Welcome to the Institute of the Environment’s brand-new newsletter. This bulletin will be a biannual publication that serves as a way to share information and connect with our members, friends and supporters. We will bring you reports on IoE activities, profiles of our faculty, researchers and students, and insights into current environmental and sustainability issues. Through the newsletter we hope to create a regular line of communication that links the IoE with all of you and wider local, national and global communities who share our passion for the environment and sustainable solutions to the challenges we face on our global home.

I am very happy to report in this first newsletter that the IoE had a successful year on the education, research and outreach fronts.

Enrollment in the Environmental Science major, Environmental Systems and Society minor and Leaders in Sustainability (LiS) graduate certificate program continues to grow at a very rapid pace. The innovative and popular nature of our major has caught press attention from UCLA Today, National Public Radio and Fox Radio – who have reported on the increased interest in green degrees and the IoE’s overall growth. This year we are extremely pleased to announce the first ever independent Institute of the Environment Commencement to be held Sunday, June 13 – a historic event we all look forward to!

At the beginning of the year we were proud to announce the creation of a new research center, thanks to a generous gift from UCLA alumnus and philanthropist Morton La Kretz – The UCLA La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science. The La Kretz Center will work as a groundbreaking partnership with the National Park Service, California State Parks and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority in a new cooperative approach to conservation education, research and public outreach. The IoE’s existing research centers and incredible array of scientists, experts in various fields including climate change, air pollution, biodiversity and environmental economics, continue to investigate the most critical environmental and sustainability issues.

In the spring IoE hosted the official launch of our Corporate Partners Program. At the event, which included a presentation by former IoE Director and current Chairman of the California Air Resources Board Mary Nichols, we honored the founding partners and reflected on the importance of cultivating a relationship between the University and business.

Throughout the year we sponsored or co-sponsored a multitude of public initiatives including the Southern California Environmental Report Card, Oppenheim Lecture Series, film screenings and assorted special events. To see a full list of activities check out the IoE calendar on the web site.

Finally, we have had the honor to serve as advisors to policy makers and their staff including State Assembly Members and Senators, the Mayor and other city officials, and delegations from other countries – including the British Parliament’s Select Committee on Energy and Climate.

Despite economic challenges to the state and the University, the IoE is growing and contributing to real solutions for our environment and sustainability challenges. For this we owe thanks to a dedicated group of educators, researchers, students and staff, but also particularly owe a debt of gratitude to our many private and corporate supporters. 

We continue to strengthen our existing programs and develop new, exciting ventures. Please enjoy learning more about our organization through this newsletter. To stay up to date on all IoE happenings subscribe to our listserv by writing events@ioe.ucla.edu, visit our web site, www.environment.ucla.edu, become a Fan on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Cheers,

Glen MacDonald
UC Presidential Chair and
Director of the UCLA Institute of the Environment
 

Published: Wednesday, May 19, 2010

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