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2017 Sustainability

December 14, 2017
Cowell Ranch Hay Barn recognized by architects
The Cowell Ranch Hay Barn has received recognition from the East Bay chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
December 13, 2017
Two UCSC biologists receive Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professor awards
Biology professors Beth Shapiro and Erika Zavaleta won HHMI funding for their innovative science education proposals.
December 07, 2017
Heart monitors on wild narwhals reveal alarming responses to stress
As sea ice melts, new findings add to concerns about the effects of ocean noise and increased human activity on deep-diving Arctic whales.
December 05, 2017
Study finds variation within species is a critical aspect of biodiversity
Researchers compared the ecological consequences of variation within species and among species, and found similar effects in many cases.
November 16, 2017
Passenger pigeon genome shows effects of natural selection in a huge population
A new analysis of DNA recovered from museum specimens explains the surprisingly low genetic diversity of the passenger pigeon population.
November 03, 2017
Solar greenhouses generate electricity and grow crops at the same time, UC Santa Cruz study reveals
The first crops of tomatoes and cucumbers grown inside electricity-generating solar greenhouses were as healthy as those raised in conventional greenhouses, signaling that "smart" greenhouses hold great promise for dual-use farming and renewable electricity production.
November 02, 2017
Scientists identify hotspots of coastal risks in Latin America and the Caribbean
500,000 people are at high risk from coastal hazards, according to a new study by researchers at UC Santa Cruz and the University of Cantabria, Spain.
November 01, 2017
ENVS prof Elliott Campbell receives global environmental change award
Elliott Campbell, associate professor of environmental studies, will receive a 2017 Global Environmental Change Early Career Award from the American Geophysical Union during its December meeting in New Orleans.
October 30, 2017
Augmented reality showcases transportation options
The Visualizing Sustainable Transportation project from the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission offers residents a chance to view potential transportation options through augmented reality.
October 30, 2017
Talk with the architect: Cowell Ranch Hay Barn
On Wednesday evening, November 8, architect, UC Santa Cruz alumnus and Professor Emeritus of architecture Richard Fernau will speak about his office’s renovation/reinvention of the Cowell Ranch Hay Barn.
October 26, 2017
Geologist Gary Griggs publishes two new books on coastal issues
'The Edge' focuses on California’s unique coastline, while 'Coasts in Crisis' offers a global perspective on the issues facing coastal regions throughout the world.
October 25, 2017
Want to save 41 percent of the planet’s highly threatened vertebrates? Work on islands
A new study has mapped the world’s most vulnerable island species and identified invasive species as a key threat to their survival.
October 24, 2017
Open forums on Student Housing West project
UC Santa Cruz will host two open forums on Student Housing West, a new housing development project that will offer more opportunities for students to live on campus.
October 18, 2017
Understanding the coevolving web of life as a network
A new study exploring how mutualistic species coevolve suggests rapid environmental change can destabilize networks of interacting species.
October 16, 2017
Migration, climate, housing among the topics featured during fifth annual UC Santa Cruz Research Frontiers Evening Oct. 26
Six UC Santa Cruz researchers who are tackling "key issues of the 21st century" will be featured during the fifth annual Division of Social Sciences Research Frontiers Evening on October 26.
October 09, 2017
Sustainability plan charts course forward
By Elida Erickson, Sustainability Director — The campus community is invited to learn more about the new sustainability plan during an Oct. 19 kick-off event at the Arboretum.
October 02, 2017
A megawatt researcher
Physics grad student Katie Hellier—who also has a degree in fashion—is doing research into new solar cell materials.
August 31, 2017
Coastal wetlands dramatically reduce property losses during hurricanes
A new scientific study reports that coastal wetlands significantly reduce annual flood losses and catastrophic damages from storms.
August 30, 2017
American pika disappears from large area of California’s Sierra Nevada mountains
Study documents local extinction of pikas from the largest area yet reported and projects climate change will cause drastic decline for the charismatic mammal within decades
August 29, 2017
Giving fish a fighting chance
Alumnus Brycen Swart identified how warmer river temperatures were hurting Chinook salmon fry—and he earned a medal for conserving them.
August 28, 2017
USDA awards $2.5 million grant to UC Santa Cruz to expand organic strawberry research
UC Santa Cruz researchers who have pioneered alternatives to methyl bromide in commercial strawberry production have received a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that will take their work national.
August 25, 2017
'Sierra' magazine names UC Santa Cruz a ‘Cool School’
Coming in at No.23, the ranking underscored UC Santa Cruz’s strong commitment to protecting the environment, addressing climate change, and encouraging sustainability.
August 17, 2017
Florida flood risk study identifies priorities for property buyouts
A study of flood damage in Florida proposes prioritizing property buyouts based on flood risk, ecological value, and socioeconomic conditions.
August 03, 2017
UC Santa Cruz celebrates 50 years of organic farming
The three-day celebration culminated with a joyful dinner presided over by famed chef, restaurateur, and organic food advocate Alice Waters.
July 25, 2017
Applications open for 2018 apprenticeship, new scholarship support available
Applications for the 2018 Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture are being accepted through August 15, 2017.
July 10, 2017
Growing farmers and the food movement for 50 years
The experiment in organic gardening that began at UC Santa Cruz in 1967 is now the oldest university-based organic research and education facility in the country.
June 22, 2017
Knight Foundation funds project on breaking 'filter bubbles' in science journalism
The Science Communication Program will explore ways to broaden the reach of science journalism and improve civic discourse on science-related issues.
June 13, 2017
Farm & Garden’s Market Cart produce stand opens June 20
Celebrate the start of summer on Tuesday, June 20, when the Farm & Garden’s Market Cart opens for 2017.
June 06, 2017
Materials Science and Engineering Initiative focuses on sustainability
UC Santa Cruz researchers are developing new materials for a wide range of devices and products, from solar cells to surfboards.
May 30, 2017
Ronnie Lipschutz appointed to chair in integral ecology and environmental justice
Ronnie Lipschutz, professor of politics and provost of Rachel Carson College, was honored as the inaugural holder of the Robert Headley Presidential Chair for Integral Ecology and Environmental Justice.
May 23, 2017
People of Color Sustainability Collective wins top honors
The Best Practice Award is the highest honor in the field of higher education sustainability in the state. It will be presented during the California Higher Education Sustainability Conference June 26–29 at UC Santa Barbara.
May 05, 2017
UCSC to present environmental video installation at SF’s Minnesota Street Project
UC Santa Cruz’s Institute of the Arts and Sciences will present a dramatic, four-screen video installation in San Francisco, hosted and co-sponsored by Minnesota Street Project, the city’s new contemporary art venue, May 20 through June 24.
May 02, 2017
Climate scientist James Zachos elected to National Academy of Sciences
Election to the academy is one of the highest honors a U.S. scientist can receive.
April 19, 2017
UC launches climate video series featuring UCSC alumnus M. Sanjayan
Climate Lab is an innovative six-part video series on climate change solutions produced in partnership with Vox.
April 17, 2017
Farm & Garden’s plant sale April 29-30 highlights 50th anniversary
The UC Santa Cruz Farm & Garden’s annual Spring Plant Sale will have a 50th Anniversary flavor this year, featuring some of legendary gardener Alan Chadwick's favorite plants.
April 17, 2017
Draft sustainability plan open for feedback
The draft Campus Sustainability Plan is available for review and input. The deadline to submit feedback is April 30, 2017.
April 14, 2017
Climate experts release latest science on sea level rise projections
A report led by UCSC geologist Gary Griggs addresses how much the ocean will rise along California's coast in coming decades.
April 07, 2017
Philosopher and three scientists to explore ethics and the language of conservation
The Institute for Humanities Research at UC Santa Cruz will present the inaugural event of its new research group, The Language of Conservation, on Friday afternoon, April 14, in the Humanities 1 building.
April 07, 2017
Growing farmers and the food movement for 50 years
Fifty years after students transformed a brush-covered rocky hillside into a verdant organic garden, UC Santa Cruz is widely regarded as a trailblazing force in sustainable agriculture education and research.
March 22, 2017
Water wizards: Building an underground savings account to bolster water supply
An innovative water-conservation strategy diverts water from overflowing rivers to fallow farmland, where it seeps into the soil and replenishes depleted aquifers.
March 13, 2017
Flowering times shift with loss of species from a grassland ecosystem
Loss of biodiversity may exacerbate changes in the timing of biological events already being driven by climate change, study finds.
March 10, 2017
Reef madness: A coral grows at UC Santa Cruz
Hundreds of students and community members are contributing their handiwork to the Crochet Coral Reef, a massive participatory art project that combines higher geometry with handicraft while calling attention to the disappearing wonders of the marine world.
March 08, 2017
Study supports increased funding for long-term ecological research
Despite critical importance to scientists and policymakers, funding for long-term ecological and environmental studies has declined while funding for short-term studies has increased.
February 28, 2017
Climate change experts focus on solutions in face of shifting U.S. policy
UCSC Climate Conference brought together top climate scientists and policy experts for a series of talks and panel discussions.
February 10, 2017
'Ecosystems of California' book wins PROSE Award for Excellence
Coedited by UCSC ecologist Erika Zavaleta, the book won two prestigious awards from the Association of American Publishers.
February 06, 2017
UCSC climate conference draws top scientists, policy makers Feb. 24-25
UCSC will host a national conference on climate change featuring top climate scientists and policy experts from across the country.
January 20, 2017
City, university wharf partnership earns Silicon Valley award
The GreenWharf is a suite of collaborative projects that together minimize the footprint of wharf operations on the surrounding environment while enhancing its appeal as a visitor destination.
January 17, 2017
Cowell Ranch Hay Barn wins architectural awards
The Cowell Ranch Hay Barn has won two architectural awards: a 2016 Excellence in Design Honor Award from American Institute of Architects Montana, and the 2017 U.S. WoodWorks Regional Excellence Award from the Wood Products Council.
January 04, 2017
Moore Foundation grant funds UC Santa Cruz groundwater sustainability project
The $854,000 grant supports research and solutions for the sustainability of groundwater in California.