March 2016 Green Tip: Three Ideas for Eco-Travel this Spring

As the quarter draws to the close and we begin thinking about spring break and spring travel plans we may have, it is important to plan ahead to avoid causing an unnecessary impact on the environment of your travel destination. The ever-increasing costs of transportation and lodging mean that the most affordable vacation options are often the most green!

Greenest - Stay-cation: Take a Hike!

Spring has already begun to paint Santa Cruz with blooms, and a hike is one of the best ways to get out and enjoy this natural beauty. Even avid hikers know that there's always another trail to explore here in Santa Cruz. If you haven't had the opportunity to take a trek along one of the many routes located throughout the city and county, the upcoming break and weekends are the perfect time to try something new! Decide on whichever trail looks best at EveryTrail, HillTromper, SantaCruz.com, or ask a friend or colleague. Whichever one you decide, make sure to pack plenty of water in your reusable bottle! Hydration is key to a great hike!

Greener - Local Destination: Sleepaway Camp

There are many gorgeous campgrounds in the greater Santa Cruz area that are a perfect getaway for anyone who loves to enjoy the natural beauty of the redwood coast. Bring a tent or sleep out under the stars, and make sure to pack enough water or bring a filtration system. (Are you noticing a trend?) Find a listing of campgrounds, parks, and beaches at the Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks website. For day trips, consider any of the fourteen state parks in the county. A comprehensive index of state parks and helpful information can be found at the California Parks and Recreation website.

Green - Long Distance Travel

If you've already booked your flight to Cabo for the break, fear not! There's still opportunity to make sustainable choices. Be thoughtful of where you're spending your money while abroad. Local economies can often be heavily influenced by tourism, so make sure you're comfortable with where your dollar is going. Research your hotel options and make sure that they're doing their best to make sustainable choices. And lastly, consider offsetting your long-distance car or air travel by purchasing carbon offsets. There is a lot of debate over the merit of these offsets, but we think it's worth reading up on and deciding if it's right for you. Remember, the best things to do for the environment don't require any offsets!


How do you make your spring travels green? Post in the comments!

Happy Travels!

April 2014 Green Tips: Sustainable Spring

Hey Slugs! It's Spring time and there is no better time to get sustainable! Here are a few ideas on how you can get extra sustainable this spring.

1. Start a garden or get involved in one

Spring is the perfect time to start a garden. Start planting tomatoes, zucchinis and strawberries and enjoy the fruits of your labor all summer! If you don't have access to a plot to grow a personal garden there are plenty of places to get involved in gardening on campus. Check out the Chadwick Garden, the Kresge Garden, the College Eight Garden, and more!

2. Thrift your new Spring wardrobe

When the sun starts shining a little brighter and the need for cozy sweaters and sweats becomes less and less we all start digging through our closets to find something more appropriate for the warmer weather. What we find leaves us unsatisfied. "How on Earth did I fit into this dress last year", "How did anyone let me out of the house wearing this bro tank?" When you start asking yourself these types of questions don't head down to Forever 21 or Urban Outfitters. Definitely don't start ordering online (all that packaging is so wasteful!). But hit up one of the local thrift stores. Crossroads, the Salvation Army, and Goodwill are all easily accessible in Downtown Santa Cruz.

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3. Take advantage of the weather

Gorgeous Spring weather means there are no longer excuses for driving or busing around campus. Pull out your bike, dust it off, ride it on into the bike co-op on campus, catch your breath and realize the lack of exercise you got this winter, get a tune up, and ride that baby to all your classes! If biking isn't an option for you, hop on your own two feet and enjoy the fresh air and the redwoods on your way to class.

4. Spring Cleaning

By the time Spring comes around all the junk can really pile up around your dorm or house. Now is the perfect time to reorganize and get clean. Make sure you recycle everything you can. Any papers you don't need from last quarter or the pile of red bull cans in the corner that are STILL sitting there from finals can all be put in recycling. Before you get rid of anything check and make sure one of your hall mates or housemates can't use it. One person's trash could be someone else's treasure!

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April 2013: Internships, Employment, and Volunteering

Student Artists Needed for Earth Week Display
College Eight is currently seeking UCSC students to perform or display their works at a student art showcase on April 19. The showcase, which will serve as the kickoff to Earth Week, will be a special evening dedicated to student performances and sustainability. They are currently looking for work that addresses issues of sustainability, whether in a social context or in the context of the physical earth. Examples of possible work include (but are not limited to): spoken word, dance, monologue, skit, photography, song, sculpture, and film. Campus performance groups are welcome to participate. For more information check out the website and make a reservation today. If you have any questions regarding the event, please direct them to McKenzie Laird.

Intern with Student Environmental Center
Looking for a sustainability internship on-campus? The Student Environmental Center is looking for interns for spring quarter for their campaigns, which include Transportation, Green Building, Students for Organic Solutions, College 8 Garden, Waste Prevention, Drop Your Own Drip, and Earth Summit/Blueprint for a Sustainable Campus. They will be hosting two General Gatherings in April for students to find out about internship opportunities and apply. Join campaign coordinators and other SEC interns on Wednesday, April 3 and April 10 from 5:30-7:30pm in the College 8 Red Room. Members of ESLP (Education for a Sustainable Living Program) and CSC (Campus Sustainability Council) will also be coming to the event to share ways to get involved with their organizations! Vegetarian dinner will be served. For more information, contact secsteering@ucsc.edu or visit their website.

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.

FHN Internship Application Deadline April 12
The Foothill Horizons Naturalist Internship offers its interns a chance to get hands-on experience with a diverse group of children as a teaching naturalist. Interns focus on subjects such as Ecology, Geology, Conservation and much more while teaching lesson plans that they create. The program offers direct one-on-one mentoring, employment from September through May with room and board on-site included. Applications are being accepted right now, and for more information visit their website.

Sierra Club Seeking Film Makers
The Sierra Club is seeking two students or recent graduates who are passionate about sustainability, love being outdoors and want to gain internship experience this summer. They are seeking to fill one position with someone skilled in video production and one position with someone with an interest in being on-camera talent. For more information check out their website.

Recharge! is Seeking Applicants
Each summer, Focus the Nation selects and funds 20 rising clean energy leaders from across the country to spend one week together on Oregon’s iconic Mt. Hood in order to discuss, make connections and collaborate. College students between the ages of 18-28 who have a passion for clean energy are encouraged to apply. Find out more and learn how to apply here.

Join or Contribute to Gaia and Get Published
Interested in getting your sustainability related articles, stories, poems, recipes, artwork, and/or photographs published? Gaia Magazine is the student-run environmental magazine for the campus that publishes annually in the spring. They are looking for submissions from UCSC students for their Spring 2013 issue. If you are interested in contributing to the magazine or joining their team check out their website for more information.

PICA School Gardens Internship
Spring quarter, Mon Weds or Fri 8:30am-1:30pm
Teach exciting and engaging lessons to elementary school students in Watsonville this spring quarter! In this internship, students will gain first-hand experience and learn valuable skills as an environmental educator in a school garden. Each week, they 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. They 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.

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 students will: Practice hands-on garden skills, engage with other interns through weekly readings, discussion, and case studies, and work in small groups to research a local urban garden project, interview participants, volunteer, and share experience with the class. To sign up, contact Bee Vadakan.

Farming Institute Immersion Program Accepting Applications
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. 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 or email Kate Edwards or by phone at 319-333-2980.

Possibilities for Future Graduates with Green Corps
Green Corps is a year-long paid training program that helps turn graduates into environmental professionals. Take part in training with vetted environmental campaign organizers while working on environmental issues all across the country. Green Corps sends organizers to jumpstart campaigns for groups such as Rainforest Action Network, Sierra Club, Greenpeace, Food and Water Watch and Environment America. They offer all of the amenities of professional employment including a chance to opt into their health care program, paid sick days and holidays, two weeks paid vacation and a student loan repayment program for those who qualify. The applications for the coming year are closed, but for more information about future prospects contact Jennifer Rubiello at Jennifer@Greencorps.org.

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 tabuika@ucsc.edu to be added to the list of current electric vehicle users.

Apply for SEE-U, Summer 2013
Summer Ecosystem Experiences for Undergraduates (SEE-U) is seeking 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. Students travel to their choice of one of four beautiful yet endangered ecosystems, where they live and learn about the particular challenges that area faces. Hosted through Columbia University, students earn 5 science credits while going abroad with other students and learning about environmental concerns on an international level. For more information click here.

Real Food Challenge Program Accepting Applications
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 program is now accepting applications. For more information click here.

FoodCorps is Recruiting for 2013-2014
FoodCorps strives to teach schoolchildren about healthy food and gardening while putting fresh, local food in cafeteria's. They are expanding to California next year and need to build a volunteer base. For more information check out their website.

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.

May 2012: Upcoming Events

U.S. Green Building Council Monthly Speaker Event: May 2
Interested in sustainable development, green building, or LEED certification? Check out U.S. Green Building Council's May guest speakers, Brett McFadden and Rick Mullikin, who will be talking about "School Modernization: Utilizing General Obligation Bonds to Incorporate Green School Features." It will take place at Bolsa Knolls Middle School in Salinas from 5:30 - 8 PM. First four students admitted are free! For more information, click here.

UCSC Farm & Garden Spring Plant Sale: May 5-6
It’s time to stock up your garden and brighten your landscape with plants from the UCSC Farm & Garden’s Spring Plant Sale, featuring organically grown herb and flower starts, vegetables, and beautiful perennials. It will take place in the Barn Theater parking lot at the base of the UCSC campus on Saturday (5/5) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on Sunday (5/6) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, please contact Martha or visit the website.

Bike to Work Week: May 4th-12th
Santa Cruz will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of Bike to Work Week this year with an amazing schedule of events! Visit the Bike to Work website for the list of daily events  and more information. If you are interested in volunteering, send an email. Check out the Bike to Work commercial below!

Culinary Herb Workshop at the UCSC Farm: May 12
Join Emily Jane Freed, Regional Production Manager of Jacobs Farm/Del Cabo, to enter into the world of perennial and annual herbs and culinary flowers. Come learn which herbs grow best in the Central Coast climate and the best times of year to plant both perennial and annual herbs. You’ll be surprised to learn that most of the flowers growing in your backyard are edible! Herb and flower samples provided, along with herb starts to take home and plant in your own garden. Meet at the Louise Cain Gatehouse, UCSC Farm at 10 AM. No pre-registration necessary. For pricing and details, please visit the website. $5 for UCSC students, payable the day of the workshop. For more information, contact Martha.

Strawberry Justice Festival: May 17
The Strawberry Justice Festival, a free event celebrating delectable strawberries, will take place Thursday, May 17 at the UCSC Farm, from 4 - 7 PM. The event will include live music from Wooster, panel discussions on strawberry production in the Central Coast, an art zone, World Cafe, and interactions with tabling student/community organizations... and of course, strawberries! For more information, contact the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems.

Garden Cruz 3-Day Organic Gardening Course: May 18-20

This spring, immerse yourself in the nuts and bolts of what you need to know to create and maintain a healthy, productive organic garden in a new 3-day “Garden Cruz” community course at UC Santa Cruz's Alan Chadwick Garden (click the image above for more information). Classes will take place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. UCSC students will receive a discount. For details, including cost and how to register, please visit the website. For questions, please email Martha.

End of the Year Celebration: May 31
We are honored to invite you to our 4th Annual End of the Year Sustainability Celebration and Planning Session! Join students, staff, faculty and administrators from throughout the campus community to celebrate successes in campus sustainability and to share input on planning for our future. The event will take place Thursday, May 31 from 1 PM - 5 PM in the Stevenson Event Center. The planning session for the Campus Sustainability Plan will be from 1-3 PM, and the project poster symposium and award session will be from 3-5 PM. The event will also include delicious organic food and live music. Read more about the event here. We hope to see you there!

California Higher Education Sustainability Conference: June 18-21 - Registration Now Open!
Taking place June 18-21, 2012 at UC Davis, this conference highlights cutting-edge research, as well as case studies with proven successes in curriculum development, operational programs, and community partnerships. This unique event is jointly organized by independent/private colleges, California Community Colleges, California State Universities, and the University of California creating the opportunity for dialogue across institutions. For more information, click here.