Sep e-news: designing green spaces for equity, Erin pilots sabbatical policy, COP27 and Latinx Fellow gatherings

September 2022

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José Guadalupe Gutierrez: Designing Green Spaces for Equity and Community

As a child José regularly visited family in Mexico, where they had abundant natural space to explore, but he was disappointed in the lack of safe parks to play in when he would return to Los Angeles. As a community organizer, he saw the value of quality greenspace to working class communities. These experiences ultimately led him to pursue a career as a landscape architect working to advance park equity. In recognition of Hispanic heritage month, we interviewed José about his leadership story.

In order to create successful, equitable projects that are “responsive to the needs and interests of people”, José believes that landscape architects “have a responsibility to implement robust, authentic organizing strategies for the greenspaces we design and construct. Residents must be involved in every step of the way, especially in complex greenspace projects.” Read the full story here.

Erin Lloyd pilots new sabbatical leave policy

Sabbatical leaves are personally valuable for individuals, reducing stress and improving well-being. They can help leaders to reconnect with the purpose of their work, avoid burnout, and return with better balance. Sabbatical leaves are also valuable for organizations, increasing innovation and improving collaboration. The Switzer Foundation’s new policy makes sabbatical leaves available to all long-term employees. Read more about the new policy here.

With 18 years of service to the Switzer Network, Program Director Erin Lloyd will be the first staff member to pilot the new program. Erin’s sabbatical will take place October 3, 2022 through January 2, 2023. Fellows should refer to Erin’s listserv post* for instructions about whom to contact for specific needs while she is away. Erin looks forward to sharing reflections with the network when she returns.

*Please contact Cora if you have any trouble accessing the listserv post.

Interested in COP27 Switzer Fellow gatherings?

We would love to support an in-person networking event for fellows attending COP27. We could also convene a virtual pre- or post-conference gathering of Switzer Fellows interested in the outcomes of COP27. If you’re interested in convening with Switzer Fellows before, during or after the conference to network and discuss goals, outcomes, strategy or anything else related to COP27, please let us know!

Get to Know the New Switzer Trustees

We’re excited to welcome three new members to the Switzer Foundation’s Board of Trustees this year: Michael Billingsley, Ekow Edzie and Roger Perez. This month we’re happy to highlight Roger Perez!

What motivated you to become a Switzer Foundation trustee?

The Switzer Foundation has helped guide my personal and professional trajectory. Since finding the fellowship in 2015, I have met an amazing cohort of environmental leaders, had the opportunity to stretch and learn, and have been inspired each year as a new class of fellows comes on board. I am a huge fan of fellowship and mentorship programs and believe in the power they bring to help solve large and seemingly intractable issues.

What inspires you about the Switzer Network?

The breadth and depth of expertise. I sometimes find myself scrolling through the ‘Find an Expert’ page, reading how fellows work in their fields and advance their issues. It’s amazing to see the ~700 dedicated people, their commitment, and new ways of thinking and doing.

What unique perspectives or experiences will you contribute to the Switzer Foundation board?

I look forward to sharing my background and experience in the environmental justice, philanthropic, and nonprofit space. I have been lucky to work with organizations advancing social and environmental issues through advocacy, impact investing, grantmaking, and participatory processes, among others, and am excited to contribute to Switzer's goals.

Fellow News

Melissa Cronin presentation on shark and ray bycatch wins student presentation award at NACCB 2022
Tom Gill’s research on risk of wind hazards to kiddie bounce houses receives national attention
Anne Perrault publishes in Science on trickle-down climate risk regulation
Anne is interested in connecting with fellows who are interested in or work on aligning the financial system to deal with climate change!
Brian Johnson co-authors a model for the development of evaluation literacy in informal science educators
Lily Verdone starts as Executive Director of Marin Agricultural Land Trust.
Jun Bando selected as California Native Plant Society Executive Director
Camila Bustos takes new roles as University Network for Human Rights Clinical Supervisor and Trinity College Visiting Assistant Professor of Human Rights.
Aaron Maruzzo begins as Research Assistant at Silent Spring Institute

Have news for this section? Send it to us so we can post it to our website, social media, and a future e-news issue. Please use this Google Form to update your profile as well.

Events

Latinx/e Switzer Fellows Social Hour

Thursday, October 20, 2022

Noon-1 pm PDT / 3-4 pm EDT

A casual gathering for Latinx/e Switzer Fellows to get to know one another, network and share experiences and discuss topics generated by the group. All Switzer Fellows who identify as Latinx/e are welcome.

Navigating Difficult Conversations (by COMPASS)

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

10 am - 1 pm PDT / 1 - 4 pm EDT

Learn about the connection between partisanship and views on science, the types of audiences to focus your efforts on, and steps to making progress in a difficult conversation. Limited seats are available for Switzer Fellows to join this and two other COMPASS events for free. Register using the code SwitzerVIRT to receive a free registration. Please do not share this code outside the Switzer Network. Contact Cora if you have questions or trouble registering.

Opportunities

The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute is looking for a Director of Sustainability and Resilience Science. Jeff Hall is Staff Scientist and would be happy to discuss. Applications due October 1, 2022.
Erika Zavaleta’s department at UC Santa Cruz is hiring an Assistant Teaching Professor for Field Biology. Next review date is October 17, 2022.
Donna Vorhees would be happy to answer questions about two positions at her organization, Health Effects Institute: Staff Scientist and Research Fellow.
Work with Camila Bustos at the University Network for Human Rights! They are seeking a Program and Communications Associate and Clinical Supervisors.
Robert Heilmayr has a postdoc opening in his Environmental Markets Lab at UC Santa Barbara analyzing impacts of Indonesia’s palm oil supply. Final review date is October 31, 2022.
The USDA Caribbean Climate Hub is hiring three open positions: a postdoctoral scientist, a visual science communicator, and a GIS manager. Luis Alexis Rodríguez Cruz is a research fellow at the climate hub and would be happy to answer questions.
Linda Walker shared that the WWF-US Forests team is hiring a Senior Program Officer, Corporate Engagement.
The Whitley Awards are accepting applications for grassroots leaders who are working with communities to conserve wildlife and their habitats in the Global South. The deadline to apply is October 31, 2022.
Michael Wironen has an early career Corporate Engagement Specialist position open on his team at TNC. He would be happy to answer questions.
The Monarch Joint Venture is hiring for two openings: Western Program Coordinator and Communications Coordinator. Cora Preston used to work for MJV and would be happy to talk to anyone interested.
Rebecca Shaw shared an Executive Director opening at Environmental Traveling Companions in San Francisco. Erik Martinez is a volunteer with ETC and would be happy to share more insights about the organization.
Martha Matsuoka’s department at Occidental College has a position open for an Assistant Professor in Environmental Justice and Public Policy.
Anne Short Gianotti shared an opportunity for a two-year interdisciplinary postdoc program at Boston University. They are particularly interested in scholars from natural sciences and math. Application deadline is October 17, 2022. Contact SoFcas@bu.edu with any questions.
Christine Lee shared the application for NASA’s DEVELOP program to get hands on experience learning to work with satellite and airborne data for societal benefit. Feel free to contact Christine with questions.

Thank you to everyone who has been sharing opportunities on the Switzer Fellows listserv! We encourage you to keep posting jobs that come your way. If you have a connection to the hiring organization and are willing to be contacted, please include that information when you forward the posting. If a fellow has a connection, we will include it in this section each month.

You are also invited to join our private LinkedIn Group. This is another space to connect with other Switzer Fellows and stay up to date on the latest opportunities and news.

A vibrant community of environmental leaders

Robert And Patricia Switzer Foundation

P. O. Box 293,

Belfast, ME 04915

(207) 338-5654 / info@switzernetwork.org / www.switzernetwork.org