{"id":77,"date":"2020-10-02T19:39:38","date_gmt":"2020-10-02T19:39:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sustainabilityreport.ucop.edu\/?post_type=location&p=77"},"modified":"2023-04-21T18:32:21","modified_gmt":"2023-04-21T18:32:21","slug":"agriculture-and-natural-resources","status":"publish","type":"location","link":"https:\/\/sustainabilityreport.ucop.edu\/2021\/locations\/agriculture-and-natural-resources\/","title":{"rendered":"UC Agriculture and Natural Resources"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR)<\/a> delivers the land-grant mission for UC and California by developing and promoting practical, science-based solutions for the state’s food systems, water resources and natural ecosystems. UC ANR’s statewide facilities \u2014 including nine Research and Extension Centers (RECs)<\/a>, the Elkus Ranch Environmental Education Center<\/a> and an administrative building \u2014 made strides in sustainable practices in fiscal year 2020\u201321. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, Hansen REC (HAREC)<\/a> gleaned 9,300 pounds of fruit from orchards typically used for agricultural literacy school field trips. With youth programs shut down due to COVID-19, HAREC partnered with Food Forward<\/a> and Ventura Unified School District to redistribute fresh produce to students and families. West Side REC<\/a>, on the other hand, leveraged COVID-19 site closures to redesign two buildings into laboratories with energy-efficient air systems, lighting, windows and insulation, demonstrating how older facility conversions can increase UC ANR’s sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n

Read More about Sustainability at UC Agriculture and Natural Resources<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n

RECs reduced carbon dioxide emissions from 1,766 to 1,596 metric tons from 2014 to 2019 and further cut emissions by 711 metric tons during pandemic-related closures in fiscal year 2020\u201321. UC ANR’s water consumption remained stable in 2020\u201321 due to ongoing agricultural research. Additionally, it is often not feasible for UC ANR to use zero-emission vehicles or hybrid vehicles given the need for trucks and farm equipment, which are often unavailable in these models. When possible, UC ANR purchases or leases flex-fuel vehicles. UC ANR’s LEED certified administrative building reduced electricity use by 22% and natural gas use by 50% from 2014 to 2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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UC Agriculture and Natural Resources<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n
\n\"UCANR\"\"<\/a>\n

UC ANR Increases Climate Literacy and Civic Engagement in Local Communities<\/a><\/h3>\n

UC California Naturalist is a statewide program of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources that engages the public in the study and stewardship of California’s unique ecology and natural communities.<\/p>\n

In 2021, UC California Naturalist graduated its first cohort, totaling 180 trainees, from its recently developed UC Climate Stewards certification program. UC Climate Stewards seek to improve climate change literacy and cultivate communities\u2019 resilience to climate impacts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n