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The Calm Before the Fun
All types of work follow a natural ebb and flow, busy times and slower times. At the EC and FLC it's certainly no different. The time between Fall and Spring semester offers a fleeting window of weeks of a quite campus,staff and faculty finally get around to tackling some of those things that were shelved for the entire semester (sometimes literally). A chance to reflect, read, write, connect (or re-connect), explore, brainstorm, plan, clean, regroup, organize, and breath. But after a few weeks the silence can start to be a little deafening - it's time to bring back the campus energy!
Spring semester is off and running. Smiling students are showing back up in our office every day, and many new faces are popping in, seeing what getting involved is all about. You can feel the energy ramping back up and it is a reminder of the special place we inhabit.
In all honesty, sometimes the academic calendar can make our work quite challenging. It can be tough to drive environmental and social change 15 weeks at a time. But there's always a silver lining to any challenge. The cycle of our work - ramp-up, run, ramp-down, pause, repeat - can draw things out a bit, but it also offers an amazing chance to reflect, re-energize, and come back hit the ground running. Now as for actual physical running, that depends on everyone's personal New Years resolutions . . .
Here's to 2018!
Marty Pool
Assistant Coordinator
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Environmental Center and Campus Happenings
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Save the Date for the 5th Annual Fort Lewis College Sustainability Summit - February 20, 2018
It's that time of year again (but just a bit earlier this year)! This year's FLC Sustainability Summit will celebrate campus and community progress toward sustainability and valuable insights into the concept of sustainability. This year's theme will center around how to bring together groups that may see themselves on opposite sides of a real or imagined divide. Stay tuned for more information!
When: Tuesday, February 20, exact time TBD - late afternoon early evening.
Where: FLC Student Union Vallecito Room
Cost: Free!
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We're HIRING!
Work-Study, Volunteer Staff, Academic Internships for Credit
The Environmental Center is Hiring for Student Staff and Spring Academic Interns for course credit!
Graphic Designers, Sustainable Event Internships, Food Recovery Research, you name it!
Student Staff positions are limited, but we encourage all interested students to apply. More information on our
Employment page.
Spring Internships are available for ENVS, Sociology, and independent study academic credit. Check out our
Academics & Internships page for more information and how to apply.
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More EC and FLC Campus Happenings
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Social Justice and Solidarity on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
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Pledge to Curb Your Carbon
At the Environmental Center, we believe that climate change is the most critical issue of our time. We also believe in grassroots movements and have spent twenty-five years watching Change Makers like you work everyday to increase the sustainability of our local, regional, national, and global communities. We invite you to fire up your inner Change Maker and commit to participate in our Four Step Carbon Curbing Pledge, as featured in the
Durango Herald
.
Step One: I pledge to calculate my carbon footprint using a tool like the
Cool Climate Calculator
Step Two: I pledge to decrease my carbon footprint by signing up for Green Energy and/or Carbon Offsets
Step Three: I pledge to participate in my democracy and vote in the upcoming LPEA elections
Step Four: I pledge to invite at least one friend/family/acquaintance to Curb their Carbon and sign the pledge
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Bring your (Green) Business Idea to 2018 Hawk Tank!
Fort Lewis College is now accepting teams for the 2018 Hawk Tank Business Plan Competition. Current students and recent alumni who have an idea to start a new business have the opportunity to earn up to $5,000. All majors are welcome!
Participating teams will be guided through educational workshops to help them create a plan to make their business idea viable. Teams will be matched with mentors who are local leaders in the Durango business community. Several teams from the 2016 and 2017 competitions have opened their business. Examples include: Fields to Plate Produce, Nitrum Dynamic Paint, and the EC's own Charlie Shew with Rendezvous Doughnuts.
Entries don't have to be green or sustainability related, but we here at the EC sure encourage entrepreneurs to work to tackle environmental and social problems!
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Just a Few Be Local Coupon Books Left
We know there's plenty of places you can pick one of these up, but if you get it from the EC, you also get the benefit of supporting the work we do, in addition to all those amazing dealz!
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 in our office 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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ICYMI: Thoughtful and inspiring blog posts from our student staff for your 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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Community Events & Opportunities
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Local
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Events and Happenings in our Local Community
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Growing Season Extension Workshop
Learn how you can stretch the Southwest Colorado growing season and extend the bounty of our garden into the cooler months. Topics will range from using basic techniques like covering your crops with frost blankets to implementing larger structures like hoophouses, greenhouses, and Grow Domes for gardeners and farmers alike. We will look at how to control insects and diseases when growing under cover (if you build it, they will come) to an relatively easy and cheap way to convert a simple structure into refrigerated storage to store your perishable fruits and vegetables.
When: Thursday, January 18 from 12pm-5pm
Where: Pine River Library, 395 Bayfield Center Dr., Bayfield, CO
Cost: $10
Sponsored by La Plate County Extension, Archuleta County Extension, and Pine River Library
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Opportunities
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Jobs, Scholarships, Internships, and more!
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Openings in the Old Fort Farmer-In-Training Program!
The Old Fort Farmer-In-Training Program welcomes three passionate, beginning farmers to a plot in Hesperus. Farmers-In-Training learn the basics of farming while co-managing 1 acre. Apply as soon as possible; the spots are open until filled.
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Interns Wanted at Two Bears Farm in Animas Valley
Two Bears is a sustainable farm being built from the ground up, using inter-cropping systems and livestock to maintain and improve the land. Two Bears Farm has a large orchard and grows several crops, including industrial hemp. We also raise Navajo Churro sheep, chickens, ducks, and heritage breed pigs. An important component of our holistic farm is the interaction of agriculture, conservation, and wildlife.
The interns will learn the basics of crop farming, livestock raising, farm maintenance, sales and marketing of farm products, and the business planning essential to a successful endeavor. The ideal intern candidates will be motivated, energetic, able to think on their feet, and willing to put their in class learning into on the ground work. The work here will give the student a sense of what the homestead life would have been like.
For more information and to apply, contact Scott Perez at [email protected]
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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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Further Resources and Opportunities
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Post-Landfill Action Network is Hiring a Grassroots Expansion Fellow
PLAN cultivates, educates and inspires the student-led zero waste movement. We inform students about the waste crisis and equip them with the necessary skills and resources to implement Zero Waste solutions in their campus communities. PLAN empowers our generation to be changemakers.
The Grassroots Expansion Fellow will join the Campus Coordination team in expanding our network of student leaders in the zero waste movement through campus outreach, organizing, and coordination.
Commitment: 40 hours/week (flexible) with some night-time/weekend activities
Compensation: $5,000 stipend for 12 weeks
Start/End Dates: Monday Feb 19 - Friday May 11th, 2018
Location: Mid-Atlantic region, future opportunities in Philadelphia, PA or Boulder, CO
Eligibility: Fellowship positions are intended for recent graduates with the goal of transitioning to a multiple year full time position.
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Community Organizer position in Pueblo with Protégete, Conservation Colorado's Latino Organizing Program
Conservation Colorado is seeking a full-time Community Organizer for Protégete, Conservation Colorado's Latino organizing program. Community Organizers are responsible for recruiting, training and organizing Latino volunteers on critical environmental issues facing Colorado and the nation. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of engaging grassroots volunteers through community outreach and have a genuine interest in developing individuals and community leaders. He or she will demonstrate an ability to excel in a fast-paced work environment, work well in a team, and manage his or her own time effectively. This position is an exciting opportunity to help change the power imbalances that lead to environmental injustice, and make sure that Latinos are at the forefront of the new environmental movement.
Location: Pueblo, CO
Application Deadline: February 2, 2018
Commitment: Full-time 40 hours/week
For more information and to apply visit https://conservationco.org/contact/jobs/ or contact Juan Perez, Protégete Organizing Manager, with the subject line 'Protégete - Pueblo Community Organizer' at [email protected]
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