Associated Students Bike Committee* 

Who We Are

The AS Bike Committee is a unique component of the Associated Students community; it is a place where passionate advocacy for bicycle safety and a clear voice for consideration of bicycles in campus planning have come together.  We fund bike improvements on campus, and participate in social and outreach events throughout the year with our $2.96 per student per quarter lock-in fee.

Associated Students Bike Shop 

Who We Are

Serving the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of UCSB since 1974, the Associated Students Bike Shop is a student-funded non-profit organization dedicated to education, service, and safety. We have everything needed to get your bike running safely and smoothly. You bring your ID card, your bike, your time, and an inclination to learn. We provide the tools and the advice. Anything else you need, we offer at the lowest possible prices.

Associated Students Coastal Fund* 

Who We Are

The Coastal Fund is a student initiative to enhance the UCSB campus coastline. The Coastal Fund provides funds to the local community to enhance, protect, and restore the shoreline through preservation, education, open access, research, and restoration.

Associated Students Commission On Student Well-Being (COSWB)* 

Who We Are

The Associated Students Commission on Student Well Being (COSWB) is committed to the general well being of UCSB undergraduates, with a particular emphasis on physical, mental, and nutritional well-being. Its purpose is to increase awareness, educate, advocate, and serve as a reference point for student social services. COSWB creates programs that provide a positive and comfortable environment for everyone on campus in order to stay true to our values of appreciating and preserving student well-being. Some events we host include, but are not limited to our Free Fitness Series, Meditation Sessions, Food Demos, Movie Screenings, Positive Psychology Workshops, and Guest Lectures.

Associated Students Community Affairs Board 

Who We Are

The AS/UCSB Community Affairs Board (CAB), UCSB’s Volunteer Action Center, is dedicated to enhancing the educational experience of all UCSB Students by providing information and easy access to community service work. CAB works to bring UCSB and the community together in a meaningful way.

Projects

CAB engaged in a variety of community service activities including Channel Islands Restoration Trips, Adopt-A-Block clean-ups, and others. Our goal is to collaborate with other groups to host events that follow our mission statement.

Resources to Offer

If you need volunteers for an event, CAB is the place to go! We help advertise events in need of volunteers.

Associated Students Department of Public Worms*

Who We Are

The Associated Students Department of Public Worms turns food waste into compost to be used to grow fresh produce for fellow students at the University of California Santa Barbara, thus creating a closed-loop food system on campus. We practice and promote sustainable agricultural techniques while educating the community about the importance of composting and gardening.

Current Projects

DPW is the on-site composting program at UCSB, where we reduce the amount of food waste created by the Dining Commons that gets transported off-campus. DPW also collects food scraps from Family Student Housing to turn into compost for their gardens. In conjunction with composting, we aim to create a closed-loop system by using that compost to grow produce for students. DPW manages three Edible Campus Program projects: the Urban Orchard, Edible Campus Program Student Farm, and the Vertical Gardens. All of the fresh produce we grow is donated to on-campus food pantries. 

Future Projects

Although the Edible Campus Program Student Farm is built and continually growing food, we are constantly adding more elements to the farm in order to maximize the space and grow as much produce as possible. 

Resources to Offer

Workshops: DPW offers workshops on composting, food waste, and gardening.  DPW also makes worm tea that anyone can order for free. Worm tea is a liquid soil amendment that is made from our worm castings (vermicompost). Ordering can be done from our website. We also love collaboration so if you would like to collaborate on an event or social media, please feel free to email us. 

Associated Students Environmental Affairs Board (EAB)* 

Who We Are

The Environmental Affairs Board (EAB) strives to protect, preserve and enhance the natural environment, principally at UCSB and its surrounding communities, but also broadly. EAB focuses on sustainability within ecology, agriculture, energy, climate change, health, the economy, and environmental justice and racism, as such issues have a direct relation to the environment. EAB coordinates with other groups to promote environmental awareness throughout the University and the surrounding communities, as well as at the state, national and global level.

Past Projects

• Isla Vista Earth Day
• Main contributor to California Student Sustainability Coalition (CSSC)
• Drought Campaign
• Oak Tree Protection in Santa Barbara
• Established Coastal Fund
• Established AS Recycling
• Fossil Free UCSB

Current Projects

• Student Thrift Shop
• Renewable Energy Project
• Students of Color Collective

Resources

• AS Entity
• General meetings (Wednesdays, 7:00 PM, GSA Lounge)
• Funding

Environmental Justice Alliance (EJA)*

Who We Are

The Environmental Justice Alliance's mission is to amplify the awareness of and action towards environmental justice. This Alliance serves UC Santa Barbara and local communities by maintaining respectful interactions, by collaborating with organizations and communities, and by raising attention towards local, national, and global environmental injustices. The Alliance encourages intersectional awareness and inclusion with the environmental movement and other related movements by prioritizing the safety, experiences, and viewpoints of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and people of diverse gender and sexual identities in its decisions, events, and activities.

Associated Students Food Bank* 

Who We Are

The AS Food Bank is an on-campus pantry service that aims to both alleviate hunger and resolve the systemic issue of food insecurity within our student community. Eligible students can visit on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays to collect a variety of food items, free of charge. Recently, the Food Bank incorporated refrigeration to their pantry and food collection services in order to provide a larger range of fresh, healthy produce. 

Beyond finalizing the renovations, the committee is dedicated to working on an outreach campaign to ensure students are aware of the resources available to them. Our core team is comprised of individuals knowledgeable about food security. We’re always willing to collaborate with organizations that want to help provide students with resources for leading a healthy, sustainable lifestyle.

Past Projects

Donation Walks in IV, Alumni Association Holiday Dinners & All Gaucho Reunion, Healthy Cooking Coalition, and Parents Night In Food Demo event at Family Housing.

Associated Students Human Rights Board* 

Who We Are

The Human Rights Board of Associated Students serves as a forum centered on facilitating and amplifying the interaction of students groups – both within UCSB and our greater community. The Board recognizes their mission of inclusively by creating forum that encourages, advocates, and promotes respectful and honest communication regarding the education and awareness of basic human rights principles.

Past Projects

Currently we are working on Human Rights Week, the theme of which is: “My Existence is Resistance: Intersectional Identities Challenging the Paradigm.” We hope to demonstrate, through a collaboration with social justice and cultural organizations, how one’s identity leads to mobilization.

Associated Students Recycling* 

Who We Are

Our mission is to reduce waste at UCSB both through direct collection and through education and information sharing. We believe that true environmental progress requires direct, hands-on action and personal responsibility, not just ideals and slogans. We, therefore, are deeply committed to the day-to-day recycling, composting, and electronic waste collection services that have helped make UCSB a state and national leader in waste reduction. At the same time, we recognize that teaching students and staff how to recycle, compost, and reduce waste can have a huge impact both on and off-campus, and is the only way to achieve lasting change. Recycling and composting are great ways to decrease not only the amount of waste being sent to landfills every day, but also to reduce the need to harvest new materials from environmentally destructive processes like mining and timber collection. E-waste is another concern that AS Recycling addresses, as more and more electronic devices are replaced and discarded. All e-waste from a UC campus is recycled with the strongest environmental standards. We value our campus and community, and are committed to a goal of zero waste at UCSB!  

Past Projects

ASR has established over 45 free e-waste drop-off locations all over campus as part of the Techno program. Techno allows students, staff, and faculty to easily recycle small items such as batteries, ink cartridges and small appliances without the need for a scheduled and somewhat expensive pickup from Central Stores. This program has increased the amount of e-waste that is recycled at UCSB.

Current Projects

ASR is currently expanding our indoor compost program, in which campus offices can request a compost bin for their kitchen or common space.  We are adding new bins every quarter, so fill out this form if your office would like a compost bin.  

ASR recently helped launch Eco-to-Go, a reusable container program currently offered at Coral Tree Cafe!  You can get your meal in a reusable green box, which reduces the need for single-use items and your impact on the planet.  We continue to look for ways to expand reusables on campus and decrease our waste. 

Future Goals

ASR hopes to increase composting on campus with the addition of indoor compost bins. While the campus uses a great deal of compostable service-ware, compost disposal bins are generally restricted to the main food service areas and are not available to those who may take meals or cups of coffee back to their offices. By making more bins available, we can prevent this waste from being sent to the landfill. ASR will continue to work with groups such as the Zero Waste Committee and Facilities to ensure that every location has recycling bins specialized to its needs, including clear signage, visible placement and adequate capacity.

Resources

Special Event Services: AS Recycling can help reduce your event’s environmental impact by providing recycling, compost and trash bins to help reduce the amount of waste going to the landfill. Please visit our website for more information and access to our request form.

E-waste Pick-ups: You can drop off your e-waste at any of AS Recycling’s e-waste collection bins. If multiple bins are present, please sort your waste according to the signage.

Workshops: To learn more about “what goes where” and what your organization, department, or what you can do to be more sustainable in terms of waste reduction, please email us to set up a presentation.
 

Associated Students Zero Waste Committee* 

Who We Are

The Zero Waste Committee is comprised of a group of students determined dedicated to designing and implementing projects to help UCSB achieve the UC-wide Zero Waste goal by 2020. We collaborate with other environmental groups on campus to increase public awareness through events. We work with various entities on campus to help eliminate sources of waste and encourage zero waste habits.

California Student Public Interest Research Group* 

Who We Are

CALPIRG Students is an independent statewide student organization that works on issues like environmental protection, consumer protection, and hunger and homelessness. For nearly 35 years students with their campus PIRG chapters have been making a real difference in people’s lives and winning concrete changes to build a better world. We give students the skills and opportunity to practice effective citizenship. Both here on campus and out in the world, we mobilize students to investigate big social problems, come up with practical solutions, convince the media and public to pay attention, and get decision-makers to act.

Past Projects

We helped ban bags in Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Santa Cruz, Davis and Santa Barbara. 87 cities or counties have now banned single use plastic grocery bags, reducing our plastic pollution in our ocean. We helped protect California’s landmark global warming pollution law by defeating Prop 23. After making more than 160,000 get-out-the-vote contacts, CALPIRG, coalition partners, and voters defeated the Dirty Energy Proposition. We partnered with AmeriCorps to launch Energy Service Corps, to reduce energy use and take the mystery out of energy efficiency. We give people the tools and knowledge they need to stop energy from seeping out of their homes. We serve their immediate needs while also acting as the catalyst in the community to greater energy efficiency. Since 2010 we have educated over 60,000 kids about easy the can save energy. Our most recent successes include winning Prop 67 to protect our oceans by saving CA’s plastic bag ban, and New Voters Project- we registered 10,000 students to vote across the state, made 150,000 get out the vote contacts.

Current Projects

We are working on a campaign to fight global warming. We are doing this by pressuring CA to ban fracking and having UCSB become the fourth UC to commit to going 100% renewable in its energy use.

Resources to Offer

CALPIRG offers a network of 60,000 members statewide to make a difference on a broad scale. We take campaigns and bring them to the statewide/nationwide level. As a non-profit for students, we give students at UCSB a voice in congress and a outlet for social change. We also offer training on grassroots organizing skills AKA how to lobby, how to petition, how to run an effective meeting, etc. , and people power to help make your events bigger or hit your goals, collaboration, etc.

Climate Justice Hub* 

Who We Are

It’s our vision to build a group of student activists at the UCSB campus that can work on local campaigns as “student lobbiests”, lobbying around climate change issues, such as climate and environmental justice, keeping fossil fuels in the ground, and transforming our reliance on fossil fuels by supporting renewable’s and rearing away from extreme energy extraction such as fracking. This group will also act as a “Climate Justice Hub”, where we can bring together all social, cultural and environmental justice groups that want to advocate for the fair and just treatment of all peoples building campaigns around climate and environmental justice. We aim to do this through: Grassroots Pressure, Recruitment and Leadership Development, Events, Coalition Building, Media, Petitioning, Rallies, Press Conferences with Local Officials, Getting Local Officials to Endorse Campaigns, etc.

Climate Reality Project Campus Corps at UCSB 

Who We Are

The Climate Reality Project Campus Corps at UCSB’s mission is to move campuses (UCSB campus) to 100% renewable energy, while educating and engaging students nationwide in supporting and achieving bold national climate policies.

Ecological Coalition (ECOalition) at UCSB

Who We Are

The Ecological Coalition (ECOalition) is a resource and information-sharing network open to all student organizations whose work relates to sustainability or the environment. There are more than 40 student-led groups who are dedicated to furthering sustainability at UCSB. ECOalition assists those groups with coordination and collective action.

Past Projects

In the 2016-17 school year, the ECOalition voted to endorse Isla Vista Surfrider’s “Chapter’s Ocean-Friendly Restaurant” campaign. The Climate Justice Hub, Climate Reality Project Campus Corps, and Growth International Volunteer Excursions program joined as councilmembers. The ECOalition held an Environmental Justice Fair with several other groups as part of Human Rights Week, and it also facilitated the formation of a “Climate Mini-Coalition,” comprised of groups working specifically to address climate change.

Current Projects

The ECOalition is always looking for more sustainability-related groups to join its team of councilmembers. This council meets twice a quarter, providing an unbroken link to all things related to sustainability on UCSB’s campus. Additionally, project or campaign resolutions presented by student organizations at these meetings have the opportunity to be voted upon for the endorsement by the ECOalition.

Future Projects

In the future, the ECOalition hopes to streamline its ability to facilitate collaboration by establishing itself as an outstanding resource for student environmental organizations. Primarily a network whose success is built by its member groups’ interaction, the ECOalition will make its resources as available and helpful as possible through publicity and promotion among members.

Resources

The ECOalition offers student organizations resources regarding knowledge of ongoing campaigns and projects, financing and grant opportunities, and more. To discuss possible collaborations with campus organizations, please contact the coordinators via the email listed above.

Edible Campus Program* 

Who We Are

The Edible Campus Project aims to address local food insecurity by repurposing underutilized spaces for food production, turning waste into food, and engaging students as growers and producers. Co-led by the AS Department of Public Worms, AS Food Bank, and the UCSB Sustainability Program, this project empowers the campus community, especially students, to be responsible stewards and leaders of our food system. We train students in practices that address social, economic, and environmental aspects of sustainability and help them to reclaim their personal connection to the land and their food.

Current Projects

The following three different projects, which have been previously established, continue to be nurtured and sustained, producing 25,000 pounds of food a year that will be given to UCSB students through the AS Food Bank or other direct venues.

Campus Farm 

The campus farm transformed a barren and non-productive space into a flourishing student-run farm that produces up to 1,000 pounds of food a month through traditional and non-traditional methods of farming.

Vertical Gardens 

By using vertical gardens to turn the concrete space outside the Multi-Activity Center into an area of food production food production is being made in previously unconsidered ways. Vertical gardens maximize space, use less water, and demonstrate a new and unique method of urban farming.

Urban Orchard

Citrus trees were placed across UCSB in spaces as small as a few square feet, utilizing what space we have to produce sustainable and nutritious food. The citrus trees are placed in large pots lining the Storke Tower plaza. All citrus grown from these trees will be donated to the A.S. Food Bank. 

Educating Leaders for the Future (ELF)

Who We Are

The Educating Leaders for the Future (ELF) Program inspires youth to pursue sustainable academic and career pathways. We do this through classroom presentations in local high schools and through after school programs. Sustainability is being integrated into every sector of our economy and every major in higher education and yet not enough programs are preparing our youth for this shift. More youth will also be inspired to go to college when they learn how their studies can be relevant to their own lives. Sustainability is a great way to highlight this link. Our focus is on youth and families who have limited access to sustainability-based or environmental education.

Engineers Without Borders (EWB)* 

Who We Are

Engineers Without Borders – UCSB is a student run organization that partners with disadvantaged communities to improve their quality of life. We do this through implementation of environmentally and economically sustainable engineering projects. We are a chapter of the much larger national organization, EWB – USA. As a part of this organization, it is our duty to form relationships with specific communities in need, and develop the necessary solutions to assist these communities. For example, we have two projects, one in Kenya and one in Rwanda. Our Kenya team is helping the local community gain access to clean water, while our Rwanda team is helping a village build a schoolhouse. Our organization is open to all majors!

FeelGood SB 

Who We Are

FeelGood is a youth movement, a social enterprise whose mission is to “end world hunger, one grilled cheese at a time.” FeelGood empowers college students to run non-profit Delis on their campuses, giving away gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches in exchange for a donation. At these FeelGood Delis, students develop hands-on skills necessary to run a business, launch effective educational campaigns, and initiate substantive dialogue about the root causes of and solutions to hunger, and our responsibilities as global citizens. 100% of the profits the students raise are invested in organizations with a proven track record of sustainable eradicating extreme global hunger and empowering self-reliance. Do Good. FeelGood.

Food, Nutrition, & Basic Skills Program (FNBS) 

Who We Are

Many students come into the university environment with little knowledge regarding food, particularly nutrition, food preparation, grocery shopping, and budgeting. Without these skills, students may become food insecure, skipping meals and eating poorly for the sake of cost or convenience. It is our hope that through education, we can help students to eat well and fulfill their full potential here at UCSB.

The program consists of a free series of workshops in four tracks: Cooking and Nutrition, Connecting to your Food, Budgeting and Planning and Kitchen Basics.

Any student that completes one workshop in each track will receive a free kitchen start up kit!

Current Projects

FNBS offers 83 different workshops throughout the year covering a range of cuisines, kitchen skills, and grocery budgeting tips. Among these are Veggies Around the World, Shopping on a Budget (taught in partnership with the Isla Vista Food Co-op), Ramen 2.0, and Plant Based Tastings of UCen Dining. To find updates on pop-up workshops around campus, visit food.ucsb.edu 

Fossil Free UCSB* 

Who We Are

As determined in her senior thesis, now-alumni Emily Williams found that UCSB’s own investments in just the 15 most polluting coal companies is responsible for nearly $200,000 of external costs–in the form of health burdens, climate change-related costs, ecosystem services, etc–pushed off onto society and the environment. If UCSB’s own investments have such a large impact on society and the environment, what about the greater University of California’s investments?

Fossil Free UCSB started up in Fall 2012 through Associated Students Environmental Affairs Board. Since then, our team passed a unanimous reolution through the Associated Students Senate on Valentines Day, 2013; a resolution through the UCSB Academic Senate; and a resolution through the Chancellor’s Sustainability Committee. We have also held actions including a teach-In, featuring keynote speaker, Jill Stein of the Green Party; marches; and rallies.

We are currently working with the larger Fossil Free UC team and the UCSB campus to spark a rich and insightful dialogue around our university’s investments in fossil fuels, in addition to coordinating with our alumni and faculty on ways to strengthen our outreach, and build power.

Greenhouse and Garden Project*

Who We Are

The Greenhouse and Garden Project is an enjoyable and educational organization at UCSB that welcomes students, faculty, and staff to maintain their own plot to garden on. Many students live in apartments that do not allow anywhere to plant a garden, which is what makes the GHGP so unique. We currently have over fifty members, each with their own plot(s) and full access to the greenhouse. With workdays and meetings once per quarter, it gives members a chance to interact with other gardeners, help with the upkeep of the whole garden/greenhouse, and discuss current issues.

The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF)* 

Who We Are

The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF) provides funding for projects which “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. TGIF was the first green fee in the UC system. It was created by students in the spring of 2006 with a charge to “reduce the University’s impact on the environment.” Students voted with an overwhelming majority to pay $3.47 per quarter, contributing approximately $170,000 a year towards TGIF. The same fee was renewed in the spring of 2010, 2014, and 2018 for another four years each.

Past Projects

Learn more about the most recently funded TGIF Projects

Resources

The main resource we offer is funding for sustainability projects. Jewel also provides assistance to students, faculty, and staff who are interested in applying for a grant.

The Wildlife Society* 

Who We Are

This organization is the student chapter of a larger national network of wildlife professionals. Our main goal is to work to prepare students for a career in the wildlife profession. Alongside this primary goal we aim to promote environmental stewardship, provide opportunities for jobs, internships and volunteer positions within the wildlife profession and gain a wholesome knowledge of local wildlife.

Health, Environment, & Animal Rights (HEAR)! 

Who We Are

We aim to bring together UCSB students who are passionate about Health, Environment, and Animal Rights through advocacy, outreach, and education.

Isla Vista Community Relations Commission (IVCRC) 

Who We Are

Isla Vista Community Relations Committee is responsible for the education of the campus and student communities regarding issues within Santa Barbara County and Isla Vista that have an effect on students. Such issues may include but are not limited to: safety, police/community relations, landlord/tenant relations, emergency and other vehicle access in Isla Vista, parking, and County and University funding for programs and services in Isla Vista.

Isla Vista Surfrider Foundation* 

Who We Are

Isla Vista Surfrider is a chapter of the international Surfrider Foundation. We are a nonprofit dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of oceans, waves, and beaches through a powerful activist network. Started by surfers, our group consists of surfers and ocean enthusiasts alike who are dedicated to protecting local coastlines.

Current Projects

• Main Projects: Ocean Friendly Gardens, Blue Water Task Force, Rise Above Plastics, & Beach Clean-Ups.
• Side-Projects: Ocean Friendly IV Restaurants, Surfboard & Wetsuit Reclamation, & Surf Contest Fundraiser.

LabRATS (Laboratory Research and Technical Staff)* 

Who We Are

The Laboratory Resources, Advocates, and Teamwork for Sustainability (LabRATS) Program at UCSB assists researchers on campus in reducing their impact on the environment while also improving safety, encouraging good laboratory management practices, and promoting communication and resource sharing. Our program is uniquely prepared to adapt campus recycling, energy management, and sustainability practices to the unusual materials used and processes implemented in laboratories.

Oxfam America Club at UCSB* 

Who We Are

Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty. With 70 years of experience in more than 90 countries, Oxfam takes on the big issues that keep people poor: inequality, discrimination, and unequal access to resources including food, water, and land. We help people save lives in disasters, build stronger futures for themselves, and hold the powerful accountable.

Program for the Assessment and Certification of the

Environment and Sustainability (PACES) 

Who We Are

PACES recognizes leadership in campus sustainability and assists departments, event coordinators and sports teams in identifying new opportunities where they can further reduce their impact on the environment. We focus on empowering individuals to make changes towards sustainability and engage their direct community, whether that be department members, event coordinators and attendees, or athletic teammates, to do the same. PACES offers departments an office assessment, climate and sustainability action plan write up, and presentation for department members. A similar consultation service is offered to athletic teams. We also work with event coordinators to reduce costs and implement sustainable practices in efforts to certify them as Green Events. Participants in PACES receive advice regarding energy usage, waste disposal/reduction practices, office health, sustainable procurement, transportation, and more. 

Current Projects

PACES is in the process of establishing a green certification program through sports teams across campus and have worked with teams like Ultimate Frisbee, Men's Club Water Polo, the Sailing and Rowing teams, and Men's Club Volleyball. We have also begun distributing green cleaning supplies to departments on campus and are establishing a Departmental Sustainable Procurement Training for campus staff.

Plastics Solutions* 

Who We Are

Plastic Solutions at UC Santa Barbara is a student-led organization committed to educating students about the negative health and environmental impacts of single-use plastics. We are currently promoting the use of UC Santa Barbara Hydration Stations as an alternative to purchasing single-use plastic water bottles that pollute our coastlines. These stations provide filtered water to students free-of-charge at 31 different locations on campus. In addition to advocating the water stations, we have been involved with a campus-wide shift toward using 100% compostable products in campus eateries. In addition to this culture shift, the campus has successfully included language in their policies that promotes the reduced use of harmful materials such as styrofoam. While we are very excited about the positive changes we’ve seen, we continue to work toward our goal of banning single-use plastics altogether on our campus.

Past Projects

Day without a Bag (2012): This transition saved 3,000 bags from entering landfills each month. For their work, the UCSB PPC received the best student sustainability program in the state at the California Higher Education Sustainability Conference in June 2012. Day without a Bottle (April 1, 2013): During the day, students from UCSB PPC (now Plastic Solutions at UC Santa Barbara) gave out free reusable bottles to students who pledged to refuse single-use bottles. To culminate the day’s events, there was a celebration on campus that included six student group performances and a special guest performer from San Luis Obispo, CA – Mr. Eco. The celebration also included a raffle with prizes donated from local businesses around Santa Barbara.

Refuse, Recycling & Research Center (R3C) 

Who We Are

The Refuse, Recycling & Research Center (R3C) is comprised of student researchers who are under the supervision of UCSB’s Refuse & Recycling Manager. These students conduct research on the various waste management practices and systems at UCSB in order to develop concrete strategies that will aid the University in achieving its goal of zero waste by 2020.

Past Projects

During previous years, R3C student researcher Erin Gall carried out two projects. First, she helped pilot a project that introduced front-end loader scales to UCSB. These scales have, and continue to collect useful data on the weights of various dumpsters around campus. In addition to this, she conducted a study on the possibilities of having on-campus and in-vessel composting at UCSB.

Current Projects

The R3C student interns are currently conducting a behavioral study on the waste sorting habits of both students and faculty members on campus.

Renewable Energy Initiative (REI)

Who We Are

The REI GB was formed in September 2010 as a consultative and decision making student-majority governance board with fiduciary responsibility for the total proceeds from the Renewal Energy Initiative student fee that was passed in spring 2010 and went into effect fall 2010.

Past Projects

Parking Structure 22 Solar Array – 423kW DC Array which will generate around 650,000kWh per year, enough electricity to match the use of the Student Resource Building.

Future Goals

To be decided – though we plan to install more photovoltaics on campus and renew the charter in 2020 assuming we have a mandate from the students.

Residence Hall Association (RHA)* 

Who We Are

UCSB’s Residence Halls Association is the student government which represents the students living in UCSB’s Residence Halls. The students we represent vary in demographic makeup, abilities, identities, affiliations and other characteristics, yet we all are inhabitants of this world and care deeply about the environment. As we currently comprise around 8,000 students, our energy-, water-, and resource-usage is quite large, which is why we strive to create systems, programs, and collaborations which help to reduce our carbon footprint and impact on this planet.

Santa Barbara Student Housing Cooperative

Who We Are

The purpose of the Santa Barbara Student Housing Co-op (SBSHC) is to provide low rent co-op housing regardless of gender, race, social, political, or religious affiliation, and thereby influencing the community to eliminate prejudice and discrimination in the community. SBSHC strives to engage in continuous educational programs that further the principles of cooperation through mutual, self-help living at a minimal cost. Members live sustainably through the direct sharing of everyday resources. From simply sharing one vacuum with eighteen people, to growing vegetables, to communal kitchens and bathrooms, living communally reduces energy and water consumption as well as the amount of everyday (often made of plastic) things that individuals use. SBSHC strives to keep rates affordable so sustainable living in accessible to everyone; the Co-op is run by a member-majority Board of Directors that meets approximately twice a month. E-coalition members should contact info@sbcoop.org if they’d like to be on the meeting agenda.

Resources to Offer

We have scholarships available for qualifying low-income undergraduate students. Our houses often offer their space to campus and community groups for events.

UC Carbon Neutrality Initiative (CNI)*

Who We Are

In November 2013, President Napolitano announced the Carbon Neutrality Initiative. The initiative commits the UC buildings and vehicle fleet to emitting net zero greenhouse gases of Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions* by 2025 to help mitigate the UC contribution to global climate disruption and end its reliance on fossil fuels. The initiative calls upon climate research, improving energy efficiency, increasing renewable energy, and implementing related strategies to reduce carbon emissions.

President Napolitano had formed a Global Climate Leadership Council composed of scientists, administrators, students, and experts to advise the UC on energy services, applicable research, medical center climate action, sustainability policy, faculty and student engagement, health sciences and services, financial strategies and communications to achieve the 2025 goal.  Find out more about the initiative here.

With partnership with Vox, the University of California also created a video series, Climate Lab, to conceptualize climate change solutions and methods of thinking about it.

Videos include:

• Why humans are so bad at thinking about climate change
• Going green shouldn’t be this hard
• Why your old phones collect in a junk drawer of sadness
• Food waste is the world’s dumbest problem

UC Carbon Neutrality at UCSB

Over the last couple of years, our campus has been successful in advancing the goals of the initiative through improvements in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and outreach and education.

UCSB had already achieved the 2014 and 2020 goals to reduce GHG emissions first to 2000 then 1990 levels. Chancellor Henry Yang signed a pledge in accordance with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Conference of Parties (COP 21) and many staff, students, and faculty have been working towards carbon neutrality through engagement, research, and project implementation.

UCSB is currently installing over 5 megawatts of solar on campus. This will account for about 11 percent the university’s energy needs.

*Emission Scopes

• Scope 1- Direct Emissions: on-site natural gas, diesel and propane combustion; campus fleet emissions; marine vessel emissions; and fugitive emissions
• Scope 2- Indirect Emissions: purchased electricity
• Scope 3- Indirect Emissions (Other): University-funded business air travel and student staff and faculty commuting

UC Global Food Initiative (GFI)*

Who We Are

The UC Global Food Initiative was launched in 2014 by UC President, Janet Napolitano, with the vision of sustainably and nutritiously feeding the world’s population by 2025. UC GFI aims to make the UC system a pioneer in improving food security, health, and sustainability. In order to achieve success, the initiative identifies the best and most sustainable practices that can be applied worldwide using UC research to improve local and global food systems, as well as driving and implementing food policy discussions.

UC GFI consists of 23 working groups on all 10 campuses across 5 topic areas including: production, sourcing, education and communication, policy and public impact, and access and security.

UCSB Sustainability Internship Program 

Who We Are

The UCSB Sustainability Internship Program offers a wide array of opportunities for current undergraduate and graduate students to participate in campus and community based programs and initiatives. We serve as a launching point for new internship projects, much like an incubator for start-up companies. These opportunities include paid, academic credit, and volunteer-based internships and volunteer activities. Our home office is based in the Department of Geography.

Your Children’s Trees at UCSB*

Who We Are

Your Children’s Trees is run by students who wish to better the beauty and environment of Santa Barbara by planting native trees. Our current project is the establishment of a native Oak Woodland at Coal Oil Point Reserve.

We provide technical urban forestry expertise and planting equipment for organizations interested in tree planting projects in Santa Barbara. Occasional tree plantings are conducted in the Santa Barbara area to improve coastal runoff for a overall healthier ecosystem.
We wish to:
1) improve storm water management – reducing runoff pollution in waterways leading to the ocean
2) Improve air quality benefits
3) Use seeds and shoots from local watersheds to sustain local genetic pools

We also wish to educate youth about the important role of science in preserving nature through “Science Nights” at local schools.
We will post upcoming events on both this facebook page and twitter page

Anyone is welcome to join who has an interest in any of these goals! Whether its the plantings of small acorn shoots or educating local youth about the trees around them, we’d love you to join our cause. Contact either the phone number or email listed to get more info on how to become a member today!