News
ENVS Class of 2022
May 31, 2025
Colombia’s peatlands could be a crucial tool to fight climate change. But first we have to find them.
April 15, 2025
Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies Scott Winton conducted three years of extensive fieldwork to develop the first data-driven map of both newly documented and predicted peatlands across Colombia’s eastern lowlands.
Global premiere of “Power in the Desert” illuminates the human side of the lithium boom
April 14, 2025
New documentary inspired by Professor Chris Benner's co-authored book “Charging Forward” explores environmental justice across Argentina, Chile, and California.
New study shows how microalgae could help advance sustainable trout farming
March 12, 2025
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz created a successful experimental aquaculture feed formulation for rainbow trout that fully replaces traditional fishmeal ingredients sourced from wild-caught fish with leftover marine microalgae from the human dietary supplement industry. Their findings support efforts to increase the variety and quality of fish-free feed options, so that aquaculture can expand food production while also taking pressure off of wild fish stocks.
Supporting early career alums: Finding hope in challenging times
March 11, 2025
In a time of uncertainty, where environmental challenges grow more complex and the future feels unpredictable, two UC Santa Cruz alumni share their insights on adapting to professional challenges while staying true to their core values.
UC Santa Cruz AgTech Alliance launches to support interdisciplinary collaboration
January 28, 2025
Building on the long history of innovation in agriculture at the campus, the AgTech Alliance will support research, education, events, and workforce development related to advancing agricultural technology in order to create more formalized opportunities for collaboration within the university and beyond.
A Dream Realized: Silver Slug Award empowers first-gen student
January 16, 2025
UCSC student Stephanie Mayo-Burgos (Porter ’25, environmental studies and legal studies) pursues her dreams with the help of the Silver Slug Award.
UC Santa Cruz innovators recognized for impact at 2024 Santa Cruz Works Titans Awards
December 4, 2024
Two UC Santa Cruz faculty members, Richard (Ed) Green and Chris Benner, have been selected as awardees for the eighth annual Santa Cruz Works Titans Awards
Imperial Valley’s lithium reserves could power a global energy transition. But will they also fuel local economies?
November 18, 2024
Professor Chris Benner's latest book with coauthor Manuel Pastor, a professor at the University of Southern California, explores economic and environmental possibilities for a lithium boom in California's Imperial Valley.
New mapping techniques empower bird conservation in Colombia
October 23, 2024
Natalia Ocampo-Peñuela, assistant professor of environmental studies, and a team of Colombian researchers have introduced a transformative approach to mapping bird species distribution across Colombia, harnessing community science data and innovative modeling techniques.
Grasslands live in the climate change fast lane
October 18, 2024
A new paper that built upon prior research efforts in the Environmental Studies Department shows that grassland communities across the California Floristic Province are transitioning toward plants that prefer hotter and drier conditions at a pace that's comparable to the observed rate of changes in climate.
UC Santa Cruz professor helps set national research agenda for atmospheric methane removal technologies that could help fight climate change
October 10, 2024
Environmental Studies Professor Sikina Jinnah was a co-author on a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) that recommends a national research agenda for atmospheric methane removal technologies and assesses potential atmospheric removal tools.
Recognizing outstanding faculty and staff in the Division of Social Sciences
October 8, 2024
Social Sciences Dean Katharyne Mitchell and award committee members recently announced the recipients of the 2024 Social Sciences Division faculty and staff awards, which are dedicated to honoring significant contributions to teaching, research excellence, and student support.
Professor Stacy Philpott leads U.S. delegates for “Agri-Young Hackathon” at G7 Ministers’ Meeting on Agriculture
October 8, 2024
Environmental Studies Professor Stacy Philpott led the U.S. delegation for a youth hackathon at the recent G7 Ministers’ Meeting on Agriculture in Italy. Philpott was asked by USDA representatives to coordinate and support the country’s team, a reflection of her national leadership role in preparing the next generation of agriculture professionals.
Social Sciences Division welcomes new faculty
October 7, 2024
UC Santa Cruz’s Social Sciences Division is welcoming 10 outstanding new faculty members this academic year.
UC Santa Cruz launches new degree program in Geographic Information Systems, Spatial Technologies, Applications, and Research
October 7, 2024
UC Santa Cruz is launching a new Master of Arts program in Geographic Information Systems, Spatial Technologies, Applications, and Research (GISTAR), designed to meet the growing demand for expertise in geospatial technologies.
Famed economist and Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz speaks out against right-wing notions of economic freedom
September 19, 2024
On Tuesday night, famed progressive economist Joseph Stiglitz drew a large and enthusiastic crowd to downtown Santa Cruz, where he took aim at neoliberal economics and called for more equitable alternatives. The event was co-sponsored by The Humanities Institute at UC Santa Cruz.
Preparing California’s agricultural lands for climate change
August 7, 2024
Two UC Santa Cruz researchers won a total of more than $1.5 million in federal funding for their research that's helping to create sustainable "agroecosystems" in response to climate change and other increased environmental pressures.
An overlooked side-effect of the housing crisis may be putting Californians at increased risk from climate disasters
July 29, 2024
In a new article for the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, UC Santa Cruz researchers laid out the foundation for their highly-anticipated upcoming study of how lack of affordable housing in urban areas of California may be driving increased development in and near wildlands, leading to more severe climate change impacts.
New grant funding will help UC Santa Cruz build and diversify a climate resilience workforce for the Monterey Bay region
July 26, 2024
UC Santa Cruz will receive more than $2 million in funding to support education and training programs for undergraduates, graduate students, and working professionals as part of a larger $71.1 million federal grant to the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation and a host of local partners.
Philanthropy in action: Alumna Roberta Gordon invests in students for Earth's future
July 8, 2024
Roberta Gordon bridges science, law, and philanthropy for environmental progress
California State Board of Food and Agriculture visits campus
May 07, 2024
On April 30, California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Secretary Karen Ross and members of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture held their April Board meeting at the Hay Barn on the University of California, Santa Cruz campus.
How UC Will You Be? ENVS FERP Program Featured
April 22, 2024
Why It's Time To Think About Self-Driving Cars In Regards To Parking
May 28, 2019
Associate Professor Adam Millard-Ball hypothesizes that autonomous vehicles will be commonplace within the next 5-20 years, invariably increasing road congestion.
ENVS BA Nathalie Martin publishes Field Guide to Plants of UC Santa Cruz
April 29, 2019
Explore the "superbloom" in Santa Cruz County with Nathalie Martin's field guide to campus plants.
Millard-Ball: Self-driving cars could more than double traffic in San Francisco
February 4, 2019
Associate Professor Adam Millard-Ball hypothesizes that autonomous vehicles will be commonplace within the next 5-20 years, invariably increasing road congestion.
Environmental Studies student analyzes the impacts of ride hailing on the environment
September 22, 2018
Recent article for City on a Hill Press about the environmental impacts of ride-hailing services features the work of ENVS graduate Lyndel Fusello.
Opinion: Why industry should be forced to clean up its messes
August 10, 2018
An Op-ed by UCSC Environmental Studies Professor Karen Holl about a recent policy allowing corporations to use federal public land without covering for any damage caused.
San Jose Mercury reports on student Rico Ruiz's work with monarch mortality
May 7, 2018
UCSC senior internship student Rico Ruiz has been working with Groundswell Coastal Ecology to better understand what has been killing western monarch butterflies along the Central Coast.
Environmental Studies professor Chris Wilmers featured in The Mercury News
March 8, 2018
Chris Wilmers, director of the Santa Cruz Puma Project at UC Santa Cruz, discusses how a high-speed rail could doom mountain lions and other wildlife in the Santa Cruz Mountains with The Mercury News.
New book edited by environmental studies professor examines historical context of BRICS nations
January 25, 2018
Co-edited by Ravi Rajan, The Great Convergence: An Environmental History of BRICS shows how Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa can come together to deal with environmental challenges
Environmental Studies research and education coordinator Damian Parr featured in Modern Farmer
January 23, 2018
Damian Parr discusses the current state of agricultural education with Modern Farmer.
Environmental Studies professor Jeffrey Bury featured in The New York Times
November 26, 2017
Jeffrey Bury discusses the effects of climate change and their study of glacier melt on Peruvian agriculture with The New York Times.
Environmental Studies professor Michael Loik featured in Newsweek
November 6, 2017
Environmental Studies professor Michael Loik discusses how smart greenhouses can generate solar power and grow crops at the same time with Newsweek.
“March for Science” marches on, thanks to a donation to UC Santa Cruz’s Inquiry Learning Gift Fund
October 9, 2017
Using the March for Science donation, the Inquiry Learning Gift Fund plans to support students from low-income families to participate in science fairs at the county and state level.
Chris Wilmers featured in BeProvided Conservation Radio
September 26, 2017
Environmental Studies professor and Chris Wilmers discusses his involvement with the Santa Cruz Puma Project, a research lab group that studies the impacts of humans on pumas.
Santa Cruz Sentinel reports on USDA grant awarded to UCSC
August 31, 2017
The Santa Cruz Sentinel reported on a $2.5 million USDA grant that will extend the reach of new strategies being developed by Environmental Studies Professor Carol Shennan to fight soil diseases in commercial strawberry production.
Exploring the UCSC Farm & Garden’s history through faculty research
August 02, 2017
Faculty and students in the division of social sciences show how the farm plays a crucial role in their research at farm and garden’s recent First Fifty Celebration.
Karen Holl publishes column in the Santa Cruz Sentinel
April 15, 2017
Environmental Studies Professor Karen Holl authored an op-ed for the Santa Cruz Sentinel about her participation in the April 22 March for Science, calling on others to join her as advocates for the free and open flow of scientific information that is not financed by corporate interests.
Karen Holl publishes blog for the Union of Concerned Scientists
April 13, 2017
Karen Holl writes a blog for the Union of Concerned Scientists, titled “Restoring California’s Coastal Ecosystems.” In her blog, she writes about the need to restore coastal ecosystems in California.
Daniel Press featured in National Geographic article
April 11, 2017
Environmental Studies professor and director of the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems (CASFS) Daniel Press was featured in the National Geographic article Top 10 Most Endangered Rivers in the U.S.
Research Roundup: Winter 2017 Issue
April 04, 2017
Some of the diverse topics covered by faculty in the Social Sciences Division in Winter 2017 include predicting college success, models for sustainable development, the psychological impact of President Donald Trump, his proposed military budget, and more.
Climate change experts focus on solutions in face of shifting U.S. policy
February 28, 2017
UCSC Climate Conference brought together top climate scientists and policy experts for a series of talks and panel discussions.
Understanding the drought and deluge in California
February 21, 2017
Environmental studies professor Michael Loik talks about how the current weather system is impacting the state’s ecology.
Professor Karen Holl publishes article in Science magazine
February 3, 2017
"Restoring tropical forests from the bottom up," is the latest article authored by Holl.
Daniel Press interviewed for Mother Jones
December 19, 2016
Environmental Studies Professor Daniel Press was interviewed in the progressive news magazine Mother Jones for a feature about president-elect Donald Trump's stance on green energy.
Professors Holl and Loik share climate research with local students
December 16, 2016
The Santa Cruz Sentinel featured environmental studies professors Karen Holl and Michael Loik's participation at the San Lorenzo Valley High School’s environmental conference.
Research Roundup: Fall 2016 Issue
December 15, 2016
Clean energy, gerrymandering, self-driving cars, bear populations, microagressions, water rights, and the youth vote are just some of the diverse topics faculty in the social sciences at UC Santa Cruz are researching.
Now hiring: Coastal Governance Assistant Professor
October 24, 2016
Applications are now open for the Coastal Governance Assistant Professor position. Apply by December 19, 2016 to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Now hiring: Landscape Ecology/Climate Adaptation Assistant Professor
October 24, 2016
Applications are now open for the Landscape Ecology/Climate Adaptation Assistant Professor position. Apply by December 19, 2016 to ensure full consideration by the committee.
High-tech sensors monitor ecosystems in climate change research program
October 21, 2016
UC Santa Cruz scientists lead a UC-wide consortium using the Natural Reserve System as a climate impacts laboratory.
Lions, Leopards, and Pumas (Oh My!) - Chris Wilmers to talk at the Rio Theatre on May 18
May 6, 2016
The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History invites the community to attend a lecture by Chris Wilmers at the Rio Theatre on three of the world’s Big Cats: Lions, Leopards, and Pumas.
Research Roundup: Winter 2016 Issue
March 24, 2016
From biodiversity in California to power relations in Tanzania, faculty and researchers in the Division of Social Sciences published a wide range of issues and ideas in winter quarter.
Rick Flores, Curator, Graduate Student
March 17, 2016
After assisting an indigenous group's pursuit of revitalization, Rick Flores decided he wanted to learn more - and do more - about it.
Environment Studies professor Michael Loik will discuss the drought at "Naturalist Night" on March 15
March 9, 2016
Loik will deliver a talk as part of Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History "Naturalist Night." He will discuss the current El Niño conditions of the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean, and how these events affect our lives here in California.
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition honors UC Santa Cruz alumnus and sustainability champion, Mark Lipson
February 05, 2016
The award was made to honor Lipson’s years of service to the organic and sustainable agriculture movement, and his groundbreaking work on Capitol Hill shepherding in historic changes.
Going global: USAID Fellow Stephanie Web to work with WorldFish in Egypt
February 2, 2016
Stephanie Webb, a UC Santa Cruz Ph.D. candidate in environmental studies, received a UC-USAID fellowship.
Upcoming 'Science on Tap' event will feature Professor Michael Loik
November 2, 2015
On November 18th, Professor Loik will deliver a talk titled "The Great California Drought of 2012-2015. Will El Niño Save Us.
Graze Under Fire
October 29, 2015
The weekly Santa Cruz newspaper Good Times has featured Environmental Studies doctoral student Alicia Calle's research on sustainable cattle farming in Colombia.
Drones could make forest conservation monitoring significantly cheaper
October 5, 2015
Study published in Biological Conservation wins Elsevier’s Atlas award
Norris Center leads the way for natural history
April 22, 2015
Read more about the dedication and plans for the center.
Inside the Center for Integrated Spatial Research: one of UC Santa Cruz’s innovative labs
April 21, 2015
An inside look into how UCSC tackles issues from climate change to global inequality using spatial data
Multicultural Urban Agroecology Research Exchange in Chiapas, Mexico
April 6, 2015
During Spring Break, ENVS faculty, staff, and students traveled south for an intense and rewarding experience in urban garden agroecological research and multicultural interaction in the colonial, highland town of San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas.
Join us on April 25 for the Ken Norris Center for Natural History Dedication
April 2, 2015
Join us during UCSC’s 50th anniversary alumni weekend to celebrate the grand opening of the Kenneth S. Norris Center for Natural History and the 50th anniversary of the UC Natural Reserve System.
Professor Gregory S. Gilbert to talk on April 29 about how to harness evolution to solve environmental problems
March 25, 2015
Professor Gregory S. Gilbert is the featured presenter at the Science on Tap event.
Karen Holl to talk on Wed 2/25 about tropical forest restoration
February 17, 2015
Dr. Karen Holl is the featured presenter at the Science on Tap event at the Crepe Place from 7-8:30pm this coming Wednesday, 2/25/15.
Endowed fund created in honor of beloved ENVS undergraduate Annais Rittenberg
February 17, 2015
UCSC Norris Center manager Chris Lay shares future plans for the Annais Rittenberg fund.
Seeking Symbiosis, an Art & Environmental Studies collaboration, graces the hallways of ISB
February 17, 2015
Seeking Symbiosis, the art show, is a collaboration between Juniper Harrower, a PhD student in the Environmental Studies Department, and Dr. Geoffrey Thomas, a Research Associate in the Art Department.
Director of the Gorongosa Lion Project joins Chris Wilmers' Lab
February 17, 2015
Paola Bouley, Director of the Gorongosa Lion Project, joins the Global Change and Wildlife Ecology lab of Dr. Chris Wilmers as a PhD student
Field Experiences in the Amazon
February 13, 2015
Chris Kane, this year’s Terence Freitas Memorial Scholarship winner reflects on his experiences among Indigenous peoples in the Amazon.
Graduate student Elissa Olimpi's research recognized
February 10, 2015
ENVS graduate student, Elissa Olimpi's high school mentee, Alex Wayne of Aptos, presented a poster on part of Olimpi's research on bat activity at the American Geophysical Union semi-annual Meeting at the Moscone Center in December. Wayne participated in last summer's UCSC High School Summer Internship Program, funded by the National Science Foundation with Olimpi as his mentor.
CISR receives recognition from the White House for Coastal Resilience Efforts
November 7, 2014
The Center for Integrated Research was recognized by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, Environmental Systems Research Institute, and the White House Council on Environmental Quality for developing new software focusing on developing coastal resilience.
American Sociological Association honors Environmental Studies Chair Andrew Szasz
October 31, 2014
Andrew Szasz was selected as the recipient of the 2014 Environmental Sociology Teaching and Mentorship Award from the Environment & Technology Section of the American Sociological Association (ASA).
Food for Thought
October 23, 2014
UC Santa Cruz—'The Mothership' of organic agriculture—has much to offer the ambitious new UC Global Food Initiative
Alumni Profile with Suzi Eszterhas: Eye on the wild
October 23, 2014
For over a decade, Suzi Eszterhas ('99, Environmental Etudies) has captured stunning moments from the lives of animals around the world that few of us would see without her photographs.
Environmental Studies professor Jeff Bury receives 2014 Golden Apple Teaching Award
October 15, 2014
Daniel Press quoted in UC President Napolitano's Global Food Initiative news release
July 1, 2014
Daniel Press of CASFS talks to UC President Janet Napolitano about new Global Food Initiative on food security, health and sustainability.
Major NSF grant to study how plant roots cycle carbon in soils
April 21, 2014
ENVS soil scientist, Weixin Cheng, is the lead researcher on a new a 3-year, $800,000 grant. The grant will investigate how the activities of living plant roots break down organic matter in soil to better understand the release rate of carbon dioxide which has implications for climate change.
Annais Rittenberg Scholarship
April 21, 2014
Scholarship honors the memory of Field Quarter 2013 student, Annais Rittenberg. The goal is to establish an endowed scholarship (a minimum of $25,000) to help students in need and who embody the qualities that made Annais a gifted educator, naturalist, and activist.
Search for New Alternatives to Oil Extraction in Amazonian Forests
November 8, 2013
Ecuador's Yasuní-ITT Initiative and the search for new alternatives to oil extraction in Amazonian forests: ENVS faculty member and UCSC students take a closer look.
Students Working at the Icy Edge of Climate Change
November 8, 2013
During a recent research expedition to the Peruvian Andes, ENVS students Anna Medina, Camila Bobroff and Adam French assessed the challenges of adapting to a world without glaciers.
Mind To Matter Donates to Experiential Learning
August 20, 2013
Alumnus' foundation makes generous donation to ENVS experiential learning endowment
Undergraduate's Op-Ed Published in Santa Cruz Sentinel
May 21, 2013
Erin Linney suggests energy-efficiency measures for Santa Cruz rental properties
PhD Alumni's Start Up In The News
May 15, 2013
UCSC Review Magazine Features ENVS Internship Office
May 15, 2013
Campus Farm and The Puma Project Make Headlines, April 2013
April 23, 2013
The two programs were featured in the San Francisco Chronicle.
WaterLab Research on Water Recycling
April 15, 2013
Eli Weintraub talks about wastewater recycling, and the future of water research.
New Positions for ENVS Graduate Alumni
April 9, 2013
Donations from Alumni Keep NHFQ Going in 2014
April 9, 2013
Thank you alumni and other donors for your support of the Natural History Field Quarter course!
Coastal Commission funds projects at UCSC Arboretum and Seymour Center
February 26, 2013
The California Coastal Commission has awarded grants to fund two coastal restoration and education projects at UCSC.
