Save water, cut carbon, protect wildlife

UC researchers have devised one simple solution to three big problems facing California: Introducing solar over-canals.

Covering as much of California’s 4,000 miles of aqueducts with solar canopies as possible could save billions of gallons of water each year and produce enough clean energy to power a city the size of Los Angeles for nine months of the year. 

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A peregrine falcon in full view, Annie, flying at the top of the Campanile
Back from the brink

Once almost extinct in the United States, peregrine falcons are back — and nesting at UC Berkeley. Meet Annie, who is currently raising her fluffy new chicks before a global audience on the wildly popular CalFalcons livestream.

Learn about Annie and peregrine falcon recovery

A black and white photograph of 7 men in the 1970s on the UC Santa Cruz campus; in the middle, Brian Walton holds a portrait of a peregrine falcon
A decades-long conservation legacy

In the 1970s, when the UC Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group was tasked with helping peregrines recover, there were only two breeding pairs left in the state. Now they thrive across California, with nests at UC Berkeley and the UC Davis Medical Center. Learn more about their work and other animals UC has helped save from extinction.

10 conservation success stories

Breaking news

UC enrolls its largest class in history 

The number of undergraduates rose to a record-breaking 233,272, with California students comprising 83.4 percent. Out-of-state enrollment dipped to its lowest level since 2017.

Learn more about UC enrollment trends

Explore the UC story through data

See detailed metrics on student enrollment, graduation rates, alumni outcomes and more about the University.

Visit the Information Center

82% of undergrads come from California

2 out of 3 California students who applied last year got in.

54% of California undergrads pay no tuition

UC has one of the strongest financial aid programs in the nation. 

86% of undergrads earn a diploma

Most students complete their studies in just over four years.