#55 May 22, 2026
Eric Zimmerman
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IMPORTANT DATES:
5/27/26 Environmental
Studies 2026
Senior Thesis Presentations
8:45
am to 4:00
pm, in Bren Hall 4016
5/29/26
ELI
2026 Student Presentations
12:00-3:00pm
in
Bren Hall 4016
6/5/26 Spring quarter Deadline to file for Withdrawal from a course
6/5/26 Spring quarter Deadline to change Grading Option
9/9/26
Fall
registration Pass #3 starts – Mark your calendar NOW!
-
View SPRING
Quarter Registration Deadlines here.
- View Registration
Pass Times & Info here.
- View Info & Deadlines for Declaring
Candidacy to Graduate
- View ES Academic
Advising Info,
Appointments, & Office Hours
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IMPORTANT ES NEWS:
ES Faculty Grace Wu is in the news! “Integrated land planning
is necessary to
meet climate, food and biodiversity goals.” While the world is a
big place,
humans are making greater and greater demands on the same areas
of land. “This
means that, unless we use the same land to serve multiple needs
and coordinate
this effort through planning, it is unlikely that we will have
enough land for
conservation, food and energy,” said Grace Wu, a
professor in UC
Santa Barbara’s Environmental Studies Program.
Read
the complete UCSB Current Article here!
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INDEX:
1) Call for
Undergraduate At-Large
representative on UCSB The
Green Initiative Fund (TGIF)
Grant Making Committee for the 2026-27
academic year
2) You’re Invited! The 2026 UCSB Environmental
Leadership
Incubator Capstone Presentations
- Friday, May 29 from 12-3 pm in Bren 4016
3) Attend
the UC Initiative
for Free Inquiry’s “Fostering Intellectual Humility Through
Civil Discourse!
- Friday, May 29 from 12:00-1:45 at UCSB University Center
Flying A Room (2nd
floor)
4) The
UCSB Bren School Masters of Environmental Data Science (MEDS)
Class of 2026
Capstone
Project Presentations s on Friday, May 29 (1:00–5:30 PM), with
a reception to
follow in the Michael J. Connell Memorial
Courtyard.
5) ATTN:
Future
wildlife biologists! Get a BEHIND THE SCENES visit to the
SANTA BARBARA
ZOO VET CLINIC with the UCSB The Wildlife Society
- Saturday, May 30th (see below for more info)
6) APPLY
for UCSB’s Summer
Open And Reproducible Research (SOAR²) Program
– a three-day program for UCSB
undergraduate students interested in research.
- Sep 21 - 23, 2026 (between Fall move-in and the start of
classes)
7) LOCAL
INTERNSHIP
OPPORTUNITY: Room to
Roam Internship at Los
Padres ForestWatch.
The position
includes a $4,800 stipend.
8) Interdisciplinary
Marketing Internship with Santa Barbara’s Demo 2 Design
Summer Quarter 2026 Hybrid/Mix Option (hands-on &
remote)
9) PAID Coachella Valley Water District Internships for summer or school year
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CONTEXT:
1) Call for Undergraduate At-Large representative on UCSB The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF) Grant Making Committee for the 2026-27 academic year
The current undergraduate at-large representative on the TGIF Committee will be graduating in June, and the TGIF Committee is seeking a replacement representative for the 2026-27 academic year. If you are interested in serving as a representative, please send a statement of interest to the TGIF Grants Manager, Jewel Persad. If you have any questions, feel free to contact her at jewel...@ucsb.edu.
Committee Member responsibilities:
- Review project applications and determine allocation of funds.
- Provide feedback on all project applications.
- Build financial resources and campus support for the fund through methods in addition to lock-in fees.
Each member shall be appointed for one term, the length to be determined by the Committee itself. All student Grant Making Committee members must be registered (full or part-time) UCSB students during their term of office. The Grant Making Committee (“Committee”) has complete authority over TGIF and its functions. A meeting must have a quorum to vote on official matters. Allocating funds and changing bylaws requires a simple majority of board members. Apart from his/her normal function as a part of the Grant Making Committee, Committee members have no individual authority.
Mission Statement
The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF) provides funding for projects that “green” our campus and reduce the University’s impact on the environment. TGIF allocates funds to projects that increase the amount of renewable energy used on campus, increase energy efficiency, and reduce the amount of waste created (GHGs) by our University. Portions of the fund will support education initiatives, student aid (via return to aid), and internships. TGIF is administered through a student majority governance board.
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2) You’re Invited! The 2026 UCSB Environmental
Leadership
Incubator Capstone Presentations
- Friday, May 29 from 12-3 pm in Bren 4016
The Environmental Leadership Incubator (ELI) is pleased to
invite you to
celebrate the 2025-2026 cohort of students at their Capstone
Presentations!
The annual Environmental Leadership Incubator (ELI) Capstone Presentations event will be held on Friday, May 29 from 12-3 pm in Bren 4016 (top floor, 4L). Our Capstone event is an opportunity for our ELI students to share their environmental leadership projects and year-long leadership development experiences. It is also a chance to celebrate their hard work, perseverance, and leadership successes. This is a fun event to learn about these change-making leadership projects and celebrate growth in our student environmental leaders!
This event will consist of three sessions, each highlighting
seven 5-minute
presentations. There are twenty-one projects in total, each
focusing on
influencing pro-environmental behaviors. Each session will have
a
10-minute Q&A for all session presenters. We hope you will
join us in
congratulating the 2026 ELI cohort on their completion of the
ELI program.
See attached flier for the complete Capstone Presentations
Schedule.
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3) Attend the UC
Initiative
for Free Inquiry’s “Fostering Intellectual Humility Through
Civil Discourse!
- Friday, May 29 from 12:00-1:45 at UCSB University Center
Flying A Room (2nd
floor)
This moderated panel discussion unites prominent scholars from
different
academic disciplines
and diverse viewpoints on political and social matters to engage in a lively exchange of ideas
about intellectual humility.
The ICIFI was created because of the many ways in which
polarization and
identity politics on all UC campuses have intimidated and
silenced many faculty
and graduate students whose well-informed views on a variety of
topics have
been unwelcome in a variety of contexts, and we’re hoping to put
the brakes on,
and reverse, this cultural shift so that UC can make the most of
the wisdom,
experience, and historical understanding of everyone who’s here.
This promises to be a highly engaging lunchtime discussion panel
on May 29
(with free sandwiches provided to early registrants — space is
limited — register
using the QR code on the attached flyer!.
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4) The UCSB Bren
School Masters of Environmental Data Science (MEDS) Class of
2026 Capstone
Project Presentations s on Friday, May 29 (1:00–5:30 PM), with
a reception to follow in the Michael J. Connell Memorial
Courtyard.
Over the past five months, our MEDS students have partnered with
researchers,
agencies, and organizations to address real-world challenges.
They've
been applying geospatial analysis, statistical modeling, and
data
visualization to topics spanning wildfire resilience, coral reef
recovery,
groundwater depletion, equitable energy infrastructure, and
more. I hope you'll
join us to celebrate our 5th MEDS cohort and see firsthand what
the next
generation of environmental data scientists is already
contributing.
Event details and full schedule:
https://bren.ucsb.edu/events/2026-meds-capstone-project-presentations
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5) ATTN: Future
wildlife biologists! Get a BEHIND THE SCENES visit to the SANTA
BARBARA
ZOO VET CLINIC with the UCSB The Wildlife Society
- Saturday, May 30th (see below for more info)
Don't forget- we have a super exciting event planned
for Saturday, May
30th! We will be offering a BEHIND THE SCENES visit to the SANTA
BARBARA
ZOO VET CLINIC with general admission into the zoo afterwards.
Please see
the details below and attached flyer for more information! If
you wish to join,
please fill out the attached google form by MONDAY 5/25 at
11:59pm to reserve
your space for this amazing opportunity!! Make sure to become
an annual member of
UCSB's chapter of
TWS (click here) to receive the discounted ticket price
at $5. If you do not wish to receive the benefits of membership,
the
ticket will be $25 for non-members (still a discounted price
& includes
behind the scenes tour!!).
ITINERARY:
9:30 am- Meet at the SB Zoo gate (carpooling will be arranged
beforehand)
10:00-10:30 am- Personal, guided BEHIND THE SCENES tour of the
Vet Clinic!!
10:30 am-7:30 pm- You are free to enjoy the rest of the zoo for
as long as
you'd like!
Remember to fill in your contact information (by 5/25) so we can
coordinate
with carpooling if you need a ride back!!
UPDATE: PARKING IS NOW INCLUDED thanks to our collaborative
partnership with the
SB Zoo!! FORM
to reserve ticket (and carpool if needed)
As always, don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any
questions or comments.
Keep up the incredible work as we approach the end of the
quarter, and remember
to take advantage of all the beautiful nature around our
campus!!
Summer Baars <summe...@ucsb.edu>, The Wildlife Society
TWS instagram!
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6) APPLY for UCSB’s
Summer
Open And Reproducible Research (SOAR²) Program – a three-day
program for UCSB
undergraduate students interested in research.
- Sep 21 - 23, 2026 (between Fall move-in and the start of
classes)
The Summer Open And Reproducible Research
(SOAR²) Camp is a
three-day program for UCSB undergraduate students interested in
research.
Hosted by the UCSB Library and the Office of Undergraduate
Research &
Creative Activities (URCA), SOAR² introduces students to
practical research
skills, including working with data, documenting research, and
exploring open
and reproducible research practices. Through interactive
workshops, a keynote
lecture, and field trips to research facilities, students will
build confidence
navigating research environments and gain tools they can apply
in future
research opportunities. No prior research experience is
required.
Sep 21 - 23, 2026 (between Fall move-in and the start of classes)at the Loma Pelona Center, UCSB. Free to participate; meals will be provided
Learn more about SOAR² on our program
webpage and apply by June 3rd or see attached
flier.
Apply Here! Questions contact: Kristen LaBonte <klab...@ucsb.edu>
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7)
LOCAL INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY: Room
to Roam Internship at Los
Padres ForestWatch.
The position includes a $4,800 stipend.
Los Padres ForestWatch is seeking a motivated and engaged
student to support
our Room to Roam program in Santa Barbara County. ForestWatch
serves as a local
watchdog and advocate for the Los Padres National Forest and
surrounding public
lands, working to ensure these landscapes are managed in a way
that protects
wildlife, clean water, climate resilience, and public access for
future
generations.
ForestWatch engages in a wide range of issues, including forest and wildfire policy, protection of mature and old-growth forests, opposition to oil and gas development on public lands, wildlife corridor conservation, water resource protection, and defending public participation in land management decisions. Through research, outreach, and advocacy, we work to protect the ecological integrity of public lands and advance science-based solutions.
Through our Room to Roam program, ForestWatch works to protect and restore wildlife corridors and reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions across the Central Coast. As roads, development, and habitat fragmentation continue to threaten the movement of species, collecting high-quality data on wildlife crossings is essential for informing policy, planning, and infrastructure improvements. This internship will support a new phase of the program focused on field surveys, mapping, and community science.
INTERNSHIP:
This internship will run from June 2026 through August 2026 and requires approximately 20 hours per week over a 10-week period. The position offers a hands-on opportunity to contribute to wildlife corridor conservation and high-quality GIS data collection. The position includes a $4,800 stipend. The intern will gain first-hand experience working with a small, grassroots nonprofit organization and will have opportunities to develop skills in wildlife and corridor ecology, field data collection, GIS-informed conservation planning, and nonprofit operations. The intern will work directly with ForestWatch’s Wildlife Program Coordinator and Director of Advocacy and Field Operations.
TIME COMMITMENT:
Approximately 20 hours per week with a flexible schedule, primarily involving fieldwork conducted outdoors and alongside roadways.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Creative, motivated, and reliable undergraduate or graduate students with strong data-collection skills, attention to detail, and an interest in wildlife conservation. Comfort working outdoors and ability to do remote work independently are important. Background or coursework in environmental studies, biology, geography, or related fields is preferred but not required. Familiarity with field data collection or GIS is a plus, but training will be provided.
HOW TO APPLY:
Send a cover letter, resume, and list of relevant coursework via email to ap...@forestwatch.org with “Room to Roam Internship” in the subject line.
See attached flier for the complete Internship Info and Posting!
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8) Interdisciplinary
Marketing Internship with Santa Barbara’s Demo 2 Design
Summer Quarter 2026 Hybrid/Mix Option (hands-on & remote)
Demo 2 Design is a resource management business that promotes the behavior shift from
disposal to reUse by assessing, reclaiming, and marketing high-quality vintage architectural materials that add character to building projects. We research materials and markets; then connect doors,
windows, flooring, lumber, plumbing & lighting fixtures from construction sites with end-users for reUse in new construction. Designing logos, flyers & social media posts contributes significantly.
Students experience hands-on and online interaction. At the warehouse, they develop capability in photography, hand-tool techniques, spatial organization & display. Working remotely, they research materials; design graphics; digitize inventory & upload to platforms for market expansion; enhance website; and apply Google drive expertise to expanding the Sustainable Building class curricula. Desirable skills include: social media, graphic design: Canva/PhotoShop, website design, Google/IT, photography, effective writing, spatial organization, industriousness, and environmental stewardship.
Responsibilities may include…
Research items for pricing and industry-standard descriptions; update digital inventory
Update D2D contacts in Google Sheets; design flyer graphics & format for mass emails
Use spatial management to organize materials & set up photo shoots in warehouse
Photograph materials to post online on social media & industry-specific platforms
Update/organize video & website spreadsheets to facilitate access for class curricula
Create Google Slide presentations for SBCC reUse classes & public venues
Coordinate packing & shipping of materials
Design digital forms for inventory assessment, contracts, and end-user wish lists
Time commitment
* Internship requires 60 hours for 2-unit certification; or 120 hours for 4 units
* Intern & staff agree on a workable schedule for both parties
* Hours of availability: Monday – Friday 10:00a – 6:00p (flexible); Saturday 11:00a– 3:00p
* Located at 350-G S. Kellogg Ave. Goleta 93117 (near Toyota dealership on Hollister)
Compensation
Unpaid during internship period; unit credit may be available through department advisor
Contact: Carol Ashley, Demo 2 Design Owner – 805.886.6865 – ca...@demo2design.com
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9) PAID Coachella
Valley Water District Internships for summer or school year
I am Mark Avalos, an ES alumni and wanted
pass along some
internship opportunities at my current place of employment.
Minimum Qualifications:
Students should either be junior level or above as an undergraduate student, or graduate student. An internship may also be granted if graduation from university has occurred within one year or less.
Students/graduates should be available to work an average of 20
hours per week.
May only participate in the internship for up to two semesters/quarters.
An internship may only be for either the summer or school year.
Interns must provide copy of transcripts that include college level, or proof of graduation with the last year.
I hope it’s not too late for anyone to apply as the closing date is 5/26.
-- 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!"
