Yaks and Biodiversity: Contested Narratives of Land Degradation in Eastern Tibet, Lecture and Film Screening by Professor Huatse Gyal
2024-05-14 11:00 - 12:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online and 10383 Bunche Hall, 11282 Portola Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Huatse Gyal will speak on the emergent and innovative forms of land restoration efforts that center land-based community building as a precondition to environmental protection on the eastern Tibetan Plateau.
Note: Interested individuals may attend in person at Bunche Hall (Rm 10383) or online via Zoom. Please note the updated location with the new building and room number.
RSVP to Attend In Person (Bunche Hall, Rm 10383)
RSVP to Attend Virtually (Online via Zoom)

A Map-Based Decision-making Framework for Equity in EV Charging
2024-05-15 12:00 - 13:15 | HYBRID: University of California Center Sacramento and Online, 1115 11th Street, Sacramento, CA, 95814, United States
State, federal, and auto industry leaders have set ambitious targets to transition to electric vehicles over the coming decade. Governor Newsom and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) have set California on a pathway to phase out the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035. To support this transition, we will need millions of EV chargers. But where can we locate this new mobility infrastructure to the needs of priority communities, integrate with other transportation modes, and support connectivity and economic development? Local governments will play a crucial role, and they will need decision-making tools for stakeholder-informed processes. UC Berkeley’s Energy & Resources Group, School of Information, and School of Law are developing a platform to meet this need.
TO ATTEND IN PERSON, PLEASE CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
TO REGISTER FOR THE ZOOM WEBINAR, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Blue + Green Session 2: Kelp and the Bioeconomy
2024-05-15 14:00 - 15:00 | Online
The Blue + Green 2024 series is a 4 part monthly series taking place virtually in celebrating of Earth Day beginning Thursday April 25, 2024 and ending July 16, 2024.
The goal of the project is to shine a spotlight on emerging aquaculture sector in our economy. Aquaculture and the supporting technologies bring together all the key ingredients – future growth opportunities that support our coastal ecosystems, the economy, jobs, and our communities. This webinar series reimagines partnerships between business, government, universities, and communities through regenerative ocean research, exploration, and equity-based economic development.
Panel Discussion on the Economic Benefits of Developing a Kelp Bioeconomy will examine how developing a kelp bioeconomy can create jobs, generate revenue for coastal communities, and diversify marine industries beyond traditional fisheries.
REGISTER HERE

VC and Climate Talk
2024-05-15 16:00 - 17:30 | UCLA Anderson, Korn Convocation Hall, 110 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Join UCLA Anderson’s Center for Impact and Easton Technology Management Center for an informative discussion with Raj Kapoor, the Co-founder and Managing Partner of Climactic. Raj will delve into the venture capital industry and climate tech – specifically what we need to get a net zero planet, how innovation can help us get there, and some example companies in the industry.
With a successful track record in venture capital at Mayfield, and as a former Chief Strategy Officer at Lyft, Raj brings a wealth of experience to the table. Climactic, his venture capital firm, is dedicated to early-stage investments in climate tech for enterprise and mobility, leveraging over two decades of general tech experience to accelerate startup success. This will be interactive so bring your questions!
4:00 – 4:30 p.m. ………….. Networking Reception in D Atrium
4:30 – 5:30 p.m. …………… Speaker in Korn Convocation Hall
REGISTER HERE FOR IN-PERSON
A remote option via Zoom is available for those who cannot attend in person.
REGISTER HERE FOR ZOOM

Free Food from the Dining Halls
2024-05-15 22:00, 2024-05-22 22:00, 2024-05-29 22:00, 2024-05-30 22:00 | Conference Room 1 in the Student Activities Center Basement, 220 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Get a plate of free hot dining hall food in the SAC basement. Please bring your own containers and utensils. Bruin Dine is operating Tuesdays, Wednesdays, AND Thursdays this quarter.
Follow @uclabruindine for updates.

Preventing Silicosis: An ancient disease in modern times: Silicosis caused by artificial stone in the United States
2024-05-16 08:00 - 17:00 | Northwest Auditorium, 350 De Neve Dr,, Los Angeles,, CA, 90024
The purpose of this conference and working meeting is to bring together affected workers, employers and manufacturers with researchers, unions, community-based organizations and other stakeholders to develop practical and feasible solutions to prevent silicosis caused by artificial stone.
REGISTER HERE

**CANCELLED** - CTR Monthly Seminar Series: "Foreign Collaboration and Community Engagement - Challenges and Best Practices"
2024-05-16 14:00 - 15:00 | CA
In light of the current situation at the UCLA Campus, we regret to inform you that the CTR Seminar series scheduled for May 16th from 2-3PM PST is cancelled.
We anticipate resuming our Seminars in Fall 2024.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
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Join a presentation and discussion led by Virginia Zaunbrecher, Ary Amaya, Hannah Stouter, Nick Russo, and Isaac Aguilar.

UCLA Center for Education Innovation & Learning in the Sciences (CEILS) EdTalks: Lightning TAR (Teaching as Research) talks from CIRTL Scholars
2024-05-16 14:00 - 16:00 | HYBRID: Terasaki Life Sciences Building 1100 and Zoom, 610 Charles E Young Dr S, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Join us as we explore the latest high quality STEM Education Research studies and how to implement effective and inclusive teaching. We welcome guest speakers from UCLA and other academic institutions to share their research and lead small group discussions with our teaching and learning community. Faculty, graduate students, postdocs, and anyone interested in STEM education research are welcome to participate.
The talks will be from 2-2:50 pm in Terasaki Life Sciences Rm 1100 (Zoom Option Available).
Light refreshments will be served at the talk + Happy Hour and Poster Session after this 5/16 Lightning TAR session
REGISTER HERE

Captivity: Assembling Nature’s Histories
2024-05-17 09:15 - 17:30 | William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, 2520 Cimarron Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90018, United States
Conference organized by Anna Chen, Rebecca Fenning Marschall, and Bronwen Wilson, University of California, Los Angeles
The conference is free to attend with advance registration, and will be held in-person at the Clark Library and livestreamed on the Center’s YouTube Channel. No registration is required to watch the livestream. In-person registration closed on Monday, May 13. Seating is limited at the Clark Library; walk-in registrants are welcome as space permits.
The early modern period was a hothouse for the study of physical things in the natural world, and for the collection and assembly of them in human-made physical spaces. In other periods, botanical samples were preserved by diarists in their journals, such as Poems and Riddles written by Mary Woodyeare Tibbits (ca. 1764–1840), and Pressed specimens of butterflies and moths (1905), compiled by Yasushi Nawa (1857–1926), which are both in the Clark Library’s collections. Nawa’s lepidochromic book showcases the technique of “printing butterflies,” or fixing the scales of their wings onto paper. Specimens of all sorts were admired for their variegated colors, curated in collections, and assembled into books. Birds were captured in aviaries for their sounds, or killed and prepared as specimens for display, study, and scientific descriptions. Plants were transported across oceans in terraria, and contained in plots and glasshouses.
Libraries were deeply implicated in these historical pursuits of the collection and classification of the contents of the natural world, as are modern libraries that now grapple with whether and how to preserve the nature that enters their collections. The interior-exterior division of libraries is a highly regulated boundary. Libraries strive tirelessly to seal the building envelope against the environmental conditions of the outdoors, as fluctuating temperature and humidity levels, mold spores, insects, rodents and natural disasters all threaten damage to their holdings. Libraries also capture books about nature on their shelves, as flora and fauna cohabitate on their grounds. At the Clark Library, Cooper hawks nest, feral cats roam, and roots of trees probe the ground in search of water. What might we learn from these efforts to capture and to conserve nature, coupled with its potential to decompose or to invade environments?

West Valley - 2024 LASAN Open House
2024-05-18 10:00 - 14:00 | LASAN West Valley District Yard, 8840 Vanalden Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 91324, United States
LA Sanitation & Environment (LASAN) holds six free Open Houses events each year, opening our district yards to the public. The Open House program showcases LASAN’s residential curbside collection programs with an emphasis on proper recycling practices and bulky item collection while strengthening partnerships with City residents.
Each Open House will feature trash trucks and equipment demonstrations in addition to facility tours, information booths, recycling games, and a free lunch. All children receive a special hat at registration and have the opportunity to operate the controls on the trucks. Parents go home with vegetable plants. Our 360 degree video booth is free for all to enjoy!
There is no charge for admission and all ages are welcome, but pets are requested to be left at home for safety. Free food, beverages, and giveaways are available while supplies last.
Learn more at www.lacitysan.org/openhouse or call our 24-hour Customer Care Center at 1-800-773-2489.
This is a Zero Waste event! Please consider bringing your own reusable water bottle, utensils, etc. We’ll have composting and recycling bins out to capture waste. Our staff will be ready to assist you if you’re unsure what goes in each bin.
* Registration is strongly recommended but not required.
REGISTER HERE

Gathering at Kuruvungna
2024-05-18 10:00 - 15:00 | Kuruvungna Village Springs, 1439 South Barrington Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90025, United States
Join starting at 10:00 AM at Kuruvungna Village Springs for a day filled with fun activities, delicious food, and great company. This in-person event is the perfect opportunity to connect with others and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Kuruvungna. Don’t miss out on this fantastic event!
REGISTER HERE

**CANCELED** - Clarkia Festival
2024-05-18 10:00 - 16:00 | Botanical Garden, 707 Tiverton Dr
NOTE: This year’s Clarkia Festival, set to take place on May 18, 2024, is canceled.
If you were planning to attend the Clarkia Festival on May 18, we encourage you to visit the Gathering at Kuruvungna, the Clark Library’s Bookish Biomes event, and the Natural History Museum’s Bug Fair instead.
The UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden will have a wonderful Clarkia Festival next spring, and many other public programs throughout the year where you can celebrate nature in community. For now, we hope you can find peace and healing by visiting the Garden.
We look forward to seeing you at the Garden and at the 2025 Clarkia Festival.

*POSTPONED* - Bookish Biomes: Assembling Nature’s Histories at the Clark Library
2024-05-18 11:00 - 14:00 | William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, 2520 Cimarron Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90018, United States
Due to unforeseen circumstances, we regret to inform you that this event has been postponed. A new date will be listed here and shared with all registrants.
The event is free to attend and will be held in-person at the Clark Library. Registration will close on Wednesday, May 15 at 5:00 p.m. Walk-in registrants are welcome as space permits.
The Clark Library preserves and provides access to over 130,000 books, manuscripts, and artworks dating from the 15th century to the present. But there is a library of living things on the five acres of green space outside the library’s building, too. This event will bring together both our indoor and outdoor collections, as we explore nature’s histories – and its present!
Participants will learn about bees and beekeeping from the Bruin Beekeepers, go on bird walks with experienced guides from Los Angeles Birders, learn about how people in the past studied and collected the natural world through our library collections, and talk to representatives from other nature- and garden-minded local groups. Attendees will also be able to make their own field notebooks, participate in a Clark Library bioblitz to help expand our knowledge of the library’s outdoor collections, trade plant cuttings and seeds with other attendees, plant seeds to take home from our heirloom seed library – and more!
REGISTER HERE

Understanding the (Fake) Meat Debates: Examining Public Perceptions of Alternative Proteins
2024-05-20 13:00 - 14:00 | 2121 Murphy Hall, 410 Charles E Young Dr E, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
SUMMARY: The alternative protein landscape, comprised of both plant-based animal product alternatives and the emerging field of cellular agriculture (including cultivated meat), has become a flashpoint for contemporary food system debate. Drawing from a mix of interpretive and empirical methods – including stakeholder interviews, media analysis, public opinion surveys, and consumer focus groups – this presentation provides an overview of key points of contestation in the “fake meat” debates. Fundamentally, the research argues that consumer attitudes and behaviors toward alternative proteins cannot be reduced to traditional determinants of food choice alone – notably taste, price, and convenience. As relevant as those factors continue to be, public perceptions of alternative proteins are also influenced by a set of broader ideologies related to meat, animals, technology, and the industrial food system as a whole. Highlighting divergent perspectives between and among devoted carnivores, flexible omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans alike, the presentation reflects on the future of alternative protein in terms of its technological development, market activity, and public discourse.

**CANCELLED** -- "Grand Theft Eco" Episode 1 Screening
2024-05-20 16:00 - 17:30 | Kaplan Hall 193, 415 Portola Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Given the uncertainty surrounding a possible UAW strike starting next week, we’ve made the decision to cancel the Monday, May 20 screening of Grand Theft Eco. Rest assured, we will hold an official launch event at a future date TBD for us to celebrate this vital project together.
We appreciate your understanding, and we will provide a new date when we have it.
Grand Theft Eco is a machinima series and pedagogical engine that repurposes the video game Grand Theft Auto to explore possible eco-futures of LA in the year 2050. Each episode offers an alternative to dominant dystopian narratives about climate change futures by developing nuanced storyworlds in which crucial environmental problems have been addressed, but issues of social inequality continue to trouble how the solutions are experienced.
This premiere screening shares the first episode of Grand Theft Eco, The iBear in the River, which focuses on a vibrant and revitalized LA River landscape that brings together two teenagers, Kerstin Connor and Yolanda Arellanos, in an adventurous chase to retrieve a lost electronic toy. As the girls explore the landscapes and neighborhoods along the river, they forge a temporary friendship that persistent inequalities ultimately drive apart.

UC ITS Webinar: Early Insights on How Mobility Wallet Programs Are Performing in Four California Cities
2024-05-22 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Cities across California, such as Oakland, Stockton, Bakersfield, and Los Angeles, are experimenting with Universal Basic Mobility (UBM) initiatives that provide residents access to affordable transportation options regardless of where they live or their income level. While UBM initiatives can take many forms, one approach is the use of mobility wallets that provide residents with flexible spending to access transportation services (e.g., bikeshare, public transit, ridehail) or cover specific transportation costs (e.g., bike purchase and maintenance). This webinar will highlight mobility wallet initiatives in several cities across California, and share early insights on how these pilot programs are performing, including who is participating in these programs, how they are spending their transportation stipend, and how their travel is (or is not) changing.
REGISTER HERE

Ed Talks @CEILS: Learning Community Meetings, "Generative AI in 2024: Exploring Emerging Practices in Teaching and Learning"
2024-05-23 14:00 - 14:50 | Terasaki Life Sciences Rm 1100, 610 Charles E Young Dr S, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
It has been less than two years since the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022, but rapid development of new AI tools has led to adoption by millions of users around the world, with full applications still unknown and untested. In this talk we will take a look at some of the emerging practices in higher education for teaching and learning that instructors can integrate into STEM courses here at UCLA and discuss potential future impacts as well as concerns related to AI.
About the presenter: Jess Gregg is a Senior Associate Director at the Center for Education and Innovation in the Sciences (CEILS). She collaborates with instructors and units across campus to develop and implement programs and initiatives that support student learning and reduce inequities in educational outcomes for the Life and Physical Sciences.
REGISTER HERE

*CANCELED*: Music in the Garden with Gabriela
2024-05-23 17:00 - 18:00 | UCLA Mildred E Mathias Botanical Garden, La Kretz Garden Pavilion, 707 Tiverton Dr, Los Angeles, CA, 90095
Gabriela Acosta’s senior capstone recital on 5/23 will be canceled. This decision was not made lightly, but rather upon reflection of the responsibility of her work. She had to prioritize student well-being right now (including herself and her collaborators). She will postpone her recital until it feels appropriate.

Environmental Education Program Leader Webinar: Risk Management and Compliance
2024-05-28 16:00 - 17:30 | Online
Join the California Environmental Literacy Initiative’s Community-Based Partner (CBP) Innovation Hub and Association for Environmental & Outdoor Education (AEOE) in an online webinar series for Program Leaders of organizations that work to advance environmental literacy. Learn valuable tips and strategies that will help your organization grow and thrive.
Risk Management and Compliance
What you need to know to protect your organization and staff as well as keep your program participants safe.
Part of the free webinar series:
Building a Strong and Resilient Organization
A Webinar Series for CBP Program Leaders – Spring 2024
REGISTER HERE
* Presentation will be recorded and shared with all registered participants.

AltaSea's Grand Opening of Berth 58 Center for Innovation and Press Conference
2024-05-29 10:00 - 13:00 | AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles, 2451 Signal St, Los Angeles, CA, 90731, United States
Join us at AltaSea’s Grand Opening of Berth 58!
AltaSea’s ocean research center will be celebrated this spring with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for part of a $30 million renovation of three historic waterfront warehouses. This section will be home to researchers from USC, UCLA and Caltech, as well as famed oceanographer and explorer Robert Ballard, credited with discovering the underwater wreckage of the Titanic.
REGISTER HERE

Sustainability Research Summit
2024-05-29 18:00 - 20:00 | Bruin Viewpoint Room, Ackerman Union at UCLA, 308 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, United States
The International Urban Sustainability Student Corps (IUSSC) is an interdisciplinary think tank at UCLA that participates in student-led sustainability research projects. IUSSC is hosting its second annual summit on UCLA’s campus open to anyone who would like to learn more about pressing sustainability issues and engage in greater discussions with peers. It will feature presentations from each of IUSSC’s research divisions, other sustainability organizations at UCLA, and other guest speakers.
REGISTER HERE
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out via email at iusscexec@gmail.com or via Instagram @ucla_iussc. Additionally, feel free to check out this linktree to learn more about IUSSC!

**CANCELED** - Botany Brown Bag Public Lecture - "Amazing Hawaiian Plants in the UCLA Botanical Garden," with Dr. Tom Gillespie
2024-05-30 12:00 - 13:00 | UCLA Mildred E Mathias Botanical Garden, La Kretz Garden Pavilion, 707 Tiverton Dr, Los Angeles, CA, 90095
Unfortunately, Dr. Tom Gillespie is out sick and today’s Botany Brown Bag talk is CANCELED. We will miss you and we hope to see you soon at our upcoming events. Thank you for your understanding.
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Join a new Botany Brown Bag lunch and learn series!
This free public lecture series is continued by Dr. Tom Gillespie, who will give a talk entitled “Amazing Hawaiian Plants in the UCLA Botanical Garden” on May 30 at 12pm. Stop in on your lunch break and take home some exciting insights about the Hawaiian section of UCLA’s Botanical Garden.
This is a BYOL (bring your own lunch) event!
RSVP not required.

Where Drawdown solutions and high-quality offsets meet
2024-05-30 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Refrigerant management is one of Project Drawdown’s top “emergency brake” climate solutions. Learn from Brown, Duke, and Second Nature partner Tradewater about the role refrigerant management has in mitigation and the high-quality offsets refrigeration destruction can create.
In this webinar, you’ll hear from Jessica Berry, the Assistant Vice President in the Office of Sustainability and Resiliency at Brown University, and Matthew Arsenault, the Assistant Director in the Office of Sustainability at Duke University, about climate action at their universities. Jess and Matt will talk through the role high-quality carbon offsets play in their university climate action plans, how they vetted and chose the offsets projects they bought, and how they are collaborating with Tradewater. Tradewater is a B-Corp and carbon project developer who has partnered with Second Nature to enable universities to take action, both on their own campuses and through the carbon market, to mitigate emissions from the world’s most potent non-CO2 greenhouse gases. Ray Rieling, Tradewater’s Partnerships Manager, will be on hand to present Tradewater’s refrigerant inventory, collection, and destruction services and how campuses can partner with Tradewater to develop their own supply of high-quality carbon offsets by destroying legacy refrigerants instead of letting them leak into the atmosphere. Participants will walk away with an understanding of the pivotal role of refrigerant management in mitigating climate change, hard-earned lessons from sustainability leaders in higher education, and renewed clarity on carbon offsets.
Speakers:
Jessica Berry, Assistant Vice President, Office of Sustainability & Resiliency, Brown University
Matthew Arsenault, Assistant Director, Office of Sustainability, Duke University
Meredith Leigh, Climate Programs Manager, Second Nature
Ray Rieling, Partnerships Manager, Tradewater
Eli Etzioni, Partnerships Manager, Tradewater
REGISTER HERE

Challenges to mitigating climate change drivers and associated risks of surpassing lower emission targets
2024-05-31 11:30 - 12:30 | Online
IDRE is proud to present an upcoming talk by IDRE Fellow Dr. Robert Fofrich. He will discuss the challenges associated with attaining lower climate warming targets and the potential repercussions for global agriculture and human well-being if these targets are exceeded.
REGISTER FOR ZOOM HERE

Guided UCLA Botanical Garden Tour
2024-06-01 10:00 - 11:00 | UCLA Mildred E Mathias Botanical Garden, La Kretz Garden Pavilion, 707 Tiverton Dr, Los Angeles, CA, 90095
Join a Garden Guide for a free tour. Explore a living museum featuring collections of plants from around the globe!
You’ll hear the stories of selected plants in the Garden and their relevance to human society. All ages are welcome. Tours meet at the La Kretz Garden Pavilion at the northern end of the Garden and are given a grace period of 5 minutes.
Tours are free.

North Central - 2024 LASAN Open House
2024-06-01 10:00 - 14:00 | LASAN North Central District Yard, 452 North San Fernando Road, Los Angeles, CA, 90031, United States

First Fridays at the LA Natural History Museum: How We Multiply
2024-06-07 17:00 - 22:00 | Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90007, United States
Featuring Live Music from Wallice and Niia, DJ set from Gingee, Discussion with Dr. Aradhna Tripati of UCLA’s Institute of the Environment and Sustainability hosted by Dr. Yewande Pearse, Sensory Lounge featuring LAVA (Los Angeles Video Artist), Femme House, ChocoVivo, Herbalaria, and more!
If you are interested in learning more about 2024 First Fridays series, click First Fridays 2024: From Feelings to Pheromones.
Featured Discussion.
DISCUSSION | LEVEL 2, NORTH AMERICAN MAMMAL HALL | 6:30–7:30 PM
The Population Problem and Possible Solutions: The Earth’s human population has reached 8 billion. What does that mean for this planet? Is it catastrophe or more possibilities for solutions? Examine the connections and misunderstandings regarding population and climate change. How can we address data in terms of societal impact, policies, and equitable solutions?
*Seating is limited. Please arrive early.
REGISTER HERE
