UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation

A Decent Home Documentary Screening
2025-05-14 18:00 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, Room 5391, 337 Charles E Young Dr E, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
The UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies and Luskin Center for Innovation invite you to a screening of A Decent Home, a feature-length documentary addressing class and economic inequity that features the lives and challenges of mobile home park residents in securing affordable housing.
Register Here: https://events.humanitix.com/a-decent-home-documentary-screening
We will provide food and light refreshments for our guests during the movie. Afterward, we will hold a moderated discussion and Q&A with Director Sara Terry, Policy Director Miguel Miguel of Pacoima Beautiful, and Assistant Professor Jose Loya. The conversation will touch upon the film’s contents and Miguel and Loya’s research on equitable home financing, mortgage disparities, and barriers to homeownership for communities of color in Los Angeles.
About the Moderator:

Greg Pierce (he/him) is faculty in the Department of Urban Planning, the research and co-executive director of the Luskin Center for Innovation, and the director of the Human Right to Water Solutions Lab. He is also an affiliate of the Lewis Center for Regional Studies. Greg’s research examines how infrastructure planning and policy efforts perpetuate or address service inequities and demonstrates how communities cope with and overcome them. One of his focus areas is environmental inequities in U.S. mobile home parks.

About Our Speakers:

Sara Terry is the director and producer of the award-winning PBS documentary, A Decent Home, about mobile home parks and the wealth gap. A Sundance Documentary Fellow and a Guggenheim Fellow in Photography, her films have been supported by Ford Foundation, Sundance, Cal Humanities, IDA/Pare Lorentz, Jonathan Logan Family Foundation and many others. She is a mid-career director whose work explores how we define our humanity and the role community plays in helping us understand how we live that humanity. Her first film, Fambul Tok, premiered at SXSW in 2011 and her second film, FOLK, premiered at Nashville Film Festival in 2013.
José Loya is an Assistant Professor in Urban Planning at UCLA’s Luskin School of Public Affairs and faculty affiliate with the Chicano Studies Research Center. His research addresses Latino issues in urban areas by connecting ethno-racial inequality and contextual forces at the neighborhood, metropolitan, and national levels. His research discusses several topics related to stratification in homeownership, including ethno-racial, gender, and Latino disparities in mortgage access. José received his PhD. at the University of Pennsylvania in Sociology and holds a master’s degree in Statistics from the Wharton School of Business at Penn. Prior to graduate school, José worked for several years in community development and affordable housing in South Florida.
Miguel Miguel, a native of the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, was raised in a predominantly Latino community faced with constant environmental injustices. Armed with a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning from UCLA’s Luskin School, he has dedicated over 6 years to various roles, including chairing the land use committee for his local neighborhood council, serving as a cultural resource consultant, and contributing as a researcher at UCLA. Miguel’s research centers on the intersectionality between housing access and environmental injustices faced by BIPOC communities. His exploration of alternative homeownership models, like manufactured housing, seeks to establish more inclusive land ownership structures to empower marginalized communities and address environmental disparities. As the Policy Director at Pacoima Beautiful, Miguel aims to holistically and systemically establish channels for community decision power. With the integration of community members as the sole decision-makers on policy platforms, Miguel will help establish the necessary changes to cement the principles of environmental justice.

Webinar on new, national Shade Map
2025-06-05 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom Webinar
Join us for a webinar introducing and demonstrating the newly launched Shade Map, now available through American Forests’ Tree Equity Score platform. This mapping tool shows where shade exists — and where it doesn’t — in 101 of the largest urbanized areas in the United States, covering more than 360 cities and towns. The webinar will include a live demonstration of the shade mapping feature, the Tree Equity Score Analyzer, and data stories from Austin, Detroit, and Phoenix.
Why attend: Learn how this data is essential for your heat planning, policy, and advocacy work.
When: Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 12:00 PM Pacific Time
Where: Register here to receive the Zoom link to attend.
Presented by: UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation and American Forests, with funding from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
About the Tree Equity Score Shade Map
We are excited to publicly launch our products on June 2, 2025. UCLA’s state-of-the-art shade data is available as a mapped feature in American Forests’ Tree Equity Score for 360+ cities in the U.S. Discover how much shade is available by Census block group at three different times of the day, and see what share of shade is cast by trees versus buildings. We also added high-resolution shade data to three Tree Equity Score Analyzers — a local mapping tool that allows parcel-level exploration for certain cities. Now, for these three areas — Austin, TX; Detroit, MI; and Maricopa County, AZ — users can view shade at the parcel level. It allows users in these three locations to plan to improve shade equity by exploring tree equity data, assessing shade distribution, developing scenarios, and measuring the impacts of trees at a parcel level. For Austin, Detroit, and Phoenix, our data stories take a deep dive into shade. We explored the role of shade in heat equity planning in three immersive stories as examples of how the tool can be useful.

Roots of Cool Art Exhibition: Opening Reception
2025-07-11 17:00 - 19:00 | Descanso Gardens
Don’t miss the opening reception of Roots of Cool: A Celebration of Trees and Shade in a Warming World a series of indoor and outdoor art installations at the Sturt Haaga Gallery and Boddy House at Descanso Gardens. Meet the curators Edith and Jolly de Guzman and enjoy a no-host bar and live music.
Why attend: Roots of Cool invites visitors to connect to and cultivate appreciation for the life-giving role trees play in making urban neighborhoods livable.
When: Friday, July 11, 2025, from 5-7pm. Admission to Descanso is free on July 11 from 5–7pm for the opening reception. RSVPs are not required to attend the event.
Location: Sturt Haaga Gallery and Boddy House, Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
Hosted by: Descanso Gardens, with curation by Edith de Guzman of UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation and Jolly de Guzman. This exhibition and its programs were curated in partnership with UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation, University of California Division of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Los Angeles Center for Urban Natural Resources Sustainability, TreePeople, USDA Forest Service, Arroyo Arts Collective, The Nature of Cities, Avenue 50 Studio, USC Public Exchange, Dashboard.Earth, and Accelerate Resilience Los Angeles.
Roots of Cool: A Celebration of Trees and Shade in a Warming World runs from July 12-October 12, 10am-4pm daily at the Sturt Haaga Gallery, the Boddy House, and throughout the Gardens. Learn more here.

Roots of Cool Art Exhibition
2025-07-12 - 2025-10-12 | Descanso Gardens
Don’t miss Roots of Cool: A Celebration of Trees and Shade in a Warming World, a series of indoor and outdoor art installations curated by Edith and Jolly de Guzman at Descanso Gardens. Roots of Cool explores the topic of shade equity, with installations throughout the gardens and in the galleries. Featuring 13 women artists and an art collective, the exhibition invites visitors to connect with—and cultivate appreciation for—the vital role trees play in making urban neighborhoods livable.
When: The exhibition runs from July 12-October 12, 10am-4pm daily. Entry to the exhibition is included in the price of admission or membership.
Location: Sturt Haaga Gallery, Boddy House, and throughout the Gardens. Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
Hosted by: Descanso Gardens, with curation by Edith de Guzman of UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation and Jolly de Guzman. This exhibition and its programs were curated in partnership with UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation, University of California Division of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Los Angeles Center for Urban Natural Resources Sustainability, TreePeople, USDA Forest Service, Arroyo Arts Collective, The Nature of Cities, Avenue 50 Studio, USC Public Exchange, Dashboard.Earth, and Accelerate Resilience Los Angeles.

Roots of Cool Curator Tours
2025-07-12 11:00 - 14:00 | Descanso Gardens
Artwork by Robin Lasser, Postcards to a Cooler Future
See the Roots of Cool exhibit through new eyes as curators Edith and Jolly de Guzman conduct a tour of the exhibition on July 12 at 11am and 1pm.
Why attend: Curators will explore the topic of shade equity, an issue that disproportionately affects working-class neighborhoods with a lack of trees, and how providing shade can be done effectively in many creative ways.
Cost: Included in the price of admission or membership, no event reservations required. See event page here.
When: Saturday, July 12, 2025, from 11:00am-12:00pm & 1:00pm-2:00pm
Location: Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
Roots of Cool: A Celebration of Trees and Shade in a Warming World runs from July 12-October 12, 10am-4pm daily at the Sturt Haaga Gallery, the Boddy House, and throughout the Gardens. Entry to the exhibition is included in the price of admission or membership. Learn more here.

Made in the Shade Event at Descanso Gardens
2025-07-25 16:30 - 19:00 | Descanso Gardens
Experience the Descanso Gardens in a whole new way through Cultivate, a monthly series that features tours, workshops, live demonstrations, and music throughout the gardens. July’s theme “Made in the Shade,” will compliment the exhibition Roots of Cool: A Celebration of Trees and Shade in a Warming World, which features curation by Edith de Guzman of UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation and Jolly de Guzman.
Why attend: Roots of Cool explores the topic of shade equity as installations throughout the gardens and in the gallery, featuring 13 women artists and an art collective, invite visitors to connect to and cultivate appreciation for the life-giving role trees play in making urban neighborhoods livable.
Cost: Entry to this event is included in the price of admission or membership, no event registration required. See event page here.
When: Friday, July 25, 2025, from 4:30-7:00pm
Location: Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
Roots of Cool: A Celebration of Trees and Shade in a Warming World runs from July 12-October 12, 10am-4pm daily at the Sturt Haaga Gallery, the Boddy House, and throughout the Gardens. Entry to the exhibition is included in the price of admission or membership. Learn more here.

Schedule:
Thermogram Photo Booth

Use a specialized photo booth that uses infrared technology to capture heat signatures and bodily heat maps.
4:30–7pm

Summer Tree Care Workshop

Summer in Los Angeles County can get HOT. Learn about how to help your trees beat the heat in this workshop.
5–5:45pm
6–6:45pm

Heat Scavenger Hunt

Led by Descanso Gardens docents, explore the gardens with the use of a digital thermometer to explore heat and climatic zones.
4:30–7pm

Hands-on Craft

Get crafty with us at Cultivate!
4:30–7pm

Ask an Expert

Meet a member of the Horticultural department and ask any questions you might have.
4:30–7pm

Flashdance DJs

Enjoy a mix of classic hits and contemporary songs by our popular guest DJs.
4:30–7pm

A Celebration of Cool, part of the Roots of Cool Art Exhibition
2025-08-02 10:00 - 16:00 | Descanso Gardens
In conjunction with the Roots of Cool: A Celebration of Trees and Shade in a Warming World exhibition, celebrate shade throughout Los Angeles at A Celebration of Cool! This day-long event will include panel discussions on shade equity, a thermal imaging booth, a heat scavenger hunt, a giant puppet parade, tree give-aways, art workshops and more.
Why attend: These educational, action-oriented events will offer activities for the whole family and invite everyone to take action. Roots of Cool explores the topic of shade equity as installations throughout the gardens and in the gallery, featuring 13 women artists and an art collective, invite visitors to connect to and cultivate appreciation for the life-giving role trees play in making urban neighborhoods livable.
Cost: Entry to this event is included in the price of admission or membership, no event registration required. See event page here.
When: Saturday, August 2, 2025, from 10:00am-4:00pm
Location: Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
Hosted by: Descanso Gardens, with curation by Edith de Guzman of UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation and Jolly de Guzman. This exhibition and its programs were curated in partnership with UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation, University of California Division of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Los Angeles Center for Urban Natural Resources Sustainability, TreePeople, USDA Forest Service, Arroyo Arts Collective, The Nature of Cities, Avenue 50 Studio, USC Public Exchange, Dashboard.Earth, and Accelerate Resilience Los Angeles.
Roots of Cool: A Celebration of Trees and Shade in a Warming World runs from July 12-October 12, 10am-4pm daily at the Sturt Haaga Gallery, the Boddy House, and throughout the Gardens. Entry to the exhibition is included in the price of admission or membership. Learn more here.

How Does Your Drinking Water System Compare? A Webinar and Demo on UCLA’s New Water Atlas
2025-10-07 12:00 - 13:00
Discover how 663 Southern California’s water systems perform on water quality, affordability, and other important factors.
Join us for a webinar introducing UCLA’s newly launched 2025 Southern California Community Water Systems Atlas. This report and interactive map analyze 663 community water systems serving 40% of the state’s population, giving policymakers, researchers, and communities an unmatched tool to track water system performance and target solutions. The webinar will include an overview of findings, a live demo of the mapping tool, and a moderated discussion on the implications for advancing the Human Right to Water.
Why Attend: See how SoCal water systems stack up and learn about opportunities for improvement. By making outcomes transparent, this new tool from UCLA can help policymakers, water managers, researchers, and community advocates tackle affordability, water quality, and climate challenges.
When: Tuesday, Oct 7, 2025, at 12:00-1:00 PM Pacific Time
Where: Register here to receive the Zoom link to attend.
Presented by: UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation
Register Here
Hosts:
Edith de Guzman, Water Equity and Adaptation Policy Cooperative Extension Specialist, UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation
Gregory Pierce, Senior Director, UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation
Lauren Dunlap, Project Manager of Energy Equity Research, UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation
Panelists:
Max Gomberg, Independent Consultant on Water Affordability and Resilience and UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation Advisory Board Member
Michael Rincon, MPP, Research and Policy Manager, Physicians for Social Responsibility – Los Angeles
Itzel Vasquez-Rodriguez, Project Manager, Rural Community Assistance Corporation

Los Angeles Business Council's 19th Annual Sustainability Summit
2025-10-09 07:00 - 15:00 | Town and Gown, University of Southern California (USC)
Save the date for the Los Angeles Business Council’s 19th Annual Sustainability Summit. A high-level convening of business, government and nonprofit leaders transitioning to a dynamic, clean energy economy. See day-of agenda here.
Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025
Time: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM (PDT)
Location: Town and Gown, University of Southern California (USC)
Hosted by: Los Angeles Business Council

Event Contact: Rali Mladenova, rmladenova@labusinesscouncil.org
Register here

Environmental Graduate Student Networking Reception 2025
2025-10-14 17:00 - 19:00 | UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, 3rd Floor Commons & Patio (3383), 337 Charles E. Young Dr. East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
All UCLA graduate students interested in environmental justice, sustainability, and climate resilience are invited to our free, cross-campus mixer!
When: Tuesday, October 14 from 5-7 PM
Where: UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, 3rd Floor Patio and Commons (3383)
What to Expect:

Discover student funding opportunities, jobs, internships, and campus resources
Connect with peers who share your passion for the environment
Enjoy appetizers and drinks in a relaxed setting
Meet professionals and experts offering insights to support your academic and career journey

RSVP: Eventbrite registration is required to attend. This event is free and open to UCLA-affiliated students, staff, and faculty. Sign up here today to join us!
Hosted by: UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation in collaboration with partners across campus
Campus Partners:
UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability
Center for Impact (UCLA Anderson School of Management)
Graduate Student Water Resources Group (IOES)
Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment (UCLA School of Law)
UCLA Campus Sustainability
Register Here

Protecting Children from Extreme Heat at School: A Legislative Briefing Webinar
2025-12-11 10:00 - 11:00
UndauntedK12, Ten Strands, the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation, and the UC Santa Barbara 2035 Initiative are pleased to invite you to a virtual legislative briefing, Protecting Children from Extreme Heat at School: What California Policymakers Can Do To Protect Students.
Join us, and be some of the first to hear about:

The latest research on extreme heat in schools and its impacts on health and learning
Real stories from the classroom
Actionable policy solutions for legislators, including existing funding pots

When: Thursday, December 11, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Pacific Time.
Where: Register here to receive the Zoom link to attend.
Presented by: UndauntedK12, Ten Strands, the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation, and the UC Santa Barbara 2035 Initiative.
Register Here

Policymaking Under Uncertainty: Zone 0 and Vegetation Clearance
2025-12-12 12:00 - 13:00
The UCLA Sustainable LA Grand Challenge invites you to join Living with Future Fire: Getting to Research-Informed Policymaking for Fire-Resilience, a series of three webinars featuring experts unpacking the complicated natural and institutional dynamics at play as we work toward a more fire resilient Southern California.
The first webinar, titled Policymaking Under Uncertainty: Zone 0 and Vegetation Clearance, will feature a panel of experts that bring a diverse range of knowledge to help answer questions about what is—and, crucially, what isn’t—known about the role vegetation, the built environment, and other factors play in fire spread.
When: Friday, December 12, 2025 at 12:00 PM Pacific Time.
Where: Register here to receive the Zoom link to attend.
Presented by: UCLA Sustainable LA Grand Challenge
Moderated by: Nurit Katz, UCLA Chief Sustainability Officer
Featuring:

Edith de Guzman, Water Equity and Adaptation Specialist, UC Cooperative Extension
Travis Longcore, Senior Associate Director, UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability
Max Moritz, Statewide Wildfire Specialist, UC Cooperative Extension
Alessandro Ossola, Associate Professor, UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences

Register Here
