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March 28, 2017 Spring: Issue 6
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Preparing to Stay Unreasonable for the next 25 Years
"Get Unreasonable!" This quote from San Juan Citizen's Alliance Executive Director, Dan Olson, is one of many statements that struck a chord this past week at the Environmental Center's 4th Annual Sustainability Summit, the theme of which was "Powering Up: How to Influence power structures to create a more sustainable world". We have a lot of environmental and social progress to celebrate, but the world still faces unprecedented challenges. It is far from reasonable to sit idly by without pushing hard to change course.
This charge is not new to the EC. Over the course of our 25 years, our students and staff have sought 'unreasonable' opportunities as though they were creed - from the early days of sit-ins protesting timber sales to recent demands that our campus commit to being carbon neutral. The EC's goal is that our students will carry this culture of chasing the 'unreasonable' into their lives beyond their time at Fort Lewis College. AND THEY DO!
We are proud of our 25 years of EC alumni who continue to push every day and in every way to make this world a better place. This week alone, EC Alum Alec Cooley hosted a national training for universities in his role as Recycling Programs Director for Keep America Beautiful and our own
Durango Herald told the story of alum Duke Jackson and his efforts to build greater food security through our region.
Over the next four weeks, the EC will be celebrating the amazing contributions that our graduates have been making over the past 25 years by highlighting stories of our EC's alumni like the ones above. We invite you to celebrate with us.
Please check our
website and
Facebook page for weekly updates. Additionally, if you are an alumni and want your story featured, please input it
here.
Be Well,
Rachel Landis
Coordinator
Fort Lewis College Environmental Center
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The EC needs your Support:
Donate $25 for 25 Years Fundraiser!
Do you proudly believe in the mission of the Fort Lewis College Environmental Center and all the work we do?
If so, please consider supporting us with a
$25 donation to support our next 25 years
of creating positive change-makers (and of course you're welcome to give more).
We are dedicated to the success of our students and their education, the health of the community, reducing environmental impacts, and addressing social justice issues. We know that these issues matter to you, too.
Thank you for all your support: past, present and future!
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Local Food Hunger Force:
Apple Pruning Workshop
Do you love apples? Do you want to learn how to grow apples? Do you have an apple tree in your front yard and want to learn how to take care of it?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this workshop is for you! Come to our campus orchard, and learn everything you need to know about the process of pruning and caring for apples.
When: Thurs, March 30 from 1 - 2 p.m.
Where: Meet at the Environmental Center Office in the FLC Student Union
Cost: Free
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Zero Waste Team is hosting a
Trash Bash!
Here's your chance to get involved and actually change our trash and recycling systems here at Fort Lewis College. The Zero Waste team is going to be putting on our big gloves and space suits (yep, space suits) and digging through campus trash.
Why do we do this and why would you want to help us out!? Because
this is how we actually make change! We have know what we're throwing away before we can figure out how to do better. Want to make a difference? This is how.
When:
Monday, April 3 and Thursday, April 6; 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. both days
Where:
Clock Tower lawn
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The EC is looking for folks to help
Repaint the Durango Everyday Mural!
The Environmental Center and Our 1st 100 Days Coalition are planning a community paint of the Everyday Gas Station mural. Our goal is to highlight how the arts are a form of expression that adds strength and creativity to our democracy.
The design and actual painting will be led by the EC's resident artist and FLC art major, Hayley Kirkman. We would LOVE to have you participate in this creative and active event.
Here
are a few ways to plug in:
Donate: We are looking for 4 extended rollers and interior house paint
Paint: No expertise necessary - it's color-by-number! Sign up Here!
Celebrate: We will be hosting a commemoration party/live art/bike parade on April 15. Mark your calendar and stay posted for more!
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Zero Waste Team
The Free Store:
We have shirts! We have pants! We have shoes! Sometimes we feel like we have it all!
Stop by and pick up some new items for your 2017 wardrobe while helping the environment.
The Free Store is all about reusing - keeping items out of the landfill and preventing the need to just produce and consume more and more stuff!
Feel free to drop off your donation items with a staff member any time at the EC office, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
When:
Every Thursday, 12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m.
Where:
Student Union lobby
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 Energy Impact:
Get a FREE Energy Efficient LED Bulb!
The EC's Energy Impact team is proud to offer the Light Bulb Swap-Out program for FLC students
Current FLC students can bring their old incandescent light bulbs to the Environmental Center to receive a FREE LED replacement! Your participation in this program will not only give you a free light bulb, but will also reduce your energy consumption - saving you and FLC money.
Why switch to LED?
LED bulbs are 80% more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs and can last 20x longer (this bulb will be with you for quite a while). They also do not contain mercury, unlike CFL bulbs.
Through collective effort, we can influence the energy consumption both on and off campus and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Stop by to learn more about our energy efforts, other Energy Impact Initiative projects, and how you can get involved!
LED bulbs generously provided by LPEA.
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Events and Happenings in our Local Community
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Growing Partners of SW Colorado:
Homegrown Food Retreat
The 9th annual homegrown food retreat is an opportunity to come together with people across the region, to talk about issues in the local food world, and to dive into ideas and skills to create positive change from the ground up.
This year's feature speaker is Chef M. Karlos Baca, founder of Taste of Native Cuisine!
Coffee and lunch will be provided.
Workshops include:
- Healing the Animas River by Brandon Francis
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Mobilizing the Power of Your Community by Olga Gonzalez
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The Cottage Foods Act Explained by Beth LaShell
When: Saturday, April 8 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Where: ELHI Community Center in Ignacio
Suggested Donation: $20
Click here to register before Fri, March 31.
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SW Water Conservation District:
35th Annual Seminar to Discuss the Water Funding Puzzle
SWCD's Annual Water Seminar will focus on the challenges and opportunities of financing water projects and programs.
The
draft agenda
is now available for review as they continue finalizing arrangements with additional speakers and panel discussions.
When:
Friday, April 7 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where:
Durango's
Doubletree Hotel
Cost:
$45 in advance / $50 at the door
Click here to register in advance.
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National Carbon Pricing Webinar and Live Panel
The EC and the Citizens Climate Lobby are partnering up with the Bard Center for Environmental to help you learn more about carbon pricing, powerful and practical solutions for climate change, and the #PutAPriceOnIt campaign!
The event will include a screening of "Priceless", a
Years of Living Dangerously episode focused on carbon pricing and biodiversity loss from climate change followed by an expert panel discussion with special guest,
Daily Show Correspondent, Aasif Mandvi.
When: Wednesday, April 5 from 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Where: Durango Public Library
Cost: Free
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Fields to Plate Produce:
Community Supported Agriculture
The Fields to Plate CSA program highlights locally grown food from their own farms as well as High Pine Produce.
The collaborative nature of the program allows for each farm to focus on its own production strategy while providing an abundant variety of locally grown, organic fruits and vegetables.
Sign up to be a CSA member and receive a share in the farm's bounty!
When: June - October
Weekly Pick Up: Smiley Farmer's market on Wednesday afternoons / Durango Farmer's market on Saturday mornings.
Cost: $600 for a full share / $300 for a half share
Click here for more information.
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Documentary Screening:
Sonic Sea
Come enjoy a showing of the groundbreaking documentary
Sonic Sea. Discover insights from famous marine scientists as this film brings to light the problems that come with the increase of human-made noise in our oceans and how it is impacting undersea creatures.
When: Tuesday, April 11 at 6 p.m.
Where: FLC's Vallecito Room in the Student Union
Cost: Free
Click here for more information.
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Jobs, Scholarships, Internships, and more!
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Wilderness Workshop is seeking a
Summer Intern
The Wilderness Workshop intern will be based at the Wilderness Workshop office in Carbondale, Colorado and will work under the supervision of Wilderness Workshop staff.
Primary duties include:
- Helping to plan and organize special events
- Helping to coordinate the Artist in Wilderness Residency program
- Providing administrative support for membership programs
- Engaging in conservation advocacy
When: June 5th - August 31st
Where: Carbondale, CO
Pay/Stipend: $1,000 - $2,000 per month
Click here for more information on how to apply.
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Scholarships:
La Plata Conservation District
The La Plata Conservation District is pleased to announce its 2017-18 Scholarship Program for entering college freshman and currently enrolled college or university students. The District will offer $1,500 scholarships for two qualifying students!
Application Deadline(s): Friday, April 7 at 5:00 p.m.
Learn More: La Plata Conservation District
Apply Here! |
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The Colorado Association for Recycling:
S
eeking Candidates for Future Leader Program
This conference scholarship program provides funds for college students to attend the Colorado Association for Recycling's 'Summit for Recycling' conference.
The conference agenda inclu des educational sessions, a silent auction, a variety of presenters, and site tours. The Summit offers an excellent setting to network with private business, government, non-profit, and university representatives!
Application Deadline: Friday, April 14
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The Garden Project of SW Colorado:
AmeriCorps is Looking for a School Garden Coordinator
The School Garden Coordinator will serve closely with schools and youth organizations to create outdoor learning opportunities and reinforce the importance of local food and healthy lifestyles through experiential and garden education.
Application Deadline: Spring 2017
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FLC Student Internship for
Southern Ute Indian Tribe Environmental Programs
This internship involves working within the Air and Water disciplines within a Tribal Environmental Program. Technical aspects include working with and performing various tasks within ambient air monitoring, air permitting and compliance, stream monitoring, riparian restoration and Clean Water Act policy implementation resulting in a well-rounded, technical understanding of a Tribal environmental program.
Application Deadline: April 14th
Pay/Stipend: $12/hour
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College Credit Opportunty!
Wild Rockies Field Institute: Spring and Summer Courses
Earn credit while living in your tent! Seriously!
WRFI offers a range of courses that cater to your interests, schedule and academic needs. Classes run from two to nine weeks and fulfill anywhere from three 3 - 15 semester credits.
All classes provide affordable alternatives to traditional classroom academics in some of the most beautiful and interesting landscapes in the world.
You will be introduced to the most beautiful and interesting people and places that will change your world forever!
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Further Resources and Opportunities
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Southwest CO Council of Governments
Recycling Resource:
It seems like the rules for recycling change wherever you go! Fortunately, there is a new recycling resource for you . . .
Check out the Southwest Council of Government's new
region-wide recycling resource
for a one-stop shop on how to recycle throughout our five-county region.
Many thanks to the Environmental Center Interns who spent the Fall of 2015 sorting through our region's trash (literally) to help inform this much needed, regional resource!
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Learn More About Sustainability
from the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado videos:
Even if you can't make it over to Denver, you can still learn some incredible information from the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado
YouTube channel. They record most of their community events and speaker series and post them as a valuable resource for education and insight into sustainability issues.
And check out the the
Alliance website to see more about what our Front Range friends are doing in the world of sustainability, social and environmental movements!
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