UC Davis’s Sprout Up chapter has recently completed its TGIF-funded project! Sprout Up provides environmental education opportunities to students in underrepresented or underfunded Title I classrooms. Each week its college student volunteers teach environmental-theme lessons to elementary school students. Their lessons on topics such as being a well-informed scientist and acting as an environmental-steward provide the foundation for future generations to pursue careers in environmentally-focused and STEM-focused careers.
by Annie Kanjamala, Kelsie Garay, Alexander Liesegang, Jessica Rangel-Cruz
As our Fall Grant Cycle comes to a close, we have approved six new projects to make the Davis campus a more sustainable place! The TGIF Committee enjoyed reading every grant proposal as there were some innovative ideas that blew us away. TGIF is so excited to see these projects get implemented in the coming quarters.
The UC Davis Advance Modeling Aeronautics Team (AMAT) have recently completed their TGIF-funded project! This team has designed and are currently constructing an agricultural and environmental monitoring UAV drone to assist with the monitoring of agricultural systems, the survey and the study of environmental engineering subjects. The aircraft, AMAT RC3 Condor, has been created and designed to be easily transported and launched in rugged conditions using little-to-no accompanying equipment.
In collaboration with one another, students, faculty, and staff in Design, Cinema and Digital Media, Campus Planning, and the Arboretum and Public Garden program, have recently completed their TGIF-funded project, creating a Climate Adaptive Learning Landscape on the Cruess Hall Courtyard!
The UC Davis Student Farm has recently completed its TGIF-funded Water Wise project! This project marks a significant step in improving water efficiency and sustainability in agriculture right here on the UCD campus. The Student farm successfully implemented new technology, including a water wheel transplanter and drip irrigation times to optimize water use and reduce water waste.
It’s official! The Green Initiative Fund, or TGIF, will continue funding undergraduate-centered sustainability projects through the 2030-31 academic year after a successful referendum, voted on by students.
Do you have a project that needs funding? If it's a project led by undergraduate students or one that directly benefits undergraduate students, and it aligns with any of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), you may be eligible for funding from The Green Initiative Fund!
