UCLA Sustainability

Emerging Leaders Then and Now: Stories of Professional Development and Growth after WaterNow’s Emerging Leader Award
2024-08-14 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
WaterNow’s Emerging Leader Award supports water utility staff working to transform their utilities and the water sector in support of principles of sustainability and equity. In this webinar, WaterNow brings together past Emerging Leader Award recipients to hear how their careers and their projects have developed and evolved since receiving their Awards. Join for a panel discussion touching on the professional journeys of these water leaders, the ways they’ve navigated professional development opportunities, promotions, and mentorship, and the challenges they’ve overcome to get where they are today.
REGISTER HERE

Quantum Solutions: Leveraging Technology for Sustainable Data Centers
2024-08-14 09:00 - 10:00 | Online
Data Centers have historically been considerable consumers of energy and water globally, but increasing focus on reporting and grid constraints is transforming the industry. Gain valuable insights on the latest technology and trends to design and deliver sustainable and resilient data centers in this upcoming Green Building Initiative (GBI) webinar. Owners and colocations alike can incorporate innovative management practices, low carbon, durable building materials, and energy-efficient cooling solutions to improve operational efficiency and building lifespan. Learn how Life-Cycle Assessments (LCA) can measure the impact of materials and meet certification criteria. Understand how the implementation of these sustainable features and technologies can contribute to performance and rating in GBI’s Green Globes and Journey to Net Zero certification systems.
REGISTER HERE

Waste, Wishcycling & Greenwashing
2024-08-11 18:30 - 19:30 | Online
Join a conversation with experts on what to do with your waste, why all those products marketed as “compostable” are not compostable, why reuse is the way to go, and a lot more, including how to encourage restaurants to be more sustainable and how to host a sustainable event. Bring (virtually!) all those items you have questions about and ask the experts!
Speakers:

Bonny Bentzin, Deputy Chief Sustainability Officer, UCLA
Dr Marcus Eriksen, Co-founder and Scientist, 5 Gyres
Daniel Meyers, LA Sanitation & Environment
Nicholas Nuchio, Environmental Engineer, Los Angeles Sanitation & Environment
Kikei Wong, Sustainability Specialist, Athens Services

Bring (virtually) the items you’ve always wondered about—can you recycle it? compost it? What bin does it go in?
REGISTER HERE

L.A. RIVER FEST 2024
2024-08-11 15:00 - 21:00 | Los Angeles State Historic Park, 1245 N Spring St, Los Angeles, CA, 90012, United States
River Fest is BACK! Join Friends of the LA River (FoLAR) for a free, open-air environmental arts and community festival celebrating the culture, history, and people that shape the LA River.
FoLAR’s third-annual River Fest will welcome 1,000 Angelenos to LA State Historic Park and featuring a variety of local artists with thrilling live performances, a stunning visual art gallery, and a bustling marketplace. We’ll also have some new interactive eco-activities for the whole family and delicious food from some of L.A.’s best food trucks. Invite your favorite Angelenos and join in celebrating the life stream of LA – the Los Angeles River.
REGISTER HERE

Free L.A. City Monthly Bulky Item Drop-Off Events
2024-08-10 08:00 - 16:30 | Multiple locations
LA Sanitation will be accepting bulky items at five locations around the City each month throughout 2024. Furniture, carpet, yard trimmings, shelving, and wood will be accepted.
LOCATIONS:
East Valley District Yard
11050 Pendelton St.
Sun Valley, CA 91352
West Valley District Yard
8840 Vanalden Ave.
Northridge, CA 91234
Harbor District Yard
1400 N. Gaffey St.
San Pedro, CA 90731
West LA District Yard
2027 Stoner Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Central LA Recycling and Transfer Station
2201 E. Washington Bl.
Los Angeles, CA 90021
RULES:
-One visit per Saturday Event.
-Two ton vehicle limit (no larger than flat/stake bed struck.)
-Information provided to station staff must be true and accurate.
-Anyone who makes deliveries of unpermitted items may be liable for any penalties which the law provides under civil and/or criminal codes.
PROOF OF RESIDENCY:
Resident must be present and provide proof of residency with the most current LADWP bill and State Issued Driver’s license or State Identification or delivery will not be accepted.

Professional Development Workshop: ABCs of ESG Reporting
2024-08-09 09:00 - 10:30 | Online
Join this essential professional development workshop on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Plans to gain an in-depth understanding of the evolving regulatory landscape and its implications for ESG reporting. Everyone in cleantech and sustainability needs the basics of ESG Reporting for the ‘big picture’ of an organization’s strategy and the criteria for quality and integrity of data reporting in light of SEC and
This workshop will provide a thorough overview of the purpose and process of ESG reports, guiding you through the high-level steps needed to assemble a robust and compliant report. You’ll learn about the typical timeline for report preparation, ensuring that you can plan and execute your ESG strategy effectively. We’ll also explore various report framework options, including the ISSB and other leading standards, to help you choose the best approach for your organization.
You’ll gain insights into best practices for creating transparent and impactful reports and managing stakeholder issues. By the end of this workshop, you’ll be equipped with the tools and basic knowledge to navigate the complexities of ESG reporting, ensuring your organization meets regulatory requirements and communicates its ESG performance effectively to stakeholders.
Pricing:
FREE for WCS Champion Members!
WCS Member ticket: $15
WCS Student Member ticket: $5
Non-Member ticket: $30
Student Non-Member ticket: $10
Day of event: $35
REGISTER HERE

Tour of LA Environmental Learning Center at Hyperion
2024-08-03 10:00 - 12:00 | Los Angeles Environmental Learning Center at Hyperion, 12000 Vista Del Mar, Los Angeles, CA, 90293, United States
Join a tour of the Los Angeles Environmental Learning Center at Hyperion in Playa del Rey, CA, and learn how sustainable water and solid resources management happens in Los Angeles!
Through hands-on, interactive exhibits, you will learn the essential role you play in the future of clean water treatment and conservation, watershed protection, and the management of our solid resources. After visiting, you will be inspired to adopt sustainable practices in your daily life and be inspired to collectively create greener, cleaner neighborhoods.
This event is hosted by the South and Central Santa Monica Bay watershed coordinators for the LA County Safe Clean Water Program, in collaboration with Los Angeles Environmental Learning Center at Hyperion.
Registration in advance is required. Participants must be 9 years of age or older.
REGISTER HERE

Food and Film: Eat Drink Man Woman
2024-08-02 19:30 - 22:30 | Hammer Museum
The Hammer Museum is sharing another incredible installment of Alice Water’s Food and Film Series, “Eat Drink Man Woman.”
Admission to the event is free. Seats are assigned at the theater on a first come, first serve basis.
Food and Film is a quarterly series designed to delight the senses and inspire the mind. Curated with renowned chef, activist and cinephile Alice Waters, who will introduce the screening, each program in the series draws on Waters’ philosophy that eating, like art, is a political act and that exploring the intersections between the culinary and moving image arts can help illuminate the path toward building more sustainable, thriving communities together.
EAT DRINK MAN WOMAN (1994)
With his fourth feature, co-written with Hui-Ling Wang and James Schamus, Taiwanese director Ang Lee firmly cemented his status as a major auteur. The economy and feeling of his storytelling is evident from the opening sequence establishing the home of retired chef Chu (Hui Ling Wang) as an oasis from a bustling Taipei with his kitchen at its center. From it emanates the sights and sounds of the Sunday banquets he artfully prepares that draw his three adult daughters home. Through evocative detail, Lee builds a delicate, heartwarming portrait of a family for which food and cooking is the language they communicate with as they navigate together the ever-shifting course of love and relationships in their lives.
35mm, color, in Mandarin with English subtitles, 123 min.

Summer 2024 CDLS Research and Outreach Symposium
2024-08-02 12:00 - 16:00 | HYBRID: UCLA and Zoom
The Center for Diverse Leadership in Science at UCLA (CDLS) Research and Outreach Symposium offers an inclusive platform for individuals across all career stages within our community to showcase their research and outreach endeavors, regardless of the project’s developmental stage.
The event will feature keynote speakers and lightning talks from fellows and members showcasing their research, community-building efforts, and outreach initiatives. Lunch will be served. Masking is optional although strongly recommended indoors.
REGISTER HERE
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Camille Gaynus: Diving into a Joyous Ocean with Black in Marine Science
Originally from Philadelphia, I established a love of the water at an early age. Upon graduating from Hampton University, I started a PhD in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department at UCLA. I spent some time working at Penn State Brandywine before moving to working for the nonprofit Black in Marine Science full-time as the Chief Science Officer. There are two things I enjoy about being a marine scientist. First is the sheer amount of knowledge the ocean holds. It gives me countless opportunities to learn and explore. Second, I physically enjoy being underwater. There is something about being totally submerged in water that is calming. I got involved in #BlackinMarineScientist because I love being Black and I believe it is important that we highlight Black stories as a way to combat anti-Blackness.
Dr. Yewande Pearse: From Snails in the Garden to John Legend and Beyond: Navigating a Career in Science Communication
As a neuroscientist and passionate science communicator, Yewande blends the art of storytelling with the rigor of scientific inquiry to curate culturally resonant narratives. Her work extends beyond mere communication; it is about creating spaces where science is a shared language, enriching the tapestry of our collective experience. As a black woman in STEM and a mother, she embodies the diversity she advocates for, driving change from the intersection of her personal and professional worlds. She stands for a future where science belongs to everyone, breaking down barriers to create inclusive and accessible platforms for discovery. Her mission is to empower individuals with the transformative power of scientific knowledge, fostering a society that values curiosity, understanding, and the profound impact of science in every aspect of life.
LOCATION
UCLA Geology Building Room 3853
595 Charles E. Young Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90095
Zoom Meeting ID: 986 5239 9472
Lightning Talks
Syontoni Hattori-Chatterjee: The Migration Story of the Siakumne
Joan Chimezie: Holocene Peatland Fire Reconstruction in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia, USA
Maria Winters: Coastal Dune Modeling in California: Case Studies from Southern and North-Central California
Omaia Olivas: Endangered Species Act Outreach and Education in the Salinas Valley
Daniel Sepulveda: Paleoclimate of the Cenozoic Era in Antarctica and Patagonia
Pa-Shun Hawkins & Bobby Dellinger: Quantify Acid Deposition Using Social Drivers
Ileana Callejas: Remote Sensing for Biodiversity Monitoring in the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System
Kristen Howard: Evolutionary and Ecological Dynamics of Protozoa Diversity
Armand Payne & Jason Williams: Evaluating the Dual Protection Offered by Myrothamnus flabellifolius Extracts and Their Green-Synthesized ZnO Nanoparticles
Flor Vanessa Maciel: Development of a Climate Change and Intervention Unit for High School Students
Kira Fish, Elijah Catalan, Olivia Simon: Climate Justice Collective at UCLA
Brian Brophy: Training Next Gen Scientists
Elias Jabbe: Salalah Sinkholes and Littering: The Urgency to Reduce the Environmental Impact of Tourism
Olaniyi Oluwatobi Emmanuel: Assessing Habitat Suitability for Aqua Tourism in Wetlands: A Case Study of Ekiti State, Nigeria
Angela Rose David: Buhay Ngayon: Culturally-tailored Toolkit to Improve Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Regarding Advance Care Planning in Filipino American Adults in Los Angeles County
Esmeralda E.M. Zambrano: Hiking the Path to Environmental Equity: Stories from the Field
For any questions, please contact cdls@ucla.edu.

Film Screening: SIGN MY NAME TO FREEDOM
2024-07-31 19:00 - 20:45 | Parks Project Discovery Center, 8540 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA, 90232, United States
This event, co-sponsored by the Parks Project and Intersectional Environmentalist, will showcase an exciting 24-minute sneak peek screening of the forthcoming documentary Sign My Name to Freedom, a feature-length film about 102-year-old Betty Reid Soskin, her lost music, and her family’s experiences confronting Jim Crow style workplace and residential housing segregation in the Bay Area.
In addition to previewing the film, audience members will have a chance to participate in a Q&A with film Director Bryan Gibel and Betty’s granddaughter Alyana Reid. Leah Thomas, founder of Intersectional Environmentalist, and Co-Founder Diandra Marizet, will also be featured at this extraordinary event. They will discuss their work and show Intersections, a film with Betty and Leah from 2022 shot by Bryan.
REGISTER HERE

Oceans Webinar: Impacts on Oceans
2024-07-31 10:00 - 11:30 | Online
The California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) is hosting a series of webinars, Indicators of Climate Change: Bridging Science and Action, as part of its efforts to track and report on climate change and its impacts on California. Each webinar will synthesize new science and data, and showcase state, local, Tribal or community actions on a selected climate change topic. OEHHA will co-convene each webinar with one or more state agency partners with responsibilities relating to the topic.
This webinar is the fifth in the series, co-convened with the Ocean Protection Council. It will address the impacts of climate change on California’s oceans and coasts, and efforts underway to address them.
MORE INFO HERE
REGISTER HERE

California Green Jobs - Virtual Career & Resource Fair
2024-07-24 14:30 - 16:00 | Online
Hello, green job seekers! If you’re looking for an opportunity to speak directly with hiring managers in the sustainability industry for the built environment, this is a great opportunity for you. Additionally, this event will feature workforce development partners with professional development training opportunities.
REGISTER HERE

Understanding Recent Developments in Climate Risk Disclosure
2024-07-24 12:00 - 14:30 | HYBRID: Online and Orrick LLP, 405 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA, 94105, United States
In 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 261 (Stern) into law, requiring all companies doing business in the state with total revenues over $500 million to disclose climate-related financial risks. Earlier this year, the Security and Exchange Commission adopted long-awaited rules to strengthen and standardize climate risk disclosure by public companies in the United States. These rules join strong policies in the European Union and pending rules in several other jurisdictions around the world. The World Resources Institute estimates that once all pending rules are finalized, nearly 40 percent of the World’s economy will be subject to disclosure rules. In this lunch and learn, you will hear perspectives from leading experts in government, industry, and law on the current status of climate risk disclosure.
Join on Zoom or in person at Orrick San Francisco.
Panelists:
J.T Ho, Partner / Co-Head, Public Companies & ESG practice, Orrick
Katie Eulitt, Director of Global Outreach, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Foundation
Dave Jones, Director, Climate Risk Initiative, Center for Law, Energy & the Environment, UC Berkeley Law School
Moderator: Louise Bedsworth, Executive Director, Center for Law, Energy & the Environment, UC Berkeley Law School
Register for in-person attendance here.
Register for virtual attendance here.

TreePeople Presents: FernGully - The Last Rainforest
2024-07-20 20:00 - 21:30 | S. Mark Taper Foundation Amphitheatre, 12601 Mulholland Dr, Beverly Hills, CA, 90210, United States
Summertime at TreePeople is back! All summer long, TreePeople is bringing its favorite musicians, comedians, movies and more to the S. Mark Taper Foundation Amphitheatre stage at Coldwater Canyon Park. More programming will continually be announced throughout the summer in the monthly DIG IN newsletter, as well as special email only on-sales! To see TreePeople’s full calendar of summer events, visit treepeople.org/events.
The screening of the 1992 family classic Fern Gully: The Last Rainforest will begin just after sunset. General Admission includes first-come, first-served seating. Access to the amphitheatre will begin at 7pm to give audience members time to picnic and tour the grounds of Coldwater Canyon Park. Limited ground space will be available to spread out picnic blankets along with ample stadium-style seating.
To ensure equal access to tickets for all TreePeople supporters, there is a maximum of eight (8) tickets per order. For help with ticketing and billing, email events@treepeople.org. Tickets will be held at will-call under purchaser’s name. Please bring photo ID and the card used for purchase. Tickets are non-transferrable and non-refundable.
If you require access accommodations, please reach out to events@treepeople.org.
REGISTER HERE

West Hollywood Free Document Shredding and Electronic and Hazardous Waste Collection
2024-07-20 09:00 - 13:00 | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 355 N. San Vicente Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA, 90048, United States
The City of West Hollywood will host a free document shredding, electronic and hazardous household waste collection event for residents and businesses. Community members are invited to bring confidential files and unwanted electronics, including hard drives, and household hazardous waste for shredding and recycling. The hazardous household waste collection is for residents only.
This is a drive-through event. All e-waste, hazardous household waste and documents must be in the trunk prior to arrival. Paperclips, paper clamps, spiral bound notebooks, ringed notebooks must not be included in documents to be shredded.
E-waste will be handled by certified electronics recycler, Homeboy Recycling, in a way that protects the planet and keeps data safe while creating jobs for people in the region facing serious barriers to employment. All electronics are accepted, with the exception of large appliances, thermostats, light bulbs, and batteries. For more information call (323) 222-3322.
Household hazardous waste collection will be handled by Clean Earth, Inc. For more information about Clean Earth, Inc., contact Luis Cortez-Mortero at (909) 634-4217, or Juan Sanchez at (213) 304-0141.
For more information, please contact Matt Magener, the City of West Hollywood’s Environmental Programs Coordinator, at (323) 848-6894 or at mmagener@weho.org. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, please call TTY (323) 848-6496.

Third Thursdays: Twilight in the Garden
2024-07-18 17:00 - 19:00 | UCLA Mildred E Mathias Botanical Garden, La Kretz Garden Pavilion, 707 Tiverton Dr, Los Angeles, CA, 90095
See the sunset from the UCLA Botanical Garden at Third Thursdays, their summer twilight series. Meet new friends at the wine bar, then kick back and enjoy live music!
Admission for each event is $10. Purchase tickets here or at the door. Cash is not accepted. If you are paying at the door, you will need a card number that you can enter into the online storefront.
This event is all-ages, but the wine bar is 21+. Bring your government-issued photo ID if you would like to enter the wine bar.
Third Thursdays 2024:
7/18/24 from 5-7 p.m.
8/15/24 from 5-7 p.m.
9/19/24 from 5-7 p.m.

What Does the Recent Supreme Court Ruling on the Chevron Doctrine Mean for Climate and Energy Policy?
2024-07-18 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
In one of its final decisions of this term, the Supreme Court voted 6-3 to overturn the Chevron Doctrine. The Chevron Doctrine, established forty years ago, stated that courts must defer to reasonable agency interpretations of ambiguous statutes. Legally, the Chevron Doctrine has been critically important and has been cited in thousands of court decisions, including seventy Supreme Court decisions. Many have written that this decision will hamper the ability for agencies to act, especially on emerging and rapidly changing issues like climate change. What will this decision mean for climate change, energy, and environmental policy in the coming years and decades?
Join the Center for Law, Energy, and the Environment (CLEE) and the Berkeley Climate Change Network to hear from two leading legal experts on what they think this decision could mean for progress on climate change, energy, and the environment.
REGISTER HERE

Lunch & Learn: Wildfire and Public Health: Barriers and Opportunities to State Policy Implementation
2024-07-17 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Wildfire smoke presents a population-wide health risk in California with significant environmental justice implications. However, the policy landscape addressing the public health impacts of wildfire remains siloed, posing challenges to integrated policy development and implementation.
Join via Zoom for a discussion about the wildfire and public health policy landscape, based on the findings of a scoping report conducted by Center for Law, Energy & the Environment (CLEE) and the Climate & Wildfire Institute.
REGISTER HERE

Open House: Towards a Carbon-Free Future from Ocean to Atmosphere
2024-07-17 10:00 - 12:30 | AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles, 2451 Signal St, Los Angeles, CA, 90731, United States
Join for an exciting Open House at AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles. AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles is a leader in the Blue Economy that strives towards sustainable and responsible use of ocean resources to promote economic growth, improve livelihoods, and ensure the health of ocean ecosystems to address environmental and social challenges within our communities.
REGISTER HERE
Featured Speakers:
Erika La Plante – an Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of California, Davis.
Éowyn Lucas – a Sr. Membrane and Electrodialysis Engineer at Captura
Will be presenting on TRACER: Electrochemical Removal of Carbon Dioxide from Oceanwater: Field Validation
The TRACER team plans to develop a transformative electrolytic carbon dioxide removal approach that employs the ocean-air equilibrium of CO2 and the enormous abundance of alkaline cations in seawater. These attributes are leveraged during a continuous process to permanently lock CO2 within stable carbonates and hydroxides, and/or as aqueous bicarbonates/carbonates. The team’s proposed strategy will have the potential for implementation at a global scale and will be capable of much higher rates of carbon mineralization and CO2 removal than existing negative emissions technologies. The approach can be performed cost-effectively and is not dependent on the creation of supportive policy and de-risking because it ensures permanence of CO2 storage.

Heat Relief 4 LA Community Campaign Launch 2024
2024-07-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Online
The City of LA’s Chief Heat Officer, Marta Segura, on behalf of the Climate Emergency Mobilization Office (CEMO) and the Board of Public Works, invites you to join the virtual launch of the 2024 Heat Relief 4 LA Community Campaign!
The panelists will be partners from non-profit organizations and the City, who together will discuss the importance of culturally-relevant and multilingual campaigns through trusted partner networks, community health educators, especially in target community languages, to reduce the risks of extreme heat in low-income areas that lack air conditioning, and awareness about how heat waves are longer in duration and more frequent.
REGISTER HERE

Plastics Redesign for Biorenewable Circularity
2024-07-15 10:00 - 11:00 | HYBRID: UCLA California NanoSystems Institute auditorium, 570 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Everyone is welcome to attend this Keynote address, given by Dr. Brett Helms, Senior Scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The BioPACIFIC MIP Summer School offers a week-long opportunity to learn about scalable production of bio-derived building blocks and polymers.
One of the goals of a circular economy is to design-out waste by re-orienting industry around materials that can be reused and recycled. For polymers used in plastics, elastomers, and thermosets, those in use today were never designed to be recycled. As a result, they have accumulated in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems throughout the world in such alarming quantities that a global plastics treaty is under development, regulating future plastics use. If circularity is to be realized, new polymer chemistries are needed for deconstructing both simple and complex products, such that monomers, additives, fillers, and other materials may be reused without loss in performance or aesthetics. I will describe our efforts to address these challenges using polydiketoenamine resins (PDK), which undergo reversible polymerization using atom- and energy-efficient processes. I will describe how the building blocks of PDK resins can be produced from renewable feedstocks using biosynthesis using engineered proteins and microorganisms. These biorenewable PDK resins lay the groundwork for how to commodify polymers as highly valuable, renewable resources for a circular economy.
Brett A. Helms is a San Francisco-Bay Area native. He received his B.S. from Harvey Mudd College in 2000 and his Ph.D. in 2006 at the University of California, Berkeley with Jean M. J. Fréchet in designing branched polymer architectures for catalysis. His postdoctoral research was conducted at the Technische Universiteit Eindhoven with E. W. (Bert) Meijer where his focus was on supramolecular chemistry. In 2007, he began his independent career at Berkeley Lab and has since risen to the rank of Senior Scientist. His research program there is devoted to materials discovery and development to solve outstanding challenges in energy and sustainability. He is the co-founder of two deep-tech Bay Area Start-Ups: Sepion Technologies and Cyklos Materials.

Advanced Nuclear Energy – Electricity and Beyond
2024-07-11 11:00 - 12:00 | Online
Are you looking to learn more about recent developments in nuclear reactor design, demonstration, and legislation? The advanced reactors being designed and demonstrated today will be capable of doing more than just producing electricity. Hear how nuclear energy, when integrated with other generating sources, can be an enabling technology for local economic development. In this webinar, the panel will discuss new technologies and the status of demonstrations, future energy systems that include the integration of multiple generating sources, and the role of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and national laboratories in bringing these technologies to market.
Immediately following the webinar, you are invited to an optional informal networking session with the panelists, providing a chance for more Q&A, interaction, and career-path-based questions and advice. When registering for the webinar, please indicate if you are interested in the networking session to receive the separate networking session Zoom link.
REGISTER HERE

Themes in World History: Environmental Transformations & Their Impact K-12 Teacher Professional Development Workshop
2024-07-01 09:00 - 2024-07-02 12:00 | Online
This free two-day virtual K-12 teacher professional development workshop will focus on environmental issues in China and Central America to align with themes of “Environmental Transformations” in world history curriculum under the CA History Social Science (HSS) Framework. This PD workshop aims to provide area studies content and pedagogy training to K-12 teachers in California to help with the classroom instruction of these themes. The workshop will give educators an opportunity to hear lectures from scholars to gain more historical knowledge, work with model lessons developed by teacher leaders, and receive training for designing lessons to align with the HSS Framework.
Eligibility & Requirements:

No cost and open to all K-12 teachers.
Online registration required.

REGISTER HERE

Ciclovía at 50: Changing Street Cultures Across the World
2024-06-26 09:00 - 11:30 | Online
A Mini-Symposium from UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies
December 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the ciclovía in Bogotá, Colombia, the original “open streets” event. Ciclovías close streets to cars and open them to people-powered mobility, creating what co-founder Jaime Ortíz Mariño calls the “world’s largest outdoor classroom.” The ciclovía covers over 75 miles every Sunday in Bogotá, and has spread to over 450 cities around the world. In this online event, we will hear from organizers in different cities about what the model has meant for their street cultures. Scholars will share their research on the event and its participants. Experts from the fields of public health and transportation will talk about the challenges and opportunities in funding non-infrastructure programming like this. Explore what cities around the globe have learned from the model, its role as a catalyst in changing street cultures in particular cities, and how ciclovías can help shift people to sustainable transportation.
Part 1: Telling the Story (75 minutes)
In the first half of the mini-symposium, we’ll focus on telling the story. A moderated discussion with ciclovía creators will reflect on the goals of open streets models and how ciclovías have changed transportation culture in specific cities. Following this, there will be mini lectures from scholars who have studied ciclovías and similar events in different national contexts.
Part 2: Learning Together (75 minutes)
The second half of the mini-symposium will consist of a workshop where participants will choose breakout rooms and join a facilitated discussion.
REGISTER HERE

Flowing Toward the Future: Water’s Role in Decarbonizing Southern California’s Electrical Grid
2024-06-25 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Are you passionate about sustainability and the future of our water resources? Do you want to learn how water management intersects with the decarbonization of Southern California’s electrical grid? If so, join an enlightening webinar hosted by the Southern California Water Coalition (SCWC).
About the Webinar:
In this session, we will delve into the critical role that water management plays in supporting and advancing the decarbonization of our electrical grid. As the urgency to address climate change grows, understanding the intersection of water and energy becomes increasingly vital. This webinar will provide insights into innovative strategies and technologies that leverage water resources to create a more sustainable and resilient energy infrastructure.
Meet Our Esteemed Speakers:
Liz Crosson – Sustainability, Resiliency, and Innovation Officer at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Liz brings a wealth of experience in sustainability initiatives and will share her vision on how water agencies can contribute to a greener future.
Don Bunts – Deputy General Manager at the Santa Margarita Water District. Don’s extensive background in water management will provide a practical perspective on the challenges and opportunities in integrating water and energy solutions.
Shea Hughes – Vice President of Business Development at Scale Microgrids. Shea will discuss the latest advancements in microgrid technology and how they can be harnessed to decarbonize the electrical grid through effective water management.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be at the forefront of water and energy innovation. Register today to secure your spot for the SCWC June 2024 Webinar.
REGISTER HERE

Making LA Sustainable: housing strategies that fight climate change
2024-06-22 10:00 - 12:00 | Lehrer Architects, 2140 Hyperion Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, United States
Abundant Housing LA, Urban Environmentalists, Livable Communities Initiative, Los Angeles Climate Reality Project, and Sunrise Movement LA bring you a panel of experts discussing how climate-conscious urban planning and infill housing can combat climate change while promoting equity.
Be part of this critical conversation and help shape a just and equitable future for all Angelenos. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with leaders in the field and make a difference. The event is open to all!

Habitat Restoration Day
2024-06-22 08:00 - 11:00 | 6100 Woodley Ave, 6100 Woodley Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 91406, United States
Join Friends of the LA River, California Native Plant Society, and San Fernando Valley Audubon for a morning of invasive plant removal and bird walks in the Sepulveda Basin!
REGISTER HERE

Birding with Pride! - Guided Bird Walk
2024-06-15 08:00 - 10:00 | Del Rey Lagoon, 6520 Pacific Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90293, United States
Friends of Ballona Wetlands invites 2SLGBTQ+ communities to join a birding nature walk in honor of Pride Month. The Ballona Wetlands is the second largest open space and the last coastal wetlands in Los Angeles. Outdoor spaces, like Ballona, should be a space where people of any identity feel safe and welcomed. Meet us in parking lot on the west side of the Del Rey Lagoon.
REGISTER HERE
Registration: Registration is required. You must also sign the digital waiver.
Ages: Activities are recommended for ages 7 and up. Youths 15 and under should be accompanied by an adult.
What to wear: Close-toed shoes are required! We recommend dressing in weather-appropriate layers, along with a hat. Long pants are also recommended to protect against occasional prickly plants.
What to bring: Bring a full water bottle to stay hydrated. There are no water fountains on site. Also, sunscreen, bug spray, and a snack if needed.
Arrive on time: The ecological reserve gates are LOCKED during all Saltwater Marsh events and late arrivals will find themselves locked out.

TransportationCamp LA 2024
2024-06-08 09:30 - 17:00 | Luskin School of Public Affairs, room 2355, UCLA
TransportationCamp LA is an open venue for sharing and learning about the region’s transportation issues and successes. TransportationCamp LA aims to be an open, forward-thinking event that brings together people of all facets of the transportation world.
TransportationCamp is not a formal conference — rather, as an unconference, it is driven entirely by attendees’ interests and experiences. At TransportationCamp, there is no set agenda prior to the event. Sessions are determined at the beginning of the day and are drawn from proposals and ideas that attendees submit. A session can be any format: a presentation, an open discussion, a demonstration, a panel, or even a group exercise or game.
TransportationCamp covers urban transportation issues in all their forms, including economic, social, public health, and environmental impacts. Session topics in the 2019 TransportationCamp LA ranged from “Congestion Pricing & Increasing Transit Ridership,” to “Mobility with Kids Under 5,” to “Latest Buzz from Cycle-friendly Cities” and change every year to reflect the latest research and questions of the moment.
Have thoughts on mobility and access for carless households in LA, or battery replacement and disposal strategies for transit agencies? Get your own session started here just with an oversized Post-It note.
This event is open to advocates, professionals, community members, and everyone passionate about mobility in Los Angeles and Southern California.
REGISTER HERE

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
