Environmental Studies
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Michael Soulé, father of conservation biology, dies at 84
Michael Soulé, a professor emeritus of environmental studies at UC Santa Cruz who was widely considered the “father of conservation biology,” died on June 17. He was 84.
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Royal Geographical Society publishes special COVID-19 issue
A virtual special issue of Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers features Politics Professor Matt Sparke’s article, “Contextualizing Coronavirus Geographically,” and provides free access to additional articles that provide perspective on the pandemic.
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Two vital buffers against climate change are just offshore
A new study underscores the need to conserve and restore mangroves and coral reefs for coastal protection.
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Emerald predators: Ohlone tiger beetles reclaim territory with the help of local scientists
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists released 43 Ohlone tiger beetles to a new home in Santa Cruz County earlier this year with the help of UC Santa Cruz students and reserve managers
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Planting trees is no panacea for climate change, says ecologist
Restoration ecologist Karen Holl has a simple message for anyone who thinks planting 1 trillion trees will reverse the damage of climate change: “We can’t plant our way out of climate change.”
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Already vulnerable, gig economy workers in San Francisco suffer during coronavirus pandemic, survey reveals
A new survey of app-based ride-hailing and food and grocery-delivery workers in San Francisco underscores the financial vulnerability of workers in the gig economy—and the coronavirus has made their plight much worse.
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Delivery and ridehailing workers lack critical protections from coronavirus
Chris Benner led an online survey of app-based workers in San Francisco, and preliminary results reveal significant financial hardship caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
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Agroecology major available this fall
Beginning this fall, students will have an opportunity to enroll in a new agroecology major, an interdisciplinary program housed in the Environmental Studies Department.
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Grow your own veggies? Orin Martin offers tips for novice gardeners
Orin Martin is delighted that people are responding to the coronavirus pandemic with a desire to grow their own veggies, and he has lots of knowledge to share—as well as one plea: Be sure to plant some flowers, too.
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Grad student wins support for Joshua tree research
Daniel Hastings, a graduate student in environmental studies, has received a research fellowship award to support his work studying the effects of climate change on the Joshua tree.
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California Sea Grant funds sustainable aquaculture project
Pallab Sarker, an associate research professor in environmental studies, has received support from the Coastal Sea Grant program to fund his research into the development of sustainable feed for farmed fish.
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Orin Martin recognized for ‘Fruit Trees for Every Garden’
Orin Martin’s book ‘Fruit Trees for Every Garden’ has been recognized by the American Horticultural Society as one of the outstanding gardening books of 2019.