Land Use & Open Space Conservation

Mark Elbroch published an op-ed in the New York Times on his research pinpointing landscapes large enough to sustain cougars in the Eastern United States. He writes:

Jessica Hall has been advocating for, planning, and designing creek restoration projects for over two decades. Her interview in Happy Eco News explores the premise that in order to have a living ecosystem, you must restore and sustain the natural hydrological systems – even in an urban setting.

This in-depth conversation with Dr. Brittani Orona (Hupa, Hoopa Valley Tribe) on the Cal Ag Roots WELL podcast digs into the concept and practice of the Landback movement in California, including the deep history of Native resistance in the state. It also explores Brittani’s background and new role at San Diego State University.

Luis Alexis Rodríguez Cruz writes about how in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, activists have turned abandoned land into a community garden. They say El Huerto is only the beginning.

“Having grown up here in Marin and Sonoma counties, this is truly a dream job for me,” Lily shared.

Avalon Owens' research found that while some fireflies shrugged off light pollution, members of other species failed to mate even when males and females could find each other.

The study adds to the evidence that structural racism in federal policy is associated with the disproportionate siting of oil and gas wells in marginalized neighborhoods, and an op-ed argues for considering this history in policy decisions about siting and leasing of new oil and gas drilling.

“When you look at roadway density and proximity to roadways, there’s the highest density in non-white and low-income communities, which leads to disproportionate exposures and consequently disparate health impacts."

Schmidt Science Fellows envisions a world where interdisciplinary science can flourish and accelerate discoveries that tackle major challenges and have a positive impact. Christine Wilkinson plans to use the opportunity to pivot from ecology to computer science.