Advising is a great way for current and prospective students to learn about different majors, navigating through the major, jobs and internships, and grad school opportunities. We have dedicated staff advisors, faculty master advisors, track advisors, and peer advisors available for both current and prospective students.

Which advisor should I see?

Staff advisors are your first stop for advising and can help you navigate the major and plan your classes, as well as offer general advice about the major. Not sure who to ask or what to ask? Start with your staff advisor.

Lead faculty advisors are a great resource for help with picking a track if you're not sure, they can help with questions about grad school or careers after graduation, and could even help you find the right alternate major if you're not sure your current major is right for you.

Track advisors can help with course selection, study abroad planning, internship, career, and graduate school advice targeted to the subject area of your track.

Peer advisors are current ESM students who can provide an inside perspective on the major and the classes that are part of the major.

The ESM major is jointly coordinated by the Department of Environmental Science & Policy (ESP) and the Department of Land, Air, & Water Resources (LAWR). Advising for the major is split by last name. ESP coordinates advising for students with last names starting with A-L and LAWR coordinates advising for students with last names starting with M-Z.

Advising in ESP (Last names A-L)

Melissa Whaley (she/her) is the staff advisor. She is your first stop for all major related questions and prefers to be called Melissa. She is located in 2134 Wickson Hall and is doing both in person and remote appointments. You can reach her by email at mmwhaley@ucdavis.edu, by phone at 530-752-7183, or you can book an appointment online using the Advising Appointment System. 

Elise Gustilo (she/her) is the ESM peer advisor in ESP. She is a senior in ESM in the Ecology, Biodiversity, and Conservation Track. You can reach her at esmadvising@ucdavis.edu. 

Fall Hours:

Monday: 12:00-2:30PM

Tuesday: 10:30AM-12PM

Wednesday: 12:00-2PM

Thursday: 10:30AM-12PM

Friday: 12-2:30PM (zoom)

Wickson 2136

Prof. Steve Sadro is the interim lead faculty advisor for ESM and is available by appointment. You can reach Dr. Sadro at ssadro@ucdavis.edu. 

Advising in LAWR (Last names M-Z)

Lacole Brooks is the staff advisor. She is your first stop for all major related questions. Lacole is located in 1150 Plant & Environmental Sciences (PES) and is available by appointment only. You can make an appointment online. You can also reach her by email at lbrooks@ucdavis.edu or by phone at 530-752-1603.

William Egry (he/him) is one of the ESM peer advisors in LAWR. He is a senior in ESM, Natural Resource Management track. You can reach him at wjegry@ucdavis.edu.

Fall Hours:

Tuesday: 12-3:30PM

Wednesday: 2-4PM

Thursday: 12-3:30PM

PES 1139

Anya Nygaard (she/her) is one of the ESM peer advisors in LAWR. She is a senior in ESM, Ecology, Biodiversity, and Conservation track. You can reach her at agmnygaard@ucdavis.edu.

Fall Hours:

Monday: 1-3PM

Tuesday: 2-5PM

Wednesday: 2-5PM

Thursday: 2-4PM

PES 1139

Prof. Terry Nathan is the lead faculty advisor. He is available by appointment only. You can book an appointment by emailing him at trnathan@ucdavis.edu.

Track Advisors

Climate Change and Air Quality Prof Erwan Monier emonier@ucdavis.edu

Zoom office hours: Wednesday 10-11am

Ecology, Biodiversity, and Conservation Prof Xiaoli Dong xldong@ucdavis.edu

Environmental Data Science/Geospatial Information Science Prof Yufang Jin yujin@ucdavis.edu

Natural Resource Management Prof Tyler Scott tascott@ucdavis.edu

Soils and Biogeochemistry Prof Rebecca Lybrand ralybrand@ucdavis.edu

Watershed Science Prof Peter Hernes pjhernes@ucdavis.edu