Posts Tagged: learning
Abusive Conduct Policy updates, required training
Colleagues,
We recently announced the new Presidential Policy on Abusive Conduct in the Workplace to provide UC ANR employees notice of the new policy, procedures and training requirements. The Abusive Conduct Policy covers abusive conduct and retaliation by and against members of the university community in the workplace. The policy prohibits retaliation against any person who, in good faith, reports abusive conduct, assists someone with a report of abusive conduct, or participates in an investigation or other process under the policy.
The new UC Abusive Conduct in the Workplace training materials have now been released (DA-UCLOL0075-ECO). If you did not receive an email with the required training, please reach out to humanresources@ucanr.edu. This training is required training for all employees and must be completed in the UC Learning Center within 90 days.
How to Reach Us:
UC ANR Employee and Labor Relations will coordinate complaints of abusive conduct for both academic and staff through this confidential email address: anr-abusive-conduct@ucanr.edu.
In addition, for confidential support if abusive conduct has been experienced, the following offices are good places to start:
- Harassment, Discrimination and Complaint Program (HDAPP) - supports the University's commitment to a harassment and discrimination-free work and learning environments for all members of the community by supporting prevention, assisting resolve conflict and caring for employee concerns.
- Ombuds Office – The Ombuds Office is a confidential, independent, impartial, and informal problem-solving and conflict management resource for all members of the UC Davis, UC Davis Health and UC ANR communities.
- Academic and Staff Assistance Program (ASAP) - The Academic and Staff Assistance Program offers confidential, cost-free assessment, intervention, consultation and referral services to all UC ANR employees and their immediate families.
- Center for Advocacy, Resources & Education (CARE) – If you or someone close to you has experienced sexual harassment or any form of sexual violence, CARE advocates can provide confidential help with processing emotions, going over reporting options, resource referral and more.
- Confidential Whistleblower Reports and Complaints – UC ANR provides several straightforward and uncomplicated ways by which UC ANR employees can anonymously and confidentially.
For additional information, please contact Ian Smith at ljsmith@ucanr.edu or anr-abusive-conduct@ucanr.edu or view the full text of the Presidential Policy on Abusive Conduct in the Workplace, including the Frequently Asked Questions, available on the UCOP website.
Project Learning Tree: Shaping the future of California forests
On this International Day of Forests, we at UC Cooperative Extension Forest Research and Outreach invite you to celebrate the future of California's trees with us. Considering the recent news coverage regarding tree mortality in California, we want to instead view this subject through a lens of hope. For it's not just the news outlets witnessing the extent of forest die-off: children, especially those in forested communities, are seeing the effects of drought, wildfire, and fire suppression policies in real time.
Project Learning Tree is a national education program leading the next generation to witness and then act on these changes. Children are the future of our forests, and we think the efforts of Project Learning Tree are a cause for celebration, don't you?
Last month, Californians may have noticed a marked uptick in the news coverage of the state's forests. Local, state and national news outlets all reported on the startling approximation of 36 million trees that perished between 2021 and 2022. This number, gleaned from USDA Forest Service data, is a startling jump from the 9.5 million trees that perished the year before. The future of California's forests does not have to look like this, with large fluctuations and ever-rising numbers of dying trees. Right now, it's not easy being a tree. In 10 or 20 years? We're hopeful that the situation is different.
Project Learning Tree (PLT), stretches across the nation to connect students to forests, even if they live miles away from one. Jonelle Mason, the PLT coordinator for Northern California region, provided more insight into the program's purpose through a sentiment many may be familiar with: “To quote Jane Goodall, ‘Only if we understand, will we care. Only if we care, we will help.'” Project Learning Tree is one piece in the future of forest stewardship, and as Jonelle sees it, “Forming forest-education generations creates passionate advocates. People can't save what they don't know about.”
A point touched on by nearly all news outlets covering tree mortality was the centuries of fire suppression practices and its ripple effects that amplify drought and wildfire damage. Students in California are aware of natural disasters affecting forests and forested communities, but not necessarily the causes.Mason posits that in closing that knowledge gap, PLT can “cultivate environmental defenders [who] will ultimately push us in the right direction.”
A crucial aspect of Project Learning Tree is that it exists as a continuing education program, meant to follow students from kindergarten to senior year of high school. Each year of learning builds upon the last, yet the topics are given nuance and depth even at the elementary school level. For instance, PLT's flagship K-8 curriculum gives second grade teachers the tools to communicate ecosystem services, plant structure and natural resource cultivation. High school teachers following the “Focus on Forests” education guide will find avenues to introduce concepts like environmental policy, and will help students understand the difficult decisions that many forest landowners face.
It does indeed give us a reason to celebrate the future. Young people are more active in the conversations surrounding the environment and climate change, and are aware that something must be done to protect the natural resources they have left. It's vital to translate that passion and interest into true learning, where a classroom can become the space for developing ideas for what can be done about our state's forests. Mason is quick to point out the core tenant of PLT that makes it unique: “Teaching students how to think, not what to think, about environmental concerns.”
Project Learning Tree presents concepts to students and gives them the tools to think critically through the many fields that touch forests, from the natural sciences to philosophy. California's youth has a vested interest in protecting and managing their forests, and programs like PLT give us hope that the interest can truly be translated to action.
If you are interested in bringing Project Learning Tree to your school or home, you can contact Mason at jmason@ucanr.edu.
New Additions to Bohart Museum Open House on Beetles
A Cal Fire display of bark beetles and a children's activity by Project Learning Tree California...
Project Learning Tree (PLT) California aims to "use trees and forests as windows on the world to increase students' understanding of the environment and actions they can take to conserve it."
Cal Fire senior environmental specialist Curtis Ewing examining a coast live oak with cankers and flatheaded borer damage.
Gabriel Zilnik: 'Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research: Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning'
Gabriel Zilnik, a researcher at USDA's Agricultural Research Service, in Wapato,...
A patch of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) in a field in Intercourse, PA. (Photo by Derek Ramsey, courtesy of Wikipedia)
2021 Master Gardener Program Application Update!
Are you interested in helping others and giving back to your community? The UCCE Master Gardener...