Projects Funded in 2023-2024

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions at the Arboretum

$5,000 Awarded

This project is working towards replacing two stroke and four stroke engines at the Arboretum and replacing them with electric equipment. Examples of replacement equipment are chainsaws, lawnmowers, weed whackers and more.

With electric and battery powered equipment, the Arboretum will be able to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

MBEST Energy Efficient Lighting

$2,500 Awarded

This energy efficiency project will reduce facility-based carbon emissions by replacing exterior building fluorescent lights with high efficiency LED lights for the UCSC Monterey Bay Education, Science and Technology (MBEST) Center.

MBEST is a satellite location and is utilized by many employees and students.

Sisnheimer Growth Chamber Energy-Efficient Lighting Upgrade

$4,558 Awarded

This project is working on replacing the lighting in one of the growth chamber labs on campus.

In doing so, this group will study the impacts on certain plants growth based on old light bulbs versus energy efficient lighting.

Washer and Dryer Replacement at Long Marine Lab

$1,800 Awarded

The washer and dryer at the Long Marine Lab facility is used often by its members like the Marine Mammal Physiology, Pinniped Lab, Elephant Seal researchers and many more.

The current washer and dryer unit is no longer functioning at its full capacity, making it use resources more inefficiently. Therefore, by replacing it, community members at the lab will be able to utilize a more reliable and energy effieicient washer and dryer.

Farm Future 2023-2024

$4,973 Awarded

This project is expanding integrated aquaculture and agriculture research activities at the Center for Agroecology (CfA). The project involves purchasing feed ingredients for aquafeeds, conducting effluent nutrient and soil/plant biochemical analyses, and incorporating two Integrated Aquaculture Agriculture (IAA) trials in winter and spring, focusing on immediate use of aquaculture effluent for irrigating winter crops.

Cal Teach Terra Cycle Boxes

$775 Awarded

The purpose of the Cal Teach TerraCycle Boxes project is to reduce the carbon footprint of operating our program through waste reduction and proper recycling.

They will do so by implementing TerraCycle boxes at Cal Teach employee work locations. Additionally, Cal Teach hosts student events and professional development opportunities, in which they will utilize the TerraCycle Boxes to effectively manage any waste generated.

Shorter Shower Initiative

$1,000 Awarded

The Shorter Shower Initiative aims to inspire behavioral changes among students to reduce water consumption on campus, fostering a more sustainable connection between the university and the environment. This involves installing plastic hourglass timers with accompanying awareness signs in UCSC's residence hall bathrooms, promoting conscious water usage.

Turning Fog Water Into Food Calories

$4,300 Awarded

The ongoing fog-water harvesting project, operational since 2022, has successfully installed fog collectors for irrigation and engaged the community through workshops. To sustain and expand, the current funds granted involve hiring a summer undergraduate student for maintenance and vegetable garden supervision, fostering sustainable practices at the UCSC Farm and offering insights for other foggy communities.

Replacing 2 Stroke Engines At the Center of Agroecology

$4,527 Awarded

The replacement of 2-stroke engines with electric equipment supports the Center's goal of advancing agroecology and equitable food systems.

This project aims to procure two commercial grade weed trimmers along with the required battery packs, furthering our commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Saving Waste with Improved Drip Irrigation

$4,833 Awarded

This project supports the Center for Agroecology's transition from overhead sprinklers to drip irrigation for improved water conservation.

Their distribution uniformity tests have demonstrated a 50-60% water savings with drip tape, showcasing its effectiveness in optimizing water usage for crop irrigation, making it the preferred method for sustainable water management.

Environmental Harm Reduction at the COVE

$1,475 Awarded

This student led project, aims to enhance The Cove's sustainability by replacing disposable cups with reusable stainless steel mugs, sourced domestically to reduce emissions.

These mugs, featuring The Cove and The Carbon Fund logos, will be washable, reusable, and equipped with a detachable carabiner handle, reinforcing our commitment to resource efficiency and reducing our carbon footprint.

They will also be free for students to check in and out. This way students are free to take drinks on the go

Campus Food Scrap Compost Pilot Project

$11,241 Awarded

This pilot program aims to divert food and paper towel waste from campus into a composting system. The goal of this project is to study the viability of on-campus composting.

UCSC’s composable waste is currently been taken to ReGen Monterey 36 miles from campus. This project will benefit the campus by minimizing carbon emission by reducing transport.

Sankofa Sky Farms

$20,556 Awarded

This student led research project at UCSC is dedicated to advancing sustainable agriculture practices and optimizing crop-specific growing parameters to reduce environmental impact and promote long-term viability.

The Sankofa Sky Farm Sustainable Vertical Farm Research Project, also aims to collaborate regionally and extend their impact beyond the campus.

Electric RTV For the Arboretum

$10,000 Awarded

The project aims to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from diesel/gas powered engines by transitioning to electric equivalents. This involves researching, procuring, and maintaining appropriate electric equipment, with the first step being the acquisition of an electric RTV for the Arboretum, envisioning a future where all equipment operates on electric power.

Plastic Recycling Studio

$12,830 Awarded

This project aims to establish a plastics recycling studio based on the open-source Precious Plastics format, enabling the Art Department to directly recycle plastics and enhance creative capabilities.

It not only reduces plastic waste volume through collection and shredding but also fosters participatory engagement while supplementing our 3D printing program with recycled-plastic-based filament.

Electrifying Transportation to the Ano Nuevo Reserve

$10,000 Awarded

This project aims to address issues with transportation for student fieldwork at the Año Nuevo Reserve. By adding another electric car, there will be fair access to all students while cutting carbon emissions.

Mycelial Solutions for Wildfire and Resource Recovery:  Expansion Project

$25,000 Awarded

This project aims to unveil the mysteries of fungal contributions to carbon sequestration and ecological regeneration, offering hands-on learning opportunities for students and fostering wider community engagement.

Collaborating with indigenous perspectives, this project empowers students to engage in real-world science while addressing the root causes of wildfires and advancing sustainable forestry practices.

Electrification Jump Start

$69,036 Awarded

Last August, the chancellor tasked a Decarbonization & Electrification Task Force with devising a plan to transition UCSC away from fossil fuels by 2030 or sooner, resulting in a recently completed report. Now, with an estimated cost of $700,000,000, efforts are underway to prevent the purchase of new natural gas equipment and advance immediate decarbonization needs.

TAPS Bus Tracking Software System

$46,305

Transportation & Parking Services (TAPS) will install bus tracking technology on all of its buses using the established Samsara technology. This will allow all transit users to open their regular mapping apps and see, in real time, the location and expected arival times of their buses.