From New England seasons to Santa Barbara bluffs, Bella Pucker’s path winds through conservation, data, and community — finding purpose where people, policy, and landscapes meet at UCSB and beyond the future.
As wildfires grow more frequent and severe across California, three Bren alumni are helping build the state’s frontline defense. Through the Wildfire County Coordinator Program, Lara Buluç (MESM ’09), Anne-Marie Parkinson (MESM ’21), and Evert Vermeer (MESM ’23) are strengthening coordination between communities, agencies, and policymakers — turning local insight into statewide wildfire resilience.
Professor Jim Salzman is elected to ACOEL for pioneering work in environmental law, shaping policies that protect ecosystem services, advance sustainable land management, and modernize permitting for green infrastructure.
Researchers explored the relationship between organic and conventional farm fields, finding that grouping organic fields together and conventional fields together can eliminate spillover effects that increase pesticide use.
Bren Professor Kyle Meng advised Governor Newsom on California's historic 15-year cap-and-trade extension, calling it "the most important U.S. climate policy for the foreseeable future."
UCSB Bren School professors Roland Geyer, Patricia Holden, Arturo Keller, and Sage Davis featured in PBS documentary examining fast fashion's environmental impact, microplastic pollution, and sustainable textile recycling solutions.
New research outlines a data-driven method to evaluate and retire U.S. coal plants. The study identifies vulnerability patterns, enabling policymakers to plan targeted, efficient coal phaseouts aligned with energy and climate goals.
Bren School's BEL program pairs undergraduate and graduate students for 10-week paid fellowships, fostering mentorship while advancing environmental research from marine conservation to climate solutions and STEM diversity initiatives.
Scientists explain how climate tipping points such as ice loss, coral decline, and rainforest stress interact within Earth’s systems, highlighting both the scientific uncertainty and opportunities to prevent irreversible change.
Bren School's EDS 240 Data Visualization course teaches Master of Environmental Data Science students to transform complex environmental datasets into compelling visual stories using R programming, ggplot2, graphic design, and alternative grading methods that emphasize skill mastery over traditional grades.
Christopher Costello's groundbreaking Science study using satellite technology and AI proves marine protected areas effectively reduce illegal fishing by 90%, challenging "paper park" criticisms and demonstrating MPAs' crucial role in achieving global 30x30 ocean conservation targets.
UCSB researchers project global ocean impacts will double by 2050, with warming, biomass loss and coastal pressures driving rapid change that threatens marine ecosystems, coastal communities and future ocean sustainability.
New research reveals plants manage water like spendthrifts or savers: global soil moisture data shows grasses use water aggressively, forests conserve it — reshaping drought predictions and climate models worldwide ecosystems dynamics.
A landmark study by UCSB Bren School faculty Sarah Anderson and Mark Buntaine finds that publicly rating local governments on pollution transparency led to long-term improvements in air quality and regulatory enforcement in China.
Bren wildfire expert Max Moritz challenges California’s proposed vegetation bans, highlighting research that shows how well-maintained plants can help protect homes from wildfire risk.
