Environmental Science, Policy, & Management (ESPM) - UC Berkeley

08/19/2026

On Aug. 23, Associate Professor Christopher Schell will transport an audience from Presidio Theatre in San Francisco to the parks, neighborhoods, and backyards where he conducts his research—and where coyotes and other animals make their home—as part of a special NatGeo Live show.

In "Uncovering Our Concrete Jungle", Schell explores how carnivores—namely coyotes, foxes, and raccoons—adapt to life in cities, and traces how nearly a century of development and inequality have influenced where animals make their homes in neighborhoods. https://ourenvironment.berkeley.edu/news/uncovering-our-concrete-jungle-christopher-schell

10/02/2025

The trees that beautify California landscapes and provide food, shade and many other benefits are under attack by fungi that are increasingly causing trees to decline and die, according to a new study led by Cooperative Extension professor Matteo Garbelotto and University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources scientists.

“This paper is kind of a turning point in our understanding of major drivers responsible for changing our landscape as climate changes,” said Garbelotto, a forest pathology specialist.

Read more about the study:

UC ANR research shows fungi are increasingly causing trees to decline and die. Scientists found 10 woody plant species in six regions had succumbed to infections.

06/20/2025

Thank you to the California Natural Resources Agency for joining the recent Urban Biodiversity Roundtable with Berkeley Wildlife & the Stone Center for Environmental Stewardship! We explored how urban biodiversity can contribute to the state’s conservation goals. Special thanks to the scientists, policymakers, and leaders in conservation and education from across the state who contributed their expertise to the discussion.

�: CNRA Deputy Secretary of Biodiversity and Habitat Meghan Hertel (left) and ESPM professor Chris Schell (right).

05/16/2025

Congratulations to Charlie Kortleven, Neel Bajaria, Alexandra Boren, and Nikita Bahadur on receiving the 2025 Kenneth L. Babcock Prize in Environmental Science.

Established in 1995 in memory of former UC Berkeley professor of soil chemistry Kenneth L. Babcock, the award recognizes exceptional academic achievement by graduating seniors in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management.

Endowed as a tribute to longtime soil chemistry professor Kenneth Babcock, the prize recognizes high-achieving ESPM undergraduates.

04/09/2025

ESPM's 2025 Graduate Research Symposium is happening on Wednesday, May 7th starting at 12:00pm! Join us in 311 Wellman Hall on campus or tune into the livestream on our department YouTube channel. More info and RSVP here: https://ourenvironment.berkeley.edu/graduatesymposium/

03/19/2025

McKalee Steen traces her career in data science to her family's efforts toward environmental justice when the creek running through their farm in northeastern Oklahoma had been polluted by a chicken processing plant and was contaminating their well water. Her community fought to hold the company acc...

03/17/2025

Will green factory farms or sustainable agriculture guide our food systems of the future? Find out Thursday 4/17 at 5pm when Berkeley Food Institute agroecologist Dr. Tim Bowles and best-selling author Michael Grunwald will reveal their contrasting visions for agriculture. The conversation will be moderated by Kim Severson, NYT correspondent. RSVP today: https://bit.ly/agroecologyfactory

03/13/2025

Shine a light for ESPM by making a gift to the ESPM Graduate Student Support Fund before 9 p.m. tonight as part of . Every gift, no matter the size, helps ESPM students and faculty lead the fight for environmental justice and develop sustainable solutions for the future of our planet.
https://givingday.berkeley.edu/giving-day/90821/department/91254

03/06/2025

Please join us Friday at UC Davis or online for "The University of California Land Grab: Accounting for the Past and Actions Towards Justice"
http://bit.ly/RLGU-registration
with Native American Student Development at Cal

02/21/2025

Congratulations to Professor Lynn Huntsinger for receiving the California Cattlemen's Association's 2025 Gordon K. Van Vleck Memorial Award.

The award honors individuals who are not engaged in beef cattle production as a primary occupation but have made significant contributions to California’s beef cattle industry and demonstrated enduring leadership for the industry.

The ESPM professor was awarded the 2025 Gordon K. Van Vleck Memorial Award at the California Cattlemen's Convention.