February 2015
In This Issue

  

Environmental Center Happenings 

  

The Sustainability Summit is TOMORROW!

The Fort Lewis College Environmental Center presents the 2nd annual Sustainability Summit! Come learn about campus sustainability initiatives and leave with initiatives of your own. This creative celebration will showcase sustainability on the Fort Lewis College campus through art, dancing, an interactive game, speakers, booths, a local band, and free 'real' food, per the Real Food Challenge. Make a commitment to sustainability on the "Sustainabili-tree"--an art instillation hand-crafted by the Creative Commons out of recycled materials, watch robots that recycle, and take the virtual "closing the loop tour" of our food's journey on campus. Participants will wrap up the evening feeling inspired by sustainability and enjoying Durango's local band, and Fort Lewis alumni, Elder Grown!
 

When: Wednesday, March 4th from 4:30- 8:30pm. Detailed schedule available here
 

Where: Student Union Ballroom
 

Cost: FREE
 

Contact: emmurphy@fortlewis.edu


   

Spring Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop

Join the EC's Local Food Security team and local arborist, Mike Nolan, to learn the basics of tree pruning for apple, apricot, prune and cherry trees. This workshop will include formal instruction, as well as, hands-on experience!

 When: Monday, March 9th @ from 2-5p.m. (join us when you can!)

 

Where: Food for Thought Orchard, located on the North side of campus adjacent to Pine Hall

 

Cost: Free to students; $5 suggested donation for general public.
  

To Sign Up: Contact EC Orchard Manager Duke Jackson at dvjackson1@fortlewis.edu 


 

 

EC seeks 2015-2016 Board of Directors Membership

The Environmental Center Board of Directors (ECBOD) is looking for impassioned, dedicated FLC students, faculty, and staff to serve for a 2015-2016 term. In their role as ECBOD members, members gain valuable experience in strategic planning, fundraising, community organizing and visioning while helping to steer our ship forward. Board members contribute an average of 3-5 hours of service per month and are rewarded in supporting an amazing cause and being part of a great community!

 To Apply: Applications can be found on the EC website

or picked up in the Environmental Center (Student Union 145). Completed applications are due Wednesday, 3/18 by 5p.m. 
 

 

 

7th Annual Homegrown Food Retreat Findings

  

This past Saturday, February 28 th, the Growing Partners of Southwest Colorado, of whom the EC is a founding and current member, hosted our 7 th Annual Homegrown Food Retreat. Each year, this regional gathering aims to advance Local Food Security by bringing together all of the stakeholders in our Lcoal Food System and collectively identify opportunities to address existing gaps in our food system. For this year's retreat, entitled Hungry For Change-where food systems, justice and access converge, over 100 community members gathered to focus attention on social aspects of our food system. Our day's essential questions included:
  • Who has access to local, healthy foods?
  • What is the modern face of hunger in our four county region?
  • What are the barriers creating these gaps in services?
  • What are actionable solutions for addressing these challenges?
Through an exercise entitled, Guerilla Cartography, we collectively mapped out each of our regional foodsheds' highest priority, and most changeable opportunities to tackle. See our findings and a full report on the EC website. Also, check out the Herald's snapshot of the event in this article

 

 

Community Events & Opportunities

 

Banff Mountain Film Festival

The San Juan Citizen's Alliance and Rocky Mountain Wild are again bringing this much-lauded international film festival to Durango. This year's films will highlight mountain and river expeditions, remote culture, and the world's last great wild places.

In addition to the film, food and beverages will be available from the Smiley Cafe. Win gear, gift cards, class and more at the raffle and silent auction!

When: Doors open at 6p.m. Show starts at 7p.m. 

Where: Smiley Building Theatre, Durango

For More Information: Visit the  SJCA webpage for more information and to purchase tickets

 

 


 

Seed Bank and Potluck

Durango Natural Foods Coop is hosting a Seed Library Informational talk (how to use the seed library) and Seed and Houseplant Exchange with a neighborly potluck! The seed library is up and thriving at the Discovery Museum, 1333 Camino del Rio in Durango. Open and free during regular museum hours.
Please help us spread the word!

This spring we are setting up a magnetic exhibit and can use your help!
Come as you are to receive! Bring to share and gift!

 

When: Wednesday, March 11th @ 7:30P.M.

 

Where: in the meeting room in the red building across the parking lot!

 

Cost: Free, show up!
  

Contact: southwestseedlibrary@riseup.net

 

 


Specialty Crop Symposium 2015

With an emphasis on small-scale niche market production, this year's Specialty Crop Workshop will feature topics on  Specialty Berry Production, Grain Fodder, Integrated Pest Management, Food Safety, insects, herbicide carryover, and more. Symposium Flyer.

 

When: Tuesday, March 10th,  8:30am to 4:00pm

 

Where: Lewis-Arriola Community Center, 21615 Road S (1 mile west off HWY 491 in Arriola)

 

Cost: $20

 

Contact: Darrin Parmenter, (970) 382-6464 or Darrin.parmenter@colostate.edu
 

 

 

The Pueblo Indian occupation of the Mesa Verde Region

Pueblo Indians occupied the Four Corners area for millennia, creating one of the world's greatest archaeological regions. Dr. Mark Varien has been a part of new and innovative research known as the Village Ecodynamics Project (VEP) that examines the long-term interaction between Pueblo Indians and their environment, including why the Mesa Verde region of southwestern Colorado was depopulated at the end of the thirteenth century and where Pueblo people went when they migrated from the area. Dr. Varien will answer these questions and explore how Pueblo Indian history is relevant to today's world.

When: Thursday, March 5, 2015 at 7:00 pm

Where: Room 130, Noble Hall

Cost: FREE

Contact: Richard Grossman (970) 749-0783 or richard@population-matters.org

 

Second Annual Onion Planting @ Rowher's Farms

Join Linda Illsley for a journey to this amazing farm out near Hovenweep. Together, we will plant up an entire field of onions, enjoy lunch prepared by the Rowhers, and help to build our local food community. 

When: Sunday, April 12th. Departing at 8:30a.m. from Linda's Local Food 

Where: Rowher's Farm out at Hovenweep

To Sign up: LInda Illsley at concinalinda@yahoo.com 


 

Jobs & Volunteer Opportunities


 

Outside Summer Internship with Four Corners Federal Lands Program

Do you have a desire to learn about the management and many uses of public lands? Gain hands-on experience contributing to real-world natural and cultural resource projects. Mountain Studies Institute Flyer. 

Application Deadlines: March 8th-15th to apply or for more information:

 

www.mountainstudies.org/new-blog/internships 

Or contact: Anthony Cooper anthony@mountainstudies.org 

 

 


 

Calloused Palms Farm

Calloused Palms Farm is seeking a skilled farmer to manage an established CSA. Duties include all phases of farm operation, primarily focusing on production and distribution of weekly CSA shares. This is an intern level opportunity including pay based on ability. Applicants must be extremely reliable and dependable, early morning hours and a true love for this work are requirements. Contact Brad at 970-759-8267 or callousedpalms@gmail.com

 


 

The Environmental Center needs your help!

The Environmental Center is looking for the following items to support garden and orchard operations this spring:

  • Small garden tiller (needed for one day in early March and one day in April; we can come and pick it up/deliver it back to you)
  • Hand pruning sheers
  • Irrigation supplies
  • Shade cloth

 If you have any of the following items that you would like to donate/lend to the Environmental Center, please contact EC Coordinator, Rachel Landis at rllandis@fortlewis.edu or (970) 247-7091. Thank you!