Campus News
Earth Month: Celebrating our campus, our progress, and a shared sustainable future
As we kick off Earth Month, I’m pleased to share some highlights of our community’s progress on sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Aerial photo of UC Santa Cruz.
Dear UC Santa Cruz Community,
Our campus, with its many areas of natural beauty, inspires us every day. This breathtaking setting reminds us why we choose to live, learn, teach and work here, and of our shared responsibility to protect and sustain the world around us in the face of pressing environmental challenges.
As we kick off Earth Month, I’m pleased to share some highlights of our community’s progress on sustainability and environmental stewardship. It is work that unites us and positions UC Santa Cruz as a leader in creating a healthier, greener future. Our efforts have not gone unnoticed. Since the Princeton Review launched its Guide to Green Colleges in 2010, UC Santa Cruz has consistently been recognized as one of the nation’s greenest campuses, frequently ranking among the top 10 universities, including No. 6 this year.
Under our campus strategic plan, climate change, sustainability, and resilience continue to be central pillars of our mission. In the past year we have made meaningful advances that reflect both our values and impact:
- We are advancing toward a decarbonized future through major electrification projects, including all-electric buildings and campus microgrids that strengthen energy resilience and sustainability.
- In 2025, three buildings earned Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) designations: Rachel Carson College Dining, the Kresge Academic Building, and the Kresge Residential Halls. Congratulations to all who made this possible.
- Our campus has phased out single-use plastic bags and water bottles and is steadily eliminating other single-use plastics in dining and vending in favor of infinitely recyclable aluminum. All recycling and compost go to our campus’ award-winning ReGen facility for proper sorting and repurposing. For these efforts, the university is ranked a top 10 Zero-Waste Campus by the Post-Landfill Action Network.
- Last year, we launched the Interdisciplinary Climate Justice Scholars Program to advance interdisciplinary climate justice research. This program tackles structural barriers that undervalue public-facing and cross-disciplinary work, especially for early-career faculty and those from historically marginalized groups. As a result, fellows are better prepared to navigate institutions, strengthen their research, and broaden its impact.
In addition to these achievements, I was proud to recently announce that UC Santa Cruz has pledged to become a Clean California Community under the state’s Clean California initiative. This recognition celebrates the commitment of residents, local organizations, and campus partners to reduce litter, enhance public spaces, and work toward a cleaner, more vibrant environment for all.
In addition to these achievements, I was proud to recently announce that UC Santa Cruz has pledged to become a Clean California Community under the state’s Clean California initiative. This recognition celebrates the commitment of residents, local organizations, and campus partners to reduce litter, enhance public spaces, and work toward a cleaner, more vibrant environment for all.
Thank you for your ongoing dedication to sustainability and stewardship, and for everything you do to make UC Santa Cruz a place where beautiful surroundings and bold action go hand in hand.
Sincerely,
Cindy
Cynthia Larive
Chancellor
Events and ways to get involved
Rachel Carson-inspired Day Retreat for Emerging Climate Scientists: A Full Day of Workshops and Mentorship with Women Climate Scientists and/or Environmental Justice Scholars
What: The retreat brings together undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty for a day of mentorship, storytelling, and conversation centered on climate science, environmental justice, and leadership. Breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks provided.
When: Friday, April 10, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Location: Cowell Hay Barn
Organized by: Rachel Carson College
Risk & Safety Services (RSS) Fair
Come celebrate the ribbon cutting of UCSC’s first electric bus! Additional departments will be tabling about UCSC’s Sustainability & Climate Action Plan and other risk and safety campus services. Lunch will be provided for the first 100 people to stop by and fill out a passport by visiting tables at the event.
When: Tuesday, April 14, 10:30 a.m. (bus ribbon cutting); 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. RSS Fair
Location: Baskin Engineering Courtyard
Organized by: RSS & TAPS
The Power of One: A Celebration of Earth Day at UC Santa Cruz
What: The Power of One brings together the campus and community for a unique blend of film, dialogue, and environmental stewardship. The program begins Friday evening with a special campus screening of The Power of One documentary and a panel discussion featuring filmmakers Alex Valdez and Pablo De la Fuente and UCSC faculty members Karen Holl and Natalia Ocampo-Peñuela. The experience continues Saturday morning with a habitat-enhancement project along the San Lorenzo River in partnership with the Coastal Watershed Council, followed by Earth Day festivities in downtown Santa Cruz. This event is free and open to the public. UCSC students are especially encouraged to attend. Light refreshments will be served. Register today!
When: Friday, April 17, 5–7 p.m.
Location: UCSC Merrill Cultural Center
Organized by: The Office of the Chancellor
Baskin Engineering Climate Week
What: The Power of One brings together the campus and community for a unique blend of film, dialogue, and environmental stewardship. The program begins Friday evening with a special campus screening of The Power of One documentary and a panel discussion featuring filmmakers Alex Valdez and Pablo De la Fuente and UCSC faculty members Karen Holl and Natalia Ocampo-Peñuela. The experience continues Saturday morning with a habitat-enhancement project along the San Lorenzo River in partnership with the Coastal Watershed Council, followed by Earth Day festivities in downtown Santa Cruz. This event is free and open to the public. UCSC students are especially encouraged to attend. Light refreshments will be served. Register today!
When: Friday, April 17, 5–7 p.m.
Location: UCSC Merrill Cultural Center
Organized by: The Office of the Chancellor
Women of Color Environmentalists Panel
What: Featuring talks, games, pedagogical resources, organizational tabling, and a faculty social. Free and open to the public. Visit the Climate Week webpage for details on individual events.
When: April 20–24
Where: Multiple locations
Organized by: Baskin Engineering
Pitch In All Santa Cruz County Clean Up Day
What: Join the UCSC People of Color Sustainability Collective for a panel that celebrates the efforts, voices, and visions of women of color environmentalists. The panelists have worked in various fields, from irrigation systems to marine research, agroecology, and more! Come learn about opportunities you can take part in as an undergrad, graduate opportunities, and programs, a free dinner, and more! RSVP online. Follow our Instagram: @pocsustainability to learn about our panelists!
When: Wednesday, April 22, 6–9 p.m.
Location: Merrill College Cultural Center
Organized by: UCSC People of Color Sustainability Collective
Earth Summit
What: Help us keep our campus and county beautiful! Come volunteer to pick up litter across the county and campus. Visit the Pitch In Santa Cruz website to find a location by you.
When: Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m. to noon
Location: UCSC clean-up will be at the Porter Squiggle sculpture by the Porter bus stop.
Organized by: The UCSC Sustainability Office and Pitch In Santa Cruz