#33 Feb. 18 2026

[Eric Zimmerman]

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IMPORTANT REGISTRATION DATES & DEADLINES:

 

TODAY, Feb. 18, 2026    Deadline to submit ES 2026 Scholarship Applications!

 

2/23/26            Start of Spring Quarter Registration Pass #2.
Check GOLD for your day and time!

- View Winter Quarter Registration Deadlines here.
- View Registration Pass Times & Info here.

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ES ADVISING HELP:

One of the most common ES major requirements students have questions about is the Area C (aka Outside Concentration).  If you’re one of them, please watch this short video create by an ES Advisor explaining the options you have to complete this requirement!
Video Explanation of Outside Concentration Options (12 min) and Slides of Outside Concentration Video (pdf)

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INDEX:

 

1)  Real Food Challenge UCSB Community Potluck at the IV Co-op moved to next week, 
    Tuesday, February 24^th, I.V. Food Co-op from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM

2)  Come see “Earth’s Greatest Enemy”, Abby Martin’s latest film featuring a Q&A 
    with film directer Mike Pysner. This life-changing film explores the complex link 
    between militarization and climate change.

    - February 23^rd, 5pm at the UCSB Multicultural Center Theater

 

3)  ES ELI Group needs your help! Creative Use for All (CUfA) aims to divert arts and 
    crafts scraps from landfills and into the hands of the local community! If you have 
    any excess arts and crafts supplies consider dropping them off at the many donation 
    boxes located around campus and Isla Vista!

 

4)  The Wildlife Society at UCSB host Dr. Laly Lichtenfeld from African People & 

    Wildlife (APW) to screen the organization's new documentary "Sentinels of Engaruka" 
    about endangered giraffes and indigenous communities in Tanzania,
    -  Monday, February 23rd at 5:00pm in the MSRB Auditorium.

5)   You’re Invited! BREN SCHOOL PHD STUDENT SYMPOSIUM

    - Friday, February 27, 2026 1:00pm PST, Bren Hall 1414
    Great opportunity for students thinking of going to graduate school and pursuing a PhD!

 

6)  LEED v5 For Planning: What Planners Need to Know
    - March 5th, 2026 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET | Virtual Format - Open to Students!

 

7)  UCSB CUEL Career Event: Environmental Career Panel 2/27 - All are welcome!!
    - When: February 27, 2026, 11:00 am - 12:15 pm in UCSB ILP 1302

8)  APPLY!  The School for Field Studies has several amazing field opportunities 
    in Croatia, Italy, Kenya, Peru, and Elephants of Southeast Asia, plus other countries 
    around the world!  Great way to fulfill your Area C Outside Concentration!

 

9)  The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Ocean Salmon Project, in 
    conjunction with the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, is currently 
    recruiting for multiple Fisheries Technician positions. Visit the PSMFC Career 
    Center at www.psmfc.org/psmfc-info/careers to apply.

 

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CONTENT:

1)  Real Food Challenge UCSB Community Potluck at the IV Co-op on Feb 17^th

On February 24th from 5:30 to 7:00 PM, we will be hosting a community potluck party at the IV Co-op to bring some vital discussion to the table about our food systems. The Real Food Challenge is committed to ensuring every student has access to healthy and nutritious meals, specifically viewing universities as essential centers for systemic change. To us, food is a multidimensional medium, and we are looking to engage with everyone who feels a connection to it. We welcome all to bring a dish and share dinner with our IV and UCSB community.

See attached flyer for more info or contact Stella Cosgrove stellac...@ucsb.edu

 

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2)  Come see “Earth’s Greatest Enemy”, Abby Martin’s latest film featuring a Q&A with film directer Mike Pysner. This life-changing film explores the complex link between militarization and climate change.

- February 23^rd, 5pm at the UCSB Multicultural Center Theater

 

This life-changing film explores the complex link between militarization and climate change. We watch as she travels both within the U.S. and internationally looking at how the military, the world's greatest institutional polluter, has left its mark both on the environment and on the people within it. With impressive investigative journalism, at times devastating visuals, and personal testimonies from affected communities, the film is a striking display of the power and deceiving nature of the Pentagon. In Martin's words “this film challenges audiences to rethink the hidden costs of a global military empire and its planetary consequences. Provocative, urgent, and eye-opening, this is a documentary that will change how you see both the military and environmentalism.” For those who have been needing some motivation to take climate action this film will get you there!

See attached flier!

 

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3)  ES ELI Group needs your help! Creative Use for All (CUfA) aims to divert arts and crafts scraps from landfills and into the hands of the local community! If you have any excess arts and crafts supplies consider dropping them off at the many donation boxes located around campus and Isla Vista!

 

The excess arts and crafts materials will be open to use for all students in the Spring Quarter; increasing accessibility to our community. Come check out CUfA before buying new materials!

 

See attached flier for more info or reach out to Cacee, ca...@ucsb.edu

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4) The Wildlife Society at UCSB is pleased to host Dr. Laly Lichtenfeld from African People & Wildlife (APW) to screen the organization's new documentary "Sentinels of Engaruka" about endangered giraffes and indigenous communities in Tanzania,
-  Monday, February 23rd at 5:00pm in the MSRB Auditorium.

 

About Dr. Lichtenfeld

Dr. Laly Lichtenfeld is the Co-Founder and CEO of African People & Wildlife (APW), a conservation organization partnering with communities across Tanzania to protect wildlife and support local livelihoods. For over twenty years, she has lived and worked in East Africa, advancing community-driven conservation in shared landscapes. Dr. Lichtenfeld holds a Ph.D. in ecology from Yale University, where her research focused on human–lion interactions, and began her work in Tanzania as a Fulbright Scholar. She is a National Geographic Explorer, an International Member of The Explorers Club, and a recipient of The Explorers Club’s Lowell Thomas Award for Open Space Conservation and WINGS WorldQuest’s Women of Discovery Award for Conservation.

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5)   You’re Invited! BREN SCHOOL PHD STUDENT SYMPOSIUM

- Friday, February 27, 2026 1:00pm PST, Bren Hall 1414
Great opportunity for students thinking of going to graduate school and pursuing a PhD!

 

The Bren PhD Student Symposium is held annually to highlight the diverse, cutting-edge research being conducted by Bren School PhD students. The students will present short (3-minute) talks and long (12-minute) talks describing their work. The event is open to the entire UCSB and Santa Barbara communities and is free to attend.

 

The Symposium will be presented in person in Bren Hall 1414, followed by a reception, poster session, and awards ceremony in the Michael J. Connell Memorial Courtyard. No RSVP required.

To learn more and see a list of student presenters and topics visit https://bren.ucsb.edu/events/2026-phd-student-symposium

 

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6)  LEED v5 For Planning: What Planners Need to Know
- March 5th, 2026 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET | Virtual Format

 

Students and Emerging Professionals: Join the Sustainable Communities Division as we unpack an updated sustainability framework in a partnership with EvolveEA, a sustainable architecture & consulting firm and LEED Proven Provider.

 

I am a volunteer with the APA’s Sustainable Communities Division and I am putting on an event within the Students and Emerging Professionals committee. The webinar will focus on real-world example of incorporating sustainability within planning with a specific focus on LEED v5 themes. I’ve attached the flyer and details below for your reference. 

 

Event Title: LEED v5 For Planning: What Planners Need to Know

Event Date: March 5th, 2026 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET | Virtual Format

Host: APA Sustainable Communities Division + evolveEA

Speakers: Grace Cameron, Meghna Roy, & Tyler Friedman. 

 

Short Summary: This session introduces emerging professionals to the LEED v5 framework through real-world planning and design examples aligned with its core priorities. By analyzing projects that predate or operate outside of LEED v5 certification, the session highlights how many of the framework’s key themes—such as decarbonization, resilience, equity, and human health—are already embedded in practice. Through case-based discussion, participants will build foundational LEED skills, learn how to identify and translate these principles into future projects, and better understand how the framework builds on existing approaches in the field. This session is designed as an introductory, skills-building opportunity for those new to LEED.

See attached flier and for questions contact Tyler Friedman <tylerf...@ucsb.edu>

 

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7)  UCSB CUEL Career Event: Environmental Career Panel 2/27 - All are welcome!!
- When: February 27, 2026, 11:00 am - 12:15 pm in UCSB ILP 1302

The Greti U. Croft Center for Undergraduate Environmental Leadership (CUEL) invites you to an Environmental Career Panel featuring guests from a wide range of sectors in the environmental field! This is an exciting opportunity to discover what environmental career you want to pursue and ask questions!

Learn career tips and industry insights from environmental professionals working for non-profits, governmental agencies, corporate sustainability programs, and environmental consulting firms.

Panelists:
Kathi King: Director of Education, Community Environmental Council
Anthony Shiao: Environmental Scientist, California Dept of Fish and Wildlife
Chris Ragland: Executive Director, Sea League
Rachel Sarnoff: Director of Communications, Cascale
Parker Grand: State Park Interpreter, California State Parks
Amy Noddings: Principal Biologist/Environmental Planner, Tetra Tech
Deji Olukotun: Global Director, Corporate Social Responsibility, Sonos

All are welcome to attend! We hope to see you there! 

 

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8)  APPLY:  The School for Field Studies has several amazing field opportunities in Croatia, Italy, Kenya, Peru, and Elephants of Southeast Asia, plus other countries around the world!  Great way to fulfill your Area C Outside Concentration!

 

For over 40 years, The School for Field Studies has transformed lives by inspiring students to become global thinkers and environmental leaders. SFS isn’t your typical study abroad program – it’s about doing, experiencing, and making a real difference. Alongside expert scientists, you’ll dive into hands-on research, tackling complex environmental challenges from Cambodia to Kenya. Step out of the classroom, make an impact, and join a community passionate about creating a sustainable future. Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime, where every day is an opportunity to challenge yourself and change the world.

 

This is a popular academic field studies program where students can earn as many as 26 UD units.  A great way to complete the Area C Outside Concentration.
Here are some highlights of just a few of their programs!

 

In Croatia, the 21st Century Marine Pollutants program explores the impact of sound and plastic pollution on sea turtles, bottlenose dolphins, and the broader Adriatic marine environment.

 

In Italy, one of the most biodiverse countries in Western Europe, the Pastures and Predators program explores human-wildlife coexistence and rewilding initiatives. Traversing three distinct ecosystems.

Traversing the Maasai Mara Reserve to the southern Amboseli ecosystem, Kenya's Wildlife Health and Conservation program.

 

In Peru, the Amazonian Plant Biodiversity and Traditional Medicine program unites students’ passion for traditional medicine and the environment.

 

Finally, the Elephants of Southeast Asia.

Learn more about SFS from our website here: https://fieldstudies.org

 

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9)  The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Ocean Salmon Project, in conjunction with the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, is currently recruiting for multiple Fisheries Technician positions. All interested applicants should visit the PSMFC Career Center at www.psmfc.org/psmfc-info/careers to apply.

Since 1962, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Ocean Salmon Project (OSP) has collected dockside catch and effort data from California sport and commercial ocean salmon fisheries. The project estimates annual salmon landings and fishing effort in the state’s ocean salmon fisheries. The project also determines the contribution of coded-wire tagged (CWT) salmon to commercial and recreational fisheries for use in ocean and inland management efforts. 

This season, the California recreational ocean salmon fishery is scheduled to open in the Monterey Management Area on or after April 1, 2026. We currently anticipate the commercial ocean salmon fishery will open on or after May 1, 2026. The Pacific Fishery Management Council set the final season on April 12, and field samplers will be needed in the following location: Santa Cruz, Moss Landing, Monterey, Morro Bay, and Avila. 

See attached fliers for more into and to apply!  

-- 
Eric D. Zimmerman  (he/him)
Student Services Manager, Lecturer
Environmental Studies, UC Santa Barbara

To schedule a Zoom advising appointment visit:
https://tinyurl.com/8nrcckds

       "Work Hard ~ Play Harder!"