February 22 , 2018
The EC Digest helps you keep up with all the environmental, social, 'green', and sustainability happenings in our community. Every two weeks during the academic year, look for this this little gem of digital media to arrive in your inbox!

Scroll down to learn about Environmental Center events and happeningsto explore community events and initiatives, and to see the latest  job and internship postings   focused on environmental, social justice and sustain ability . . .  and of course, read our ever-anticipated introductory musings. Ready, set, go:
The Superheros Among Us

This community is unique in so very many ways, one of which is the way in which people are engaged and actively working to promote the environment and social justice. We see and hear about our everyday sustainability superheroes on the daily here at the Environmental Center and by Jove, we thought it was about time, we recognize them. Please help me in congratulating this year's Sustainability Superheroes!

Faculty Superhero - Dr. Gary Gianniny who "in his personal life has committed to a behavior that reduces his impact on the environment....Having him as a professor, I've witnessed his effort to inform geology students about the different possible career paths that support environmental stewardship"

Student Superhero - Molly McPherson who "goes above and beyond to eliminate plastic waste in her life and in the lives of those around her. She started a project called "Saving the World One Bottle at a Time" which she has used to raise awareness about the environmental impacts of using bottled water in the US... she has used her relationship with Polar Bottle (she is a brand ambassador) to distribute reusable water bottles to students all over campus (look outside any biology lab and you'll see one of Molly's water bottles)! She's taking what she believes in (zero waste lifestyle) and not only practicing it to the fullest but encouraging and enabling those around her to do so as well"

Staff Superhero - Janis Kolscizniek who "goes above and beyond in our office to make sure that we are sustainable....She gets veggies from the farm stand all the time and goes to campus presentations on the environment and tries to have very little footprint. She is an inspiration"

Staff Superhero (it was a tie!) -Steve Schwartz who "has been a visionary for sustainability at FLC and was the driver behind the performance contracting process and the solar RFP. Steve's ability to mesh vision, impact, and cost are key to the successes FLC has seen with the Climate Commitment and Green Schools accolades."

Community Superhero - Susan Atkinson who "is a force of civic engagement and advocacy for clean energy and a stable climate. Susan organizes films on the daily, shows up at LPEA meetings religiously to advocate for clean energy, plans climate marches and is consistently featured in the Durango Herald's Letters to the Editors. Beyond her actions, Susan is a wonder of character - she is upbeat, she treats everyone-regardless of view point-with respect, and she is persistent. Durango is so, so very lucky to have her"

Superheroes were selected based on their demonstration of personal commitment, engagement in championing sustainability in the community and impact. Of course, these are only a few of the many superheroes that we are graced with in our community

Other nominees include Louise Von Vonno, Emily Bowie, Emily Biggins, Zach Bauer, Shane Christopher, Allison Riggs, and Mark Gutt, Howard White and Mike Larson.

Please join me in congratulating (and thanking) all of our Sustainability Superheroes!

Rachel Landis
Environmental Center Coordinator
Environmental Center and Campus HappeningsECHappenings
Events
 
Sign-Up to Ski for the EC or Sponsor an Athlete before Sunday!

Compete against your friends to see who can rack up the most laps on our amazing home mountain. The winner will walk away with the trophy of a lifetime, notoriety for their regional ski prowess, and amazing prizes. Snowboards allowed too ;)

To help with the fundraising side of things, you get to become a Sponsored Athlete (we know you always wanted to be one)! Round up sponsorships from your friends, family, faculty, you name it, and ask them to pledge a certain dollar amount donation to the EC for each lap that you ski. The more sponsors you have, the better! At the end of the night, the EC will tally your laps and follow up with your sponsor(s).


To Sponsor an Athlete, click here and fill out our super quick form.
$1 a lap, $5 a lap, $20 a lap . . . pick your pleasure! All contributions are tax deductible. Payments are not collected through this form, we will follow up with you after the event!

When:  Sunday, February 25th 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Where: Purgatory Ski Resort
Cost: Registration is free.  Purgatory to offer discounted lift tickets for event participants at $45. Lift tickets are free for anyone who has a combined total sponsorship of $20 per lap . . . and yes, your Purg Season Pass works too!
Our Last Mural's Blueprint
Give Your Input on the Next Window Mural in Our Office!

The Environmental Center is your center and our windows are your windows....so, we want to hear from you? What is the issue or theme that you would like to have showcased to campus on the daily for the next six months? 

The Environmental Center's Aesthetic Activist art team will take the theme that receives the most support to design and install a window mural to call your issue to attention in our community and identify ways we can work to address it. 

Add your input to this process at  https://goo.gl/forms/k8IWpPVoFfXYduCX2  and help us decide how to grace our windows!
More EC and FLC Campus Happenings
Winner! Winner! Pork for Dinner!

And the winner of this year's Vote Real is... *drumroll please* ...Humane Niman Ranch Pork! 

Thanks to everyone who cast a vote! We will be sure to let you know when the pork arrives in March so you can keep an eye out in San Juan dining hall.

For more interesting facts on this year's Vote Real, visit our blog here!
We are Hiring Our Summertime Local Food Fellows!

Hey FLC students: Want to get paid to learn how to grow food? Want to make amazing connections with the incredible people working on Local Food Security in La Plata County?  Consider applying for the Environmental Center's Local Food Fellowship! You will enroll in Dr. Hilimire's Ecological Agriculture summer course (listed below) and manage the Environmental Center campus garden, orchard, and greenhouse! No prior experience needed (though if you've got it, great!). We're just looking for applicants with a strong desire to learn . . . and a love of being outdoors getting your hands dirty.

Wage: $10.20/hour for 15 hours/week May-September
To Apply:  Applications are due 2/23 at 8a.m.  

A complete job description and application instructions can be found here.
Ecological Agriculture Summer Course Opportunity

Learn how to grow your own food and earn college credit at the same time!

April 30 - May 23,
MTW 8:40 a.m. - 12:10 p.m.

For more information, contact: Kathy Hilimire, ENVS, 
Just a Few Be Local Coupon Books Left

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 mlpool@fortlewis.edu
Last Chance to Apply for Sustainability Initiative Grant

The Sustainability Initiative Grant accepts applications every February  for projects that advance a more sustainable campus.

Deadline:  February 25 at 5 p.m.
The Latest Student Perspective from the Environmental Center Blog

02-21-2018 18:34:33 PM

By the Real Food Challenge Team Staff 

Winner! Winner! Pork for Dinner! Over the past couple of weeks, we asked you to use your vote and to tell us what you care about in the food system- whether it's humanely ... Continue reading →...»

 


Read more blog entries here!
Community Events & Opportunities
Local LocalHappenings
Events and Happenings in our Local Community
Bike to Work on Friday and Get a Free Tune-Up and Warm Breakfast!

THIS Friday, Feb. 23 from 7-9 a.m. in front of Studio &

FREE FILM - Saving Snow

When: Mon, Feb. 26, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Where: Durango Public Library
Cost: FREE!

Saving Snow is a feature documentary on how ski towns are coping with warmer winters. Don't miss it!
Durango Transit is Now Tied to Google Maps!
Using the bus to get around is now as easy as ever
Opportunities Opportunities
Jobs, Scholarships, Internships, and more!
Durango-based Western Water Projects Specialist Position Opening

The National Young Farmers Coalition (NYFC) seeks a full-time Western Water Projects Specialist to formalize and scale up NYFC's Water Bootcamp series across the Colorado River Basin, and to provide drought and climate mitigation resources to Western farmers and ranchers.

Full-time opportunity. Starting salary from $42,000 - $45,000, commensurate with experience.  More info here: http://bit.ly/2FbGlat

How to Apply: Send a one-page cover letter, résumé, and contact information for three references to  jobs@youngfarmers.org . Place "Western Water Projects Specialist" in the subject line. No calls, please.
Summer 2018 Internship at The Garden Project

This internship opportunity lines up with Fort Lewis College's Summer Semester. 

Applications due February 28th.

How To Apply: Send completed application (below) and resume to Marissa Hunt at:
Full-Time Advocacy Coordinator Position with Protect Our Winters

Protect Our Winters is hiring a full time Advocacy Coordinator to assist with policy and campaigns based at our headquarters in Boulder, CO. 

Contact Lindsay Bourgoine at POW with questions.
High Country Conservation Center Summit CSA Internship
What is CSA?
What is CSA?
Apply to intern this summer at the Summit CSA farm in  Frisco, Colorado.   Interns farm 100-125 hours, complete a project, and are awarded a scholarship upon program completion.

For more information and to apply: http://www.highcountryconservation.org/summit-csa/

Research and Extension Experience for Undergrads at CSU

Spend Summer 2018 in a  USDA-NIFA Research and Extension Experience for Undergraduates (REEU) exploring your scientific interests and work with leading scientists at Colorado State University (CSU).

When:  June 3 - July 27, 2018
Where:  Colorado State University (CSU)

More application information at: https://tinyurl.com/CSUREEU2018
Apply to Be a Citizens' Climate Campus Leader!

Citizen's Climate Education seeks students who want to live as change makers and join the #PutaPriceonIt campaign, which activates young people on climate change.

Find out more information and 
Growing Spaces in Pagosa Springs to Hire Part-Time Greenhouse Gardener 

Pay is $15/hr and approximately 20 hrs/week (more in summer, less in winter). 

Contact:  (970) 731-2120 or info@growingspaces.com or v isit  https://geodesic-greenhouse-kits.com/ for more info

Interns Wanted at Two Bears Farm in Animas Valley

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 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 scott.perez1@gmail.com
Udall Scholarship for Outdoor and Environmental leaders

The Udall Foundation offers a prestigious scholarship for students seeking careers in environmental fields.

Up to $7,000 is awarded to 50 sophomores and juniors pursuing careers related to Tribal policy, Native health care, and the environment. 

T o apply and for more info,  visit http://bit.ly/2k8wNRs
Deadline: March 8, 2018.
Regional & Beyond
Further Resources and Opportunities
2018 Summer Sustainability Fellowship at University of New Hampshire
UNH Sustainability Fellowships pair outstanding graduate and undergraduate students with competitive, challenging, multi-disciplinary projects based with organizations and communities across New England that propel us towards a sustainable, resilient future.

When: May 29 - Aug. 10, 2018
Where: Project-dependent (see project list for specific locations).  Fellows will be placed with partners throughout New England. For some of the projects, state or regional travel may be required.
Compensation: $6,000

Collaborate With Us!
Have something you'd like to contribute to future digests?

If so, please fill out our online form to submit content. We'll look it over and promote it in our upcoming Digest. We look forward to collaborating with you!
Do You Follow Us on Social?

Don't miss our Facebook for Event Details, Thought Provoking Articles and Community Information!


Like us on Facebook

Follow Us On Instagram For Quick Photo and Video Updates!
View on Instagram
Fort Lewis College Environmental Center | 970-247-7676 | Email Us | Our Website

Like us on Facebook    View on Instagram   View our videos on YouTube    Visit our blog