Sustainability

Professor and Environmental Champion Bales Retires, But Research and Advocacy Continue

November 10, 2025

Professors Roger Bales and Martha Conklin arrived in Merced in 2003, the first non-administrative faculty members at UC Merced. They came with a vision: to create a research university that would serve California’s future. Now, after more than 22 years of building institutions, mentoring...

Researchers Spend Summer Working on Projects Near and Far

From the caves of Belize to laboratories in Japan, UC Merced faculty members and students are abroad conducting research this summer across the globe. Though the semester ended in mid-May, the campus...

'Dynamic Duo' Wins Systemwide Award for Sustainability Efforts

Making an entire campus sustainable takes a lot of planning, education and work. But those efforts are what earned two of UC Merced’s sustainability leaders systemwide recognition. Former Director of...

Park Leaders Collaborate, Learn at UC Merced Institute

At a time when Californians are dismayed about closures of state parks, and protected lands around the globe are under increasing stress from reduced government resources, an innovative institute is...

Grad Student Focuses Research on Energy Efficiency

It’s no surprise UC Merced graduate student Siyu Wu’s research — rooted in mechanical engineering — has veered toward the environmental. Wu, who grew up in China, was raised by parents who felt...

Campus Earns Continued Praise, Recognition for Sustainability

The University of California, Merced, recently earned what might be the most prestigious of a growing list of awards for its Long Range Development Plan, while the campus had its seventh building...

National Parks Institute Seeks Solutions for a New Generation

More than two dozen executives from around the world who are responsible for conservation of some of the most treasured places on earth are coming to California for help in making sure there’s a...

Major Construction Under Way at UC Merced

UC Merced is entering a significant new phase of construction, the likes of which the campus has not seen since before it opened in 2005. The construction projects will add nearly 270,000 gross...

Students Clash in Month-Long Battle to Save Water

Hundreds of UC Merced students are about to learn just how far they can stretch a drop of water. “UC Merced Water Battle 2011” begins Saturday, pitting students in the nine Valley Terrace residence...

Earth Week Celebration Grows in Second Year

Now in its second year, UC Merced’s student-run Earth Week celebration is growing and evolving. Organized by junior Diana Franklin — the Associated Students of UC Merced’s Commissioner of...