Soundings 2022-2023

SOUNDINGS

DR. JOE ÁRVAI

DIRECTOR

a note from our director

I'm excited to welcome you to the inaugural issue of Soundings, the new annual magazine from the USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability.

We chose the title Soundings for our magazine because of its connotation of probing unknown depths and testing ideas - something our researchers do daily, and something we're training our students to do as they become environmental scientists, policymakers,

communicators, and leaders in their own right In its nautical sense, the word is also a nod to our roots in marine science

In these pages, you'll meet some truly inspiring people taking soundings for our planet through their work at the Wrigley Institute:

Amulya Jasti, an undergraduate intern walking in the footsteps of her personal hero, Rachel Carson;

Murad Jah, a graduate student advocating for climate negotiations that prioritize the needs of the nations hardest hit by climate change;

Victoria Sperow, a Wrigley Institute lab technician helping to restore a keystone species to California waters;

And many more students, faculty, and staff whose work is changing the world for the better.

Their efforts - and the impact they make - would not be possible without the support of our community. Whether you donate to the Wrigley Institute, attend our classes or programs, or help us spread the word about what we do, thank you.

With you in our corner, we can literally make a world of difference. Come along with us on this journey to creating a more sustainable, just, and equitable future for people and planet.

Cover: 2022 Wrigley Institute Graduate Fellow Maria Ruggeri examines cell cultures for her research Ruggeri studies anemones' adaptability to heat stress. Because anemones are related to corals, her work supports efforts to restore coral reefs harmed by ocean warming and acidification

(Nick Neumann/WIES)

Nick Neumann/WIES

New research centers

Advance innovative solutions for people & planet

In early 2022, the Wrigley Institute launched three new centers supporting innovative, solutions-focused research on our world's most pressing environmental and sustainability problems

Focused on the natural systems that combine to form our environment, the Center for Earth and Environmental Systems monitors and develops scientific insights about our changing planet

The Center for Applied Environmental Solutions turns science into action by determining how to convert new ideas into workable practices and technology

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Drawing on methods and insights from the sciences, arts, and humanities, the Center for Social Transformation seeks insights about how we can encourage meaningful action for the planet

“Problems of sustainability and the environment touch on every aspect of our lives, and they're becoming more urgent by the day," said Wrigley Institute Executive Director Jessica Dutton "It's important that we address them from as many angles as possible, and these research centers make that possible "

Learn more at bit ly/wies-researchcenters

COMMUNICATIONS INTERNSHIP

PREPARES STUDENTS TO ADVOCATE FOR THE PLANET

Launched in the summer of 2021, the Wrigley Institute's environmental communications summer internship is training a new generation of undergraduates to move environmental and sustainability research out of the lab and into the hearts and minds of the public

“Just throwing scientific facts at people doesn’t result in any change in thoughts or feelings about climate change We need to weave better stories around science, to get people emotionally engaged,” said Carly Kenkel, Gabilan Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences

STUDENT Spotlight:

YANNICK PETERHANS

In summer 2022 you’d find Yannick Peterha on Catalina Island, snapping shots of researchers and students or splashing throu the water capturing scientific divers and se bass

A graduate student in USC's Annenberg School Peterhans was a 2022 environmenta communications intern assigned to cover th important work happening at the Wrigley Marine Science Center He wants to become photojournalist, working in arenas where hi art can advance equity and justice His internship was "transformative and yet a reaffirmation that I am on the right path," h said

Peterhans's internship was funded by the Zinsmeyer Family Read more at bit ly/yannick-peterhans

Kenkel studies coral reef conservation and is a faculty mentor in the program

The internship pairs students with researchers like Kenkel to produce videos websites, graphics, and other content that makes the researchers' work understandable to and engaging for a general audience Interns also participate in workshops led by professionals such as climate journalists scientific illustrators and environmental filmmakers

usc sea grant

leads the way to a cleaner urban ocean student Spotlight:

The largest producer of the insecticide DDT operated in Torrance, CA, until DDT s national ban in 1972 During the 1990s, after a lawsuit and massive settlement the U S Environmental Protection Agency designated a 17-square-mile area along the Palos Verdes coast as a DDT Superfund site However, recent scientific findings have reignited concern about deep ocean DDT contamination outside of the Superfund site These studies suggested a much greater extent of pollution and a broader suite of DDT breakdown products that can be toxic but have not traditionally been monitored in the environment

jasti '25

As a 2022 Zinsmeyer summer intern, environmental studies student Amulya Jasti fulfilled her dream to follow in the footsteps of Rachel Carson, whose 1962 book Silent Spring exposed the perils of DDT.

Through her internship, Jasti provided key research support for USC Sea Grant's stakeholder workshop and research report on DDT+ dumping in the San Pedro Channel

"I feel like I [left] the internship as a new person Hopefully, I can create a lasting legacy, to continue the fight for environmental protection through science-based policy," she said

Jasti's internship was funded by the Zinsmeyer Family. Read more at bit.ly/amulya-jasti.

In 2022, USC Sea Grant and its partner California Sea Grant conducted an inclusive research needs assessment, engaging the perspectives of scientists policymakers nonprofits educators tribal representatives, and other community stakeholders USC Sea Grant released an assessment report in January 2023 and a public-friendly storymap of the results

Both Sea Grant organizations subsequently partnered with California’s State Water Board to execute a call for research proposals to fund up to $5 2 million in projects focused on California’s deep ocean and DDT

(Photo: Nick Neumann/WIES)

amulya

new RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM

Climate clues in fossilized fungus The reintroduction of Indigenous methods for mitigating wildfire Public perceptions of terms such as "climate justice" and "global warming " What do they all have in common? They're all research projects that have been supported in some way by the Wrigley Institute, and they all got their turn in the spotlight at the institute's inaugural Annual Research Symposium in February 2023

The symposium brought together nearly 100 faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, and staff from across USC to

Thabassum Ahammad

Cleaner-burning liquid fuels such as hydrogen and methane, which can be used in applications where batteries aren't viable, are an important part of the solution to humanity's dependence on fossil fuels But their production currently uses rare metals and generates toxic byproducts

Chemistry Ph.D. student and 2022 Wrigley Institute Graduate Fellow Thabassum Ahammad, whose presentation won Best Lightning Talk at the 2023 Research Symposium, is testing ways to eliminate that pollution and reduce costs by using solar energy and abundant elements to make the fuels instead

Ahammad's fellowship was funded by the Sonosky Graduate Fellowship for Environmental Sustainability Research Read more at bit ly/thabassum-ahammad (Photo: Nick Neumann/WIES)

learn about the world-changing research happening through the Wrigley Institute Attendees gave lightning talks, answered questions about their work and presented posters on their research

"Our researchers are doing incredible highimpact work across the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities," said Wrigley Institute Executive Director Jessica Dutton "By inviting the larger USC community to engage in the conversation we hope to inspire more interdisciplinary collaborations to support USC's environmental and sustainability mission "

highlights WORLD-CHANGING WRIGLEY INSTITUTE RESEARCH Fellow Spotlight:

training tomorrow's leaders

USC DORNSIFE ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES PROGRAM JOINS THE WRIGLEY INSTITUTE

working in the environment and sustainability (Vanessa Codilla/WIES)

In 2022, USC's Environmental Studies Program (ENST) and the Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability (WIES) had a big change to celebrate: ENST officially became part of WIES The new arrangement is benefiting both units as they more tightly connect education and research on sustainability and the environment within USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

“By combining the Wrigley Institute s historical strengths in research and engagement with the innovative and student-centered educational approach of the Environmental Studies program, we're better able to deliver classroom, lab, field, and experiential learning opportunities that will help to shape the environmental leaders and changemakers of tomorrow,” said WIES Director Joe Árvai

Environmental Studies major Jordan Arney explores behind the scenes of the Los Angeles Zoo as part of the Wrigley Institute's 2023 Climate Careers Spring Break. Students toured several organizations around L A , including the zoo, and attended career panels to learn about

The new arrangement was spurred by the changing landscape of environmental and sustainability challenges Intensifying climate change is affecting almost every area of human behavior, including where and how we live what and how we consume what we invest in or leave behind and how we interact with one another and with science in general The current generation of environmental leaders-in-training will only be able to develop effective solutions to these challenges if they’re able to think more critically creatively and holistically about the linked environmental social and economic dimensions of living sustainably

USC Dornsife students recognize both the urgency and the opportunities for creative thinking in the sustainability space, ” said USC Dornsife Dean Amber D. Miller “By bringing our world-class Environmental Studies program together with the integrated research mission at the Wrigley Institute, these students will both engage with environmental challenges head-on and help accelerate the behavioral changes that society must quickly adopt ”

ENST currently offers bachelor's degrees in environmental studies and environmental sciences and health, a minor in environmental studies, and master's degrees in environmental studies and environmental data science (the latter in partnership with USC Viterbi School of Engineering)

ENST has a long history of collaboration with WIES, and ENST students already have access to numerous research and experiential learning opportunities through the institute But, said Environmental Studies Program Director Jill Sohm, the new relationship between the two units is taking everything to a new level

“We’ve worked together for years but I’m very excited to be bringing our two groups together in an official capacity because it means that the expertise, effort, networks, and fundraising capabilities of the Wrigley Institute and their staff will be particularly

focused on expanding opportunities for ENST students and helping our faculty create the most impactful educational experience possible," Sohm said

Certain aspects of the ENST experience haven't changed There have been no immediate alterations to the ENST curriculum and the same faculty continue to teach the program ’ s classes. ENST students continue to follow the same processes and interact with the same staff and advisors as they navigate their degree programs

As the Wrigley Institute devotes more resources to ENST however opportunities for students are expanding The institute has hired new staff to create ENST-focused engagement opportunities, such as a weeklong Climate Careers Spring Break, and is developing new internships tailored to the needs of ENST majors and minors

WIES’s Wrigley Marine Science Center (WMSC) on Catalina Island now serves as a satellite campus for Environmental Studies, and the institute is in the second phase of renovations to ensure that WMSC's classrooms and labs serve the program's needs Finally, WIES’s new interdisciplinary research centers - focused on Earth & Environmental Systems, Applied Environmental Solutions, and Social Innovation - are providing opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students to participate in sustainability and environmental research at one of the country’s leading universities

These changes are all emblematic of a larger move to make USC and the Wrigley Institute the best possible home for students who want to become tomorrow’s environmental leaders

“As the director of a student-centered program, my north star is doing things that are good for our students ” Sohm said “and I believe that joining ENST with the Wrigley Institute is very good for our students ”

--Kathryn Royster

PUBLIC ART FOR PUBLIC CHANGE

"COOL GLOBES" COURSE PAIRS ARTS AND SCIENCE FOR MAXIMUM IMPACT

If you had visited a sequestered corner of the USC campus last year, you would have seen six giant concrete globes clustered around a quiet courtyard Each globe was five feet in diameter with a base that weighed over a ton creating a silent, imposing presence They sat colorless for months, waiting for design and environmental science students to transform them

That transformation happened through a creative endeavor, called Cool Globes: Hot Ideas for a Cooler Planet, to tell the story of the climate crisis through art Every Friday afternoon throughout the spring semester, students from the class gathered in Watt Courtyard near the USC Roski School of Art and Design surrounding each globe with fabric and ladders, objets d’art, and paint

“Painting to reflect environmental issues it’s a really cool intersection between science and art,” said Katie Robinson, an environmental studies major, who was interviewed while working on a globe “Our globe looks like a giant piece of pollen We’re trying to bring awareness to the decline in bee populations, the colony collapse, because of pesticide use and other factors ”

Working alongside Ethan Li, a design major, Robinson covered the globe in an earthy yellow, while another student added flocking to give it the fuzzy texture of pollen. Around the next globe, about 12 feet away, environmental studies major Gianna Alcala covered another globe with torn pieces of fabric each representing a body of water or land mass

“We’re looking at where things are made where they end up, ” Alcala said. “We’ve seen how fast fashion has an impact on transportation [and] manufacturing, and we want to bring awareness to that The materials [we’re using] would have been thrown away so there’s an element of sustainable practice here by repurposing it ”

Victoria Campbell-Árvai, assistant professor of environmental studies (part of the Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability), sees this kind of climate art as interpretive language

“As scientists, we do a good job characterizing global environmental issues using numbers, figures, and graphs But as humans, we have a hard time understanding numbers without an emotional connection We’re numb to numbers ” Campbell-Árvai said. “Luckily, we have art and design to infuse numbers and concepts with that emotion that helps us to connect with these issues, to want to learn more and hopefully modify our behaviors ”

Campbell-Árvai and Brian O’Connell an assistant professor at USC Roski School of Art and Design, guided the Cool Globes process unbound by pedagogy Neither they nor their students had done anything quite like it before, though Cool Globes is not a new idea

As a public art initiative it has been exhibited around the world in various forms since it debuted in 2007 USC’s exhibition premiered in May 2022

“[The installation] strikes a few feelings ” said cognitive science major Sophia Traversi at the time. “It might help you connect with [the Earth] more, it might resonate in different ways than numbers And that’s what we re trying to do in a visual way that s not overwhelming ”

--Ron Mackovich-Rodriguez

From top: Victoria Campbell-Árvai (R) coaches a student working on a globe Two students attach muslin fabric to a globe Students Ethan Li (L) and Lynn Tu (R) add flocking to a globe to give it the texture of pollen (Nick Neumann/WIES and Ron Mackovich/USC)

UN-COVERING CLIMATE POLICY STUDENTS

TAKE FIRST-ROW SEAT AT INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE

CONFERENCE

At 10:00 p m on a night in mid-November, Murad Jah s alarm started buzzing This was usually an evening hour reserved for winding down for bed, but for Jah, an environmental studies M A student, it was time to finalize his agenda for the long night of climate negotiations ahead

Whereas USC students normally only resort to pulling all-nighters when faced with major deadlines or exams Gibson Climate Justice Lab researchers were eager to spend a week starting their “days” at 10 or 11 p m

As accredited observers for the 27th United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP27), the world's leading climate conference, they could have attended the event in-person in Sharm-elCheikh Egypt

Associate Professor of Environmental Studies

Shannon Gibson elected to spend the week at the Wrigley Marine Science Center (WMSC) on Catalina Island, however, to limit the group ’ s carbon footprint and enable a more focused collaboration-oriented experience

That meant accommodating a time difference of 10 hours, but Gibson and her students considered the tradeoff worth the trouble

Five students from a range of disciplines formed the COP27 Gibson Climate Justice Lab cohort All the researchers examined the negotiations through a climate justice lens and with the goal of uplifting the perspectives of groups - such as communities of color Indigenous peoples and citizens of the global Souththat are often left out of these discussions

Murad Jah examined inclusivity issues at the conference for a journal article he will coauthor with Gibson and public diplomacy

M A student Kirian Mischke-Reeds for the academic journal Climate and Development

“A very big takeaway for me was an institutional accessibility issue ” said Jah who attended a Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance meeting that was delayed because the speaker could not find the event venue When you have presidents of certain delegations who can t find where they re meant to be speaking, it hinders their chance to make their voices and the voice of the people they represent heard "

Moreover, although the hybrid nature of the conference allowed more people to attend without having to travel to the venue, Jah noted that communities with fewer resources

“We were very surprised that, considering that it is such an international event it was very dominated by English, French, and Spanish,” said Martynowicz “Although [those] are very global languages, we noticed from an Indigenous perspective that it was not inclusive ”

Attending COP27 reaffirmed Martynowicz’s desire to pursue a career advocating for language rights so that minority and Indigenous voices are included in international negotiations, given that these communities are disproportionately affected by the climate crisis

“I walked away feeling hopeful because I can see that these voices are being heard, somewhat not enough, but they re there at the decision-making table in one way or another,” said Martynowicz

still had to overcome a digital divide in order to participate remotely

“I remember [a woman from Uganda] saying to me that she had to travel two hours to access the computer to attend a meeting because she didn’t have an internet connection where she was, said Jah

For international relations major TJ Martynowicz the shortage of language translators was another prominent issue at the conference

He noted that the lack of live translation options both online and in-person inhibited some groups from communicating to the best of their abilities.

Gibson Climate Justice Lab researchers also aim to bring the conversation about climate change to a wider audience

Martynowicz and global studies and earth sciences double major Christina Chkarboujl captured insights that will improve climate negotiation simulations in Shannon Gibson s classes They also attended talks to learn how the gamification of climate education through online simulation tools can enhance the educational experience

Using this knowledge, the two will work with Gibson to incorporate climate justice elements such as “loss and damage” funding (financial compensation and assistance paid by wealthy polluting countries to poorer

"It was incredible to be surrounded by the environment we're protecting. It made the work more validating and more important because you saw what's at stake."

--student TJ Martynowicz

nations most affected by climate change) into her classroom simulations

In a similarly outward-facing role, communication and environmental studies major Annika Goldman focused on sharing important COP27 developments with a public audience

When Goldman noticed that many of her peers were largely unaware of international climate change conferences like COP27, she turned to social media as an avenue for educating them about environmental issues

Upon arriving at WMSC she set up a makeshift media room where she created graphics and interviewed her peers about their takeaways after each conference event She then created the @cjlab2022 Instagram account to broadcast bite-sized, easilydigestible content to inform the outside world about the issues at stake.

Goldman also leveraged Gibson’s TikTok account (@profsmgibson) and the platform s trending sounds feature to bring creativity and entertainment into the climate change conversation

In one video, the students lip sync to the popular chorus of Becky Hill’s Remember” while explaining commonly used acronyms at COP27 In another video, Gibson and the students poke fun at the conference’s long hours ending with a clip highlighting the joy and enthusiasm of first-time COP attendees

If you just come down on people with a bunch of depressing realities, that’s not really going to be motivating at all ” said Goldman “So you have to communicate the good the bad, and also give people hope that there will be progress in this area ”

Although Shannon Gibson describes COP outcomes as “hard-fought, incremental wins,” she sees value in continuing this experiential learning opportunity for USC undergraduate and graduate students

“Whether you ’ re into natural science ocean biology and diversity, communications, or business, there’s a space for every type of major and for every student interest at this particular forum, said Gibson “We ve also shown that we can engage in high-level research without having to use a heavy carbon footprint to do it ”

“It was absolutely incredible to be surrounded by the environment we re protecting,” said Martynowicz, who came across a Catalina Island bison during a daytime hike one of the many activities available to the researchers during their down time “Seeing an animal living naturally in its environment was a really cool experience And then we re seeing the people fight for that [at COP] So it made the work more validating and more important because you saw what’s at stake ”

--Vanessa Codilla

The Climate Justice Lab's COP27 experience was supported by a Faculty Teaching Innovation Award from the Wrigley Institute

Members of the Gibson Climate Justice Lab on Catalina Island. From left: Murad Jah, Kirian Mischke-Reeds, Dr. Shannon Gibson, Christina Chkarboujl, TJ Martynowicz, and Annika Goldman.

When USC Annenberg journalism student Yannick Peterhans arrived on Catalina Island for his summer 2022 Wrigley Institute internship, he had one goal: capture a photo of a Catalina Island fox All through the summer as he documented the flurry of activity at the Wrigley Marine Science Center he kept his eyes open for his chance It eluded him until his very last day on the island Camera in tow, he was walking back to his quarters to pack up when he saw a fox staring at him from the underbrush Heart racing, he slowly and carefully focused his camera and got the shot

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BASS

conservation partnership helps restore an imperiled giant to catalina island waters

On a sunny day last summer, a small but excited crowd gathered at the Wrigley Marine Science Center (WMSC), the Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability's satellite campus on Santa Catalina Island. It was release day. After more than two years of carefully raising three giant sea bass at WMSC, Research Laboratory Technician Victoria Sperow was getting ready to say goodbye to her charges

Starting in March 2020, Sperow carefully tended the bass as part of a partnership with California State University Northridge (CSUN), the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium (CMA) in San Pedro, and California State

University Long Beach (CSULB) Together, the four organizations are aiding efforts to restore an apex predator to the kelp forests of Southern California’s San Pedro Channel

Fished almost to extinction in the 1970s, giant sea bass slowly began to rise in numbers after the state of California banned their intentional catch in 1981 The establishment of a network of Marine Protected Areas–including Catalina’s Big Fisherman Cove, where WMSC is located–also helped The giant fish are still critically endangered, however, and in dire need of continued conservation and support

Yannick Peterhans/WIES

"Since giant sea bass visit our cove a lot, we thought raising these individuals was a good opportunity to teach students about the species,” Sperow said of the fish that were released “It was cool to be able to show people these animals that can get up to 500 pounds and live up to 70 years

The giant sea bass came to WMSC as the result of what was essentially a happy accident In 2019, CSUN ichthyologist Larry Allen collected three live specimens for research on the noises sea bass make underwater When hundreds of thousands of eggs suddenly appeared in the tank where he was keeping the fish he realized he had collected a male and two females.

Sperow eagerly volunteered to be their caretaker A lifelong snorkeler who grew up near San Francisco, she’s been interested in marine biology since childhood and got her undergraduate degree in the subject She had animal care experience from previous work at Camp Emerald Bay’s Pennington Marine Science Center and San Francisco’s Aquarium of the Bay but the giant sea bass were a new and exciting challenge.

Few aquarists or veterinarians have crossed paths with these fish, especially at the juvenile stage, so information on their care can be difficult to find

--José Bacallao, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

CMA took many of the eggs hatched them and ended up with about 1,000 viable juveniles They released several hundred into the wild for a large-scale tracking study but still had more individuals than they could handle CMA and the Wrigley Institute are longtime collaborators having worked together on a variety of research projects. So when the aquarium went looking for a home for some of the surplus fish, WMSC was a logical choice

“We wanted to release as many of the fish as possible for conservation purposes but we also knew there was critical work being done by our partners Reaching out to the Wrigley Institute was an easy decision We wanted to make sure the bass went to a good home, said Jose Bacallao, CMA’s exhibit director

I did a lot of reaching out to people at other institutions, especially at Aquarium of the Pacific and Cabrillo, and we had a lot of support from [USC veterinarian] Brad Ahrens. People were so nice and happy to help That was really good and gave me a lot of hope,” Sperow said

The juveniles were initially so small that she had to develop special food for them, but they grew quickly and soon moved to WMSC’s education tanks. Having the fish at WMSC provided a unique opportunity to teach visiting undergraduate students not only about the individuals in the tanks, but also about biodiversity, the species’ broader role in the ecosystem and the damage caused by overfishing

"I am profoundly proud of what we and our partners have done here. It demonstrates that there is hope and opportunity to repair and restore our local environments. It’s a story that could be told for the rest of our lives."

By keeping the fish at WMSC for a full two years, the Wrigley Institute was able to help increase their odds of survival in the wild They grew to a size that puts them beyond the reach of all but the largest predators, which means they’ll be more likely to reach breeding age With a longer lifespan, the fish will also be more useful to researchers They were tagged prior to release and CSULB’s Shark Lab led by Chris Lowe will track the individuals over time to learn about their migration patterns, preferred habitats, how deep they swim, and more In addition, their spot patterns (which are unique, like fingerprints) were recorded for the University of California Santa Barbara’ s Spotting Giant Sea Bass project.

“It was really cool to have such a big team working on the release, CSULB being there, and the Wrigley Institute facilities team helping us move the fish ” Sperow said

“It was interesting to see how they reacted once they were in the water The first one we released actually left but then came back around by the time we released the third one. They were really strong swimmers–they didn’t just sit there ”

CSUN s Larry Allen, who has been studying large fish in Southern California for decades, says persistence will be key to the success of conservation efforts like this one. Though giant sea bass numbers have increased he estimates that the population is still only at about 20 percent of where it should be for long-term survival He has sympathy for fishers who are seeing giants in the water and wondering why they can’t catch the profitable fish again. However, he believes the current ban needs to stay in place for at least another 20-30 years Giant sea bass can take 11-13 years to reach sexual maturity, so their numbers don t rebound rapidly

A researcher from CSULB's Shark Lab holds out a tag to be implanted in one of the giant sea bass prior to release The tags will provide researchers with precious data on the fish's migration patterns, swim depth, and other habits (Yannick Peterhans/WIES)

“It s conceivable that just a couple of boats could wipe out Southern California’s entire giant sea bass population as it stands right now. You don’t want to fish things out–you want to be able to keep catching them into the future ” Allen said

For the Cabrillo Aquarium s Jose Bacallao, this project has a less tangible value

“I am profoundly proud of what we and our partners have done here There’s this human story to be told about how we all supported each other to be successful,” he said. “And then to show people this incredible animal–it demonstrates to the community that there is hope and opportunity to repair and restore our local environments It’s a story that could be told for the rest of our lives ”

Scan this QR code with your smartphone to see the full multimedia story, including a photo gallery and video of the release

--Kathryn Royster

Victoria Sperow swims with a giant sea bass shortly after its release into Big Fisherman Cove off Santa Catalina Island Sperow raised the fish for more than two years as part of a conservation partnership with other L.A.-area organizations. (Michael Couffer)

GOLDEN YEARs IN THE GOLDEN STATE

USC SEA GRANT CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF SERVING THE URBAN OCEAN

Beachgoers at Santa Monica Beach Located less than 25 minutes from downtown Los Angeles, the beach is one of the most popular in Southern California However, it is vulnerable to oil spills, wastewater contamination, and other issues tied to its location within the Los Angeles urban area

The University of Southern California (USC) Sea Grant Program recently celebrated its 50th anniversary As one of the first created in a national Sea Grant network of 34 university-based programs administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), USC Sea Grant serves one of the largest and most diverse populations in America It is a national leader in tackling issues at the urban-coastal interface. On the following pages, we highlight some of USC Sea Grant’s “Urban Ocean” focused research, education programs, and outreach efforts from the last 50 years

Community Resilience: More than a decade ago USC Sea Grant developed the Regional AdaptLA Program in response to regional needs to plan for climate change AdaptLA includes many local municipalities, including Los Angeles County Sea Grant provides science, sea level rise models, and planning tools; supports the development of adaptation plans; and trains scores of coastal professionals on adaptation-related topics. Sea Grant just launched its 4th statewide longitudinal survey to assess the state of climate adaptation in California and to gauge the future needs of coastal jurisdictions (Left: Community members collaborate at an AdaptLA meeting )

Ports and Shipping: USC Sea Grant collaborated closely with the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach the largest port complex in the nation to improve environmental protections Since the development of the 2006 Clean Air Action Plan, Sea Grant worked successfully with the ports on strategies to enhance air quality and still is working with the ports on new innovations in cleaner fuels and green technologies Sea Grant was also part of a multi-year negotiation to develop a Ship Speed Reduction Incentive Program, protecting whales from ship strikes in the Santa Barbara Channel a critical feeding ground and migration corridor for many whale species (Left: An aerial view of the Port of Los Angeles)

Oil Spill Preparedness and Prevention: When a 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara severely affected local waters, beaches, and wildlife, the nascent USC Sea Grant program led the evaluation effort, coordinating scientific expertise and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds In 2017, the National Academies of Science Engineering and Medicine chose six Sea Grant programs including USC Sea Grant to coordinate workshops on the human dimensions of oil spill preparedness The workshop focused on a 2019 Santa Barbara spill the resulting report was recognized by the National Institutes of Health In October 2021, a significant oil spill occurred offshore Huntington Beach, closing harbors, beaches, and fisheries for months Within one day, Sea Grant developed a StoryMap that was leveraged by resource managers, educators, and media to address public confusion and interest and was acknowledged as a useful decision support tool by the City of Huntington Beach, the U S Coast Guard California State Parks and NOAA’s Policy and Congressional Analysis Branch

Marine Protected Areas: In 1999, California passed the Marine Life Protection Act, precipitating a community-based process in which scientists, Tribal groups, the fishing industry, and others interested in the health of the coast negotiated boundaries for a statewide network of marine

protected areas (MPAs) USC Sea Grant and Wrigley were stakeholders in the Southern California designation process Ultimately 124 MPAs were designated across the state including those near Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island. Sea Grant now co-leads the Los Angeles Regional MPA Collaborative, fostering the state’s education, outreach, and enforcement programs Sea Grant also has a long history working with the National Marine Sanctuary Program Phyllis Grifman, Sea Grant s Executive Director, served as Chair of the Channel Islands Sanctuary Advisory Council for six years and now serves as Research Chair

Sustainable Fishing and Aquaculture: USC Sea Grant has worked on various recreational and subsistence fisheries projects, from funding research on rockfish survival during catch-and-release to working with the U S Environmental Protection Agency and non-profit partners to provide seafood safety guides in multiple languages to protect communities from exposure to pollutants As the need for sustainable aquaculture grows, Sea Grant explores new directions in restorative aquaculture and sustainable seaweed and shellfish farming In 2021, Sea Grant partnered with local aquaculture producers and a South Central Los Angeles community organization to pilot the only seafood ‘seed to consumer ’ pipeline in Southern California Sea Grant continues to explore regional seafood supply chains that foster equitable access to seafood for low-income, food-insecure communities

Environmental Literacy: USC Sea Grant is a national leader in environmental literacy Sea Grant s primary audience for education programming consists of students and families of color along with marginalized students who have limited opportunities to engage in science education Sea Grant actively seeks guidance and collaboration with Tribal Nations through programs such as the California Naturalist Program, the MPA Collaborative, the Intertribal Education Collaborative and the National Marine Educators Association. On average, Sea Grant reaches over 35,000 people annually through its diverse programming (Left: High school students visit Catalina Island with USC Sea Grant )

Looking Ahead: Looking towards the future, Sea Grant is excited about opportunities to practice leadership in an array of emerging issues and research opportunities, such as rising sea levels and microplastic pollution If Sea Grant can pioneer solutions for the challenges associated with a culturally diverse range of perspectives and economic disparities that characterize urban coasts, it can continue to be a model for other urban coastlines nationally and globally (Left: A "king tide" climbs stairs that are typically usable at a beach in Malibu King tides are ultra-high tides that occur a few times a year and give us a glimpse of the possible effects of sea level rise caused by climate change )

In February the Wrigley Institute hosted a spring semester welcome event for students from the Environmental Studies Program. Digital Content Coordinator Vanessa Codilla (front row center)

Experiential Learning Coordinator Hannah Maryanski Kiszla (front row right), Environmental Studies Administrative Assistant Mich Bollinger (second row right), and Engagement Coordinator Marcela Riddick (back row right) provided snacks and helped students paint a sustainability-focused community mural (Nick Neumann/WIES)

...And, Action!

NEW PROGRAM TRAINS SCHOLARS TO BECOME STORYTELLERS

If you had visited the Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island last July, you might have noticed an odd sight: a group of people digging in mounds of washed-up kelp and yelling about supernatural sightings while being interviewed on camera

The chaos had a purpose, though The panicky citizens were just acting. An instructor had sent them out to make an impromptu short film - an exercise designed to help them understand how

video storytelling differs from writing the academic papers they're accustomed to producing

The actors and videographers were all fellows in the inaugural Wrigley Institute Storymakers program, which trains academic researchers in the art of climate storytelling Hailing from leading universities and other institutions across the U.S. and Canada, 2022 participants in the program study environmental history, the effects of oppression on the landscape, the importance of wetlands, climate and air quality, and more

Instructor David Freid (R) coaches fellow Simon Donner (L) on cinematography during the 2022 Storymakers program (Yannick Peterhans/WIES)

"There’s little value in generating and accumulating knowledge if we don t share it with people who stand to benefit from it When it comes to how we communicate with the public however we need to do more and we need to do it better," said Joe Árvai, a social scientist, director of the Wrigley Institute, and a 2022 Storymakers fellow "We created Storymakers to meet this challenge It's what science is meant to be about "

Taking place over a week in residence at the Wrigley Marine Science Center, the program equips leading environmental researchers to effect change by reaching the hearts and minds of the public Fellows practice the art of storytelling through written audio and video media; build community with likeminded researchers; and learn how to contribute to a growing ecosystem of publicoriented scholars seeking to change the landscape of science communication

Instructors for the 2022 fellowship included Pulitzer Prize-winning science journalist and New York Times bestselling author Ed Yong; Alie Ward, an Emmy-winning TV correspondent and the creator and host of popular science podcast Ologies; and Edward R Murrow Award-winning video journalist David Freid

"Major decisions about society are being influenced by powerful stories But the voices of experts are often missing because most experts do not have any idea how to enter the conversation This program provides a much-needed corrective " said Neil Lewis, Jr., of Cornell University. He studies disparities in environmental impacts and how they affect people's health outcomes

Over the course of the program, fellows also learned about the practicalities of reaching the public: for example how to find a trustworthy literary agent, and factors to weigh in choosing whether to produce their own podcasts and videos or work with a studio They refined concepts for publicfacing projects and supported each other as they nervously practiced pitching their ideas

Storymakers fellows Joe Árvai, Neil Lewis, Jr , Chelsie Romulo, and Vernon Morris discuss their projects with program coordinator Victoria Fine (Yannick Peterhans/WIES)

Everyone capped off the week on Catalina Island with a wrap party at downtown L A 's California Science Center where the newlyminted Storymakers mingled with members of the USC community and representatives from the media and arts industries The goal was to introduce fellows to individuals who can advise them or even help fund the realization of their projects in the future

"Rarely have I been in a room of such thoughtful, creative, and passionate scientists who are also devoted to science communication," said University of Northern Colorado's Chelsie Romulo, who studies natural resource management "I feel as though the way I think about teaching and communication has shifted "

--Kathryn Royster

Breaking barriers

DIVING PROGRAM OPENS MARINE SCIENCE TO UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENTS

Marcela Riddick emerged from the water in a wetsuit and scuba mask, shouting excitedly She had just completed her first-ever scuba dive, in Big Fisherman Cove at the Wrigley Marine Science Center (WMSC) on Catalina Island.

“I absolutely lost it - in the best way - coming out the water I was screaming at everybody that I was a fish ” said Riddick who recently graduated from the USC Marshall School of Business with an M S in social entrepreneurship and who is building a career in environmental education

Despite growing up on the beaches of Southern California, Riddick had never had the chance to dive before due to the high cost of lessons and equipment The lack of diversity among the diving community also deterred her

In summer 2022, the Wrigley Institute launched the

Scientific Diving Discovery Program to help underrepresented students like Riddick learn to scuba dive The program aims to diversify the field of scientific diving, which is overwhelmingly male and white

“Scuba diving can be a gateway to science careers ocean conservation issues and deeper connection with and stewardship for the environment We want to open those doors to as many people as possible,” said Wrigley Institute Executive Director Jessica Dutton

The program began with support from an Ocean Exploration Education MiniGrant from the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. Dutton and John Heidelberg, director of WMSC and professor of biological sciences, applied for the grant with an eye to getting underrepresented students directly into the workforce

“We thought, ‘What training does someone need so they can get a job as a scientific diver straight out of our program?” explained Hanna Reed, the Wrigley Institute's diving safety officer Reed helped organize the program and instructed the students along with Kory Lamberts-Livingston chair of the Next Generation Committee for the National Association of Black Divers who also earned his certification as a dive master while assisting with the course

After securing initial funding, Dutton, Heidelberg, and Reed launched an application process that brought in seven undergraduate students from across the country In July, the students spent three weeks at WMSC, where they dove in progressively deeper water and trained in skills like underwater data collection first aid knot tying and operating small boats They studied at night for the AAUS Scientific Diver certification and the NAUI Advanced Scuba Diver certification.

They also attended lectures on subjects such as species identification and heard from scientists from diverse backgrounds, including Diane Kim, Wrigley Institute senior scientist and adjunct assistant professor (teaching) of environmental studies Kim spoke about her innovative kelp research and her experience as a Korean American woman working in science Riddick said these lectures helped illuminate what they were seeing on their dives On her deepest excursion some 65 feet down, Riddick spotted a giant shovelnose guitar fish, a species she recognized thanks to a vertebrate identification class led by David Ginsburg, professor (teaching) of environmental studies

Reed said the program offers a tangible career boost for students; there are a surprising number of jobs available to those with diving certifications, from environmental consulting to marine archaeology to work with aquariums To help students understand the options available to them, Reed brought in Octavio Avila director of USC Dornsife Career Pathways and his team

“The goal for the program is for participants to see that there is room in the diving community for all different backgrounds, to see what researchers do every day and hopefully get them comfortable with the idea of graduate school or careers in science,” said Reed

Beyond employment prospects, the program also helped students build a network of like-minded colleagues Riddick feels she’s made genuine connections with her fellow participants with talk of a reunion diving trip in Miami

“I’m now part of a global community of people who know how to breathe underwater,” she said proudly

--Margaret Crable

The 2022 Scientific Diving Discovery cohort with their instructors

on island time

CATALINA RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE OFFERS IMMERSIVE LEARNING IN A UNIQUE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

An environmental studies student holds a nudibranch found during field work on Catalina Island The Wrigley Institute Maymester gives students a unique opportunity to learn about sustainability in a setting that bridges the pristine environment of Catalina Island and the busy urban world of Los Angeles

Last May, a group of more than 70 students descended on Catalina Island to participate in the Wrigley Institute Maymester

USC Maymester students earn full credit for a single course by packing a semester's worth of learning into just four weeks At the Wrigley Institute, the annual program is part of our new Catalina Residential College which offers educational activities that immerse students in the island's unique ecology. Our Maymester brings together students from across a range of subjects, encouraging social and academic connections that break disciplinary boundaries

"You cannot have this experience anywhere else," said biological sciences and data science major Iliyan Hariyani of his Maymester on the island "It's been really incredible for me I want to come back to do more research and meet more inspiring people "

Diving pioneer and oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle front prepares to lead a group in a guided snorkel The Wrigley Institute Maymester includes weekly plenary sessions where students learn from environmental and sustainability leaders. Last year's speakers included Dr. Earle and famed oceanographer Dr. Robert Ballard, discoverer of the Titanic shipwreck

A Maymester student during a weekend campout In addition to coursework, research, and plenaries, Maymester students participate in recreational activities such as hikes and campouts These breaks foster good mental health and provide opportunities for students to build connections outside their major fields of study

Research Specialist Troy Gunderson helps a student prep sampling equipment during a research cruise Located just 22 miles from Long Beach, the Wrigley Marine Science Center gives students a chance to conduct research in a pristine environment that also connects with one of the world's largest and busiest urban areas

Diving instructor Kory Lamberts-Livingston guides a student through a "Scuba in a Bucket" session The sessions gave students a chance to learn more about scientific diving in a controlled environment and introduced them to the unique parameters of underwater scientific research

Dr. Jill Sohm, director of the Environmental Studies Program, shows students how to process soil and water samples gathered that day With small class sizes and faculty in residence, the WIES Maymester gives students an opportunity to work closely with their professors

A biological sciences student completes a lab The Wrigley Marine Science Center where the WIES Maymester takes place is a fully equipped academic campus with classrooms and labs where students can engage in hands-on collaborative learning and research.

Photos by Nick Neumann and Yannick Peterhans/WIES. Thanks to a gift from the Hagenah family, the Wrigley Institute Maymester offers generous financial aid so that cost will not be a barrier to any qualified student

GREEN GRADUATES

GRADUATE FELLOWS SEEK ANSWERS TO CRUCIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAINABILITY QUESTIONS

Each year the Wrigley Institute funds a cohort of Ph D students researching the environment and sustainability The fellowship program has expanded in recent years, in recognition of the many ways environmental and sustainability issues touch every aspect of our lives and of academic endeavor

In 2022, the institute named 15 Ph D students from across the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Each fellow participated in professional development and cohortbuilding activities during the spring semester then received a stipend to support summer research Fellows were based both at USC's University Park Campus in Los Angeles and at the Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island Keep reading to learn more about some of their research

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(Photo: Nick Neumann/WIES)

AROUND THE wrigley institute

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES PROGRAM GROWS WITH ADDITION OF NEW FACULTY

With 64 percent of USC undergraduates identifying as "very interested" in sustainability it's no wonder that USC Dornsife Environmental Studies Program enrollment numbers are growing by leaps and bounds. To meet that demand, the program added two new faculty members in fall 2022

Assistant Professor (Teaching) Sean Fraga is a historian who studies how stories of the Pacific Ocean and West Coast underpinned centuries of European colonization in North America and the westward expansion of the United States “We need to bring attention to markers of identity and how they’re associated with environmental problems ” he said “These are questions where the critical eye of the humanities is helpful in pointing out how current inequalities in society are almost always the result of past decisions ”

Associate Professor (Teaching) Shannon Gibson researches global environmental policy and activism, particularly as they relate to environmental justice and the involvement of young people in the environmental movement "The majority of youth are mobilizing around issues of politics, gender, race, labor, justice," she said. "It's not just about saving the planet, it's about doing so in a way that creates a just and equal system for everyone "

USC SEA GRANT WELCOMES NEW DIRECTOR

USC Sea Grant has welcomed a new director, following the retirement of Dr. Linda Duguay Duguay was USC Sea Grant's longest-serving director and the longest-serving female director in the national Sea Grant system An accomplished biological oceanographer she held teaching and research positions at several colleges and universities before joining USC.

Dr. Karla Heidelberg is the program's new director A microbial ecologist, she also has extensive experience building partnerships with federal science programs and the public sector Before coming to USC, she worked as program director for the National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs

"USC Sea Grant’s mission – to contribute to solving the problems of the urban ocean – is one I deeply believe in," Heidelberg said "Now, more than ever, there is a need to create and foster innovative public-private partnerships and targeted community engagement programs especially in heavily populated regions ”

RENOVATIONS EQUIP WRIGLEY MARINE SCIENCE CENTER FOR STATE-OF-THE-ART EDUCATION

Renovations are underway to better equip the Wrigley Institute's satellite campus, the Wrigley Marine Science Center (WMSC) for today's educational and research needs

The first phase of renovations focused on WMSC's lab building, which was constructed in the 1960s The facility originally included a desktop computer lab and a library - at the time, innovative resources for a remote field station However now that students and researchers work from laptops and can access most resources digitally from anywhere, those spaces were underused

Beginning in summer 2022, workers overhauled both spaces to create flexible modern facilities that can be configured to suit a variety of applications The resulting classroom and Hagenah Family Board Room (named for the Hagenah Family's generous support of the renovation project) are also equipped as "Zoom rooms" to provide global connectivity for classes and meetings

Phase 2 of renovations is now underway thanks in part to a gift from Fred and Wendy Salter This phase will include updates to the Boone Center (WMSC's upscale meeting and conference space) and other public spaces on the Catalina Island campus

USC's Sustainability Across the Curriculum Initiative holds a faculty development workshop in the new Hagenah Family Board Room at the Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island (Jessica Dutton/WIES)

WRIGLEY INSTITUTE STAFF RECOGNITIONS

Wrigley Marine Science Center (WMSC) Facilities Coordinator Randy Phelps was honored by the USC Dornsife College of Letters Arts and Sciences with a 2022 Outstanding Staff Achievement Award. The college gives out just a handful of the awards each year to Dornsife College staff whose work supports the college's mission in extraordinary ways In their nomination letter, the Wrigley Institute's leadership recognized Phelps for his "incredible willingness to do what needs to be done" and his inspiring "humility, integrity, and work ethic "

Educator Lorraine Sadler and USC Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber Executive Director Karl Huggins have both crossed the 30-year mark with the Wrigley Institute Sadler our longest-serving employee, marked 31 years with the institute in 2022 She is an inaugural member of the Women Divers Hall of Fame and shares her deep knowledge of diving, snorkeling, and underwater ecology with student visitors to WMSC Huggins celebrated 30 years with the Wrigley Institute in 2022 A hyperbaric medicine pioneer, he created innovative data tables that still help divers more easily determine the amount of time they can safely spend at certain depths

impact snapshot

30

USC UNDERGRAD INTERNS & FELLOWS

18 USC GRADUATE FELLOWS & POSTDOCS

15,371

TOTAL USER DAYS AT WMSC

thank you to our supporters

The activities of the USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability would not be possible without the support of our many donors Our deepest thanks to every one of you who has given to our mission over the past year Your generosity enables us to continue our efforts to create a more sustainable, just, and equitable future for people and planet

If you would like to support any of the programs mentioned in this issue, or give to our general fund, please contact Holly Nielson at hgayler@usc edu

THE USC WRIGLEY INSTITUTE FOR ENVIRONMENt AND SUSTAINABILITY

The USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability is housed within Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and encompasses several divisions

The Wrigley Marine Science Center located on Santa Catalina Island is our satellite campus that uniquely bridges the island's pristine ecosystem and the conurbation of Los Angeles. The USC Dornsife Environmental Studies Program is our primary education arm and houses undergraduate and master's degree programs in environmental studies

USC Sea Grant provides peer-reviewed science to policymakers and collaborates with policymakers, K-12 schools, and other stakeholders to solve the problems of the urban ocean

Our Research Centers support USC faculty postdocs and students as they conduct solutionsfocused investigations into pressing environmental and sustainability challenges

Our Engagement Center encompasses events, key outreach programs, and our marketing and communications efforts

SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM

Dr. Joe Árvai, Director

Dr Jessica Dutton Executive Director

Dr John Heidelberg Director Wrigley Marine Science Center

Dr Karla Heidelberg, Director, USC Sea Grant

Dr Jill Sohm, Director, Environmental Studies Program

Sean Conner, Associate Director of Operations, WMSC

Holly Nielson Associate Director for Business Strategy & Finance

Kathryn Royster, Assistant Director for Public Communications

ADMINISTRATION

Katie Chvostal

Shai Coronado

Lauren Geving

Alex Montances

FACILITIES

Art Mireles

Brenton "Butch" Nielson

Carl Oberg

Randy Phelps

COMMUNICATIONS

Vanessa Codilla

Nick Neumann

CATALINA HYPERBARIC CHAMBER

Karl Huggins, Executive Director

Eun-Jung Julie Aguilar

Larry Harris

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Mich Bollinger

Natalie Inouye

Core Faculty:

Dr Scott Applebaum

Dr. Victoria Cambell-Árvai

Dr Monalisa Chatterjee

Dr Sean Fraga

Dr Shannon Gibson

Dr David W Ginsburg

Dr Victoria Petryshyn

Dr Andres Sanchez

Dr Josh West

Dr Yael Wolinsky-Nahmias

HOSPITALITY

Kennith Cameron

Jake Carmona

Maribel Murguia

Jose Platas

OPERATIONS

Fernando Gutierrez

Tom Russo

Wassid "Sam" Ulabd ulmajeed

RESEARCH & ENGAGEMENT

Allison Agsten

Amber Brown

Lauren Czarnecki Oudin

Dr Diane Kim

Kory Lamberts-Livingston

Meghan MacGregor

Hannah Maryanski Kiszla

Matthew Ragan

Marcela Riddick

Lorraine Sadler

Kellie Spafford

Victoria Sperow

USC SEA GRANT

Phyllis Grifman, Executive Director

Dr Amalia Almada

Karina Alvarez

Linda Chilton

Ruth Dudas

Maria Madrigal

Leah Shore

Charlotte Stevenson

WATERFRONT

Juan Carlos Aguilar

Geoffrey Creighton

Mariluz "Lucy" Fornias

Troy Gunderson

Trevor Oudin

Hanna Reed

WRIGLEY ADVISORY BOARD

Philip Hagenah, Co-chair

Todd Bauer, Co-chair

Alison Wrigley Rusack

Terry Adams

Frank Addante

Lynda Boone Fetter

Brock Dewey

Alexandra Jameson

J R Johnson

Tyler Kelley

Sam King

Calen Offield

Maria Pelligrini

Stephen Scully

Diane Sonosky Montgomery

Paul Suchman

Denise Verret

Julie Wrigley

Daniel Zinsmeyer

Members of the Wrigley Institute team at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA

3454 Trousdale Parkway

CAS 200

Los Angeles, CA 90089

dornsife-wrigley.usc.edu

@uscwrigley on social media

Nick Neumann/WIES