#21 January 6, 2026
Eric Zimmerman
HAPPY NEW YEAR & WELCOME BACK TO WINTER
2026!
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IMPORTANT REGISTRATION DATES:
Winter Quarter Registration Deadlines:
View all deadlines at: https://registrar.sa.ucsb.edu/calendars/quarterly-deadlines
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ES ADVISING AVAILABILITY
If
you need ES Advising assistance with preparing your Winter 2026
schedule, first
try our Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQ) page for answers to many common
questions.
Students are also welcome to:
· Email questions to advi...@es.ucsb.edu and we will do our best to respond as soon as possible (normally 1-2 business days).
· Schedule a remote Zoom appointment with an ES advisor using the Schedule Appointment link on the ES Advising webpage. Appointments are generally available M-R 9:00-11:45 am and 3:00-4:00 pm. and all-day Friday.
· Or, come to our Dop-in Office Hours in Bren Hall 4312 on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 1-4pm.
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INDEX:
1) Earn
Academic
Credit for an Environmental Internship this Quarter!
ES Internship
Information
Session: Learn what, why,
when and how
to secure
an Environmental
Internship AND Receive Credit through ENVS 192!
- TUESDAY, January
13th, 2:00-315
in Bren 4016
2) UCSB Coastal Fund Winter Grant Application Deadlines
3) UCSB TGIF grant funding available for projects increasing Sustainability on Campus
The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF) is
currently accepting
project proposals for
the 2025/2026 Academic Year. - Deadline: February 2, 2026
4) The UCSB Sustainability Internships and
Community Resources Dept in
Student Affairs invites you to sign up for the Winter
Commute Reset Challenge.
Participants have the chance to earn a $60 gift card and
prizes from local
businesses
5) JOIN
THE UCSB ENVIRONMENTAL
AFFAIRS BOARD!
- First Winter meeting is this Wednesday January 7th, 2026 at
7:00pm
in the GSA Lounge (second floor of the Multicultural Center)
6) Get
involved with UCSB
CALPIRG: Protect our Oceans, Reduce Hunger
in our Community, and More
7) Are
you interested
in mental health? Do you want to help your peers?
UCSB Lean On Me is
Recruiting Peer Supporters!
8) Still
some open
spots in Wildlands Studies Spring 2026 Programs in
Nepal and
French Polynesia! Now is
the time
to apply!
9) UCSC
Summer Global
Seminar: Agroecology Practicum in Guatemala
Learn more at our upcoming Information Session:
Tuesday, January 20, at 2:00 pm
via Zoom. Register
here.
LOCAL INTERNSHIPS………………..
10) Winter
2026
Curation Internships at the UCSB Cheadle Center to assist
us with the curation
and management of specimens in our collection
11) Winter
2026
Internship Opportunity: UCSB Cheadle Center
Aquatic Invertebrate Lab
12) LOCAL
INTERNSHIPS: Habitat Restoration Maintenance
- Storke Ranch Vernal Pools
13) Great
job opportunity
with the city of Thousand Oaks: Part-time
Sustainability Aide (Hourly City
Worker) (20692452)
- DEADLINE: The first review will take place January 12th,
2026.
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CONTENT:
1) Earn
Academic
Credit for an Environmental Internship this Quarter!
ES Internship
Information
Session: Learn what, why,
when and how
to secure
an Environmental
Internship AND Receive Credit through ENVS 192!
- TUESDAY, January
13th, 2:00-315
in Bren 4016
Although not a required course, each year over 130 sophomore, junior, and senior Environmental Studies and Hydrologic Sciences majors receive academic credit through ENV S 192 by completing environmentally related internships locally, statewide, nationally, and internationally. Students are fortunate as both UCSB and the Santa Barbara community has a rich history of environmentalism and supports numerous environmental opportunities and organizations ranging from federal agencies to private consulting firms and well-established non-profits.
LEARN
HOW TO CAN GET AN ENVIRONMENTAL INTERNSHIP:
To learn more about internships, how to secure an internship, and
how to earn
academic credit through the Environmental Studies Internship
Program please
attend the quarterly ES Internship Info Session this Tuesday
at 2pm in Bren
4016 (ES Seminar Room). Hosted
by
the ES Internship Coordinator, he will cover everything you need
to know about
internships and how to get one and earn academic credit.
If you can’t attend this in-person session you can visit the ES Internship Webpage
for more info
or watch the recording of a recent ESIP Info Session by clicking
on the link
provided on the right side of this webpage under "Current Quarter
Info."
Questions about the ESIP should be emailed to advi...@es.ucsb.edu. Students
are
also welcome to book an
appointment
with the academic advising team to discuss how to find
internships and
what appropriate internships would meet their learning
objectives.
NOTE: Winter quarter due date to enroll in ENVS 192 is January 22nd
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2) UCSB Coastal Fund
Winter
Grant Application Deadlines
The Coastal Fund is a student funded and student governed initiative at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Its mission is to connect people and the environment by allocating funds to programs that celebrate, explore, and protect the coastal ecosystems in and around the Santa Barbara area. As a funding organization, Coastal Fund seeks to acknowledge and lessen many of the inequities and power dynamics that have historically existed in the philanthropic sector and ensure that benefits are widely felt by the UCSB student body. The Coastal Fund accepts proposals during three funding cycles throughout the year, one per academic quarter, and critically reviews them for consistency to the mission statement and values, relevance and benefit to UCSB students, and overall impact.
Our winter grant application deadlines are fast
approaching
this week:
Major ($1000 or more) Application Deadline-
8PM Friday January 9th, 2026
Minor ($1000 or less) Application Deadline-
8PM Friday February 13th, 2026
If you have any questions about an application or want to discuss
an idea
before submitting a full proposal, feel free to contact coast...@as.ucsb.edu
or our advisor Sarah at sar...@as.ucsb.edu.
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3) UCSB TGIF grant
funding available for projects increasing Sustainability on Campus
The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF) is currently
accepting
project proposals for the 2025/2026 Academic Year.
- Deadline: February 2, 2026
Don’t miss the chance to fund your campus green project. Applications are due on February 2nd, 2026.
Any UCSB student, staff, or faculty member is eligible to apply for funding for their projects. Ideal projects will show a quantifiable change (energy, waste, water reduction, etc.) while also educating the campus community.
Who: UCSB Students, Faculty, and Staff
Deadline: February 2, 2026
Available funds: Up to $200,000
For more information, please visit the TGIF website or
email jewel...@ucsb.edu if
you have specific questions.
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4) The UCSB Sustainability Internships and
Community Resources
Department in Student Affairs invites you to sign up for the Winter
Commute Reset Challenge.
Participants have the chance to earn a $60 gift card and prizes
from local
businesses
Participants have the chance to earn a $60 gift card and prizes from local businesses. This pilot program encourages faculty, staff, and students who live more than 2 miles from campus to adopt more sustainable commuting methods to reduce UCSB’s climate impact. Participants will be asked to change their commuting methods from a single-occupancy vehicle to an alternative method at least 2 times a week during the 2026 Winter Quarter. Alternative transportation methods include: biking, bus, train, or joining a carpool/vanpool. Please note that although teleworking and driving low-emission vehicles are great ways to reduce your environmental impact, we are not including these in this competition due to the specific focus of this project.
To take part in this challenge, you must:
· Be a UCSB employee or registered student during the competition
· Must hold a UCSB parking pass for an individual (not a carpool pass) in Summer 2025 or Fall 2025
· Must live more than 2 miles from campus
This is a great opportunity to try a new commuting method, reduce your environmental footprint, and earn rewards while doing it!
Registration for the Commute Reset Challenge is now open:
Step 1: Register & make an account on Smart Ride
Step 2: Fill out the registration survey: https://smartride.org/s/ucsb-survey
Step 3: Click the link sent to your email to finish registering!
Additionally, join us on January 12th for the Commute Reset Celebration to learn more about the Winter Commute Reset Challenge at the SRB Multipurpose Room from 12pm-1pm! We welcome past participants, people interested in potentially joining a commute challenge in the future, and anyone who wants to be a cheerleader for people making a change to their commute!
· At this event, we will honor challenge participants from Fall Quarter, celebrate their successes, and welcome new Commute Reset Challenge Participants for the Winter Quarter.
· Come by to learn more about the challenge, and hear tips from participants who completed it in the Fall. Plus, TAP staff will be on site to advise on alternative commute methods!
If you are interested in attending, RSVP here to confirm your attendance. We look forward to seeing you there!
Questions? Please reach out to the
Commute
Challenge <sa-commut...@ucsb.edu>
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5) JOIN THE UCSB
ENVIRONMENTAL
AFFAIRS BOARD!
- First Winter meeting is this Wednesday January 7th, 2026 at
7:00pm in the GSA Lounge (second floor of the Multicultural
Center)
Come meet the board during the first meeting of the new year, get
excited for
winter quarter with EAB, and learn how to get involved!
Enjoy vegan snacks and cupcakes while you join your Advocacy and
Education
chairs for one of our breakout sessions:
Your Advocacy chairs will discuss current environmental issues in
the local
area and how you can advocate for your community.
Or join your Education Chairs, who will be collaging 2026 vision
boards and
discussing how you can set eco-resolutions for yourself for the
new year.
You can also keep up with us by following our Instagram: @ucsbeab
OR subscribing to our newsletter at: https://shoreline.ucsb.edu/EAB/club_signup
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6) Get involved with UCSB
CALPIRG: Protect our Oceans, Reduce Hunger in our Community, and
More
CALPIRG Students is the organization here at UCSB working to protect our environment, address food insecurity, and promote civic engagement. Last year, we worked on an effort to save the bees and restrict bee-killing pesticides on seeds, we educated students on local basic needs resources, and increased voter turnout work on campus last November through peer-to-peer outreach. And our plastic bag ban campaign victory is now in effect! You can read more here.
Sign up for more info about volunteer and
leadership
opportunities at UCSB here.
Get involved to help:
- Advocate to elected officials to increase marine protected areas in California and save wildlife like sea otters and dolphins.
- Organize events to donate hygiene kits, shelf-stable foods, clothing, and more to those in need.
Plan clothing swaps to reduce fashion waste
- Collect hundreds of petitions from the Santa Barbara community in support of a polluter-funded climate disaster resource fund
- And so much more!
Become an intern or volunteer with CALPIRG to help make a
difference on environmental
and social change issues! Questions, contact Veronika Michels
<vmic...@calpirgstudents.org>
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7) Are you interested
in mental health? Do you want to help your peers? UCSB Lean On
Me is
Recruiting Peer Supporters!
Lean On Me is a 24/7 anonymous peer-to-peer text line run by
trained UCSB
student volunteers that allows for easy access to anonymous, non-crisis emotional support. We are looking for peer supporters who are caring and empathetic and who have a flexible schedule to pick up texts whenever messages come in!
If you are interested in becoming a potential Lean On Me supporter, please fill this application form: https://forms.gle/vmQB12X4hudbE6nZ9
We will be accepting applications for this round of recruitment until Friday, January 9th, 2026 at 11:59pm.
Also, if you are ever looking for a listening ear, you can text our helpline number (805)-874-5888. To learn more and stay updated with our organization, check out our Instagram @leanonmeucsb
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8) Still some open
spots in Wildlands Studies Spring 2026 Programs in Nepal and
French Polynesia! Now is
the time
to apply!
Since 1979, Wildlands Studies has offered international
environmental field
programs that allow undergraduates to earn upper-division academic
credit while
gaining hands-on research experience in diverse ecological and
cultural
settings worldwide. These programs are designed for students
seeking immersive,
field-based learning that bridges ecological science,
conservation, and
human–environment relationships.
Nepal: Journey across remarkable habitat gradients, from
subtropical
floodplains to high-altitude mountain passes, studying wildlife,
culture,
and conservation in the heart of the Himalayas.
French Polynesia: Engage in marine and terrestrial field research
on the
islands of Moorea and Tahiti, focusing on coral reef ecology,
climate change
impacts, and long-standing Polynesian relationships with their
environment.
Learn more at wildlandsstudies.com.
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9) UCSC Summer Global
Seminar: Agroecology Practicum in Guatemala
Learn more at our upcoming Information Session: Tuesday, January
20, at 2:00 pm
via Zoom. Register
here.
Earn 6 units on a summer program on the Global
Seminar
Agroecology Practicum in Guatemala this summer. This program
is taught by
Damian Parr, Instructor of Environmental Studies and Education
Programs Manager
for the Agroecology Center and Michael Bakal, post-doctoral
researcher.
Check out this student-produced video from a previous summer!
Quick Facts:
· Location: Antigua and Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
· Course: ENVS 133 B: Agroecology Practicum (6 units)
· Led by: Damian Parr and Michael Bakal
· Eligibility: Good academic and disciplinary standing; 45 units completed at time of departure; 2.3 cumulative GPA or higher; at least 18 years old; eligible majors include Agroecology, ENVS, and additional majors by permission of the instructor.
· Dates: June 17 -J uly 2, 2026
· Finances: Financial aid applies, and scholarships are available!
· How to apply: Visit the How to Apply page. Applications close March 2, 2026.
· Get in touch: globall...@ucsc.edu
Program Description:
This program will explore the historical and contemporary strengths and challenges to Guatemala’s food and agricultural system through the lens of Agroecology and indigenous-led agricultural development work. Examples of learning objective topics include developing students’ competencies in biological soil fertility and pest management, tillage and cultivation, crop care, and analysis of diversified farming systems. The course frames these more technical production competencies within learning objectives related to agriculture literacies, analyzing broader societal aspects of food sovereignty, and the development of equitable and ecologically sustainable food systems. By broadening perspectives and understandings of our diverse global community, students will strengthen their ability to think critically about solutions. Studying and working in an unfamiliar place will support students in gaining a clearer sense of who they are as learners, so that they leave the program empowered to tackle the challenges – both academic and nonacademic – that inevitably lie ahead.
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LOCAL INTERNSHIPS………………..
10) Winter 2026 Curation Internships at the UCSB Cheadle Center to assist us with the curation and management of specimens in our collection
Are you interested in working with botanical and zoological specimens in a natural history museum? Then consider applying for an internship at UCSB's Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration!
The Cheadle Center manages and conserves over a half million specimens of plants and animals in the UCSB Natural History Collection. We work extensively with student interns to assist us with the curation and management of specimens in our collection: https://ccber.ucsb.edu/collections-biodiversity/collections-biodiversity-overview
Interns are trained in curation techniques for the different collection areas, including imaging and digitizing specimens, mounting and curating specimens, and museum conservation. Interns may also receive credit for participation (typically 1 unit for 3 hours per week; see your adviser).
We are seeking candidates with excellent organizational skills, reliability, eagerness to learn, and above all, a dedication to detail and accuracy, as interns work directly with our collections.
The Cheadle Center will be accepting several interns for the winter quarter. Available times are M, W, and F, 2:00–5:00 PM; other time slots may become available. We will work with
several collections, including plants, lichens, birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. The internship is three hours per week, 30 hours per quarter.
If you are interested, please send a letter of interest and a resume/CV to the Cheadle Center Collections Manager, Dr. Greg Wahlert: wah...@ccber.ucsb.edu
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11) Winter 2026
Internship Opportunity: UCSB Cheadle Center Aquatic Invertebrate
Lab
Join the Cheadle Center Aquatic Invertebrate Lab and gain hands-on experience studying wetland ecosystems at UCSB’s North Campus Open Space. Interns will work alongside student leaders and researchers on field sampling, as well as aquatic invertebrate sorting and identification in the lab.
Please note that this internship takes place off campus at the North Campus Open Space Field Lab. A commitment of 3 hours per week is required.
Apply here: https://shorturl.at/4nvAQ
Questions? Email ben...@ccber.ucsb.edu"
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12) LOCAL
INTERNSHIPS: Habitat Restoration Maintenance -- Storke Ranch
Vernal Pools
Work with a conservation biologist on this local restoration project sponsored by the Storke Ranch Homeowner's Association.
Interns will participate in invasive plant control (lots of weeding!), planting native plants, solarization, phenology data collection, and possibly some plant propagation and herbarium specimen collection.
This is a great opportunity to gain valuable hands-on field experience and obtain skills in plant identification and other aspects of restoration.
Contact Kelly Hildner — kkhi...@gmail.com to
request an
application.
Hours/week: 4-6, most likely Friday mornings.
Location: Storke Ranch is an easy bike ride from the university.
Positions: Volunteer internships are available. There are no paid internships available for this quarter.
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13) Great job opportunity
with the city of Thousand Oaks: Part-time Sustainability Aide
(Hourly City
Worker) (20692452)
- FILING DEADLINE: The first review of candidates will take place
on Monday,
January 12th, 2026.
Position Highlights:
Gain hands-on experience with sustainability programs and data collection and analysis in a municipal setting.
Work with professional staff members across a number of City departments.
Work a flexible schedule designed to balance other commitments, such as school.
The Sustainability Aide is an entry-level position that provides essential program, technical, customer service, and field support to the Sustainability Division’s solid waste, water conservation, energy, and electric vehicle (EV) charging programs.
This role is ideal for individuals interested
in
environmental programs who demonstrate strong communication
skills, attention
to detail, and an interest in data-driven problem-solving within a
local
government setting.
This is a part-time position, up to 29 hours
per week, not
to exceed 1,000 hours in a fiscal year. Work hours are flexible
within City
business hours; two to three days per week is preferred.
Read the complete job description and how to apply at:
https://www.calopps.org/thousand-oaks/job-2069245
-- 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!"
