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Looking back and looking ahead
Whew, what a semester!
In the world of academia, December is always a funny time. Sometimes it seems like rest of the world seems to working hard to wrap up for the year (gift pun intended), trying to get everything done before the end of the year, and looking toward a fresh start when the calendar hits the new year. But for schools at all levels, the new year is just a reprieve. There's a small and appreciated break but then you pick right back up where you left off ready to keep up strong momentum of all your efforts.
We are looking excitedly ahead toward everything we have planned next semester! But we are also taking the chance to look back on everything we accomplished over the past three-month whirlwind. We hope you take a second to reflect along with us and build anticipation for what's to come.
From all of us at the Environmental Center, we hope you're finding yourself in a rejuvenative place at this wonderful time of year.
Happy holidays to all!
- The EC Crew
Oh, we almost forgot! We know you get a lot of this from a lot of different non-profits this time of year, but we might as well throw our hat into the ring. If you want to support our mission of empowering the next generation of environmental leaders, or if you just appreciate getting this nice little newsletter every couple weeks,
please consider making a donation to the Environmental Center fund. Big or small, so truly appreciate it!
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Environmental Center Happenings
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Celebrating our Fall 2017
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Thoughtful and inspiring blog posts from our student staff for your holiday reading pleasure
"Quick! Bears! Do Something!"
By Zack Bauer, Local Food Security
"It all started with a frantic email. "Someone do something! Bear's are stalking the campus apartments!" . . ."
read on . . .
The Importance of Behavior Change
By Mahdi Adittya, Zero Waste
"I try to work for the same goal of encouraging others in my community to be active in bettering the environment. But a struggle I face is bringing out the behavior change in people to create a more sustainable future . . ."
read on . . .
Not Just Your Mother's Garden
By Ian Meier, Local Food Security
"Upon stepping foot in the garden, I was immediately struck by the diversity and abundance of plants grown . . ."
read on . . .
Making Moves and Taking Names: Real Food Challenge Edition
By Aolani Peiper, Real Food Challenge Team Coordinator
"Little did I know that I would be asked to share stories and help our regional representative and calculator coordinator to present on the Real Food challenge and social change as a whole as well . . ."
read on . . .
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The Campus Garden and Food Forest celebrate another successful growing season!
Many thanks to the countless volunteers, students, classes, and community members who helped make our garden season an incredible success this year! All told the student & community support for this project, the amount of food grown and served in the dining hall, and the learning this space provides to every single one of us who uses it has been an incredible addition to our region's local food security. A special thanks to our Local Food Security Team, Local Food Fellows Paula Pletnikoff & Caleb Armijo, Food Forest Coordinator, Duke Jackson, and Garden Assistant Manager, Ian Meier. We look forward to digging in the dirt with all of you next Spring!
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Our Aesthetic Activists made everyone aware of the JAVA BANDITS
We could tell you that using a re-usable coffee mug helps the environment. But only a team of wildly creative artists build create an entire narrative around the issue - complete with anthropomorphic disposable coffee cup bandits (get it? they're literally stealing from you and the environment every time you use them - at FLC you get a discount when you use a heroic re-usable mug).
Bringing life to the unnoticed environmental issues is a specialty of this team!
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The Zero Waste team reached over 100 students as part of the nation-wide America Recycles Day campaign
What to do with our waste? Well, about one month ago, over 100 Fort Lewis College students learned a lot more about the many answers to that seemingly simple question.
Our Zero Waste Team put together a creative and engaging tabling event that went well beyond explaining "what goes in what bin" - though they did have a game to showcase that as well! When it comes to many environmental issues, a lot of hard work has to go into getting everyone on board, and events like these put in the extra work to help make this important information stick with folks for the rest of their lives.
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Energy Impact makes important headway on some impactful projects
It's not easy getting something off the ground - just ask the
Wright brothers. But those challenges haven't deterred our tenacious Energy Impact team.
We're happy to announce that by partnering with FLC Physical Plant Services (PPS), and thanks to their hard work, we now have electric energy data for FLC buildings across campus. What's exciting about that, is now we can finally start looking at the impact of our efforts to get students to save energy. Call us nerds (we are), but in the world of energy and climate work, it's pretty exciting stuff!
We're also excited to announce the potential partnership with a regional non-profit organization to launch a Renter Energy Efficiency program. FLC off-campus students, tired of paying an arm and a leg on your energy bill? We'll soon be here to help! Keep a look out for the program next spring!
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Sustainability Initiative Grant winners update on their progress
Sustainability is part of who we are at Fort Lewis College. To support that aspect of our campus culture, the Sustainability Initiative Grant funds projects that enhance sustainability in our academics and research, student leadership and organizations, administration, and the physical campus itself. "The Sustainability Initiative Grant is an award available to students, staff, and faculty every year for work that supports sustainability on campus," says Kathy Hilimire . . .
Read the full store here!
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Coupon Book Sales are Available NOW at the EC! Get Yours Today!
Come one, come all to pick up this year's edition of the Be Local Coupon Book!
These books feature great coupons to many of Durango's awesome independent and locally owned businesses. These make for great holiday gifts, employee appreciation gestures, and creative date ideas!
Cost: $25 each - a portion of the proceeds go to the Environmental Center
Purchase Options: Remember, it's first come first serve, so act fast!
Books can be purchased in-person with cash or check, or
online.
All purchases can be picked up at the EC office, Student Union room 145.
Questions or more information, contact Marty Pool, EC Assistant Coordinator, at [email protected]
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Want to Stay Up-To-Date on All EC Happenings?
Like us on Facebook!
You'll have easy access to everything you need to know about all events hosted by the EC, locals, and regional organizations.
We also frequently post job opportunities, thought-provoking articles, and more.
Click Here - Don't miss out on the fun!
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Community Events & Opportunities
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Local
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Events and Happenings in our Local Community
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Plant-a-Tree Certificates Available as Holiday Gifts
This holiday season, consider a donation to the U.S. Forest Service Plant-a-Tree Program as a gift idea for that special person who loves the natural world and public lands. Donations can be for any amount above the minimum donation of $10, and you will receive a personalized certificate noting that a number of seedlings have been reserved to reforest an area of the San Juan National Forest. (It costs the Forest Service about $2 per tree to grow seedlings in a nursery and plant the trees.)
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Opportunities
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Jobs, Scholarships, Internships, and more!
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Conservation Colorado is hiring a paid intern in Durango
Conservation Colorado is seeking a part-time Organizing Intern to assist with outreach efforts at Conservation Colorado and take the lead on special projects. Intern will gain direct experience working with seasoned and knowledgeable organizing professionals at one of Colorado's leading conservation organizations.
Position: Organizing Intern
Location: Durango, Colorado
Deadline for submission: Wednesday, January 10th
Term of Position: January through May 31, 2018
Work Schedule: Part time (10-20 hrs a week), flexible based upon work/school schedule
Compensation: Stipend - $10/hr with 20 hour limit per week
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Undergraduate student opportunity with Double Up Food Bucks with LiveWell Colorado
Double Up Food Bucks Colorado needs student volunteers who are passionate about food systems, local economies, anti-hunger initiatives, and/or agriculture in our state to survey about the health and economic impact of the Double Up Colorado program on both SNAP shoppers and local farmers.
Students will survey customers and local farmers about their experiences at the farmers market as well as long term impacts to fruit and vegetable consumption. Volunteers will need to commit to 5-10 hours per week from June-August (also opportunity to volunteer July-September). Students will conduct surveys at farmers markets throughout the state, so a car is required. Fluent in both Spanish and English preferred but not required.
For more information and to apply, students can contact Amy Nelms at [email protected] - please include your resume in your email if interested in applying!
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Udall Scholarship for Outdoor and Environmental leaders
The Udall Foundation offers a prestigious scholarship for students seeking careers in environmental fields. Applicants should be leading change on their campus or in their community.
Up to $7,000 is awarded to 50 sophomores and juniors pursuing careers related to Tribal policy, Native health care, and the environment. Scholars get to attend the Udall Scholar Orientation in August, meeting alumni and community leaders for exceptional networking opportunities, and gain lifetime membership in a growing and active alumni network. For more information, visit us at udall.gov.
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Rocky Mountain Region Begins Hiring for 2018 Field Season
Over 900 jobs available across national forests and grasslands in
Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming.
Temporary jobs are available in a variety of exciting and rewarding occupations such as fire, trails, forestry, engineering, wildlife, recreation, fisheries, archaeology and administrative support.
Job seekers can apply for temporary jobs through USAJOBS during the following time frame:
- January 26-February 1, 2018: Recreation, fisheries, forestry, engineering, and other jobs
For more information, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/r2/jobs
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Further Resources and Opportunities
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After months of anticipation, the EPA has finally come out with their "Top 10" list of Superfund sites. The Bonita Peak Mining District (upper Animas) made the list.
Read More at the EPA Website!
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