This year marks the Environmental Center's 25 ^th anniversary. Over this time, our students, staff, volunteers, and community have worked tirelessly to advance environmental responsibility and social justice throughout campus and our region. The fruits of these labors read like a community organizer's dream list: Launch recycling efforts on campus and - ultimately - Durango; halt timber sales on public lands; aid in the completion of a countywide, food-security assessment; draft the FLC Sustainability Action Plan; prompt the erection of the (at the time) greenest building in Durango; brought hope-bearing super stars like Vandana Shiva and David Orr to town; committed FLC to the Real Food Challenge...and on and on*.

 

In many ways, however, the Environmental Center's most powerful work is what comes afterwards, once a student graduates from the EC and launches into the world, taking with them the values that they explored and developed along the way; the inspiration found in experiencing that, yes, they can affect positive change; the vision they hold for creating an authentic and connected community; and, of course, a deep sense of their commitment to be active citizens.

 

Last week during the Southwest School to Farm Conference, I had the chance to observe this 'delayed' and truly beautiful outcome. During the opening session, I found myself in the company of seven Environmental Center alumni, each of whom was continuing their work to better our world as farmers, food system advocates, and committed members of their community. 

 

The power of these alumni's efforts and stories took my breath away...And I suspect that anyone reading this Digest has a similarly powerful story to tell about how the EC has impacted you and your work to advance a greater world. If you are an EC alumni or someone that has engaged with the EC in a way that has felt significant to you, please tell us your story. We would love to share our collective story with our community as we celebrate 25 years of great work!

 

Tell us your Environmental Center story here: https://goo.gl/forms/8JHqmD1rRuapOG0A3

 

Here's to the next 25 Years!

 

Rachel Landis, Environmental Center Coordinator

Rachel Landis with EC alumni_ Max Kirks_ Emily Haefner_ James Field_ Max Plate_ Mike Nolan_ and Beth LaShell. Not featured_ Danielle Duni and Brandon Francis

*A more complete list of the Environmental Center's accomplishments can be found at: https://www.fortlewis.edu/environmentalcenter/AboutUs/History.aspx  

 

T he EC's Real Food Challenge Team: 'Vote Real' in October

Tell us which Real Foods you want to see in San Juan Dining!

  

When you Vote Real, you choose between 2-3 different food products you would like to see shifted from current conventional standards to a 'real' product (fair, humane, ecologically-sound, and/or local).

  

We are accepting ballots until October 24 and will announce the winner on 10/24 as part of FLC's participation in National Food Day!

  

Cast your vote on which of the following tasty treats you would like to see in San Juan Dining from here on out.

  

October's  ballot gives you the option of selecting:

Last year 440 FLC students, faculty & staff 'voted real' to bring local, organic potatoes to campus dining. Now, every week, 240 lbs of Old Fort potatoes arrive on your plate. $11,000 has made its way into our local economy, and our Real Food percentage increased by 1.3%.

  

When: Oct. 10 - 24

  

Where: FLC Environmental Center / San Juan Dining. Or vote online!

Do you need new t-shirts? How about pants? Sweaters? Perhaps a new coat ...

  

With fall in full swing and winter quickly approaching, the EC's Free Store is here for you!

  

Why are we so great to give this stuff away? The EC is committed to working toward a Zero Waste Campus. We will achieve this ultimate goal by supporting ways to REDUCE consumption, REUSE functional items, and RECYCLE (and COMPOST) waste rather than sending it to a landfill.

  

The Free Store is all about reusing items so that you don't have to spend your money on new stuff.

  

Last year, the Free Store cycled through:

This saved:

• $3,800 worth of merchandise value
• 600,000 gallons of virtual water from not buying new goods

 

When: Mondays 12:45 - 2:30 p.m.

 

Where: Student Union Building or anytime at the Environmental Center 

  

The EC is excited to have our Coordinator, Rachel Landis, be one of the panel members for the FLC common reading experience panel discussion.

For the 2016-17 academic year, the common reading experience book selection is Apocalyptic Planet: Field Guide to the Future of the Earth by Craig Childs. 

  

Craig Childs writes about the relationship between humans, animals, landscape, and time. His stories come from visceral, personal experience, whether in the company of illicit artifact dealers or in deep wilderness.

The FLC common reading experience program provides an avenue for discussion among students, faculty, administration, and members of the Durango community.

  

A central goal of the program is for the ideas in the selected book to generate discussion and writing in a variety of disciplines and allow students to see these ideas come alive on campus.

When: Oct. 25 from 7 - 9 p.m.

  

Where: FLC Nobel 130

  

Cost: Free

  

Visit FLC's website for more information!

• Click on the Enroll Now button
• Create an account
• Register your City Market Value Card and when asked what organization you would like to support, type in Environmental Center and check the appropriate dialog box. 

  

Come check out and plant some seeds!

As a part of our Local Food Security Initiative, the EC is proud to provide the SW Community Seed Library with a new home and invites everyone from the community to come and utilize this new and incredible resource.

 

Keep your eyes out for workshops and exchanges coming soon!

Please contact Rachel Bennett, Community Seed Coordinator, for more information:  southwestseedlibrary@gmail.com

  

Copies of the High Country news are now available for free at the Environmental Center thanks to a donation by FLC Professor, Brad Clark.

  

Please come by and pick up your copy today to keep in the know about relevant environmental and social news on the Colorado Plateau.

Rooted will return next time! Be sure to keep an eye out.

Wind, sunlight and other sustainable resources are now the fastest growing energy sources in the U.S. and worldwide, due to the urgent need to prevent climate change.

  

The Animas River needs a full-time advocate.

In addition to the now well-known and constant assault from inactive mines, the Animas River faces threats from temperature increases, urban run-off and E. coli contamination on its way to the San Juan River.

Thanks to a dedicated grant, we're thrilled to be hiring a full time advocate to organize around the health of the Animas River.

Please take a look at the job description!

 

If it excites you, we'd love to see your application.

San Juan Citizen's Alliance invites you to submit your comments 

In an effort to encourage more meaningful comments, we're experimenting with a new approach. Rather than create a pre-written letter, we are asking you to write a short personal letter drawing on talking points from our analysis. We've also created a blog detailing our concerns in more depth. We believe taking a few extra minutes to type the comments in your own words will translate into greater consideration by the Forest Service.'

Thanks for helping us ensure a strong finish to this successful collaborative process.

The 2016 forum will seek to generate new insights into the dynamics of the natural and human systems that coexist in the Colorado River Basin. 

  

Keynote Speakers: 

  

Jack Schmidt, Professor of Watershed Sciences, Utah State University;  Tom Buschatzke, Director, Arizona Department of Water Resources.

When: Nov. 2 - 3

  

Where: Colorado Mesa University

 

Cost: $60 - $160 (depending on days attended and if a current student)

  

For more information please visit Colorado Mesa's webpage!