May 2018: Contests and Funding

Clair A. Hill Scholarship

ACWA began its scholarship program in 1961 to encourage talented and innovative students to join the effort to ensure California's water quality and to implement sound water management policies. This year, ACWA continues its academic scholarship by offering a number of scholarships, including the Clair A. Hill Scholarship. Eligible students must be California residents attending California colleges or universities full-time as a junior or senior during the year the scholarship is awarded. For more information, click here.

Gunlogson Student Environmental Design Competition

Enter to participate in the design of a relevant engineering project in this competition for environmentally and biologically related design projects. This competition is complementary to the AGCO National Design Competition, which focuses on agricultural and food-related projects, while Gunlogson focuses on environmentally and biologically related projects. The competition consists of two parts, submission of a design report to be judged by an expert panel, and participation by the three teams earning the highest report scores in a presentation competition at the ASABE Annual International Meeting. For more information, click here.

Michael R. Mettler MemorialScholarship

The Michael R. Mettler Memorial Scholarship is offered to local graduating high school seniors and current college freshmen, sophomores, or juniors who are majoring in an ag-related field of study at a college or university. This year, they will award one scholarship paid in one check to the recipient(s). For more information, click here.

Project Green Challenge

Beginning on October 1, 2018, Project Green Challenge (PGC) seeks to inform, inspire and mobilize high school, college, and grad school students globally. This powerful and diverse call to action features 30 days of environmentally–themed challenges. PGC aims to touch lives, shift mindsets, and equip students with knowledge, resources, and mentorship to lead change on campuses and communities worldwide. Each day throughout the month of October, a uniquely themed challenge will be delivered to registered PGC participants by email at 6 am Pacific Time. Each challenge will be live for 24 hours inviting participants to complete actions and upload deliverables to acquire points and prizes. Deliverables include photos, videos, and text uploaded on the PGC site, as well as across TG social platforms; Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube. Twenty incredible prize packages will be awarded daily based on outstanding content. For more information, click here.

Seaworld Youth Environmental Excellence Award

Each year, Seaworld recognizes the work of the next generation of conservation leaders with the Environmental Excellence Awards for individuals up to age 22 leading exemplary environmental education and conservation projects. They offer two award opportunities – their traditional SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Youth Environmental Excellence Award which recognizes young leaders for their ongoing environmental conservation work and the new SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Youth Entrepreneurial Award, which provides start-up funding to young leaders who propose environmentally proactive solutions that will solve a problem relevant to the applicant’s community. All awardees chosen for the Environmental Excellence Award and the Sea World & Busch Gardens Youth Entrepreneurial Award will receive a trip for two to SeaWorld to their Environmental Excellence Awards reception as well as up to $1,000 to assist in helping with awardee's efforts to change the world. Awardees will also gain recognition for their work in Seaworld parks and through their online and social media presence. Click here to complete the award application by May 25, 2018. For more information, click here.

May 2018: Classes, Trainings, and Community

Santa Cruz Farmer's Markets
Downtown Santa Cruz Farmer's Market on Wednesdays, 1:30 to 6:30 pm in Spring & Summer (1:30 to 5:30 pm in Fall & Winter) at Cedar St. and Lincoln St.
Westside Farmer's Market on Saturdays, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm year-round at Mission St. Ext. and Western Dr.
Or drive to one of the other Farmer's Markets in the area including Felton, Live Oak, Scotts Valley.

Emerging Ecologies: Archaeologies of Slavery, Landscape, and Environmental Change

Join the 4th Annual ARC Spring Symposium on Friday, May 4th from 9AM-5PM at the University Center. This year's theme is Emerging Ecologies: Archaeologies of Slavery, Landscape, and Environmental Change. There will be several keynote speakers attending. This event is free to the public! Click here for more information.

Follow the Flush: 2018 Santa Cruz Wastewater 5K Walk

Follow the Flush 5K walk brings awareness of Santa Cruz wastewater with art, games, and humor on Saturday, May 5. The family-friendly event begins at UC Santa Cruz with walking groups departing from 9:30 a.m. to noon. The walk follows the path of Santa Cruz wastewater through natural and urban landscape concluding at the City of Santa Cruz Wastewater Treatment Plant where free tours are offered at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. Advance registration is strongly recommended. All activities are free of charge. First 100 people to register receive a free commemorative T-shirt (subject to size availability). For more information click here.

Seaweed and Cyanotype Workshop with Josie Iselin

Cyanotypes, or sunprints, are an easy way to use the sun’s exposing powers to make lusciously blue images from the natural treasures we find around us. Josie Iselin, the author of An Ocean Garden: The Secret Life of Seaweed and other books on forms in nature, will lead a relaxed but rewarding workshop featuring a beach walk treasure hunt and an afternoon image-making session. Participants can bring their own favorite objects or choose from Josie’s extensive collection of dried seaweeds. Leave with some beautiful prints, confidence to continue in your own backyard and knowing a little bit more about the important and lovely marine algae of our coast. The workshop takes place on May 5th at 11am. All participants must register online at https://recreation.ucsc.edu/. For more information click here.

Introduction to Garden Herbalism

The fields and gardens of UCSC Farm abound with medicinal plants. Come learn how to use these common plants for every day maladies and health promotion. On May 12th at 9:30am, come learn how these herbs can be used to promote restful sleep, combat stress, soothe or strengthen digestion, heal wounds, support menstrual cycles and much more. Cost of the workshop is $30 general admission (pre-registered) or $40 (at the door). For more information click here.

Conference of North American Right Livelihood Award Laureates

This May, a group of Right Livelihood change-makers based in Canada and the US will convene at the University of California, Santa Cruz to discuss challenges and opportunities for advancing social and economic justice. In these tumultuous times, this meeting will deepen and ground our local efforts toward a more sustainable, equitable, and peaceful world. This is a multi-day event. For more information click here. 

Tuesday, May 15, 2018, 7:30pm:

Climate Justice!
A Conversation with Bill McKibben (350.org) and Sheila Watt-Cloutier (Inuit)
At Peace United Church

Wednesday, May 16, 2018, 7:00pm:
Blue Future: Protecting Water for People and the Planet Forever
With Maude Barlow (Food & Water Watch) and Robert Bilott (Taft Stettinius & Hollister)
At Kresge Town Hall

Thursday, May 17, 2018, 9:45am-6:30pm:
Teach-In! A Day of Teaching and Activism for Human Rights, Sustainability, Social Justice & Media Reform
At Colleges 9/10 Multipurpose Room

Thursday, May 17, 2018, 7:30pm
Daniel Ellsberg, author of The Doomsday Machine: Confessions of a Nuclear War Planner
At Colleges 9/10 Multipurpose Room

Strawberry & Justice Festival
The Strawberry and Justice Festival is a campus and community event with a focus on good food, fun, and education! The free event includes a panel discussion of social justice and environmental topics related to strawberry production, along with live music and more! Come enjoy free organic strawberry treats and drinks while you learn more about the issues regarding labor and environmental impacts surrounding one of the most economically important crops grown in our region. This event takes place on May, 24th at 4pm in the Hay Barn. For more information click here.

Interdisciplinary Partnerships to Solve Real World Issues

Clean Oceans International is partnering with UCSC and Cabrillo students on data analysis for plastic to fuel conversion. Students of all disciplines are working in labs right now, analyzing plastics from beaches around the world and how they can be converted into diesel!

They are analyzing how these different plastic pieces burn within a spectroscopy machine and assessing what coastal areas are optimal to implement the machine! Through the IDEASS (Impact Design; Engineering and Sustainability through Student Service) program, undergraduates have the opportunity to conduct research with real-world applications.

Beginning in 2008, Clean Oceans international began to collect debris in Hawaii, Alaska, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Oregon and California. This was the basis of the research and data collection that soon was carried out and developed by the student research team.

Looking forward to the future, COI is seeking more visibility and funding for their campaign. Additionally, they are looking forward to collaborating with local artist to paint a mural on Mission Street in Santa Cruz. The mural is planned to be phased in over the next couple of months outside of Bayview Elementary school in order to reflect the vision and goals of the non-profit.

To the students of UCSC and Cabrillo, this project is much more than an interdisciplinary research opportunity. It is a way to implement their education into the real world and achieve tangible results! One fourth year Chemistry student, Zachary Schwartz characterizes the hands-on learning that is central to every IDEASS project here at UCSC, “I joined the project for the opportunity to both further my knowledge in material science by studying plastic in a laboratory setting as well as have the opportunity to apply my chemistry knowledge to a real-world issue in hopes of solving it.  For me, the most valuable part of the project is the process of completing it.  There are unexpected obstacles that appear when executing the project and the ability to be resilient when circumstances change is key to being successful.  I am excited to analyze plastics in the laboratory and communicating the results if they are positive.” Students involved range from environmental studies majors, Physics majors, chemistry majors, you name it. They are all joined together by their passion to solve this problem. Another student on the team, Adelicia Johnson, characterizes their union perfectly by stating, “Coi to me is a collaboration of different professionals, students, and world citizens that want to solve the plastic problem. It is a project that shows genuine concern and drives towards making a positive impact on our oceans pollutants.”

The partnership of COI international with UCSC and Cabrillo students and faculty is a reminder that change in possible through interdisciplinary work, communication between boundaries, and confrontation of world problems through innovation.

To learn more about COI visit https://cleanoceansinternational.org/

Written by: Antonette Brito-Berti

April 2018 Flor Maciel

Each month, our newsletter features a person or a group on campus that is working towards a more sustainable world. This month, we had the privilege to interview Flor Maciel, a Student Sustainability Advisor. The Sustainability Office would like to congratulate Maciel for her new internship with Carnegie Science Department of Ecology.
What does sustainability mean to you?

“To me, sustainability is the practice of conserving the Earth’s resources so that future generations can have a comfortable life. Of course, comfort is relative, but it is living in a minimalist way and only purchasing the items you truly need as well as recycling and reusing. It is also being mindful of the environment we live in and sharing with animals, while realizing that humans have had such a huge impact on the Earth, such as climate change, and now taking the step to mitigate it.”

What sustainable practice do you live by in your daily life?

“In my daily life, I practice little steps to be sustainable. These, for me, are taking shorter showers and being careful of the amount of water and energy I use. I also don’t purchase water bottles or plastic bags; I opt for the reusable versions. A favorite practice of mine is to use hand-me-downs from my family members or purchase second-hand clothes.As a few of my fellow SSAs have done, I actually hope to have a clothing swap event this quarter at Crown and Merrill."

What is your long-term vision for UCSC?

"I hope that UCSC, through the work that many sustainability organizations are doing, can further foster an attitude of sustainability for current and new students. This will mean that every student will have a chance to learn about sustainability and practice it, even if they were not able to do so at home. I’d also like for UCSC to achieve its Zero-Waste goal and become Fossil Fuel free. To achieve these goals, I think it’d be incredibly helpful if the Sustainability Office was given the resources to expand its student participation. On the energy usage front, I hope there is solution to incentivize on-campus students to use less energy because they don’t need to pay an energy bill separate from the housing one. This makes it so there is no way to save money from energy as they could be living off campus."

Do you think UC’s should join forces to become more sustainable, are there things we should learn from each other and apply it?  

"I think that it would be ideal if every UC could come together for sustainability. Being a significant high-education institution, the UC system has the influence to advocate and push for sustainability. There are many things to be learned from each university. For example, through the research I have done for my Campus Sustainability Plan project, I learned that some UCs only allow Energy Star mini-fridges in their dorms. Additionally, if feasible, it’d be useful if more UC grants were created, such as the #MyLastTrash grant, to fund a diverse array of sustainability endeavors."

What are your thoughts on Environmental injustice?  

"Environmental injustice is a topic that I hope to learn more about. So far, most of my knowledge comes from ENVS 100 and the paper I wrote concerning the discrepancies in air pollution exposure between socioeconomic levels in China. Overall, it is disheartening to know that the poorest are also the most vulnerable to environmental issues, such as climate change. In my future career, I hope to amplify the voices of such people, so that they can explain the hardships they face. I also want to expand my knowledge on environmental injustice and I will be taking a class next year to do so."

Does sustainability only mean taking care of the planet? If it doesn’t, explain why?

"In my opinion, sustainability encompasses taking care of the Earth, as well as people. People are a part of nature no matter how much we try to separate ourselves from it. So in order to be sustainable, we must take care of people alongside with nature; however, this brings up the issue of equal accessibility for sustainability. People from lower socioeconomic levels may be thinking of other issues, such as employment, housing, or food security before they can think of the Earth. In order for sustainability to succeed, we should offer support for the issues these people are facing and include the ideas they have in the discussion."

Is there a message you would like UCSC students to know?

"Concerning sustainability, the message would be to keep doing simple things: composting, recycling, saving energy and water, or volunteer and donate money to the many sustainability organizations there are. Academically, keep trying your best in your given major and follow through on any opportunity that interests you."

What does it mean to be an Student Sustainability Advisor (SSA) intern?

"I think being a Student Sustainability Advisor is primarily about knowing the attitude of the community you live in. For me, that is Crown and Merrill, where I have lived  for 3 years. It is also using that knowledge to try to create programs about various sustainability topics that you believe will attract residents in your community. Overall, I believe this program has a lot of potential because there is an SSA for every paired college!"

How do you feel about being accepted as an intern at Carnegie Science Department of Ecology?

"I feel so fortunate to be researching a topic that I am passionate about at the Carnegie Science Department of Ecology. I am also excited to work with Dr. Geeta Persad and, under her guidance, research the question I will eventually develop about the climate and air pollution. Although, I sometimes question myself if I actually truly received this internship (which I now know to be “imposter syndrome”). So if anyone else feels this way, you are not alone. I also would like to thank Kristen Lee who advocated me for this position; I’m positive she had influence in me being accepted, so thank you!"

April 2018: Classes, Trainings, and Community

Ales For Whales (Drink Beer & Raise $5k For The California Ocean Alliance)
Ales For Whales is a local fundraiser hosted by Humble Sea Brewing Co. & the California Ocean Alliance with the singular mission to throw an awesome party and raise $5k in scholarships for high school students interested in pursuing careers in marine biology and ocean conservation. There will be free screen painting, free starfish petting zoo, live music, beer, food and much more. It is $12 entry fee online or $15 at the gate (gets you entry to festival + 1 beer). For more information click here.

Arboretum & Botanic Garden Phenology Walk
Calling all scientists, hikers, families, students, and educators! The Arboretum & Botanic Garden Phenology Walk gathers data on seasonal changes in plants including when they leaf out, flower and form fruit. Come to the Arboretum for a workshop. Phenology researcher Karen Tanner provides hands-on data collection training. The next Workshop takes place on Sunday, April 15th at 11:00am. For more information click here.

Earth Week: Monday, April 23 - Saturday, April 27
Earth Week is a campuswide, week-long series of events dedicated to increasing environmental awareness and engaging students in current sustainability issues. This event is organized by Rachel Carson College. Check out their Earth Week 2017 homepage to find out more information.

The 17th Annual Earth Summit
Enviroslug will host the 17th Annual Earth Summit on April 27th from 10:30am-2:30pm. It will tentatively be held in the College 9/10 Multipurpose Room. There will be awesome speakers and activities that will promote student involvement on and off campus as well as getting student voices heard! Free food will be provided! For more information click here.

Hike, Observe, Draw, Repeat.
Grab your sketchbook and join scientific illustrator Fiona MacLean for a nature journal outing out in the Pogonip. Take in views from one of Tom Killion’s famous prints of downtown Santa Cruz from this scenic spot. This free workshop takes place on Sunday, April 8th from 10am-2pm. Whether you are new to nature journaling or experienced, everyone can enjoy his activity. For more information click here.

Management Development Program 1 of 4: Manager Redefined
"Manager Redefined" is the first module of the Management Development Program. This module explores what is required of managers today and discusses four key areas of focus: Role of the Manager, Building Authenticity and Trust, Executing Tasks Through Others and Developing and Engaging People. It is recommended, but not necessary, to take all four classes in the series. MDP is designed for mid-level managers but is open to anyone who aspires to manage people. The first program takes place on Thursday, April 12th at 8:30am. For more information click here.

Monday Night Supper Club at Jardiniére Restaurant
Jardiniere's Monday Night Supper Club benefits the Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems, with a themed three-course tasting menu and wine pairings. $65 per person (wine not included in prix fixe cost). Make your reservation today! Call 415 861-5555 or visit Jardinière (https://www.jardiniere.com/) and mention the UCSC Farm & Garden Fundraiser. For more information click here.

Original Thinkers: Earth Night
Harun Mehmedinovic, co-founder of Skyglow Project, will take us on deep dive—with stunning time-lapse visuals—into the history and importance of celestial observation on humans, the proliferation of electrical outdoor lighting spurring the rise of the phenomena known as light pollution, and the Dark–Sky Movement which is fighting back to reclaim the pristine night skies. This event takes place on Wednesday, April 18th and will begin with a wine and small bites reception, as well as science talks and end with a sky observation with the Santa Cruz and UC Santa Cruz Astronomy Clubs. Admission is $10/person or free for students. For more information click here.

Public Input Forum #2: Mountain View Environmental Sustainability
The City of Mountain View's Environmental Sustainability Task Force has developed a preliminary set of recommendations to lower the city's greenhouse gas emissions. In June, these final recommendations will be brought to the City Council. The public's input is needed to help enhance and finalize the recommendations being presented. Participants will get a sneak peek of their top recommendations on transportation, building and land use, metrics, waste reduction, public outreach and regional collaboration. Delicious light refreshments will be provided. This forum takes place on Monday, April 30th 7:00-9:30pm. For more information click here.

Santa Cruz Farmer's Markets
Downtown Santa Cruz Farmer's Market on Wednesdays, 1:30 to 6:30 pm in Spring & Summer (1:30 to 5:30 pm in Fall & Winter) at Cedar St. and Lincoln St.
Westside Farmer's Market on Saturdays, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm year-round at Mission St. Ext. and Western Dr.
Or drive to one of the other Farmer's Markets in the area including Felton, Live Oak, Scotts Valley.

Student Forum: Navigating Borders, Labor, and Home
Come join this student research forum highlighting four current UC Santa Cruz graduate and undergraduate projects. Selected photos from the scholarship contest will also be on display. The event is on Thursday, April 26th. The reception begins at 6:00 p.m. and the program begins at 6:45 p.m. This event is free and open to the public, but attendees are kindly asked to register in advance. For more information click here.

UCSC Farm & Garden Spring Plant Sale
Join the annual Spring Plant Sale! All plants are organically grown and include a wide selection of annual vegetables and flowers, along with wonderful perennials for the landscape. Proceeds benefit the Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture training program. This sale takes place on Saturday, April 28th at 10am and is located at the Corner of Bay Street and High Street at the base of campus, next to the Barn Theater. For more information click here.

NOLS Wilderness First Aid #3
Whether spending time in the backcountry is your passion or your profession, you should never have to ask, "What do I do now?" Prepare for the unexpected with this fun, hands-on introduction to wilderness medicine. This workshop takes is from 8:00am on Saturday, April 7th through Sunday, April 8th. Admission fee is required. For more information click here.

Sustainability Classes offered Spring 2018:
CRSN 56-1: Media Internships for Sustainability (2 units)
In the CRSN 56 internship with Professor Ronny Lipschutz, students develop and work on media projects related to the college theme of "Environment and Society" in film, on television, in print, and on the internet. Students work in groups with specific instructors and project leaders. Enrollment by application and instructor consent. May be repeated for credit.

CRSN 151B - 01: Innovation and Professionalization for Sustainability Designers, Engineers, and Entrepreneurs

This class teaches students how to become innovators and entrepreneurs, develop projects and enterprises, and adopt professional practices. It focuses on sustainability for students in Sustainability Studies, especially in connection with students' research and interests.

CRSN 162 - 01: Sustainability Internship Practicum
This class introduces students to sustainable practices and state, local, and UC-wide policies through projects. It matches students with UCSC staff partners to work collaboratively on projects that integrate sustainability into aspects of campus operations. Supports students to develop the competencies necessary to become effective environmental professionals through learning models including hands-on work experience; professional skills training; guest lectures; reading, and discussion; and peer-to-peer advising. In addition to project deliverables, students complete and present a portfolio of their work upon completion of their project. Enrollment limited to Sustainability Office Interns and by instructor permission; an interview, resume, and cover letter are required.