Theme: Habitat Restoration & Native Landscaping

These projects focus on bettering the natural environments on or near campus, through native gardening/landscaping, education around habitat restoration, or other related projects that improve ecosystem health in or around campus. 

SURG Redwood Restoration

Project Description

The overall goals of the project are to research Bay Area redwoods using Geospatial information systems and Traditional Ecological Knowledge. This research will focus on analyzing redwood environmental growth factors and forest management practices in order to determine the best locations for future redwood growth in the Bay Area. However, this research project is more than just its overall goals, it is also meant to be an introductory research experience for 14 students, some of which have not yet had the opportunity to take part in Berkeley research....

Planting Native Milkweed Habitat for Monarch Butterflies

Project Description

This proposal seeks to plant native California milkweed plants in demonstration plots on Clark Kerr campus as an educational project as part of the Global Environment Theme House (GETH).

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Composting at Blake Garden

Project Description

Grant funding is requested to purchase materials for building compost bins at Blake Garden to mix compost on-site (reduction in transport emissions and increase in reuse of green waste) and prevent worker injuries.

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The Pollinators of Campus Native Wildflower Gardens

Project Description

Our project aims to compare the presence and abundance of pollinator species at the native plant garden at mak-’amham (Cafe Ohlone) with other non-native gardens on the UC Berkeley campus. Two surveys will be conducted in March and April to capture species diversity, to promote sustainable gardening by showcasing how the native plant garden supports diverse pollinator populations, contributing to healthy ecosystems and food sovereignty. The project underscores the cultural and ecological significance of mak-’amham, supporting Ohlone identity and...

Reducing UC Berkeley’s Environmental Impact through Stormwater Management

Project Description

Designed to address lacking stormwater infrastructure and the pollution of Strawberry Creek during rain events, this project implements a stormwater infiltration basin on the north side of the A&E parking lot (directly east of Sather Gate) to reduce the volume of stormwater and pollutants entering Strawberry Creek. Throughout campus, impervious and semi-impervious surfaces such as sidewalks, parking lots, lawn fragments, and plazas accumulate harmful pollutants such as heavy metals, fertilizers, oil, gasoline, trash, and...

Valley Life Sciences Building (VLSB) Native Plant Restoration

Project Description

The Essig Museum and UCB Entomology Club propose to revitalize areas around the Valley Life Science Building with native vegetation. Currently many areas are covered by wood chip mulch where grass lawn was removed during the prolonged drought. As high visibility areas along major walkways, these revitalized landscapes will improve the aesthetic appearance of campus with flowering plants, minimize water usage by choosing locally adapted species, provide forage and habitat for native insects and birds, and provide educational...

Coastal Terrace Prairie Restoration

Project Description

UC Berkeley’s Richmond Field Station (RFS) contains the last intact, undisturbed native coastal terrace prairie adjacent to the San Francisco Bay shoreline. This prairie contains native bunchgrasses, “the old growth at our feet,” which are possibly thousands of years old. These seventeen acres of ancient, biodiverse prairie contain a rich community of native grasses and forbs (wildflowers), including a rare stand of slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus). UC Berkeley recognizes the value of the prairie, with portions protected for teaching and research....

Strawberry Creek Planting (Filling the Weed Shaped Hole)

Project Description

This grant will fund five student internships and the supplies needed for identifying and planting native species that can resist re-invasion by ivy and still realize the other essential ecosystem services desired by the campus community.

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Watershed Stewardship Project

Project Description

Funding will expand Strawberry Creek Student Restoration Leadership Program, which will incorporate environmental education outreach, student/community member skill development, and water quality monitoring to prevent pollution of Strawberry Creek and foster environmental stewardship.

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Strawberry Creek Ecological Stabilization Project Phase II

Project Description

The Strawberry Creek Ecological Stabilization Project was a student-initiated project to design and install ecologically-functional grade control structures for a degraded section of Strawberry Creek. In addition to increasing channel stability, this project was an ecological restoration effort to support local fish and riparian species by improving habitat conditions and planting native riparian vegetation.

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