Raising Up the Next Generation
In advancing the Institute’s research excellence in applied environmental and climate research, we work to train the next generation of scholars, practitioners and leaders in several key ways. Our educational programs and activities are driven by a commitment to inclusive excellence, experiential learning and providing diverse opportunities to support the growth and development of undergraduate and graduate students as well as K-12 school age children. We do this through a range of initiatives and course offerings.
In advancing environmental education and training the next generation of leaders and scholars, we support the Master of Science in Environmental Policy and Management, which trains the applied environmental professionals of tomorrow, and the Environmental Scholars initiative that funds cutting-edge, innovative graduate student projects.
Undergraduate education and research opportunities
At the same time, our centers provide a range of unique interdisciplinary opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students across diverse fields.
These include through the UC Davis Natural Reserve System, with both curriculum, such as Hands on the Land and class field trips (e.g., BIOL/ENVS 188) and grantmaking opportunities, such as the Field Science Fellowship.
The Center for Watershed Sciences offers courses and seminars, including to the Grand Canyon and Baja California, as well as courses on flood policy and environmental flows.
Graduate education and research opportunities
For graduate students, we help support degree programs, field research, grantmaking opportunities and courses. For example, we support the Master of Science in Environmental Policy and Management and Environmental Scholars initiative that funds graduate student projects.
The UC Davis Natural Reserves offers grant opportunities, such as the Maurer-Timm Student Endowment, Sagehen Graduate Student Research Grant and Mathias Graduate Student Research Grant program, in addition to providing sites for field research.
The Center for Health and the Environment has several training grants that provide support to train students in cutting-edge methodologies related to environmental exposures and health outcomes.
The Center for Watershed Sciences offers courses and seminars, including to the Grand Canyon and Baja California, as well as courses on flood policy and environmental flows.
The Davis Energy Economics Program has previously held seminars on a range of fields related to energy and the environment, including on air pollution, climate adaptation and insurance markets.
K-12 opportunities for schools
The Institute works with K-12 schools throughout the state to extend environmental learning into the classroom. For example, our Natural Reserves System runs the program, Kids into Discovering Science (KiDS). This outreach program engages graduate and undergraduate students by getting them into elementary school classrooms in Lake County culminating with a field visit to McLaughlin Reserve.