The Academic Development Committee organizes the Annual UCD Graduate Student Symposium in Ecology ​each February, publishes the Aggie Brickyard quarterly, and holds a weekly Open Lab Meeting for GGE students. The free Symposium, now in its 16th year, features talks and posters from UC Davis graduate students in any department doing research in ecology, a prominent keynote speaker nominated by students, breakout sessions addressing diversity and inclusion in science, and an art contest. The Aggie Brickyard is a student-published newsletter that features articles, musings, research, editorials, art, and topics of interest to GGE students and faculty. Open Lab Meeting is a valuable opportunity for students to practice talks (for conference presentations, qualifying exams, and other science communication) and receive feedback from their peers. All attendees can practice asking questions at a research talk and learn about their peers' science. GGE students sign up for a presentation slot using a Google Doc emailed to the graduate student list at the beginning of each quarter. Meeting time and location changes from quarter to quarter.

Photo: Sean Luis ferries aerial photo survey equipment to an island at the confluence of the Feather and Yuba Rivers. (Aerial Time Lapse Camera)