![2023 Energy Team Photo](https://www.ioes.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/energy-team-energy-reduction-in-ucla-facilities-2-800x450.png)
A UCLA student-initiated, student-led organization exemplifying sustainability in the 21st century.
Sustainability Action Research (SAR) is a student-initiated, student-designed, and student-facilitated research program offered through the Institute of the Environment & Sustainability (IoES).
In the winter and spring quarters of each academic year, students on Sustainability Action Research Teams are partnered with a campus stakeholder to research, rethink, investigate, and tackle UCLA’s greatest sustainability issues.
![](https://www.ioes.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_0219.heic)
Become a leader and make a difference.
Sustainability Action Research students have the opportunity to:
- Design sustainability projects and implement actionable solutions on campus.
- Work towards sustainability goals for UCLA.
- Establish unique relationships with UCLA faculty, staff, and fellow students who are passionate about human and environmental challenges.
- Develop leadership skills in an applied and professional setting
“I enjoyed the close-knit, hard-working, and enthusiastic SAR community. Through SAR, it was also great to interact with other undergrads who are passionate about pursuing sustainability work in its various forms, not just on-campus, but also as future careers.”
– Mia Rosati, 2022 Native Plant Nursery Team Member
Action Research was the perfect opportunity for me to apply everything that I learned in the classroom to a real life context. Just like in my work today, I needed to hone my communication skills and creativity to find solutions for my stakeholder.
–Kyle Graycar
Check out our different platforms to stay up to date!
Our 2023 projects
![2023 Energy Team Photo](https://www.ioes.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/energy-team-energy-reduction-in-ucla-facilities-2-800x450.png)
![A photo of the 2023 SAR Irrigation Team members](https://www.ioes.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/SAR-2023-Winter-Week-6-Lecture-800x450.png)
Irrigation Team: Investigating various irrigation types on campus and their corresponding water use savings
![native bees team](https://www.ioes.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/native-bees-team.jpg)
Native Bees Team: Identifying and Increasing Native Bee Presence and Raising Awareness on UCLA’s Campus
![2023 SAR Arts and Architecture Team photo](https://www.ioes.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/arts-and-architecture-team-resource-acquisition-and-waste-management-analysis-of-uclas-department-of-arts-and-architecture-800x450.jpeg)
Arts and Architecture Team: Resource Acquisition and Waste Management Analysis of UCLA’s School of Arts and Architecture
![Team Photo of the 2023 SAR Communications Team](https://www.ioes.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/comms-team-photo-800x450.png)
Sustainability Communications Team: Assessing Efforts to Educate the Campus Community About UCLA’s Sustainability Initiatives
![2023 SAR Food Team photo](https://www.ioes.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/sustainable-food-team-increasing-organic-and-local-sustainable-food-across-ucla-dining-800x450.png)
Sustainable Food Team: Increasing Organic and Local Sustainable Food Across UCLA Dining
![UCLA-Health-Team-Photo](https://www.ioes.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/UCLA-Health-Team-Photo-800x450.jpg)
UCLA Health Team: Piloting a Sustainability Certification Process Within UCLA Health for Individual Departments
Contact Us
For SAR student and stakeholder inquiries, contact the Program Directors: Sam Trezona and Grace Salvestrin (ucla.sar@gmail.com).
For Communications, Media, and Press: contact the Communications Director: Melissa Morales (mmorales04@g.ucla.edu)
For funding and donation inquiries, contact Cully Nordby (nordby@ucla.edu).