November 2016: Classes, trainings & community

Final Week of UCSC Hydration Games!

Students, keep up the great work conserving water in our UCSC campus residential areas! As we enter the final week of the Colleges, Housing & Educational Services (CHES -Student Sustainability Advisors Hydration Games, make sure to check out the Facebook and Twitter social media pages for water conservation tips. The winner of the UCSC Hydration Games will be announced the week of November 7, and there is a prize, so keep on conserving water, slugs!
Enroll in the Sustainability Studies Minor: Workshop November 7
Are you concerned about Earth’s future? Enrollment is coming! Sign up for Rachel Carson College’s Minor in Sustainability Studies The minor is open to all UCSC students. There will be an informational & declaration workshop on Monday, November 7, 3:30-4:30pm, at the Rachel Carson College Red Room. For more information, visit the Rachel Carson College website.

Kenneth S. Norris Center for Natural History Open House & Fundraiser: November 12-13

Art and science will mix when the Kenneth S. Norris Center for Natural History at UCSC holds its fifth open house and fundraiser November 12-13 at the Cowell Ranch Hay Barn. Students and the greater Santa Cruz community are invited from 10am – 5pm on Saturday, November 12 and 10am – 3pm Sunday, November 13. Admission is free. The theme for this year's open house is "Cross-Pollination, the Art and Science of Natural History." The Norris Center has teamed up with renowned local nature illustrator Maryjo Koch and will display her illustrations alongside many of the Norris Center’s extensive collections, including the Randall Morgan Pollinator Collection. Learn more about the Norris Center event here.

Indigethanx: November 18 - RSVP by November 11

The American Indian Resource Center is hosting an Alternative Thanksgiving Celebration on Friday, November 18 from 5:00-7:30 pm at the Women's Center, Cardiff House. Indigethanx provides an opportunity to rethink the thanksgiving holiday and help educate the UCSC community about traditional Native foods. Please RSVP via email on or before Friday, November 11. Share this event on Facebook.

Free Pitch Workshop for Startup Weekend: November 9
Have an idea that you want to pitch at Startup Weekend Santa Cruz: Sustainability & Social Impact on Friday, November 18 (see below)? Want feedback and help strategizing for the weekend? Come to this free workshop hosted by the Startup Weekend Santa Cruz team for feedback and help developing your pitch! Snacks will be provided. The workshop will take place November 9 from 5:45-7:00pm in the Everett Program Office in Social Sciences 2, room 47. Visit the Facebook page for details.

Startup Weekend Santa Cruz: Sustainability & Social Impact: November 18-20

There have been 2000+ Startup Weekend events in 135+ countries around the world, and we are looking forward to hosting one in Santa Cruz. It’s a 54-hour event (similar to a Hackathon) where developers, designers, nonprofit leaders, students, entrepreneurs, engaged citizens, social justice advocates, environmentalists, marketers, product managers, startup enthusiasts, and many others can come together to pitch ideas, develop them into concrete business ideas, and get feedback from mentors and judges! This event focuses on Sustainable Solutions and Social Impact to encourage cross-pollination of communities within Santa Cruz County. Join folks with different interests, areas of expertise, and passions to share, create, & get feedback on ideas that will change the world for the better. Activities include rapid-fire startup pitches, prototype building, customer development, mentor feedback, and conclude with a Shark Tank-style judging session. Tickets are capped at 100 people, and student discounts are available by emailing the planning team. You can learn more and get tickets on the Startup Weekend Santa Cruz website. Share the event via social media pages on Facebook and Twitter.

VOICES: Group for identifying and healing from race-related trauma/stress for students of color
VOICES is a support and discussion group for identifying and healing from race-related trauma/stress for Undergraduate and Graduate Students of Color. They meet Mondays from 5:00 - 6:30pm at the Oakes Mural Room. Topics include: Managing self-care, thriving on a predominantly White campus, fostering empowerment, and navigating invisibility. This group is offered by UCSC Counseling and Psychological Services. Contact Alesha Harris at 831-459-2220 for more information. If you require any disability accommodations please contact CAPS at 831-459-2628.

Free workshops & trainings with Post-Landfill Action Network
The Post-Landfill Action Network (PLAN) cultivates and educates the student-led zero waste movement and informs students about the waste crisis, equipping them with the necessary skills and resources to implement solutions about waste into their campus communities. UC Santa Cruz is a PLAN member school, which gives us free access to resources and support from PLAN, including workshops and trainings focused on student leadership and how to effectively reach zero waste. Learn more about these opportunities on the blog.

Power Shift Convergence: November 11-13
Power Shift Convergence is a collaboration between the Power Shift Network and the California Student Sustainability Coalition. They aim to bring young people together as a movement—building the organizing skills, passion, and strong connections needed for a long-term commitment to the grassroots work that will help us realize a both ethical and clean energy-powered future. We seek to empower, recharge, and uplift the voices of young activists and blooming change-makers. Gathered together, we will unite, redefine, and push forward our movement. Register now for earlybird prices, and find out more information on their Facebook event. UCSC students--email Laurel Levin of Fossil Free UCSC for information about UCSC carpooling and lodging options.

Master's Program in Tropical Biodiversity: Deadline November 30

The Université libre de Bruxelles (based out of Belgium) is coordinating the Erasmus Mundus Tropimundo Master program. Tropimundo is the first International Master in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems (2 years) that allows students to delve into the interlinked ecosystems under threat by spending an entire semester in the field: tropical rainforests and woodlands, wetlands (both terrestrial and coastal) such as mangrove forests, seagrass beds and coral reefs.  Please submit your application to the program website. Application deadline is November 30.

Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program: Deadline February 2
This is a six-week program at Howard University that helps prepare undergraduate students for careers in international affairs. It includes two for-credit academic courses, a professional writing seminar, visits and meetings with foreign affairs professionals in a wide range of government and non-governmental organizations, and professional development activities. It pays for tuition, room, board, and transportation, and provides a stipend. The program will run from mid-June until late July. The program encourages the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service and those with financial need. Applicants with any undergraduate major are welcome to apply. Additional qualifications and information about how to apply are online here.

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!

October 2014: Classes, Training, & Community

Bike Drive Ends October 10
Have a bike you no longer need? Green Ways to School has launched the second session of the Watsonville Earn-A-Bike program, which gets bikes into the hands of needy kids and teaches bike skills, repair and safety. They are in need of bike donations for youth through October 10. If you have a bike you'd like to donate, contact director Tawn Kennedy.

Bike Library Safety Classes 10/16, 10/19

Are you interested in learning about bike safety? TAPS sponsors a  free Bicycle Street Skills class every quarter! The fall class will be held Thursday, October 16 from 12:30 - 2:30 PM and Sunday, October 19 from 12:00 - 2:00 PM. RSVP to receive the location by filling out this reservation form. Learn more about the Bike Library here.

Common Ground Center Launches New Online Community
Kresge's Common Ground Center has launched an online community on the social media platform NING to cultivate relationships near and far. Join them by signing up here and contribute to cutting edge conversation and relationship building. They will also be utilizing this e-village space to keep a pulse on up-and-coming events.

Natural History Class: Wednesdays

Jack Mazza, UCSC senior, will be leading a 2-unit class called the Natural History of the UCSC Campus Field Group. He writes, "Our campus is a beautiful place for exploration and there are an abundance of ecosystems to learn about. By practicing natural history, the direct observation and awareness of a place, you can immerse yourself into the wonders of the habitats on campus." The class will meet Wednesdays from 9 - 11:30 AM. Attend the first meeting on October 8 to receive an enrollment code for the field group. Email Jack for meeting location and any questions, and if you're interested in natural history in general, visit the UCSC Natural History Club Facebook group.

Carbon Fund Info Session October 23

Have an idea for a project that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions on or off campus? The Carbon Fund is a student-passed fee measure that raises $3 per student per quarter totaling up to ~$100,000 per year to allocate to students, faculty, and staff for their project ideas! If you have ideas that will reduce the carbon footprint of UCSC, from energy and water conversation to more efficient composting and zero waste techniques, the Carbon Fund has money for your project. They will be hosting an info session on October 23 from 4-6 PM in the College 8 Red Room to review how to apply and what makes a strong application--pizza will be served! It is recommended that you attend the info session or email the Carbon Fund in advance to ask questions and receive feedback before applying. Abstracts are due November 14 for the 2014-15 funding cycle. Learn more on the website.

Food Systems Leaning Journeys (Free - $8): Sign up October 6

"Want to learn more about the food system and how some of your favorite foods are produced? Join a Food Systems Learning Journey to explore issues at various levels of the food system, from seed to table! Sign up for an FSLJ starting Tuesday, October 6 online--the trips fill up fast! This fall the Food Systems Working Group is offering the following FSLJs at little to no cost (free - $8) through the OPERS Recreation Department:

• From Farmers Market to Farm Fresh Cooking with Joseph Shultz of India Joze - a true farmers' market to table meal!
• Growing Gardens at UCSC
• Seed Saving Workshop
• Viticulture (winemaking) and Regional Terrior

$2 million Donation to UCSC Natural History Fieldwork

Many a times one can forget the beauty of simply walking outside your doorstep and instantly being immersed by lush green forest and mesmerizing wildlife. Kenneth S. Norris worked hard to ensure that we never forget this. Professor Norris founded the Natural History Field Quarter in 1973. The Field Quarter gives students a more hands on experience with the rich environment we are surrounded by.

A $2-million gift from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation will carry on the legacy of the late Kenneth S. Norris and continue to support The University of California, Santa Cruz as a leader in the field of Natural History. The gift provides funding for two endowments. The first endowment will staff the UC Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History Collections, which is to be renamed the Kenneth S. Norris Center for Natural History and the second will support the Natural History Field Quarter which Professor Norris originally founded over 40 years ago. The gift will also provide competitive grants for accomplished undergraduates in the field. 

For more information, check out this article!

November 2013: Internships, Employment & Volunteering

Volunteer and Internship Opportunities with Gaia Magazine

Interested in putting together this environmentally focused magazine next year? The UCSC Environmental Media Project (EMP) offers many quarterly internship and volunteer opportunities. Volunteers help with fundraising, outreach, and the creation of the Gaia magazine. Interns take on positions like photographer, editor, and graphic designer and gain 2 units for 5 hours of work per week. EMP is also offering annual positions like Web Manager, Editor in Training, Assistant Editor in Chief, and Assistant Executive Editor.  For more information about applying, email the team and check out their Facebook page and 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.

IDEASS Still Accepting Applications for 2013-14 Interns
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? Are you still looking for 5 units to add to your schedule for Fall? If yes, 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. To be considered, please apply immediately by clicking here or go to their website for more information!

Green Labs Certification Program Seeks New Labs
In the coming weeks, the Green Labs program is outreaching to laboratories on campus that may be interested in become a certified Green Lab. The Green Labs committee is asking any representatives from labs that would like to learn more about the certification process to contact them: greenlabs@ucsc.edu. The certification process has become more efficient, and it is a highly rewarding undertaking for laboratories interested in being recognized for their commitment to sustainability. Learn more about the program here.

Arboretum Volunteer Gardening Opportunities 
Have an interest in gardening? The Arboretum has volunteer gardening hours throughout the week. Visit their website for details.

Internships at Santa Cruz Natural History Museum
The Santa Cruz Natural History Museum is looking for more interns for their Field Programs, which gives an opportunity for college students to shadow, team teach, and even lead field trips for local 3rd and 5th grade classes that participate in our education curricula. In the past, they have worked primarily with Environmental Science students at UCSC, but are looking to expand to other majors and backgrounds as well. Submit your application and a resume here!

The Demeter Seeds Project: Sowing a Culture of Interdependence 
Autumn means its time to harvest, save, and share seeds! Get involved with the seed project this quarter by coming to our events or starting an internship. Demeter Seed Library is looking for an enthusiastic intern to help cultivate their crops! With 2 unit or 5 unit options available, interns will help the Library manage grow outs at different locations, most notably the Kresge Garden and the Thimann Greenhouses. Other tasks may include managing newsletters, taking inventory, and responding to emails. This will be a great position for a continuing gardener, an avid learner, or anyone interested in learning about gardening, and the seed saving process. If interested, contact Connor at cspears@ucsc.edu.

Internships with WaterLab Research Facility 
The 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 through the Center for Integrated Water Research 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.

February 2013: Internships, Employment, and Volunteering

It's cold outside. It's beginning to rain. Soon you'll start seeing your breath all hours of the day and the body heat of people cramming onto the bus with you will become welcome. You know what you need? The warm fuzzy feeling that you get from working on something you're really passionate about. It's more heart-warming and energizing than all those cups of coffee you've been downing to get back onto something vaguely resembling a school schedule.

There are tons of internship, employment and volunteering opportunities right now that can give you that boost.  Here are just a few:

Volunteer for the 12th annual Earth Summit, Friday, March 8th

This is an all-day event that brings people from the sustainability community all around campus together with the general public. This event will include everything from workshops to live music, not to mention tons of delicious, fresh, local food. Volunteers are needed throughout the day, but especially for set-up and clean up. If you are interested in the event you can check out the blog post here, or if you already know you want to volunteer please contact Melissa for more information.

Volunteer at the Santa Cruz Natural History Museum

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 here or email Matt. 

Apply for the Provost's Sustainability Internship Program (P.S.I.)

The Provost's Sustainability Internship Program (formerly the Campus Sustainability Internship Program, C.S.I.) is currently looking for Staff Mentors who are interested in having a student intern for the 2013-2014 school year and Student Interns who are looking to run a unique sustainability project and get highly applicable professional training. 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. 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. The Sustainability Office pays for half the cost of the intern and provides them with professional development training and project support throughout the duration of the internship.
Applications for Mentors will be due February 20th, and Student applications are due April 4th Please contact Nikki if interested.

Make Haste to Zero Waste! Events coming to a dining hall near you!

Do you love food and hate waste? Come join UCSC Dining as we move towards a Zero Waste campus and learn more about food waste. We are looking for interested students to help participate in Waste Awareness Events in the dining halls on campus. In return for participation, you will be rewarded with a FREE MEAL PASS! For more information, please contact Dining Sustainability Intern Victoria.

Environmental Education for the Next Generation Seeking Instructors

EENG 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. For more information, please visit 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.

You're already starting to feel a little warmer, huh?

October 2012: Clubs, Gardens, & Hikes

Food Systems Learning Journeys for Fall Quarter

Food Systems Working Group (FSWG) will be coordinating and leading six exciting learning journeys this coming fall through our partnership with OPERS and the Recreation Office.  To find out more about the FSWG learning journeys and sign-up, go to the Recreation website for more info. You can begin signing up for recreation activities on October 2.

Arboretum Gardening Days

The Arboretum has gardening many days of the week in different gardens. If you're interested in volunteering in the Arboretum gardens, please click here to learn more.

Arboretum Garden Tours - 1st Saturdays 11 AM
Join a docent-led tour on the first Saturday of the month. The tour is free with your Arboretum admission. Tours start at 11 AM in front of Norrie's Gift Shop. Find out more about what's going on at the Arboretum by clicking here.

Arboretum Community Day - 1st Tuesdays
The first Tuesday of every month, visit the Arboretum for free! Typically, admission to the Arboretum is $5.00 ($2.00 for children, free to Arboretum Associates, UCSC students with valid ID, and volunteers). Find out more about what's going on at the Arboretum by clicking here.

Friends of Community Agroecology Network - Tuesdays 6-8 PM

FoCAN is a student-initiated, student-led community at UCSC that supports CAN's mission of promoting rural livelihoods and sustainable food systems through action education and participatory action research. They meet Tuesdays from 6-8 PM in building A3 of the Village. Find out more about FoCAN here.

Natural History Club - Meeting times TBD
The Natural History Club is all about exploring the natural spaces on and around our beautiful campus. They go on hikes around campus, learning about its natural history. They focus on learning plants, birds, animal tracking, mushrooms, and anything they discover. Overall the club seeks to deepen members' understanding, awareness and connection with nature. Visit the Natural History Club Facebook group for meeting times, locations and more information. Meeting times will be determined once the Fall quarter starts.

Downtown Santa Cruz Farmers' Market - Wednesdays 

Eating locally grown food reduces your carbon footprint and supports the local economy. Purchasing your food through the area’s farmers’ markets ensures that you are getting the freshest, healthiest and tastiest foods while supporting local jobs, increasing local spending and promoting the region’s strong farming tradition. Check out the Downtown Santa Cruz Farmers' Market, and learn more, including hours and locations, here.

Student Environmental Center - Wednesdays 5:30-7:30 PM

The purpose of the Student Environmental Center is to promote student involvement through research, education, and implementation of environmentally sustainable practices on campus in collaboration with the university. SEC's General Gatherings take place in the College 8 Red Room. Vegetarian dinner provided. For more information, visit their website or send them an email.

Path to a Greener Stevenson - Tuesdays 9 PM

Path to a Greener Stevenson (PTAGS) meets in the Stevenson House 2 lounge. PTAGS is an environmentally conscious group of staff and students whose aim is to implement change towards sustainability through projects within our community. They see the Stevenson community as an environment to encourage students to turn their innovative thoughts into action. This year, Stevenson residents received reusable hand towels (pictured above) largely thanks to the works of students in PTAGS. For more information including the Fall meeting time, visit the Facebook group or email Blake Redding.

Gardeners' Alliance Gatherings
The Gardeners' Alliance is a group within SEC's Students for Organic campaign that works to  promote the campus gardens and unite the garden-friendly community by creating a space to promote and share information between campus gardeners and the students of UCSC. To see a list of on-campus gardens and find out more, visit the Gardeners' Alliance website here.

Stevenson Garden Work Days - Time TBD

If you would like to volunteer and get involved with the Stevenson Garden, they will be having work days during Fall quarter (dates TBD)! To learn more about the Garden, check out the website, Facebook group, or email Blake Redding.

Kresge Garden Work Days - Check calendar for garden hours
Join fellow gardeners at the Kresge Garden workday and workshop every Sunday! Bring a dish to share for the potluck lunch! To see what the weekly workshop will be, check out the website.

Seymour Center Offers Guided Tours on the Santa Cruz Wharf - Saturday & Sunday, 1 PM & 3 PM
In collaboration with the City of Santa Cruz, UCSC's Seymour Marine Discovery Center is now leading free 30-minute public tours on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf every Saturday and Sunday at 1 and 3 p.m. The Seymour Center's marine science interpreters are also available between tours to answer questions about the variety of wildlife visible at the wharf. Find out more here.

Are you part of a sustainability club, hiking, or gardening group not listed here? Have you participated in any of the above groups? Tell us about it in the comments or send us an email!

September 2012: Internships, Employment, & Volunteering

Green Office Certification Program Seeks Student Staff

As a member of our Green Office Certification program you’ll learn how to conduct energy and waste assessments of campus offices, write reports and present recommendations to participating office staff to empower them to improve their environmental performance. As a member of the green office certification team, you’ll attend weekly meetings and work closely with campus staff and other stakeholders to reduce waste and increase conservation in campus offices. Ideal candidates will demonstrate interest in sustainability, initiative, excellent organizational, communication and writing skills. Find out more about the program here, and for a list of available positions, click here. Send your resume and letter of interest to Shauna Casey. Be sure to note the position title you are applying for in the subject line of your email.

ESLP Publicity and Media Outreach Intern

Education for Sustainable Living Program (ESLP) is looking for interns interested in helping us create artistic flyers and website design! Interns will attend any necessary meetings with ESLP’s collaboration networking sphere to discuss outreach efforts, and get involved with the organization while developing flyers, web design and publicity skills on a professional level. Internship is 2-units and Photoshop skills are preferable. Please contact ESLP for more information and to apply.

Get Involved with the Campus Sustainability Plan
Since 2010, working groups of staff and students have been making progress on environmental performance targets for UCSC in eight topic areas: Buildings & Facilities, Energy, Food, Land & Habitat, Procurement & Business Contracts, Transportation, Waste, and Water. Now, it's time for UCSC to create a new Campus Sustainability Plan 2.0 for the years 2013-16! If you'd like to check out the original Campus Sustainability Plan, click here. To get involved in the planning process and help create the next set of environmental performance targets for UCSC, please email Elida Erickson.

Help UCSC Take Back the Tap

These cool water spigots for refilling your reusable water bottle were installed by UCSC Take Back the Tap. Visit their Facebook page to find out all the locations so you can stay hydrated.

Take Back the Tap UCSC is an initiative to end the sale and distribution of bottled water on our campus. If you've seen those new water spigots around campus for filling up water bottles, you can thank Take Back the Tap. If you're interested in getting involved, please email Take Back the Tap or visit their Facebook page.

Call for Volunteers: Greenbuild International Conference and Expo
Greenbuild is the world’s largest conference and expo dedicated to green building, and it is coming back to San Francisco November 14-16. If you are a full-time student or professional age 25 and under, volunteer and attend for free! For more information visit the website. For questions, click here to send an email.

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 here or email Matt.