Urban Ecology Center

Welcome to the Urban Ecology Center (UEC) at Cal State LA.  The UEC will bring together researchers, students, and members of educational and community organizations from Los Angeles and other global metropolitan cities to address the most critical environmental needs of our city. 

Mission

The UEC, housed within Cal State LA’s College of Natural and Social Sciences (NSS), has three interlinked missions:

  1. Academic Research in urban ecology and biodiversity, food security, and environmental justice

  2. Practical Demonstration of sustainability and food security projects on campus

  3. Education and Outreach to develop a green workforce and environmentally conscious citizenry for Los Angeles

Featured Event

"Reimagine Your Campus with the Urban Ecology Center"

Reimagine your Campus with the Urban Ecology Center

 

The Urban Ecology Center was pleased to host Reimagine Your Campus with the Urban Ecology Center poster symposium on October 15, 2024. The symposium featured graphic presentations of students’ ideas, dreams, and aspirations of making Cal State LA a sustainable campus where everyone belongs, and all species find a home. 

Read Event Recap

Reimagine Your Campus Event Images

A group of students stands beside a Cal State LA Urban Ecology banner, holding gift bags and smiling at the camera.
A woman points to information on a large poster board while talking to a small group of attendees.
Large number of attendees looking at the different poster boards
Student presenting her poster board to another student
A student with braided hair and glasses holds up a tablet displaying information about garden plants, with refreshments in the background.
Student pointing at his poster board
A woman with short hair and a big smile hands out material to an attendee, with a poster in the background.
A large group of people walk around and view posters in a spacious indoor event area, with some discussing displayed information.
Group of diverse students walking around the event
A diverse group of attendees gather, some taking notes and others engaged in conversation, in a large indoor event space.
Student presenting his poster board to a large group of people
Student taking notes while listening to a poster presentation
A woman with glasses, wearing a name tag, speaks into a microphone, likely addressing the audience.
A young woman smiles while engaging in a conversation at the event, with people in the background.
Two women observe event materials, with one taking a photo and the other looking on with interest.
A group of students stands beside a Cal State LA Urban Ecology banner, holding gift bags and smiling at the camera.
A woman points to information on a large poster board while talking to a small group of attendees.
Large number of attendees looking at the different poster boards
Student presenting her poster board to another student
A student with braided hair and glasses holds up a tablet displaying information about garden plants, with refreshments in the background.
Student pointing at his poster board
A woman with short hair and a big smile hands out material to an attendee, with a poster in the background.
A large group of people walk around and view posters in a spacious indoor event area, with some discussing displayed information.
Group of diverse students walking around the event
A diverse group of attendees gather, some taking notes and others engaged in conversation, in a large indoor event space.
Student presenting his poster board to a large group of people
Student taking notes while listening to a poster presentation
A woman with glasses, wearing a name tag, speaks into a microphone, likely addressing the audience.
A young woman smiles while engaging in a conversation at the event, with people in the background.
Two women observe event materials, with one taking a photo and the other looking on with interest.

Urban Ecology Center Goals

The UEC at Cal State LA is a university-wide initiative that harnesses the expertise of faculty and students to promote environmental equity and justice, ensuring a sustainable future for local communities. By bridging the gap between natural and social sciences, the UEC fosters collaboration with non-profits, schools, colleges, city governments, and neighborhood councils, aiming to strengthen community ties. Through education, research, and active engagement, it empowers individuals and communities to reimagine their role in the world, promoting collective and individual responsibility towards a sustainable future.

Give to the Urban Ecology Center

Campus

The UEC is reimaging our urban campus as a space that supports and promotes sustainability, food security, and biodiversity.

Campus
Two students working on a garden bed

Community

The UEC will create new links and strengthen old ties with our campus-adjacent communities through education, outreach, and community events​.

Community
aerial drone view of Cal State LA campus with overview of Los Angeles and view of 10 freeway

City/Global

The UEC will serve as the hub for research in Los Angeles. As the California State University of Los Angeles, we will leverage our city’s global brand to attract researchers for (1) summits, (2) workshops, and (3) conferences. ​

City/Global

Urban Ecology Events

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