CCBER Newsletter
Cheadle Center Receives an NSF Biological Research Collections Grant
The Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration (CCBER) has been awarded a $272,162 grant to install a new compact storage system to house its historically significant and biologically important algae and plant collections. The collections include some of the oldest algal material from the central California coast and a rich diversity of plants from threatened and unique habitats. The specimens will be transferred from the existing 60-year-old cases into the new storage system, which will provide enhanced accessibility and organization. During the transfer, each specimen will be examined for damage, new labels will be prepared, and misidentified specimens will be corrected.
The new compact storage system and curation will have important impacts on research, teaching and outreach programs at the university and in the broader community. Scientists worldwide and the large environmental consulting community on the central coast that uses CCBER’s resources will benefit from the increased accessibility and organization. CCBER will also train graduate and undergraduate students in specimen preparation, curation, and the use of the collections as well as engaging local elementary students in activities focused on the plant and algae specimens.
A special thank you to the Cheadle Family for providing matching funds for the compact storage system.
Kids in Nature
The Kids in Nature program (KIN) has been awarded the 2007 Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA) in the category of Children's Environmental Education.
The Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award Program is the State of California's highest environmental honor. The program recognizes individuals, organizations, and businesses that have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made notable, voluntary contributions in conserving California's precious resources, protecting and enhancing our environment, and building public-private partnerships.
CCBER Plant Book
The third edition of Native Plants & Habitats of the UCSB Campus was released in June of 2006. The book was produced by the CCBER staff and features seven habitats and 57 plants that can be found on the UCSB campus. A great resource for anyone interested in learning California native plants. (More Info)