December 2016 Sustainability Profile: Jacqueline Puliatti

Name: Jax Puliatti

College, Major, Year: Porter, Environmental Studies, Class of 2017

Position Title(s):  
Sustainability Office Graphic Artist

What does “sustainability” mean to you? 
"Sustainability" to me is a mindset. No matter what I am doing, my impact on the earth is on my mind. Sustainability is applicable and should be applied to every aspect of our lives. I think of sustainability in this broader sense, as a mindset more than a discipline or subject area.

Why did you get involved with sustainability? 
I grew up in an environmentally conscious family. My mother is an environmental entrepreneur and an important mentor of mine. She taught me that sustainability is a way of life. Because of her, I have been involved in sustainability since my youth. It was only natural for me to attend UCSC within the Environmental Studies Department and work for the Campus Sustainability Office.

How has sustainability related to your role(s) at UCSC? 
Well, the Campus Sustainability Office (SO) is highly related to...you guessed it...sustainability! My role is focused on outreach and design. I work on spreading the word about SO programs, as well as other sustainability events happening in Santa Cruz and the Bay Area, through my design work, social media and good old emailing.

How do you practice sustainability in your daily life? 
As I stated before, sustainability for me is a mindset. Therefore, it is on the forefront of my mind each day. Every action I take has an impact so I ride my bike, I carry a Tupperware around at all times, I use a glass water bottle, I don't buy paper towels, I buy local organic food whenever possible, I purposefully spread tips to friends, I keep an ear open for new green tips, I do personal research on the environmental movement on at local and global levels, the list goes on.

Have you had a favorite sustainability moment at UCSC or somewhere else?  
My favorite sustainability moment to date came to me at Startup Weekend Santa Cruz which happened from November 18-20 of this year. I pitched an idea for a startup and of the over 80 participants, 7 people joined my team. Within 54 hours, we created a startup that works to track individual's carbon emissions from transportation and facilitate use of carbon offsets to instantaneously offset carbon use. But we didn't start with that idea. First we developed my idea: a sustainable and socially equitable business guide to Santa Cruz. By midday Saturday, we had realized the apps limitations and pivoted to new ideas countless times until we decided on Conifr, an idea which we were all enthusiastic about. So half-way into the weekend, we scraped everything and started anew. The efforts and energy that came over the next 24 hours were incredible. Having spent quality time with our team, learning about each other and respecting ideas and opinions, we created an environment of trust that facilitated equal contribution towards our startup. We entered the presentation stage of the event with optimism that came from a collectively light-hearted yet determined mindset. We didn't care if we won, we didn't even consider it a possibility. We were proud of our perseverance and community-building. We sat there, all in a row and were utterly shocked to hear the facilitators announce Conifr as the winner of Startup Weekend Santa Cruz! My team and I have decided to see this startup through, in two cities across the world from each other, Santa Cruz and Brisbane. The half of our team that lives in Santa Cruz will be presenting at Santa Cruz New Tech Meetup and we will continue to work with our teammates from Australia as they enter the sustainability markets down under! This weekend was life-changing for me. We are making waves so keep your eyes out for future sustainability moments with this motivated team of individuals!

Are there sustainability practices you’ve picked up specific to your background or culture? 
It is rather hard to pinpoint sustainability practices in regards to my specific cultural background. If you'll allow, I would draw on my experience living in a foreign country and learning from the rich culture of Ghana. I spent last school year studying abroad in Ghana. As part of the California program, we traveled all over the country, visiting and learning about organizations that are making great strides towards social and sustainable well-being. The Ghana Permaculture Institute was the place that inspired me the most. They are working to eradicate poverty through permaculture. They hold workshops and host people from all over the world, spreading their knowledge about permaculture practices and empowering farmers to rise up out of poverty in a sustainable way. They generate their own renewable energy through solar panels and compost stomaches, they have a mushroom cultivation program and one of their main crops, moringa, is a superfood native to Ghana that has been bringing farmers out of poverty across West Africa. I want to spread the word about the Ghana Permaculture Institute and the incredible strides they've taken. We often hear about the disease, poverty and corruption on the African continent. While those issues exist, there are so many amazing, inspirational, innovative people, programs and organizations that are thriving despite neocolonial disadvantages. It has become clear to me that part of my mission in life is to raise those people up, to support people those who have not had the advantages that I have been given, and who, despite this, are straight killin' the sustainability game. I look to the Ghana Permaculture Institute for inspiration and as a reminder that beauty, goodness and power can grow out of global disadvantage.

What is your favorite green tip?   
My favorite green tip would probably have to be to travel on bicycles! I love riding my bike, I travel practically everywhere in Santa Cruz with my Bianchi. It is an obvious one but if I see cycling as the ultimate sustainable transportation medium. There are so many aspects of sustainability that entail compromise and choosing the lesser of two evils. With cycling, there is no evil: you're getting a solid work-out, your endorphins are kicking in, you're getting where you need to go and it is guilt-free.

Each month, our newsletter features a person or group on campus that is working toward a more sustainable world. If you know of a person or group on campus that you think we should profile, or if you would like to be profiled, please send us an email.

Bike to Work Week Activities 2016

UCSC's Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) has joined with Ecology Action to host the 29th annual Santa Cruz County Spring Bike Week, May 6 -13, 2016. The Bike Week program aims to provide a safe, supportive and festive environment for local commuters to take their first pedal in traveling by bike. Commuters often find that cycling provides many benefits—from being environmentally-friendly and economical to reducing stress and improving personal health.

To prepare for Bike to Work week, on Tuesday, May 3rd, TAPS will be conducting a Bike Skills and Safety Campaign, and will be giving away helmets from 12:30pm-5:00pm (while supplies last) at the Barn Theater. Helmets are only available to UCSC affiliates; a UCSC student or employee ID card is required. Participants will complete a 5-10 minute bike safety survey to receive a helmet. Free bike maintenance and bike licensing will also be available.

On the following Thursday, May 12th, cyclists get a free breakfast at sites throughout Santa Cruz County, including two UCSC sites available from 6:30am - 9:30am:

• UCSC Main Entrance, Bay & High St
• UCSC Family Student Housing at Koshland Way

On Friday, May 13th, TAPS and the Student Environmental Center (SEC)  are hosting the Transportation Festival from 1:00pm-3:00pm at Quarry Plaza. Join the event for bicycle-powered music, activities, and workshops. Free helmets and bike lights will be available while supplies last.

Other resources to help you ride your bike safely are also available at http://taps.ucsc.edu/commute-options/bikes/index.html. To learn more about the many events taking place during Bike Week, visit http://www.bike2work.com/s_cruz.

April 2016: Classes, Training, Community

Faculty Workshop: Incorporating Sustainability & Climate Change into UCSC Courses: Deadline to Register April 5th
This one-day workshop for UCSC faculty will provide space for discussing and sharing knowledge about sustainability, approaches for integrating themes into courses, and relevant tools and resources. It will take place on May 20, 2016 from 9am-3pm at Digital Arts Research Center, “Light Lab” Room 306 on the UCSC campus. Faculty will receive $1000 for participating in the workshop to help revise syllabi and course plans. Funds can be used for assistance from a GSR, instructional media, field trips, guest speaker honoraria, lab materials, etc. They will also receive $200 for sharing accomplishments back with the group next year. This workshop is open to all UCSC faculty although space is limited and priority will be given to Senate faculty. Please email asteves[at]ucsc[dot]edu to pre-register.

UCSC Bioneers Conference Tabling & Performance Registration Open: Deadline April 8th
The 2nd Annual UCSC Bioneers Conference, a Bioneers Resilient Communities Network Event, takes place April 23-24th in Kresge College. The conference will feature workshops, guest speakers, artistic performances, dancing, and more! Click here to apply to perform, sing, dance, or create an interactive art piece. Click here to table at the conference with your organization. To get your free ticket for the conference, visit the Eventbrite page and then share this event on Facebook!

Survey on Environmental Sustainability for UCSC Students: Deadline April 10
All UCSC students are invited to participate in the UCSC Survey on Environmental Sustainability, the first campuswide project to gain a better understanding of student perceptions of and participation in the environmental sustainability movement on campus. Your feedback will help the People of Color Sustainability Collective (PoCSC) create programming, resources, and opportunities to better address our campus needs. The survey takes only 5–10 minutes to complete, and by participating, you will be entered for a chance to win an iPad Air or one of 11 $50 gift cards to the Bay Tree Bookstore. PoCSC is an initiative housed under the Ethnic Resource Centers that works in collaboration with Colleges Nine and Ten and the Campus Sustainability Office. For questions or more information, please email pocsc[at]ucsc[dot]edu. Administration of this survey is being done by the UCSC Office of Institutional Research. Participating in the survey is completely voluntary and will not affect your grades, registration, or enrollment in any way. Your responses will be kept confidential and reported only as aggregate data. You can also share this survey on Facebook here.

UCSC Bioneers Conference Announces Speakers & Workshops
The Common Ground Center and the Sustainability Office invite you to attend the 2nd Annual UC Santa Cruz Bioneers Conference, a Bioneers Resilient Communities Network Event, on April 23-24 at Kresge College in Santa Cruz, California. This conference is a two day experience focused on themes like social and environmental justice and activism. The event carries a festive and empowering ambiance with visionary speakers, inspiring and educational workshops, performances and artwork, dancing, food, and music. The workshops and speakers are listed here, and more details will be added in the coming weeks. For more information, visit the Facebook page.

Survey on Integration of Sustainability and Climate Change into UCSC Courses
Have you taken a course where sustainability and climate change were integrated in an especially meaningful, unexpected, or innovative way? Or a class where it could have been better integrated, or included as a unit, module, or lesson? If so, please email Andrea Steves at asteves@ucsc.edu or take this quick, 2-minute, anonymous survey!

Shifting Bike Culture: Submit Your Story!
You're invited to share a story about a time when you felt excluded in a bike space for a collective story project. San Jose-based Cowgirl Bike Courier, Dr. Adonia Lugo, and Sarah McCullough are collaborating on a new blog called Shifting Bike Culture, which will collect these stories together with the purpose of "build[ing] our individual moments into a collective voice that guides the development of community-rooted principles for inclusion in bicycling and other urbanist movements (quote by Adonia Lugo)." Visit the website and submit your story here.

Apply to Master of Arts in Sexuality Studies at SF State: Priority Deadline April 15th
SF State's interdisciplinary Sexuality Studies MA program has extended its priority admissions deadline to April 15, 2016, with rolling admissions through July 1. Drawing on fields including ethnic studies,  gender and women's studies, history, queer studies, psychology, public health, and sociology, they emphasize theoretical and methodological sophistication and a commitment to addressing social inequality and advancing social justice. They are admitting applicants with a conditional GRE requirement. If a student has not taken the GRE or wants more information, please contact Professor Fields at jfields[at]sfsu[dot]edu. For more information about the program, click here.

Kelp Forest Ecology Summer Course: Deadline April 15
This course is aimed at upper division undergraduates or beginning graduate students interested in benthic ecology & kelp forests. SCUBA certification (Advanced/Open Water II) & all personal diving gear is required (AAUS scientific certification is not required, but desirable). Summer tuition ($5080) will be covered; class size is limited. The application form is available here. Hopkins Marine Station, Pacific Grove, CA Jun 20-Jul 22, 2016 (5-weeks), M-F, 5-units.

LEED Green Associate (GA) Training: April 21
The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program acts as a method of evaluating buildings based on energy-efficient and sustainable design. The LEED Green Associate (GA) credential is the only entry level sustainability designation and shows that those certified are knowledgeable in the green building industry. A new LEED rating system (v4) was introduced recently and this training course is one of the few that has been updated to teach the current rating system. This training will take place on the UCSC campus on April 21 from 6-10 PM. For more information including cost and how to register, see here.

California Dream Ride: Registration Opens April 1
Our 3rd Annual California Dream Ride will take place over 5 days from October 3rd to 8th, 2016. The ride is 280 miles from San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles. Enjoy gorgeous ocean sunsets with new friends. Ride along quiet beach bike paths, skyline ridge roads, and scenic canyons, enjoying the balmy breeze. Eat fantastic meals with great company. Relax in comfortable hotels at the end of a day of riding. Early bird registration opens April 1.

Women of Wind and Energy Windpower Fellowship: May 23-26
The Rudd Mayer Memorial Fellowships support women to participate in Windpower, attending seminars on current wind energy issues, viewing state-of-the-art technology, meeting others in the renewable energy field, and connecting with employers about potential internships or permanent positions. Windpower 2016 will be held from May 23-26 in New Orleans, LA. The Fellowship covers the cost of travel to and from the Windpower conference site, conference registration (and included meals), and lodging. Find out more on the website here.

The Summer Institute on Sustainability and Energy Program: Deadline July 1
The Summer Institute on Sustainability and Energy (SISE) is a two-week intensive workshop and lecture series for students and professionals at the University of Illinois at Chicago. From August 4-16, a diverse body of participants will engage a broad spectrum of energy and sustainability-related topics through daily presentations, collaborative projects, mentoring activities, site visits, and networking opportunities with leading research institutions and companies in the digital technology and energy sectors. They will accept applications through July 1st. Application information, program information, and more can be found at their website. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Thomas Aláan uic.sise.admissions[at]gmail[dot]com, SISE Program Coordinator.

Climate Ride Summer Session: June 17 - July 10, 2016
The Climate Ride has a new program designed to engage young adults (ages 18-24) in the bike advocacy, conservation and sustainability movement. The 2016 inaugural ride is a 24-day, 1200-mile van-supported bike trip from Portland, OR to Santa Barbara, CA through some of the Pacific Coast’s most beautiful locales. In order to participate, riders must fundraise a minimum of $3,500 for the Climate Ride beneficiary organizations of their choice. There are more than 100 beneficiaries to choose fromSpace is limited to 20 participants. For more information and to register click here.

Sustainability Studies Minor
The minor incorporates courses offered by College Eight and departments across campus, student-initiated classes through the Education for Sustainable Living Program, and an interdisciplinary capstone. The minor is open to all UCSC students. For more information, click here.

Divestment Student Network People Of Color Caucus
The People of Color Caucus is a place for organizers of color in the divestment movement to meet, collaborate on shared projects, and support each other to build the Climate Justice movement the world needs. Check out their Purpose, Principles and how to get involved here. Divestors of color who are interested in learning more can fill out this quick membership form to be shared on their listserve, membership contact page, and Facebook group.

UCSC Receives Silver Bicycle Friendly University Award

The League of American Bicyclists recognized UC Santa Cruz with a Silver Bicycle Friendly University award, joining 100 visionary colleges and universities from across the country.

(Left to right) Robert Jones, a student bicycle commuter who also works with sustainability organizations on campus; Cathy Crowe, who manages transportation programs like the Bike Library, as well as permit sales for TAPS; and Melissa Ott, a recent UCSC graduate who actively supported bicycling as a student and now works in the Sustainability Office.

With the announcement of 33 new and renewing BFUs in 20 states, UC Santa Cruz joins a cutting-edge group of colleges and universities from across the United States transforming their campuses and the communities around them. There are now 100 BFUs in 37 states and Washington, D.C.

“Campus leaders are recognizing the immediate and long-term impact that a vibrant bike culture can create for their institutions,” said Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists. “We applaud this new round of colleges and universities for investing in a more sustainable future for the country and a healthier lifestyle for their staff, students and surrounding communities.”

Robert Jones rides his bike to campus nearly every day for class. He also works for UCSC's PowerSave Campus and the UCSC Sustainability Office. 

UC Santa Cruz encourages bicycling as an easy option for transportation and provides amenities such as free bike safety classes, bike maintenance clinics, bike fix-it stations, and bike licensing; a variety of bike parking options, including smart bike lockers; a bike lending library; a bike shuttle from two off-campus locations; and a zero-interest bike loan for academic and staff employees. The UCSC bike program also conducts a Bicycle Safety Campaign twice each year to educate cyclists about safe cycling techniques; helmets and bike lights are distributed free of charge to participants who don’t currently have them.

Jonny Zelaya was an intern with the Student Environmental Center's Transportation Campaign, which encourages sustainable transportation, including bicycling. He is now a Student Sustainability Advisor for College 8 and Oakes.

Students have been a driving force in the promotion of bicycles at UCSC, launching several successful programs such as the Bike Library, the Bike Co-op, the Bicycle Transit Planning Team, and a student Transportation Campaign. Melissa Ott, a recent graduate who was highly involved with bicycle advocacy efforts at UCSC, is excited about the Bicycle Friendly status. "I am so proud that the efforts of hardworking individuals and organizations at UCSC have been recognized with this award. I hope this helps inspire more students, staff, and faculty to hop on a bicycle and explore our campus on two wheels."

Ott, who now works in the UCSC Sustainability Office, acknowledges that the topography of the campus is a challenge. "It's not easy to convince people to bike up our hilly campus, but those of us who have made the trip up know that once you challenge yourself to do so, the rewarding views, endorphins, and sense of community that result are so worth the sweat!With this award, UC Santa Cruz will now have access to a variety of free tools and technical assistance from the League to become even more bicycle-friendly.

More information about UCSC’s bike program can be found online at http://taps.ucsc.edu/commute-options/bikes/index.html. 

People Power of Santa Cruz County Launches "I Give 3 Ft" Safety Campaign

California’s new bike-passing law takes effect Tuesday, Sept. 16 and many motorists aren’t aware of the new requirements, so People Power of Santa Cruz County, the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency (HSA), and the California Bicycle Coalition are launching a safety campaign urging motorists to pass bicyclists safely by giving at least 3 feet of clearance when passing. On Tuesday, Sept 16, California joins twenty-five other states with similar laws.

Image source

People Power and HSA are hosting a press event on September 16th at 10 AM at Santa Cruz City Hall, to encourage widespread education of motorists and cyclists on the new law. The event will feature local elected officials, the Watsonville and Scotts Valley Police Departments, and the Capitola AAA office.
“This bill will be a powerful educational tool in Santa Cruz County,” says People Power Director Amelia Conlen. “People on bikes are often passed dangerously close, especially on our rural roads. The new law gives us the opportunity to talk to drivers and cyclists about how to interact safely.”

“More and more Californians are discovering that bikes are an easy, healthy, and fun way to get around, but it’s unnecessarily dangerous sometimes when a motorist passes too closely,” said Dave Snyder, the executive director of the California Bicycle Coalition, whose organization advocated for the bill to remind motorists that three feet is the minimum clearance necessary for safety. Bicyclists need some “wiggle room,” Snyder said, to safely avoid a pothole or road debris without having to worry about getting hit by a passing car.

At least three cyclists have been killed in automobile collisions in Santa Cruz County in the past year.

AB 1371 was signed into law last September. When it takes effect, violators will face a $35 fine plus fees, or a $220 fine -- $959 with fees -- if a collision occurs. Where a violation results in a collision that injures a bicyclist, the law will be valuable because it establishes a basis for citing the driver for unsafe passing.

People Power is providing free bumper stickers and window clings to motorists who want to put them on their car to remind other motorists of the need to pass safely. Visit the press event to pick one up.

For more information, please contact Amelia Conlen, People Power Director, at (831) 425-0665 or director AT peoplepowersc DOT org

May Bike Month Events

What better time to dust off your bike, tune it up, and go for a ride than May, which is National Bike Month!

Bicycling is not only fun, it's also a zero-emissions method of transportation, it's great exercise, and you can save a lot of money on gas and maintenance by transitioning your commute or daily trips from car to bicycle.

From our bay views to our hills to our thriving bicycle community, Santa Cruz is one of the best places to be during National Bike Month and Bike Week (May 2-9). There are more than 15 bicycle events happening in town and on-campus in May alone! Here's the complete list--notice how many events are happening at UCSC!

Bike Night First Friday at the MAH - May 2 at 5pm - 9pm 
Museum of Art and History, 705 Front Street. 
Ecology Action Bike Week kick-off party in collaboration with People Power of Santa Cruz County. Join us for an evening of live music, local artists, craft vendors, friends, family, a group ride and so much more at the Museum of Arts & History. Visit the Bike to Work website for details.

Stevenson Bike & Food Justice Fest - May 3 at 12pm - 4pm
Stevenson Main Quad, UC Santa Cruz. 
Join us for a bike & food justice fest featuring free bike maintenance, bicycle education and history, bike-generated strawberry smoothies with education about strawberry production, music, bike part art, a food justice & transportation board game, and more! At 2pm, there will be a speaker panel discussion about the intersections of transportation and food justice in the Stevenson Fireside Lounge. Email Melissa at mott [at] ucsc [dot] edu for details.

Slug Bike Party Ride Around Campus – May 3 at 3:30pm 
Meet in Stevenson Main Quad, UC Santa Cruz. 
During the Bike & Food Justice Festival, a group will be heading off on bikes to explore easy and secret routes around campus while also touring some of the campus gardens. Bring a bicycle in good working condition, a helmet, and comfortable shoes. Bike party! Email Melissa at mott [at] ucsc [dot] edu for details.

Capitola Open Streets - May 4 at 11am - 4pm 
Santa Cruz Open Streets fosters individual and community health through creative use of public space. Capitola Village’s first Open Streets event will close the road to car traffic and fill the street with people walking, biking and playing. There will be music, local organizations, and fun activities! For more details, visit the website.

Cycle & Dine - May 5 
Cyclists will receive between a 15-25% discount on their meal at participating restaurants! Upon arrival at any of these restaurants make sure to show your helmet to your server or at the cash register before ordering. Each restaurant will be providing varying discounts within the noted range. Participating restaurants include: Charlie Hong Kong, Chocolate, Harbor Cafe and Midtown Cafe. Other restaurants to be confirmed shortly; visit the website.

Bike Week World Cafe - May 5 at 5pm - 7pm 
Kresge Piazzetta, outside Kresge Seminar Room at Porter-Kresge Rd, UC Santa Cruz. 
The World Cafe is a weekly potluck of both food and ideas that takes place in Kresge College. The theme for this week is bicycles to celebrate the beginning of Bike Week in Santa Cruz! Join us for conversations about the revolutionary role of bicycles to empower and free people in our community, enjoy some bike generated smoothies and music, and learn some basic bike maintenance. For more information, contact Melissa at mott@ucsc.edu

Staff of Life Market Breakfast - May 6 at 7am - 10am 
1266 Soquel Avenue. 
Free pastries, juice, and coffee for cyclists! Join us for a fun event in the seated patio area for yummy food, delicious beverages, free bike goodies and more! Learn more here.

UCSC Bike Helmet Giveaway - May 6 at 1:30pm - 4pm
Base of UCSC campus, corner of Bay & High. 
In celebration of Bike Week, Transportation and Parking Services is hosting the Bicycle Safety Campaign! TAPS will be surveying cyclists and handing out 200 free helmets to members of the UCSC community on first come first serve basis. Proof of UCSC affiliation required. Invite your friends if you care about them staying safe on the road! If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Julie.

Free Basic Bicycle Maintenance - May 7 at 12pm - 4pm 
Downtown Farmers’ Market, Cedar Street & Lincoln Street. 
Spokesman Bicycle mechanics will have a tent set up at the Farmers Market to provide FREE basic bike maintenance. Get your bike tuned up and ready for Bike to Work Day!

Riding for Transportation - May 7 at 6pm - 7:30pm
Epicenter Cycling, 1730 Mission Street. 
Epicenter Cycling will be hosting this free workshop which will include everything you need to know about commuting by bike. Epicenter will demystify the rules of the road and will be discussing equipment options, riding at night, biking with kids, locking up, and much more. The workshop will also feature a panel discussion including Andrea from Epicenter, Amelia Conlen (Director at People Power of Santa Cruz County), and local longtime commuters Gary and Rebbie, followed by a Q&A. Snacks will be provided + great deals for workshop attendees on Epicenter commuter gear!

Bike to Work/School Day! - May 8, 2014 at 6:30am - 9:30am 
Have you ever wished someone would celebrate your bike commute with free food? Well that’s what Bike to Work Day is all about! There will be 15 public breakfast sites for people who bike to work/school this day. For more information, visit the website.

Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing Fundraiser for Bike to Work Day - May 8 at noon - 10pm 
402 Ingalls Street #27. 
$1 per pint will go to support Ecology Action's Bike to Work/School Program. Drink up!

Bike Party: The (Bike) Empire Strikes Back! - May 9 at 7pm - 9pm 
Meet at Bike Church, 703 Pacific Avenue. 
Bike Party is a fun, social ride every 2nd Friday of the month. The goal is to create a safe and cooperative roadway environment for all users. Bring your Star Wars inspired costumes, light sabers and polish those storm trooper boots or just come as you are! Prizes for best individual and group costumes.

Bike Party photo by Bradley Allen.

Edge of Eden Music Festival (Free Bike Valet) - May 10 at 2pm - 10pm 
Take your bike to this music festival at the UCSC East Field and receive free bike parking! Parking is limited for the event anyway, and you won’t have to worry about your bike while you enjoy the show. Learn more here.

Free Bike Commuting Workshop at UCSC - May 14 at 12:30pm – 1:30pm 
Science and Engineering Library Room 332, UC Santa Cruz. 
Come to a free one-hour workshop for UCSC bike commuters of all skill levels hosted by People Power of Santa Cruz County. We’ll cover best practices for commuting to campus, including gears, laws, and routes. Free helmets and front bike lights!

Smooth Cycling at UCSC - May 14 at 2pm - 3:30pm
College 9/10 Community Room, UC Santa Cruz.
Come to this Smooth Cycling presentation by Ecology Action to learn how to safely cycle in Santa Cruz! Learn about the best roads and trails, find out the best way to avoid collisions, how to avoid theft, and more! Free bike lights! Additionally, a representative from the East San Jose Bicycle Cooperative will be available to help provide free mechanical support to anyone looking to tune up their bike.

Endless Summer Bike Ride - May 18, 2014 at 11am to 3pm
Soak in the sun, practice your cycling skills and explore little-known routes around Santa Cruz on this easy 8-10 mile bike ride. $6 cost includes a picnic lunch at Twin Lakes Beach. Bring a helmet and bike in good working condition. Register online here.

Free Bike Commuting Workshop - May 19, June 16, and July 21 at 6pm - 7pm 
People Power of Santa Cruz County Office, 703 Pacific Avenue. 
Biking to work is a great way to save money, stay fit and reduce your carbon footprint. Learn rules of the road, basic skills and maintenance, what gear to bring and how to make the most of your bike commute at these monthly workshops every third Monday of the month until July. People of all bike skill levels are welcome, from beginners to seasoned commuters. Register for a workshop here.

May 2014 Sustainability Profile: Julie Foster

Each month, our newsletter features a person or group on campus that is working toward a more sustainable world. This month features Julie Foster, a second year Stevenson College affiliated student who has been making a great effort to help UCSC become a bike-friendly university.

Julie and Rizzo

Position Titles: Bike Library Coordinator, Bike Friendly Campus Initiatives Intern, and Student Environmental Center Personnel Organizer and Blueprint Intern

Favorite Green Tips: Do it yourself! I think the best green tip is to not be so reliant on modern technology, consumption, and buying new things. Try skipping the bus or car and transporting yourself with human power like walking, skateboarding, or bike riding. And try reducing your waste by taking old trash and remodeling it with a DIY ideas (I'm a big fan of pinterest projects).

What does "sustainability" mean to you? I like to think being sustainable is doing what you can to minimize your impact on Earth. It is keeping the Earth healthy and doing your part to ensure the human relationship with nature has that component of giving back to the world rather than just taking what we can without considering the consequences.

How does sustainability relate to your role at UCSC? Throughout this year I have been really active with the sustainability community on campus through my involvement with the Student Environmental Center and my work on the Bike Library. However, I think the most important role I play that relates to sustainability on campus is simply my role as a student. As much as I can do myself by working on projects, my impact will never be as great as the impact all campus affiliates can make together. You do not have to be actively involved with the environmental community to participate in the projects and resources all the amazing sustainability orgs on campus create. Sometimes the little things can have the largest effect.

How do you practice sustainability in your daily life? I ride my bike! As much as possible I try to choose my bicycle and forego automobile transportation. This reduces my carbon footprint, plus it can be so much fun!

Have you had a favorite sustainability moment at UCSC? As a huge bike fan and the coordinator I might be a little biased, but I really love the Bike Library Program. This project started as an Education for Sustainable Living Program course, then it became a Student Environmental Center campaign, and now it lives with TAPS. It is fascinating to track how much it has grown through all these organizations and how well it has brought people together. The mission is to get people on bikes who would otherwise not be able to have bikes to promote sustainable transportation and self sufficiency. Like the Bike Library on Facebook to stay updated on cool bike stuff!

May 2014: Internships, Employment, & Volunteering

Arboretum Volunteer Gardening Opportunities
Do you have an interest in gardening? The Arboretum has volunteer gardening hours throughout the week. Visit their website for details and cultivate your green thumb!

Find/Upload Projects to Sustainability Project Clearinghouse
Are you 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] ucsc [dot] edu.

Volunteer for the Sustainability Spring Festival
Interested in helping to celebrate the many sustainability accomplishments of our campus? Volunteer to help plan the Sustainability 2014 Spring Festival Celebration! Contact Darlene Khalafi at dkhalafi [at] ucsc [dot] edu or visit this website for more information. Volunteers are needed the day of the event May 22nd from 11am-4pm as well as the week before the event to help create decorations and much more!

Bikes & Food Justice Festival

Do you like bikes, food and justice? Join us for the Stevenson Bike & Food Justice Fest from 12pm-4pm in the Stevenson Fireside Lounge. Join us for a bike & food justice festival featuring free bike maintenance, bike education and history, and bike-generated strawberry smoothies with education about strawberry production, music, bike part art and food justice. The Bikes & Food Justice Festival is looking for volunteers to work in one hour shifts. For more information, contact Melissa Ott, mott [at] ucsc [dot] edu or check out the event page here.

Sierra Club's Search for Next Generation Leaders 
Sierra Club is looking for the next generation of environmental leaders! Today, more than ever, young savvy organizers are running campaigns and changing the policies at the local, state and national level. This summer, hundreds will take part in the Sierra Club's award-winning grassroots leadership training program to learn the skills necessary to launch such campaigns. These five week-long trainings are ran by, and intended for young movement leaders. Does this sound like someone you know? Nominate a young leader to gain the skills and confidence they need to launch and win real campaigns for real issues: sustainability, climate and justice by clicking here!

ZipCar Paid Internship
ZipCar is offering a paid internships to students at UCSC! Some responsibilities include: communicating and working with campus-wide contacts to cultivate awareness on campus, location management, vehicle auditing, and writing and executing a marketing plan. To apply, and for more information, check out ZipCar's 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. Sprout Up was founded by college students is a non-profit operation, so they are always seeking new instructors. For more information about potential volunteering opportunities, check out their website.

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 become a full-fledged research facility; internship opportunities exist and will continue growing as the facility expands. UCSC students can learn more about the WaterLab and internships by contact Eli Weintraub
at etweint [at] ucsc [dot] edu and via the Center for Integrated Water Research. 

Intern at the Monterey Bay Aquarium
Come on down to the Monterey Bay Aquarium on Thursday May 8th, for Information Sessions at 10:00 am-1:30pm (presented every 30 minutes), and Interview Screenings beginning at 10:30 am-2:00pm to get all the information needed to volunteer! The mission of the aquarium is to inspire conservation and care for our oceans and everyone who interns there plays a critical role. Bring your passion and energy to a rewarding workplace and apply for an internship that best suits those skills! For for information please visit their website or email intern [at] mbayaq [dot] org.

Volunteer for Sea Slugs
The Sea Slugs are a UCSC student-based organization built around environmental activism and community involvement. Sea Slugs have ties with many local organizations including the Save the Waves Coalition and the Surfrider Foundation. All those interested in environmental stewardship should visit their website or contact them at seaslug.ucsc [at] gmail [dot] com.

February 2014: Classes, Training, and Community

Sustainable Transportation Lectures & Activities Every Friday
People Power: Engaging Sustainable Transportation Solutions meets every Friday from 8 - 10:40 AM in the Kresge Seminar Room. This 2-unit course is being co-taught by two undergrad students and is open to all, even if you aren't enrolled or can only attend one meeting. Each week features a different theme, ranging from the local community to bicycles to walking to feminism & social justice to public transportation, and much more! Speakers are lined up throughout the quarter, including Paul Lee of the Homeless Garden Project, Mark Lakeman of the City Repair Project, a representative from Tesla Motors, TAPS Director, a representative from the Regional Transportation Commission, and many more! The class blog can be found here, and the syllabus with week-by-week details and speaker information is available for viewing here. For more information email Melissa at mott [at] ucsc [dot] edu.

Earth Summit 2014: March 6
The Student Environmental Center is excited to announce the 13th Annual Earth Summit on Thursday, March 6, 2014! The Earth Summit is a space for students, staff, faculty, administrators, and community members to come together and celebrate the history and current actions in campus sustainability, plan for future projects, and strengthen student involvement. There will be empowering speakers, exciting workshops, and delicious local food! If you would like to be involved in the planning of this great event, lead a workshop, or volunteer, please email Lily Urmann at lurmann [at] ucsc [dot] edu.

"The Story of Stuff" Creator Annie Leonard Speaking at UCSC February 12
Join Annie Leonard, creator of "The Story of Stuff," for a panel discussion about consumption and waste and how we can be more conscious about waste on our campus. Her original video, which is only the first of many, "is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns.” What considerations go into purchasing decisions on campus? What are our biggest waste issues? And what initiatives can students take to reduce consumption and waste? From problems to solutions, Annie, along with faculty, staff, and alumni panelists, will connect the “stuff” that enters and leaves our campus with issues of social and environmental justice. February 12, 5-7 PM in the College 9/10 Multipurpose Room, with a reception and book signing following.

Blueprint Breakout
Want to have a direct impact on future sustainability projects on campus? Have visions of UCSC sustainability that you'd like to share? Or are you just interested in learning more about campus sustainability initiatives? Then come to the Student Environmental Center's last Blueprint Breakout of the year! The topic for Wednesday, February 19 is Water Conservation & Energy, from 5:30 to 8:30 PM in the College 8 Red Room. Free vegetarian dinner included!

Civinomics Workshop on Illegal Mountain Biking in Upper Campus
On Wednesday, January 29, a panel discussion hosted by Stevenson Residential Life, Hilltromper, and Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz brought together 5 panelists to discuss the illegal mountain biking trail network in upper campus at UCSC to share information and perspectives on what the issues are. Now it's your turn to weigh in on the issue through this Civinomics workshop. Vote on ideas, share your perspectives, and ask questions--engage your civic citizen muscles! Read more about the January 29 panel at Hilltromper, Santa Cruz Sentinel, and the Civinomics blog.

Demeter Seed Library Now Hosting Garden Parties
Demeter Seed Library wants to help you get dirty! A garden party is a novel way to learn more about backyard gardening, utilize community labor, and make new friends. If you have any land that should be growing veggies or flowers, contact them and they will see if they can rally the troops to turn your yard into a beautiful garden! They are also looking for a core group (about 2-4 people) of individuals to join the garden party team--this core group would join in leading the party of brave volunteers in the transformation from dirt to soil. If you think you have what it takes, contact Conner at cspears [at] ucsc [dot] edu.

U.S.-Denmark Summer Workshop on Renewable Energy

The four-week workshop takes place annually, in California and Denmark, with the 2014 edition in California. It starts with one week of online preparation and continues with three weeks of lectures, seminars and field trips in California. Participants will learn about the economics, politics, science, and technology behind renewable energy implementation from leading experts, while exploring communities and relevant energy sites where such technology is in place or currently being implemented. The faculty is composed of U.S. and Danish professors, as well as, external professionals and researchers with proven experience in their field. Students will work on team-based projects related to renewable energy solutions to specific problems. The interdisciplinary approach and holistic perspective allows students with various academic backgrounds to interact and develop concrete final project ideas, while targeting today’s energy problems from different angles. For more information click here.

IDEASS Student Project Presentations at New Tech MeetUp: March 4
Interested in sustainable enterprise? Don't miss the IDEASS presentations at the New Tech MeetUp downtown at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, March 4. Come support your fellow slugs and take advantage of this amazing networking opportunity and connect with some of the top talent from the growing green economy. A lot of top talent from Silicon Valley attend these events and are looking to support creativity on this side of the hill. More information about new Tech MeetUp is here.

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 15, 2014. See the announcement and event poster for full information.

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.

Garden Workdays with the Program in Community and Agroecology (PICA)
Join PICA to help with planting veggies, digging garden beds, building compost, and sowing seeds! A free garden grown lunch will be served. Meet in A-Quad in The Village every Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM (Winter Quarter: January 18th to March 8th). For more info check out: ucscpica.org

New Sustainable Transportation Class this Winter

Transportation projects at UC Santa Cruz are really rolling this year, with a number of new projects taking shape in addition to the continuation of past programs. With all of the exciting work happening regarding how we get from place to place, students are seeking ways to collaborate, network, and stay better connected so that projects can support one another and have collectively greater impacts in the UCSC and Santa Cruz communities.

New Sustainable Transportation Course 
To bring together the many student projects related to transportation on and off-campus for this increased communication, a hands-on class with an internship component titled "People Power: Engaging Sustainable Transportation Solutions" is being offered through the Common Ground Center in Kresge College that will meet weekly for discussion, sharing of project ideas, and updates. The occasional walk or bike ride across campus will be part of opportunities to reflect on barriers and opportunities to encourage more students to use these methods while getting around campus instead of busing or driving. Community and campus leaders working on transportation initiatives, including representatives from People Power of Santa Cruz County, Ecology Action, Transportation and Parking Services, Fleet Services, health organizations that promote walking, and public transportation groups like Santa Cruz Metro will be invited to speak and answer questions in the class throughout the quarter.

Two undergraduate students, Alex Hoffman (third year Physics) and Melissa Ott (fourth year Literature), will be designing and facilitating the class with the guidance of David Shaw, co-founder of the Common Ground Center and Kresge College faculty member. The 2-unit class has 20 spots open for any students who are interested in sustainable transportation solutions, as well as students who are already working on projects related to transportation on or off-campus. Students who are not currently part of a project will be matched up with a project of their choice from a list of ideas, including some generated by People Power of Santa Cruz County and one of its programs Green Ways to School. People Power is a bike advocacy organization in the Santa Cruz community, and Green Ways to School is a program with a mission to get more youth on bicycles for getting to school and around town.

The course will also have time set aside each week for ideas sharing and brainstorming together, which is open to the public and to students who aren't able to commit to enrolling in the class. Each week's class will have a theme for discussion, including diverse topics like social justice, feminism, accessibility, environmental sustainability, community building, and place making.

All students are invited to apply for this hands-on class. Because of the limited number of spaces, there is an application that can be submitted here. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and it is recommended that you submit your application by December 30. The class will be held Friday mornings from 8 AM - 10:40 AM, complete with breakfast potlucks and Community Agroecology Network coffee to get the innovative thought wheels turning at the start of the day.

Campus Transportation Projects 
Here's a snapshot of some of the transportation projects taking place on and off-campus by UCSC students. The hope is that these students will participate in the class in order to create more community and connection among the various programs:

• A walk-to-class competition being planned by the Provost's Sustainability Intern for Transportation and Parking Services
• The Rock the Bike energy-generating bike project through the Student Environmental Center's Transportation Campaign (currently seeking a coordinator and interns for winter and spring)
• The Bike Library, managed by a student working with TAPS
• The Bicycle Transit Planning Team's Santa Cruz bike ridership counting, mapping, and outreach project through the Impact Designs: Engineering & Sustainability through Student Service (IDEASS) program
• An electric vehicle charging station analysis project in Santa Cruz and the Monterey Bay area, also through IDEASS
• The Bike Co-op
• OPERS free bike maintenance
• Interns working with Ecology Action's Transportation Programs, like Bike Smart and Bike to Work Day
• Any other projects, programs, or student initiatives related to transportation or any of the topics covered by the class are invited to participate in whatever capacity they can!

Find Out More

If you are interested in learning more, know about transportation resources or programs not mentioned here, or want to get involved in the class in any way, please email Melissa Ott at mott [at] ucsc [dot] edu. To apply, please submit your application here.

December 2013: Contests & Funding

Free Winter Quarter Bike Library Rentals: Deadline January 15
Need a bike? The UCSC Bike Library has a fleet of Kona Dew hybrid bikes available to be rented for the whole quarter for free by students, staff, and faculty. The bikes come with a helmet, lock, cable, and lights. Bike Library recipients must attend a one-day bike safety class that covers bike traffic safety, maintenance, and reviews challenging roadway situations in Santa Cruz and how to best approach them. The class will be offered January 18 and 19, and it is open to any UCSC affiliate, even if they are not getting a Bike Library bike. To RSVP for the class, please email taps [at] ucsc [dot] edu. Bike Library applications for winter quarter are due January 15. Visit the website for details, and to apply for a bike click here.

Call for Papers: 'Just Sustainability: Hope for the Commons' Conference
Seattle University's Center for Environmental Justice and Sustainability invites papers and proposals for talks, workshops and panel presentations for its inaugural conference “Just Sustainability: Hope for the Commons” to be held Aug. 7-9, 2014. Topic areas are environmental justice and sustainability from all fields of discourse, including but not limited to environmental studies, theology, business, philosophy, engineering, education, law, the arts, international development, anthropology, religious studies, geography and the natural sciences. Submissions are due by Jan. 27, 2014.

Call for Papers: BioCycle West Coast Conference
Abstracts are now being accepted for the 14th annual Renewable Energy from Organic Recycling (REFOR14 WEST) conference in the areas of renewable energy, and food recovery and recycling tracks. Deadline for abstract submission is December 31.

Call for Proposals: Solar Decathlon 2015
The U.S. Department of Energy is now taking proposals for collegiate entrants in its 2015 student competition. Up to 20 teams will be selected to begin a two-year project to build solar-powered, highly energy-efficient houses that combine affordability, consumer appeal, and design excellence. Proposals are due Dec. 20, 2013.

Call for Proposals: 2014 Agricultural Innovation Prize
Launched by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the 2014 Agricultural Innovation Prize encourages student teams to develop innovative plans to address social and agricultural challenges within food systems, improving the standard of living and quality of life for the world’s population. The competition is open to U.S. undergraduate and graduate students across all academic disciplines and runs through spring 2014, when teams will compete for the chance to win $215,000 in prize money, with a grand prize of $100,000.

Call for Submissions: Real Food Media Film Contest
Real Food Media Project is seeking 30-second to four minute short films from students about U.S. food, farming and sustainability. Cash prizes will be given to the best 10 films and the audience choice winner, including a $5,000 grand prize and a chance for a screening at the Food and Farm Film Festival in San Francisco in April 2014. Deadline for submissions is February 3, 2014.

Call for Submissions: Innovative, Sustainable Projects
The Campus Consciousness Challenge, hosted by REVERB Inc., is accepting U.S. undergraduate proposals that aim to have a direct or indirect positive effect on the environment. The winner will receive $10,000 for development of the proposal. Entries are due by noon Eastern on Feb. 17, 2014.

Earthzine Seeks Student Juror for Science Competition
The online scientific journal seeks a university or college student as a juror to assist in scoring entries for NASA 2013 Earth Science Technology Showcase, an online presentation of technology developments for the earth science community.

Call for Submissions: Green Living Project Student Film Competition
Green Living Project invites submissions for its Student Film Project. The competition encourages students to submit films of five minutes or less that share a unique, creative and compelling story about a local or global sustainability-related project. Winning films will be screened at GLP Films' events throughout the year, and winners also receive gear and prizes up to $1,000 in value. Deadline for submissions is Jan. 17, 2014.

UCSC Students Biking the Coast to Raise Funds, Awareness for Clean Drinking Water

On December 13, with fall quarter behind them and finals all finished, two UC Santa Cruz students will be hopping onto their bicycles to embark on a 300-mile journey from Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara in the name of clean drinking water for all people.

Christopher Otte (Porter, Proposed Global Economics) and Randy Miller (Kresge, Proposed Literature) will be riding their bikes along Highway 1 for nearly 300 miles to raise money and awareness for clean drinking water projects. They are seeking sponsorship for the trip from friends, family, and the Santa Cruz community, either as a flat donation or an amount per mile they ride. All funds generated will be donated to Viva con Agua, a charitable organization based in Germany that campaigns for clean drinking water worldwide. They have already raised over $200 as of November 30!

Christopher Otte (left) and Randy Miller (right), pictured here with another friend, will be biking the coast to raise money for clean water projects.

This ride is part of a new on-campus organization called the Love Foundation, whose mission is to sponsor events that are fun and appealing with the ultimate aim of fundraising for clean water projects. A current clean water project that the organization is working to fund through Viva con Agua is in India. Find out more about the Love Foundation on their Facebook page.

Christopher and Randy invite you to join them if you are up for the fun challenge. Because the ultimate purpose is to raise money, anyone joining them needs to be willing to make some phone calls to find sponsors. People joining also need to be competent cyclists that can successfully ride 40-60 miles per day so the group can stay more or less together.

For more information about the project, to inquire about joining the ride, or to donate funds to their cause, please email Christopher Otte at ctotte [at] ucsc [dot] edu.

Recently Green Certified Payroll Office Writes Song

Congratulations to the Payroll office for their completion of the Green Office Certification Program! They earned a "Sapling" rating for their sustainable practices and created a commitment plan as a guide to help them improve their behavior and become a "Tree."

They also wrote an incredible song about their experiences and overall feelings about sustainability on campus. Check it out!

To the tune of "Yakko's Universe" from The Animaniacs.

Everybody works in a cubie or an office
or a lab on location for what it's worth.
And we all report to a division which is part of a department
that works at a University known as UCSC.

And UCSC is a college full of oceanographers and lit majors
and students silently analyzing data deep in space.
And working at UCSC are the students and employees
striving to insure the living planet is keeping pace.

It's a great big University
and we’ve all heard the call:
Zero Waste by 2020,
“We can do it!” says George Blumenthal.
You might think it won’t mean much
but shut your lights off on the way to lunch.
It's a big University and we’re Green!

Going Green is super easy; it can start with a towel

that you bring from home to dry your cups and hands.

And as you are leaving work, flip off all the lights in sight,

don’t forget about your computers and the monitor screens, too!

Across the entire campus, we’re opening up the blinds

and finding carpool buddies for our daily drives

and there’s a bunch of folks riding bikes up Bay Avenue

in a beautifully Go Green parade!

Take a look around the campus, you will find recycle bins

of blue and green and brown to put your recycling in.

Stop buying bottled water and compost your banana peel!

We can make our goal a little at a time.
‘Cause education starts with action, and we all can do it:

UCSC – full of students, faculty and staff

doing our part to be sure the universe extends to a place that never ends.
Going Green is not a passing trend!

It's a great big University
and we’ve all heard the call:
Zero Waste by 2020,
“We can do it!” says George Blumenthal.
You might think it won’t mean much
but shut your lights off on the way to lunch.
It's a big University and we’re Green!

The Green Office Certification Team has loved working with you Payroll! Thank you for your enthusiasm.

To learn more about the Green Office Certification Team and to have your office green certified next, visit the website.