UC Davis is launching a major effort to strengthen its commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability.

Through the new Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability Initiative, a new office will coordinate universitywide efforts on sustainability, seed money will support new projects, and a new committee will advise the chancellor on sustainability.

The new office will help develop strategies to implement sustainability policies and "inspire the university community to embark on additional actions to be leaders for sustainability in higher education," according to a written proposal for the initiative.

"UC Davis is committed to caring for our environment and our resources," Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef said in announcing the new initiative. "Our sustainability efforts now have dedicated leadership, a higher profile and a broader platform."

Sid England, director of environmental planning for the Davis campus for 18 years, will lead the new office. He emphasizes that it will coordinate universitywide activities, not replace them. "Everybody has a role in helping to make us successful at sustainability."

The new office is housed within the Office of Resource Management and Planning and includes the Davis campus's existing environmental planning function, sustainability and management of the Putah Creek Riparian Reserve.

The initiative includes a $100,000 "Green Fund" to provide seed money for important initiatives.