Need funding for an event? Fill out the Sustainability Program Funding application. The Center for Sustainable Communities will be reviewing applications frequently, but it is best to apply at least two weeks in advance of your program.
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White Elephant Gift Exchange.
Host a white elephant gift exchange in celebration of the winter holidays! Encourage your party participants to pick up their gifts from local thrift stores, which are filled with unique gag gifts, or to regift something they find in their room! No need to go to Walmart or spend exorbitant amounts of money for this fun holiday get-together.
Make an epic blanket fort!
When was the last time you made a blanket fort? Host a blanket fort party to celebrate the end of the semester! Meet in your building's social lounge and have everybody build a blanket or two. The bigger the better! You can even host your white elephant gift exchange beneath the comfy canopy!
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Visit the National Parks this January!
The Center for Sustainable Communities is partnering with Green Iowa AmeriCorps to present public screenings of "The National Parks: America's Best Idea." A biography of historical and contemporary characters embodying a uniquely American idea, this 12-hour, six-part documentary will be screened in Valders 362 throughout January Term! Directed by Ken Burns and co-produced with Dayton Duncan, the documentary traces the evolution of national parks from the mid-1800s and over the next 150 years.This documentary explores all aspects of the National Park system in America and pays homage to the people that make them possible.
Join us for this 6 part series! Screenings will take place in Valders 362, with an environmental education activity available for children in Valders 379 for all who need it. Each episode is approximately two hours long. It is not necessary to attend every film to understand the context, though we encourage it if possible!
- Wednesday, Jan. 10th, 6:30pm - The Scripture of Nature
- Sunday, Jan. 14th, 2:00pm - The Last Refuge
- Wednesday, Jan. 17th, 6:30pm - The Empire of Grandeur
- Sunday, Jan. 21st, 2:00pm - Going Home
- Wednesday, Jan. 24th, 6:30pm - Great Nature
- Sunday, Jan. 28th, 2:00pm - The Morning of Creation
Read more about the documentary series.
Think Warm Thoughts: Summer Sustainability Opportunities
Summer may feel like it's a long ways away, but the holiday break and J-term are the perfect times to start researching summer opportunities! Please consider these opportunities as you plan your summer:
- Center for Sustainable Communities Positions: The Center for Sustainable Communities will be hiring 3 full time Food and Farm Crew Members, 2 full time Land Stewardship Interns, 2 Discovery Camp Teaching Assistants for June/July and 1 Immersion Program Assistant for August. For more info and to apply.
- Recycling Crew: Facilities Services is also hiring for summer recyclers (contact Cindy Blue for more information about applying).
- Faculty/Student Collaborative Research Grants: Interested in research? Research grants are available through the Dean's Office. More info.
- Internships: Luther has connections to organizations across the country who are hiring interns. More info about summer internship opportunities. Did we mention that you can apply for funding through the Career Center to support your internship? (It's true!)
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Tips for a Greener Residence Hall
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Minimize waste (and save money!) this holiday season by changing how you wrap gifts! Save and re-use wrapping paper, or use alternatives like newspaper or old maps. Another option for paper can be found in discontinued books of wallpaper samples, or even old calendars. You can also wrap gifts in scarves or handkerchiefs, which double the gift itself!Gift bags are easy to make out of scrap fabric and some ribbon, and these are both reusable and made out of recycled materials.
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This newsletter is provided by the Center for Sustainable Communities . The mission of the Center is to promote sustainability and be a catalyst for change on campus and in the region. For more information on initiatives at Luther and the outreach work of the Center for Sustainable Communities please visit:
www.luther.edu/sustainability
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Tuesday, December 5th:
"Microgrids, Storage, and Cybersecurity at the Community Level"
7pm-8pm Valders 206
This talk is part of the Decorah Power Learning Series. You are invited to come learn from Matthew Backes, Research Engineer at MIT Lincoln Laboratory.
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Saturday, December 16th: Burning Bright Community Concert
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| Sarah Forsythe '15 |
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Sarah works as the Food and Farm Fellow for the Center for Sustainable Communities. She graduated from Luther in 2015 with degrees in Anthropology and Sociology. During her time on campus she became passionate about food justice, food security and rebuilding food systems. She applied to this position to give back to Luther, help grow the the Luther College Gardens and to expand her experience working in agriculture. This past calendar year, Sarah has been managing the Luther Gardens, supervising student workers, managing the Caf to Community program, and helping to produce food for the college's cafeteria.
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