Environmental Studies
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Beach season is here—just not for everyone
Marine and social scientists at UC Santa Cruz explain why privileged people enjoy more recreational, economic, and emotional benefits of the ocean than underresourced groups, and offer holistic remedies
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La temporada de playa ya está aquí—pero no para todos
Científicos marinos y sociales de la UC Santa Cruz explican por qué las personas privilegiadas disfrutan de más beneficios recreativos, económicos y emocionales del océano que los grupos con menos recursos, y ofrecen soluciones holísticas
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More colorful songbirds face higher extinction risk
The bird pet trade seems to account for some, but not all, of this connection
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Coexisting with mountain lions
Research reveals how big cats and outdoor recreation can safely share spaces
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Social Sciences Division honors student awardees at annual luncheon
On June 5 at the Cowell Ranch Historic Hay Barn, the Division of Social Sciences hosted its annual student awards luncheon to honor and recognize changemakers making a difference through their academic and research excellence.
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UCSC’s Right Livelihood Center empowers the next generation of activists
The Right Livelihood Center at UC Santa Cruz offers students a range of opportunities to connect with global visionaries. Students Natalie Capobres (Kresge ’26, environmental studies) and Kevin Lin (Kresge ’26, community studies) share their experiences.
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Grants support DIY irrigation and smart, electric tractors for specialty crop growers
Two projects are receiving support from the USDA 2025 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
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Greener Greenhouses — a Q&A with Katia Obraczka
UC Santa Cruz professor Katia Obraczka’s Greener Greenhouses project uses energy-efficient IoT technology to precisely monitor greenhouse conditions, helping growers reduce water and energy use while improving crop production.
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From founding faculty to future generations
Celebrating Jim Pepper’s 50-year legacy of teaching, mentorship, and environmental leadership
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New global directory of reforestation organizations helps would-be donors maximize the impact of their philanthropy
Professor Karen Holl and Postdoctoral Researcher Spencer Schubert launched the directory in partnership with nonprofit environmental media organization Mongabay
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What happens to ecosystems when you restore iconic top predators? It’s more complicated than you might think.
A new study analyzes findings from more than 170 papers to clarify what we know so far about the ecological impacts of large carnivore recovery in North America and what mysteries still remain.
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Environmental studies professor wins grant to support community-engaged research on California watersheds
Hannah Waterhouse was awarded the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research’s New Innovator in Food & Agriculture Research Award for her research on soil health practices.