Natural Justice
Osceola Ward, class of 2017 Project summary: For his leadership project, Osceola is volunteering with the outdoor education organization Outward Bound Adventures to design and implement an African-American history curriculum…
Projects
Air Quality Reports
Wondering what's in the air you breath? How does it affect your health? Find the answers to those questions and more here. The Institute of the Environment and Sustainability produces reports on different aspects of air quality in Los Angeles, such as particulate matter, toxic pollutants and public health impacts.
An EPIC Challenge: Accelerating the Deployment of Advanced Energy Communities
In 2016, the California Energy Commission (CEC) awarded an Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) grant to UCLA to accelerate the deployment of Advanced Energy Communities (AECs). In partnership with the…
Assessing Groundwater Contamination in Maywood, California
The City of Maywood is a small, under-represented community in the heavily industrialized port “Gateway” area of Los Angeles. The residents, more than 26 percent of whom live below the…
Avian Influenza Virus in North American Migratory Birds
Overview The UCLA Center for Tropical Research (CTR) is at the forefront of research and surveillance of avian influenza virus (bird flu or avian flu) in wild birds. CTR has…
Biodiversity Atlas
Southern California harbors some of the highest levels of biodiversity on the continent, yet is also home to millions of humans that compete for wildlife space and resources. In order to best balance these often competing components, researchers at the Center for Tropical Research are helping to construct a Los Angeles Biodiversity Atlas.
Climate Change in Los Angeles County: Grid Vulnerability to Extreme Heat
In this project, UCLA and Arizona State University researchers developed a sophisticated and in-depth description of future electricity demand, grid response, and vulnerability due to increased heat events in Southern California Edison territory under current and future climate scenarios. The project's findings enable innovative grid management and operation strategies and identify adaptation guidance.
Coastal Access in California
The California coast is reaching a tipping point of becoming out of reach for many Californians.
Community Outreach
Our community outreach includes visiting schools, hosting groups for tours, mentorship, and research experience for high school students and teachers and members of the public.
Creating a Complete Los Angeles River Greenway for All
Andy Pasillas, class of 2016 Andy had a leadership role on a project that is supporting the development of a complete and community-driven Los Angeles River greenway, especially in underserved…
Eco-Evolutionary Consequences of Global Change on Invasive Plant Species
Human activities are dramatically impacting ecosystems worldwide due to air pollution – and resulting changes to climate and nitrogen cycling – and the spread of nonnative plant species. These drivers of global change may have strong and interactive ecological effects, but the evolutionary impacts of these factors are poorly understood. La Kretz postdoc Justin Valliere is currently exploring potential adaptation to nitrogen pollution and climate in common invasive plant species of California. This study will have important implications for invasive plant management under predicted global change.
Ecological Impacts of Nitrogen Deposition on Coastal Sage Scrub of the Santa Monica Mountains
California’s native ecosystems are increasingly impacted by nitrogen deposition resulting from air pollution, particularly in the greater Los Angeles area. This project, led by La Kretz postdoc Justin Valliere, extends an ongoing collaboration between the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service and the UCLA, with the goal of understanding the ecological impacts of nitrogen pollution on the severely threatened coastal sage scrub plant community of the Santa Monica Mountains.