News & Events

ELI Project Published in The Current for Efforts to Curb UCSB Lab Waste

Driven by concerns regarding excess waste they observed in UCSB lab classes, ELI graduates ('25) Kaili Mikami and Lauren Buyalos, tackled this problem for their ELI change-making project, implementing and launching FLOW: Facilitating Laboratory Optimization and Waste to divert UCSB lab waste from landfills to recycling and reuse initiatives.

La Luna's Gift - An ELI Project Turned Children's Book

Inspired by studies in Costa Rica, ELI student, Peyton Stoller, turned her vision of sharing the lessons she learned about sea turtles and the pure vida life into a children's book, La Luna's Gift:  The Tale of Sofia and Ollie, to inspire stewardship in young learners.  

Native Plant Garden and Study Space Blooms at UCSB

Feeling like there was an inadequate amount of greenspace in and around the UCSB, ELI students, Tanner Ellison and Emily Hernandez, got to work on adding a small garden study space to the campus. Tanner and Emily wanted to encourage people to spend more time outdoors amongst plants and sunlight. The hope was that this could help provide a bright spot in a person’s day and they can feel a little better having enjoyed some time outside.

Re-envisioning Recycling: Giving New Life to Old Waste

Re-envisioning Recycling, an initiative launched by ELI students, Ella Graban and Stephen Bond, offers the UCSB community the opportunity to give thin-film plastic waste, like plastic bags, a new life.

Grounds for Growth

The Grounds for Growth: Sustainable Coffee Initiative, a successful project launched by ELI students, Alyssa Boucher and Phoebe Wagner, transforms used coffee grounds into nutrient-rich compost. In an effort to close the coffee loop, Alyssa and Phoebe launched this effort to turn coffee grounds into growth. 

ELI Students Launch a Free Basic Needs Hygiene Refill Station

In an effort to bridge the gap between sustainability and accessibility, ELI students, Emma Trakh and Bella Rosemarie Crosland Bell, designed a free basic needs hygiene refill station to serve students and the surrounding Goleta community. 

Home Cooking on Campus 

ELI student, Makayla Beland, implements a plant-based cooking series to combat food insecurity and promote a sustainable diet.

Join us in celebrating our ELI students

The Environmental Leadership Incubator (ELI) is pleased to invite you to celebrate the 2024-2025 cohort of students at their Capstone Presentation event!

Creative Earth Initiative Art Exhibit Welcomes Community Participation

The Creative Earth Initiative, an Art, Water, and California educational art showcase event, is the culmination of Leah Jenson’s ELI experience (2024-2025) which started with a goal of combining art and sustainability to bring awareness to water challenges in California. Artists will be sharing their interpretations of what water scarcity means for the future of California. All are invited to share their work and attend the event on May 16th from 4-6 pm at the Isla Vista Community Center.

ELI Project, Education+, Launches a New Website

Education+ launches a new website to make signing up for free tutoring, enrichment, and more easily accessible and equitable to all youth in Santa Barbara and Goleta.

ELI Alum, Erick Morales Oyola, Inspires Sea Change Through Art

ELI Alum, Erick Morales Oyola, curated a photography exhibition to bridge the gap between marine awareness and conservation engagement among the UCSB community.  His exhibition is now viewable in the UCSB library.  Read on for more information on the exhibit.

Sea Change 

Wed, 07/10/2024 - 8:00am to Fri, 12/13/2024 - 5:00pm

Exhibition 

Location: Learning Commons 

Upcoming CUEL Event: First Annual Eco Expo

Don't miss this chance to learn about on-campus environmental organizations and opportunities, including clubs, initiatives, academic programs, internships, funding opportunities, and more!  Stop by the CUEL table to learn about our programming and win a prize!