquez Conference Room D and will be also holding interviews in the Career Center on March 6th in Room 3 from 9 to 4.

University Forum for Sustainability Education: February 13

The goal of the University Forum for Sustainable Education  is to create a space to discuss creative ways to incorporate sustainability education into UCSC. We will ask participants to discuss how students, staff and faculty can work together to integrate multiple fields of study into sustainability education through incorporating current curricular and co-curricular programs as well as peer to peer education models. The University Forum will include an interactive discussion led by various student sustainability leaders, a speaker panel consisting of involved faculty and staff and free locally sourced vegetarian dinner. The ideas generated for this forum will be incorporated into the student created 2013-2014 Blueprint for a Sustainable Campus, which is compiled by the Student Environmental Center after the annual Earth Summit event.

This event is being hosted by Education for Sustainable Living Program and will take place in Kresge Town Hall on February 13, from 5:30-8:30 PM. Please RSVP here.

New Student Sustainability Advisor Positions in Colleges

For students living on campus, college life involves living, studying, and socializing in the college community they're affiliated with. In each of the housing areas, students produce waste and use resources in their day-to-day lives. At a campus where "environmental responsibility" is a part of our mission, UCSC colleges have created new Student Sustainability Advisor positions to support environmental responsibility on-the-ground.

"The SSA's primary role is to raise awareness and offer educational opportunities about ways campus residents can positively affect and contribute to UCSC’s sustainability goals," says Silas Snyder, Safety, Training and Conservation Coordinator for UCSC Housing and Dining Facilities.

Though many of the colleges are working toward zero waste goals, have gardens, or participate in composting, community life in the ten colleges at UCSC is about to get even greener, thanks to the new Student Sustainability Advisor (SSA) position that is currently open for applicants.

The SSAs will collaborate with campus sustainability leaders and residential life program staff and students to bring sustainability programs and awareness more to the forefront of residential life at UCSC. These student leaders will expand the team of people working on meeting the University's various conservation commitments, like the green house gas, landfill reduction, and water reduction goals. To learn more about the SSA position and find out how you can apply, please contact Silas Snyder or apply to ER #6782 the Employee Request System here.