College of Natural Resources, UC Berkeley

In the Suding Lab we study community and ecosystem plant ecology with an emphasis on invasive species, environmental change and restoration of Californian ecosystems. We work in the field and in the greenhouse on experiments investigating how species interactions, plant-soil feedbacks, and disturbance may help determine dominance patterns in nature. Mainly we work in California grasslands, woodlands, and shrublands.

For interested and self-motivated students, there are volunteer and course credit opportunities to work closely with members of our lab on research about plants and the environment. Below are two possible projects:

(1) Dispersal and seed limitation of native Californian grasslands and the role of rodent herbivory

This project offers the opportunity to learn how to set up ecological field and greenhouse experiments. Good botanical knowledge or a strong interest in learning how to identify plant species is necessary. The main aim is that you conduct a seed bank analysis in the greenhouse. Additionally there will be opportunities to work in the lab and at the field sites which are located in a beautiful area in Sonoma County near Santa Rosa, CA. Contact: Claudia Stein (cstein@berkeley.edu), phone 949 335 8161

(2) Mechanisms of ecological resilience in native and exotic dominated California grasslands

This project offers many opportunities to learn wet-lab nutrient analysis techniques in addition to learn how to set up ecological experiments, both in the field and greenhouse. A willingness to work outdoors as well as in the lab is necessary. During the appointment, you will help conduct an experiment in the greenhouse as well as help process and analyze samples in the lab. Contact: Loralee Larios (llarios@berkeley.edu), phone 714-883-5386

If you are interested in working with us please send an application that lists applicable classes, your GPA, prior research experiences, and why you are interested in the appointment.
Please contact us for any further questions. Our lab is located in 342 Hilgard Hall and our office is in 147 Hilgard Hall. We are looking forward to talking to you and answering all your questions.

Posted by CNR Newsline at 11:11 AM | Permalink

Free Tickets to Eat, Learn, Live with Michael Pollan!
The Ultimate Interactive Food Experience with Internationally Acclaimed Food Expert Michael Pollan
Thursday, October 1, from 4-6:00 p.m.
Krutch Theater, Clark Kerr Campus
2601 Warring St, Berkeley

Eat, Learn, Live is your chance to meet Michael Pollan as well as visit an array of booths to learn about where to shop for sustainable food (or grow it yourself), and how to prepare it. You can also find out about ways to get involved on campus, with student organizations such as the Berkeley Student Food Collective. Many of the booths will feature food tastings and other fun activities.

If you are interested, drop by the front desk in 260 Mulford. All tickets are first come, first serve until we run out and only those seriously interested in attending the event should pick up tickets. There is a limit of two per person.

Continue reading "Meet Michael Pollan / Biofuel Panel / ReUSE Clothing Sale" »

Posted by CNR Newsline at 1:21 PM | Permalink

CNR News

DEADLINE REMINDERS:
ALL STUDENTS:
Today is the last day to add classes with a $5 fee, drop non-EDD classes with a $10 fee and change your grading option from Pass/Not Pass to a letter grade. Make sure to check your schedule on BearFacts to verify that it is accurate!

GRADUATING SENIORS:
Today is the deadline for undergraduates to be put on the degree list with a $5 fee. If you have yet to place yourself on the degree list for this Fall, visit the Office of the Registrar in 120 Sproul Hall to pick up the appropriate forms.

PAL ADVISING:
Did you know that in addition to your college advisors, major advisors, and faculty advisors, CNR also selects a small group of students from a talented group of applicants each semester to serve as your peer advisors? These Peer Advising Leaders (PALs) have been trained to assist with you with basic college requirements and academic advising, but since they are current students who may have already undergone similar coursework that you may be currently undertaking or seeking, they can provide you with firsthand knowledge of what to expect from certain classes and professors. All Peer Advisors hold office hours right outside the entrance of 260 Mulford, and you can take a look at their schedules and majors on this website: http://nature.berkeley.edu/site/pal.php. Stop by and visit, even if it's just to say hello!

Upcoming CNR Events
Fall 2009 Horace M. Albright Lecture in Conversation: Sally Jewel, President and CEO of REI
Join Dean Gilless and Sally Jewell, president and CEO of REI, for the College of Natural Resources’ Fall 2009 Horace M. Albright Lecture in Conservation.

Can business be the solution and not the problem?
Creating a “virtuous cycle” of business
Thursday, October 1, 2009, 6:00 pm
Auditorium, International House
Free and open to the public
http://nature.berkeley.edu/site/albright.php

An evening with Sally Jewell, president and CEO of REI

The U.S. population is increasingly urban and isolated from nature. In the words of Richard Louv, our children suffer from “nature deficit disorder.” Our public lands are under unprecedented financial pressures while environmental challenges such as climate change loom. The community of outdoor enthusiasts does not represent the diversity of American society.

How would it change “business as usual” if a company treated problems like these as issues to address in order to be successful? REI is a leading outdoor retailer, and the nation’s largest consumer co-op with 4 million active members and $1.4B in sales. Sally Jewell, the co-op’s president and CEO, shares her views on how business can and must be part of the solution.

Next in this series– Fall 2010: Chris Johns, Editor-in-Chief of National Geographic Magazine

Continue reading "CNR Newsline 9/25/09" »

Posted by CNR Newsline at 3:20 PM | Permalink

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund has a wonderful opportunity for a $10,000 scholarship and /or a paid internship with Monsanto for students pursuing majors in the agriculture discipline. The application deadline is Thursday, October 1, 2009 , and to date we have not received enough applications from students in agriculture majors to fill the program!

Eligibility requirements are as follows:

-Be of Hispanic heritage
-Be in your SOPHOMORE year
-Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
-Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
-Be a full-time student in the fall of 2010
-Apply for financial aid using the FAFSA

To apply, go to http://www.HSF.net and click on “apply online.” For questions, please contact us at scholar1@hsf.net or call toll free 877-HSF-INFO.

Posted by CNR Newsline at 10:23 AM | Permalink

The Biology Scholars Program and the Center for Emerging & Neglected Diseases are excited to announce the launch of the U.C. Berkeley Minority Health/Global Health Training Program --
http://globalhealth.berkeley.edu/mhirt

Funded by the National Institutes of Health, the goal of the Berkeley MH/GH is to:

* To empower underrepresented health sciences students, by providing opportunities to bring their knowledge and research training to under-served communities in the developed and developing world.

* To promote the translation of knowledge from the global South to the North, by encouraging students to identify ways in which their experiences abroad can inform health and research practices in the U.S.

* To build capacity at U.C. Berkeley and our developing country partner sites, by providing new resources, increased student and faculty exchange, and new collaborative research projects.

* To address the growing student interest in global health across the campus, and to provide international research experiences with a focus on health in developing countries.

Continue reading "UC Berkeley Minority Health/Global Health Training Program" »

Posted by CNR Newsline at 8:22 AM | Permalink

Welcome to the CNR Newsline!

The CNR Office of Instruction & Student Affairs regularly receives information about jobs, research, internship, and volunteer opportunities from various sources, and we frequently update the Newsline to keep you informed about current CNR and campus events.

The Newsline is also available online as a blog, and we would like to encourage you to subscribe to the CNR Newsline RSS Feed to receive continuous updates each time a new entry is added. You can also visit the blog on the CNR website at http://nature.berkeley.edu/blogs/newsline/ to peruse previous entries. If you've become accustomed to our weekly e-mails, don't worry, we will still send them out, but they will include a listing of what is available on our blog, which is where you'll find the most detailed information.

Enjoy!
-CNR Staff

Continue reading "Welcome to the CNR Newsline!" »

Posted by CNR Newsline at 1:51 PM | Permalink

ReUSE is a student-run program through Campus Recycling and Refuse Services that implements and maintains a series of services and events for the UC Berkeley community to foster the spirit of reuse- that is, keeping old items from the waste stream and reducing the need for new ones. Visit http://reuse.berkeley.edu for more information.

Continue reading "ReUSE Volunteer and Internship Positions Available " »

Posted by CNR Newsline at 2:58 PM | Permalink

Continue reading "Sustainability Forum, UCDC Applications, and The Omnivore's Dilemma" »

Posted by CNR Newsline at 2:33 PM | Permalink

Continue reading "The Berkeley Group Seeks Members, UCOP Internship Available" »

Posted by CNR Newsline at 8:59 AM | Permalink

Continue reading "Interested in the Global Poverty and Practice Minor?" »

Posted by CNR Newsline at 8:39 AM | Permalink

The Amador-El Dorado Forest Forum is accepting applications for the Edwin F., Lila and Lyle Smith Memorial Forestry Scholarship from students enrolled in their last two years of forestry study in a recognized forestry college or university. The award is variable but will be no less than $700.00.

Continue reading "Edwin F., Lila and Lyle Smith Memorial Forestry Scholarship" »

Posted by CNR Newsline at 10:31 AM | Permalink

Thinking of law school and/or how to find a job? Check out these upcoming events!

Continue reading "Law School Workshop & Career Center Events" »

Posted by CNR Newsline at 8:35 AM | Permalink